Aya Vandenbussche (she/her)
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hiyaaya.bsky.social
Aya Vandenbussche (she/her)
@hiyaaya.bsky.social
310 followers 320 following 1.6K posts
Writer, reader, consumer of culture, an occasional voicer of opinions. Sometimes, I like to make up words.
You can support me on ko-fi:
https://ko-fi.com/ayavandenbussche
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hiyaaya.bsky.social
Aya Vandenbussche (she/her) @hiyaaya.bsky.social · Oct 6
I write a lot about reading Terry Pratchett, because I love reading and I love learning. Have a read, and if you like it, you can buy me a Ko-fi (or share and spread the word).
#Discworld #BookSky 💙📚🪐📚
#writing
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hiyaaya.bsky.social
The Chetham library, the oldest library in the English language, in Manchester, had a printing press. This is the case where they kept the letters for the printing machine. They used to put capital letters on the top part. This is where we get upper and lower case from. 🫨 📚💙 #writing #booksky
December 8, 2025 at 8:44 AM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
As far as my research goes, there has not been a particular famous Morris who was associated with Morris dancing or its origin. 💙📚🪐📚 #Discworld #reaperman #booksky
ko-fi.com/post/What-I-...
December 8, 2025 at 6:58 AM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
Starting Christmas with a Boom Boom* at the Cinderella panto with Basil Brush. The husbanoid is the happiest I've ever seen him.

*growing up in a different country I don't really know Basil Brush but I understand boom boom is the thing to say.
A selfie of me (Aya, white female, long fair fair and glasses) and my husband David (white male, with a very happy smile). In the background a blue sparkly curtain with Cinderella written on it.
December 7, 2025 at 6:27 PM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
Finished book club book, Last Summer on State Street, during my night shift. I shall now return to Pride and Prejudice and Maskerade, which I had to put on hold for a bit. 💙📚
December 7, 2025 at 4:19 PM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
Chetham library put Shakespeare's work behind bar where they belong. There's no telling what sort of danger his beautiful words will bring out in the wild. 💙📚
A row of old books, Shakespeare's work. They are locked inside a cage and cannot be accessed.
December 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
Terry Pratchett said, with regards to Morris dancing that he’s ‘never waved a hankie in anger’ nor knows any Morris dancers personally, but he finds the Morris dance kind of fascinating. Who wouldn’t? It's such a weird thing. 💙📚 #Discworld #BookSky
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December 7, 2025 at 8:20 AM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
Welcoming Tarantino fans coming to watch Kill Bill double Bill tonight. IYKYK.
A picture of the glass door of the cinema with heart shaped photos of Paul Dano in his different cinema roles More heart shaped pictures of Paul Dano stuck to the cinema's glass door.
December 5, 2025 at 11:07 PM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
I see Netflix are doing a Disney and buying WB. Sad times for films.
December 5, 2025 at 5:29 PM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
Speaking of contemplation, Karl Marx and Engles used to sit in this very spot at the Chetham library, contemplate and discuss these books they read. No, Karl Marx didn't write the Communist manifesto in here, but he may have given it a bloody good thought.
Sitting around a wooden table with a pile of old books in the middle of it. From left to right: David, white male wearing a bright orange coat. Me, Aya, white female, long fair hair, glasses hand under my chin in a thinking pause. Jamie, white male, beard and glasses, red and white scarf. Finally, on the right, Leslie, white female, light brown hair, shoulder length, glasses wearing a blue coat.
December 5, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Reposted by Aya Vandenbussche (she/her)
hiyaaya.bsky.social
Another story referenced in Reaper Man is the legend of John Henry. It's a legend often told in blues ballads and folk music. I have had some thoughts about the legend of John Henry and its meaning. 💙📚 #Discworld
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December 4, 2025 at 7:28 AM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
One of my cats is a bit of an affection eater, which means she likes to be petted while eating. She will eat regardless, but she prefers me to be there for support. This is me supporting her: 'you are strong, independent cat, you can... oh, but your fur is so soft and shiny...'
December 5, 2025 at 7:55 AM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
Another story referenced in Reaper Man is the legend of John Henry. It's a legend often told in blues ballads and folk music. I have had some thoughts about the legend of John Henry and its meaning. 💙📚 #Discworld
ko-fi.com/post/What-I-...
December 4, 2025 at 7:28 AM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
I love a good old, atmospheric corridor me. More from the ancient Chetham library. I could happily walk these corridors in contemplation.
A stone wall, stone floor corridor, with arched windows on the left, a bit of blue daylight comes through them. On the right a stone wall with warm yellow lighting. There's a big wooden table by the wall. The celling is low, and has dark, heavy wooden grid creating long rectangles, white ibside. At the far end of the corridor there's an arched opening, possibly a door. You can see a little into the room at the end, there's a big window with a lot of daylight coming in. A dark corridor with a wooden floor and a closed door at the end (possibly made of iron). On the right is a dark wooden bookcase covering the whole wall. The books are facing the corridor. In the Left there is a row of bookcases, facing the camera, and iron gates in the gaps between bookcases. On both sides in the floor are wooden, narrow stools. They each have an S shape hole in them so you can put your hand through and pick them up easily.
December 4, 2025 at 7:22 AM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
Chetham library in Manchester is the oldest library in the English language. It's a pretty magical place.
An old wooden, arched door. There's a arched sign at the top which says in white 'please ring'. Beneath it a wooden decorative bell. Underneath a golden plack saying 'library'
December 3, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Reposted by Aya Vandenbussche (she/her)
tamsinwilson.bsky.social
Photo taken just after the Jonkonnu performance from last Saturday at Well Dressed Dark Peak/White Peak, The Quad Derby. Hugest of thanks to the excellent performers @susieoftraken.bsky.social, Aery Lyndon, @geologydisco.bsky.social, Liam Hopkins, and Matt Kerry.
Landscape colour photo of Jonkonnu performers in colourful costumes standing against a black background. From left to right, a grey horned Cow Head with grey fabric body, multicoloured all over rag Pitchy Patchy with pointy head, Horse Head with white skull head and red fabric body, head to toe rag Jack in the Green with a pointy head, the Devil wearing black and red patterns and holding a fork.
December 2, 2025 at 6:55 PM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
I was doing well writing by hand in my notebook and everything, until one of my cats decided that my notebook has had enough of my attention, and it's time to sit on it.
December 2, 2025 at 3:03 PM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
Do you write inside books? I like the idea of it, and I like finding people's writing in second hand books, but I was brought up never to write inside books, and I still shudder at the thought of doing it. Maybe I'll overcome this. 📚💙
December 2, 2025 at 11:46 AM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
There's something incredibly satisfying about peeling off all the posted notes from a book you just finished researching. On to the next one.
December 2, 2025 at 11:44 AM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
Miss Flitworth's story in Reaper Man is, in my opinion, a beautiful tribute to Dickens' Miss Havisham. I absolutely love it! But there was a real woman who Charles Dickens may have been inspired by. 💙📚 #discworld
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What I Learned From Reaper Man.
Aya Vandenbussche published a post on Ko-fi
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December 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
Went to see Ania Magliano and friends (Will Owen and Phil Wang) work in progress this evening. Great fun, and I got an elf sticker. Thanks Will.
December 1, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Reposted by Aya Vandenbussche (she/her)
tamsinwilson.bsky.social
I have a cousin of a Mari Lwyd - a Jamaican Jonkonnu Horse Head character - painting in @skullsandsheets.bsky.social excellent charity auction which is now live for bidding on eBay. Tons of awesome art is in the auction, go have a look! www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15750673...
Watercolour ink painting of a Horse Head character from Jonkonnu - a white horse skull (painted cardboard) with red fabric flowing and gathering below, and two rosettes.
December 1, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Reposted by Aya Vandenbussche (she/her)
hiyaaya.bsky.social
From Reaper Man, I learned a lot about Morris Dancing, combine harvesters, Charles Dickens' Miss Havisham, and the legend of John Henry and the glorification of labour. You can read all about it here. #TerryPratchett #Discworld #BookSky 💙📚🪐📚
ko-fi.com/post/What-I-...
What I Learned From Reaper Man.
Aya Vandenbussche published a post on Ko-fi
ko-fi.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Reposted by Aya Vandenbussche (she/her)
tamsinwilson.bsky.social
I greatly enjoyed reading this. If you've read Reaper Man you'll enjoy this deep dive into how roundworld has impacted discworld. Also there is a bit on morris dancing. If you haven't read Reaper Man, you should! (Then come back and read this.) An excellent book. An excellent blog.
hiyaaya.bsky.social Aya Vandenbussche (she/her) @hiyaaya.bsky.social · 7d
From Reaper Man, I learned a lot about Morris Dancing, combine harvesters, Charles Dickens' Miss Havisham, and the legend of John Henry and the glorification of labour. You can read all about it here. #TerryPratchett #Discworld #BookSky 💙📚🪐📚
ko-fi.com/post/What-I-...
What I Learned From Reaper Man.
Aya Vandenbussche published a post on Ko-fi
ko-fi.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Reposted by Aya Vandenbussche (she/her)
terriblezodin.bsky.social
If you missed it before, now’s the perfect time to catch up!

While Sheperds Watch Their Flocks - Episode 1 of Yes Virginia, This is a Podcast is available for your delight and edification.

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001 YVTIAP 1.01 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
0.17 – What is this all about? 1.00 – The true meaning of Christmas 1.48 – Who is Virginia? 2.32 – 2020 3.29 – Advent 6.55 – Reading from Luke 8.50 – the Nativity 12.37 – Nativity art and scenes 18.
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December 1, 2025 at 8:14 AM
hiyaaya.bsky.social
First day of new exciting Taskmaster advent calendar that @tamsinwilson.bsky.social got us. Feeling quite proud of myself for figuring it out (I think), but going to check myself tomorrow before door 2.
December 1, 2025 at 7:31 AM