Alison Fincher
@alisonfincher.bsky.social
public scholarship at Read Japanese Literature (@readjapaneseliterature.com) | co-editor for Japanese lit at Asian Review of Books | MSt English lit, 650-1550 | queer (historical/SFF) romance reader | ATL | genderqueer (all pronouns) | generative AI is bad
Glad my state senator threw away years of credibility with the LGBTQ+ community to support this bill. 🫠
Judge strikes down Georgia law banning gender-affirming care for trans inmates
A Georgia law restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender prison inmates has been struck down. According to a report from The Advocate, federal Judge Victoria M. Calvert issued a permanent injunction on…
A Georgia law restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender prison inmates has been struck down. According to a report from The Advocate, federal Judge Victoria M. Calvert issued a permanent injunction on…
Judge strikes down Georgia law banning gender-affirming care for trans inmates
A Georgia law restricting access to gender-affirming care for transgender prison inmates has been struck down. According to a report from The Advocate, federal Judge Victoria M. Calvert issued a permanent injunction on Dec. 3 against SB 185, finding that it violated the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. "The state is responsible for the well-being of any person it holds in its custody, regardless of whether that person has gender dysphoria or another diagnosis," Emily Early, an attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights who represented the plaintiffs, told The Advocate.
roughdraftatlanta.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Glad my state senator threw away years of credibility with the LGBTQ+ community to support this bill. 🫠
And here it is…
Waymo said Friday it would issue a recall for its self-driving vehicles after Texas officials said the Alphabet unit's vehicles had illegally passed school buses at least 19 times in recorded incidents since the start of the school year.
Waymo to issue recall over self-driving vehicles driving past stopped school buses
Waymo said Friday it would issue a recall for its self-driving vehicles after Texas officials said the Alphabet unit's vehicles had illegally passed school buses at least 19 times in recorded incidents since the start of the school year.
reut.rs
December 5, 2025 at 11:06 PM
And here it is…
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Looking for a great Christmasy read? Look no further!
RJL has a list of almost two dozen Japanese books where the holiday plays a significant role.
RJL has a list of almost two dozen Japanese books where the holiday plays a significant role.
Christmas in Japanese Literature - Read Japanese Literature
images/Book-ListChristmas-in-Japanese-literature.png Christmas originated as a Christian holiday, but it’s still celebrated in Japan—a country where somewhere between one and two percent of the count…
readjapaneseliterature.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Looking for a great Christmasy read? Look no further!
RJL has a list of almost two dozen Japanese books where the holiday plays a significant role.
RJL has a list of almost two dozen Japanese books where the holiday plays a significant role.
I would wish away the suffering of the folks with genetic disorders in my life, but I wouldn’t wish *them* away.
Until we’ve got the science to do one without the other—and to do it for everyone, regardless of income—this is gross.
Besides—being smart doesn’t make life happier or easier.
Until we’ve got the science to do one without the other—and to do it for everyone, regardless of income—this is gross.
Besides—being smart doesn’t make life happier or easier.
I saw this ad on the train and I’m curious how yall feel about it… I’m very much in the center, but slightly more towards than against…
December 4, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I would wish away the suffering of the folks with genetic disorders in my life, but I wouldn’t wish *them* away.
Until we’ve got the science to do one without the other—and to do it for everyone, regardless of income—this is gross.
Besides—being smart doesn’t make life happier or easier.
Until we’ve got the science to do one without the other—and to do it for everyone, regardless of income—this is gross.
Besides—being smart doesn’t make life happier or easier.
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Happy Holidays! ALL Haymarket Books are 40% Off through Friday, January 2nd!
Happy Holidays! 40% OFF ALL Haymarket Books
Our Holiday Sale is here early this year! ALL Haymarket Books are 40% Off through Friday, January 2nd!
For one-stop shopping, check out our eleven curated gift bundles: each includes 5 books for $5...
www.haymarketbooks.org
December 4, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Happy Holidays! ALL Haymarket Books are 40% Off through Friday, January 2nd!
Recently had a conversation with a conservative family member in which I was obliged to explain that "I don't think some people are people" is NOT a political stance and that avoiding family members who don't believe all people are people is not "choosing politics over family". 🫠
"I chose a crass serial rapist and adulterer, who calls women 'nasty' and 'piggy,' and took away by daughters' reproductive rights, over my daughters. So why are they displeased with me??? It must be all THEIR fault! I take no responsibility. NONE!"
December 3, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Recently had a conversation with a conservative family member in which I was obliged to explain that "I don't think some people are people" is NOT a political stance and that avoiding family members who don't believe all people are people is not "choosing politics over family". 🫠
Reposted by Alison Fincher
RJL’s list of New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases for 2026 is now available!
2026 New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases - Read Japanese Literature
About this list: what's included, possible changesIt does not include most manga, light novels, or picture books. Listed released dates listed are tentative. Descriptions are excerpted from book sell…
readjapaneseliterature.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:17 PM
RJL’s list of New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases for 2026 is now available!
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Marie Kondo is back, back, back, back again! This time with a new book sharing her thoughts on many aspects of her life in Japan. I was interviewed by Caroline Bologna about the spiritual roots of New Years cleaning rituals for @huffpost.com. Needless to say, I have thoughts. 😅⛩️🧹✨
This Japanese End-Of-The-Year Tradition Is The Perfect Reset
Ōsōji blends practicality with spiritual meaning, and it might inspire your own end-of-year reset.
www.huffpost.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Marie Kondo is back, back, back, back again! This time with a new book sharing her thoughts on many aspects of her life in Japan. I was interviewed by Caroline Bologna about the spiritual roots of New Years cleaning rituals for @huffpost.com. Needless to say, I have thoughts. 😅⛩️🧹✨
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Atlantans United for Mutual Aid is less than $1500 away from our goal of donating $10k to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Help us cross the finish line between now and the end of giving Tuesday!
give.acfb.org/team/784657
Help us cross the finish line between now and the end of giving Tuesday!
give.acfb.org/team/784657
December 1, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Atlantans United for Mutual Aid is less than $1500 away from our goal of donating $10k to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Help us cross the finish line between now and the end of giving Tuesday!
give.acfb.org/team/784657
Help us cross the finish line between now and the end of giving Tuesday!
give.acfb.org/team/784657
Reposted by Alison Fincher
when someone tells me not to use em dashes because AI uses em dashes
November 30, 2025 at 7:48 PM
when someone tells me not to use em dashes because AI uses em dashes
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Don't just watch. Join the movement.
Fri, 11/28, 7pm @ the Plaza Theatre
In Conversation: The Power of Community.
Following the First Voices Festival screening of She Cried That Day.
www.plazaatlanta.com/movie/first-...
Fri, 11/28, 7pm @ the Plaza Theatre
In Conversation: The Power of Community.
Following the First Voices Festival screening of She Cried That Day.
www.plazaatlanta.com/movie/first-...
November 27, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Don't just watch. Join the movement.
Fri, 11/28, 7pm @ the Plaza Theatre
In Conversation: The Power of Community.
Following the First Voices Festival screening of She Cried That Day.
www.plazaatlanta.com/movie/first-...
Fri, 11/28, 7pm @ the Plaza Theatre
In Conversation: The Power of Community.
Following the First Voices Festival screening of She Cried That Day.
www.plazaatlanta.com/movie/first-...
Reposted by Alison Fincher
"I DNF first-person books if I can't relate to the protagonist" is a kind of illiteracy.
The point of first person is not to insert yourself into a narrative. You are supposed to experience and empathize with the perspective of a character that is intended to be fully fleshed out.
The point of first person is not to insert yourself into a narrative. You are supposed to experience and empathize with the perspective of a character that is intended to be fully fleshed out.
November 26, 2025 at 4:08 PM
"I DNF first-person books if I can't relate to the protagonist" is a kind of illiteracy.
The point of first person is not to insert yourself into a narrative. You are supposed to experience and empathize with the perspective of a character that is intended to be fully fleshed out.
The point of first person is not to insert yourself into a narrative. You are supposed to experience and empathize with the perspective of a character that is intended to be fully fleshed out.
Reposted by Alison Fincher
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Study In The Journal Of Pediatrics Finds Trans Youth Care Lowers Suicidality, Few Detransition
The groundbreaking study found that suicidality dropped for transgender youth receiving hormone therapy by nearly 70%, with only 7 patients of 432 discontinuing treatment.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Reposted by Alison Fincher
I don’t want to undermine the economic blackout or We Ain’t Buying It campaign, so I’m releasing the 2026 New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases list a little early this year. Please enjoy!
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 AM
I don’t want to undermine the economic blackout or We Ain’t Buying It campaign, so I’m releasing the 2026 New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases list a little early this year. Please enjoy!
-A record of treating all people like people. The “Third Way” can suck it.
-A record or a plan for ACTIVELY opposing the Trump regime
-A plan for building something better. Restoring America ca 2012 would be an improvement but would NOT be a win.
-Opposition to genocide
-A record or a plan for ACTIVELY opposing the Trump regime
-A plan for building something better. Restoring America ca 2012 would be an improvement but would NOT be a win.
-Opposition to genocide
Looking ahead to midterms—
Question— what are your top 3-5 issues that determine who you vote for?
Question— what are your top 3-5 issues that determine who you vote for?
November 25, 2025 at 10:41 PM
-A record of treating all people like people. The “Third Way” can suck it.
-A record or a plan for ACTIVELY opposing the Trump regime
-A plan for building something better. Restoring America ca 2012 would be an improvement but would NOT be a win.
-Opposition to genocide
-A record or a plan for ACTIVELY opposing the Trump regime
-A plan for building something better. Restoring America ca 2012 would be an improvement but would NOT be a win.
-Opposition to genocide
Black organizers know how to run a boycott.
If you’re not already avoiding Amazon, Home Depot, and Target, please commit to avoiding these stores for JUST FIVE DAYS to help out.
If you’re not already avoiding Amazon, Home Depot, and Target, please commit to avoiding these stores for JUST FIVE DAYS to help out.
"We’re watching corporations bend over backwards to appease an administration and gain tax breaks, even when it hurts their own customers.”
https://bit.ly/3M5GDpT
https://bit.ly/3M5GDpT
A call to action
‘We Ain't Buying It'
contrarian.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Black organizers know how to run a boycott.
If you’re not already avoiding Amazon, Home Depot, and Target, please commit to avoiding these stores for JUST FIVE DAYS to help out.
If you’re not already avoiding Amazon, Home Depot, and Target, please commit to avoiding these stores for JUST FIVE DAYS to help out.
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Reminder that it's Tuesday, which means it's a pub day full of great new queer releases! lgbtqreads.com/2025/11/04/n...
New Releases: November 2025
Chris Makes a Friend by Alex Gino (4th) This is not the summer Chris has planned… Chris does not want to be spending the summer with her grandparents and her little sister. Her grandparents aren’t …
lgbtqreads.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Reminder that it's Tuesday, which means it's a pub day full of great new queer releases! lgbtqreads.com/2025/11/04/n...
Reposted by Alison Fincher
If you're working on Occupation-era Japan, please consider applying! The UMD Prange Collection has a treasure trove of archival info and the staff are fantastic. 100% recommend this opportunity. Deadline is Jan. 30.
www.lib.umd.edu/about/awards...
www.lib.umd.edu/about/awards...
Awards for 20th Century Japan Research | University Libraries
Each year, the Nathan and Jeanette Miller Center for Historical Studies and the University of Maryland Libraries invite applications for grants to support research in the Libraries' Gordon W.
www.lib.umd.edu
November 25, 2025 at 10:34 AM
If you're working on Occupation-era Japan, please consider applying! The UMD Prange Collection has a treasure trove of archival info and the staff are fantastic. 100% recommend this opportunity. Deadline is Jan. 30.
www.lib.umd.edu/about/awards...
www.lib.umd.edu/about/awards...
Any folks I know going?
The #AAS2026 preliminary conference program is online ... start browsing the nearly *600 sessions*, planning your schedule, and seeing all that our gathering in Vancouver has to offer!
buff.ly/gItXtM1
buff.ly/gItXtM1
November 24, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Any folks I know going?
I know Kaos was expensive to make, but I still think the cancellation of season 2 within a week of its debut was in anticipation of a Trump win. 😞
"According to the report, [...]during the 2024-25 television season, queer characters increased across platforms by 4%, bringing the total to 489. However, the Thursday report found that 41% of those characters will not return." www.thewrap.com/glaad-where-...
Nearly Half of All LGBTQ+ Characters Will Disappear From TV Next Season, GLAAD Study Finds
The 2024-25 TV season recorded 489 queer characters across broadcast, cable and screenings, but cancellations and plot find a deep decline to come
www.thewrap.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM
I know Kaos was expensive to make, but I still think the cancellation of season 2 within a week of its debut was in anticipation of a Trump win. 😞
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Look for RJL’s 2026 list of new and upcoming releases from Japan later this week.
In the meantime, enjoy a sneak peek of what’s already available for pre-order!
In the meantime, enjoy a sneak peek of what’s already available for pre-order!
2026 New Releases from Japan
Checkout out this list on Bookshop
bookshop.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Look for RJL’s 2026 list of new and upcoming releases from Japan later this week.
In the meantime, enjoy a sneak peek of what’s already available for pre-order!
In the meantime, enjoy a sneak peek of what’s already available for pre-order!
I do NOT go in for cozy, but Cat Sebastian’s latest is an actually palatable comfort read about redemption and hope in what looks like an impossibly difficult historical moment. Definitely written for fall 2025.
Two thumbs way up.
Two thumbs way up.
After Hours at Dooryard Books
Check out After Hours at Dooryard Books - <p>1968 New York City</p><p></p><p>News about the war might be keeping Patrick up at night--news in general might be keeping Patrick up at night--but he's doi...
bookshop.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:15 AM
I do NOT go in for cozy, but Cat Sebastian’s latest is an actually palatable comfort read about redemption and hope in what looks like an impossibly difficult historical moment. Definitely written for fall 2025.
Two thumbs way up.
Two thumbs way up.
Today I watched the Bluey episode “Fairytale” for the first time.
It’s set in the 1980s. When Bandit and his brothers were all older than I was by the end of the 1980s.
Bluey’s are apparently, like, half a decade older than me.
I don’t know how I feel about this information. 😅
It’s set in the 1980s. When Bandit and his brothers were all older than I was by the end of the 1980s.
Bluey’s are apparently, like, half a decade older than me.
I don’t know how I feel about this information. 😅
November 18, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Today I watched the Bluey episode “Fairytale” for the first time.
It’s set in the 1980s. When Bandit and his brothers were all older than I was by the end of the 1980s.
Bluey’s are apparently, like, half a decade older than me.
I don’t know how I feel about this information. 😅
It’s set in the 1980s. When Bandit and his brothers were all older than I was by the end of the 1980s.
Bluey’s are apparently, like, half a decade older than me.
I don’t know how I feel about this information. 😅
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Love it for Amazon that they apparently think all these women are the same person.
November 18, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Love it for Amazon that they apparently think all these women are the same person.
Reposted by Alison Fincher
Help Indivisible ATL reach our target goal of $500 for Atlanta Community Foodbank, which serves 29 counties in Metro Atlanta.
(We’re working with a coalition of progressive Atlanta orgs to raise a total of $10k. We’re more than halfway there!)
(We’re working with a coalition of progressive Atlanta orgs to raise a total of $10k. We’re more than halfway there!)
November 16, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Help Indivisible ATL reach our target goal of $500 for Atlanta Community Foodbank, which serves 29 counties in Metro Atlanta.
(We’re working with a coalition of progressive Atlanta orgs to raise a total of $10k. We’re more than halfway there!)
(We’re working with a coalition of progressive Atlanta orgs to raise a total of $10k. We’re more than halfway there!)