Taylor Drew
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mollymay5000.bsky.social
Taylor Drew
@mollymay5000.bsky.social
780 followers 490 following 2.4K posts
she/they | Canada → 日本 | Japanese to English translator | English, Français, 日本語

https://taylordrew.me/
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mollymay5000.bsky.social
It took me 5 years, but I finally read all of メタモルフォーゼの縁側. I only had the last volume left, so I can't believe it took this long--it feels almost ironic considering the story.

It was so lovely. Such a wonderful series about human growth and connection. Love to see it.

#AmReading #manga
Five volumes of manga laid haphazardly in two rows on a slightly wrinkled blue and white flower pattern sheet. There are three books on top and two books on the bottom. Each book has a different scene of an elderly woman with long gray hair in a bun and a teenage girl with scruffy black hair in a short ponytail.
June 7, 2025 at 2:45 PM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Glad to know it's going well since after seeing your post yesterday I accidentally fell into both stores in Shinjuku 😂
Five novels laid into haphazard rows on a white sheet with a repeating blue flower pattern. There are three books on the top and two books on the bottom. The first three are the following English language novels: Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera, Red Sword by Bora Chung (tr. Anton Hur), and The Extinction of Irena Rey by Jennifer Croft. The two books on the bottom are Japanese novels called: 人生写真館の奇跡 by 柊サナカ and ババヤガの夜 by 王谷晶.
June 1, 2025 at 11:39 AM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Started this Transgender 101 style book today in order to learn how to be more articulate when speaking about trans rights and stuff in Japanese. I've had the book for awhile, but it feels more urgently necessary than ever to read it now--and it covers a lot of topics too!

#AmReading #TransRights
A cream-coloured Japanese paperback laying sideways on top of a rainbow star design book cover that is partially visible on either side of the book. The surface of a white desk is also partially visible at the top and bottom of the image. The book is called トランスジェンダー入門 and it is by Akira Shuji and Yutori Takai.
April 17, 2025 at 9:46 AM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
I do not, so I took pictures. And now I guess I do! 😂
The book Violent Phenomena open to the first page of its table of contents. The inside of the front cover and a grey sheet are slightly visible on the edges of the photo. The table of contents is listed as follows: CONTENTS Introduction Kavita Bhanot & Jeremy Tiang 1. All the Violence It May Carry on its Back: A Conversation about Literary Translation Gitanjali Patel & Nariman Youssef 2. 'Blackness' in French: On Translation, Haiti, and the Matter of Race Kaiama L. Glover 3. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah is Dead! Aaron Robertson 4. Right to Access, Right of Refusal: Translation of/as Absence, Sanctuary, Weapon Khairani Barokka 5. The Mythical English Reader Anton Hur 6. Preserving the Tender Things Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi 7. The Combined Kingdom: 'Decolonising' Welsh Translation Eluned Gramich 8. Seeking Hajar: Decolonising Translation of Classical Arabic Texts sofia Rehman 9. Proust's Oreo Layla Benitez-James 10. Western Poets Kidnap Your Poems and Call Them Translations: On the Colonial Phenomenon of Rendition as Translation Mona Kareem The second page of the table of contents in Violent Phenomena. A thumb can be seen gripping the left edge of the page to hold the book open so that the table of contents is visible. Its contents are as follows: 11. Freed from the Monolingual Shackles: a Mongrel Cronica for the Mutt Translator Lúcia Collischonn 12. Why Don't You Translate Pakistanian? Sawad Hussain 13. Translating The Invisible: A Monologue About Translating the Poems of Nagraj Manjule Yogesh Maitreya 14. Desassimilar: Decolonizing a Granddaughter of Assimilados Sandra Tamele 15. Translation for the Quaint but Incomprehensible in parsetreeforestfire Hamid Roslan 16. Worlds in a Word: Loss and Translation in Kashmir Onaiza Drabu 17. Translations from Armenian: Reimag(in)ing the Inassimilable Shushan Avagyan 18. Between Crié and Écrit Monchoachi (tr. Eric Fishman) 19. Bad Translation Elisa Taber 20. Considering the Dystranslation of Zong! M. NourbeSe Philip & Barbara Ofosu-Somuah 21. Not a Good Fit Madhu Kaza Acknowledgements About the Contributors
April 10, 2025 at 1:38 PM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
I've been reading more about Japanese generally lately, so a book on both Japanese *and* translation was an obvious pick.

Overall, I found the execution a bit messy, but thinking about how translation can change language and impact our views of gender was really interesting for me to think about.
A Japanese paperback nonfiction book laying against a fuzzy blanket that is white with a turquoise swirling pattern. The book is white with very thin and evenly distributed horizontal lines from top to bottom in various colours. On the top half of the cover, the word "gender" is in all caps and split in two. Between these two halves is a yellow space empty of the coloured lines with the title and author name indicated. The book is 翻訳を ジェンダー する by Hiroko Furukawa.
April 5, 2025 at 1:40 PM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
I read Counterpoint by Djuna (tr. @antonhur.com) for the #TranslatedLitChallenge prompt for February.

I loved the pacing and how completely weird it was without making me feel like I was missing out on something. Definitely my kind of book and can't wait to read more from this author!

#AmReading
A novel laying slightly sideways on a fuzzy white and turquoise swirled design blanket. The cover is a gradient from top to bottom starting with a dark purple and slowly transitioning from a pinkish red into orange. There is an eyeball hanging from a cord in the middle with butterflies flying above it and three clouds interspersed.
March 4, 2025 at 12:51 PM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
I was in Kyoto for the weekend and took it as an opportunity to allow myself to buy some gifts for myself (as if that's something I ever prevent myself from doing).

I did try to be responsible and only buy the first book for each series for the most part at least.

#booksky #manga #BookHaul
Six volumes of manga in two haphazard rows laying against a wrinkled grey sheet. There are four volumes on top and two volumes from the same series on the bottom. On the top row from left to right are: 星旅少年 1 by Sakana Sakatsuki, ノラガミ 1 (omnibus edition) bt Adachitoka, うみべの女の子 1 by Inio Asano, and ひらやすみ 1 by Keigo Shinzo. The second row contains the first and final volume of 緑の歌 by Gao Yan.
February 24, 2025 at 11:35 AM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Bought some new reference materials a few days ago since I just haven't been satisfied with what I've been finding online.

What's extra great about these dictionaries is that they came with QR codes to activate an app version, so I've got them on my phone too!

#translation #Japanese #辞典
Two Japanese dictionaries inside their protective boxes laying flat against a slightly wrinkled grey sheet. The dictionary on the left is a Japanese language dictionary. It is the 12th edition and the box is white with three large light blue circles, two of which are only partially visible. The dictionary on the left is a Chinese character dictionary. It is the fourth edition and has purple circles on its box. The title text is also silver instead of black, and both are published by Obunsha.
February 12, 2025 at 2:56 PM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Cozy book, but it's manga. This is basically a compilation of short stories where they all center around a specific used bookstore. This was a nice and relaxing break from real life and also my normal reading. Will definitely pick up the next volume when it comes out.

#AmReading #manga #booksky
A volume of manga in Japanese called 本なら売るほど by 児島青 laying against a grey pillowcase. The lower left edge is being held down by a single, slender pointer finger. The cover design shows a young man leaning against a desk with his right leg crossed over his left and holding a book. He is in a bookstore full of used books that fill shelves and are also stacked in bundles on the floor around the desk. He is in a white t-shirt jeans and Converse sneakers and has a small ponytail. He looks towards us with a surprised look on his face.
February 9, 2025 at 10:12 AM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
My first book in Japanese of 2025 was a total winner and a very great way to start the year!

This was a really interesting SF short story collection because it's a collection of author experiments. There's historical settings, different worlds, and alternative futures. Very good.

#AmReading
A Japanese hardcover fiction book with a grey dust jacket. The author name is written in Japanese on the left side vertically and the title is written on the right side vertically. 魂婚心中, the collection title is also subtitled because it's partially a fictional word (I think). It is read as こんこんしんちゅう. ネームThe author's name in English is also written along with an English title, Soul Marriage and Other Stories. All font switches back and forth between red and white and at the center of the cover is an illustration that looks like drawn sperm that fades slowly into black. It has a Shinto style knot wrapped around it. The book is being held on a train and this is only slightly apparent from the edges of the photo.
January 31, 2025 at 11:41 PM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Once again I've decided to do the #TranslatedLitChallenge, even though I think I'm the only participant. January's prompt is to read a book that you meant to read in the previous year. For me this was Time of the Flies from @charcopress.com.

What a stunning example of feminist fiction.

#AmReading
The novel Time of the Flies by Claudia Piñeiro (tr. Frances Riddle) being held up again a wall with white textured wallpaper. It is held from the lower left hand corner in order to avoid obstructing the cover. It is a bold pink with the title, author name, and translator name in a deep yellow. Underneath indicates that a previous book by the author, Elena Knows, was a finalist for the International Booker Prize when it came out. Beyond that there is a simple illustration of a fly flipped upside down. The silhouette of a glass can be seen over top of it.
January 14, 2025 at 12:27 PM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
I had the opportunity to stop in at @tridenthalifax.bsky.social in Halifax before making my way to stay with family for the holidays, and picked up these lovely volumes.

A perfect souvenir for my stay in Canada, from a lovely independent bookstore. I can't wait to dig in and read the stories!
The first two volumes of Years Best Canadian Fantasy & Science Fiction laying on a textured white blanket. The first volume, which is red with an illustration of a character looking off into the distance at a large object hanging in the sky, is laying on top of the second volume, partially obscuring it. The second volume is a yellow green color with an illustration in shades of blue of a character being looked down at by a monstrous figure with several eyes.
December 23, 2024 at 9:17 AM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Just finished reading the first volume of イグナートの花嫁 (Bride of Ignat) by Moyori Mori and it was just stunning. I love the author's beautifully gentle style, and how they portray pain and the struggle to find one's place. I can't wait to see where Rita and Ignat's story goes next.

#AmReading
A volume of manga in Japanese held against a wall with textured white wallpaper. The book is slightly sideways and held in one slightly visible hand gripping the lower right corner. The cover shows a beautiful young man with green eyes wearing beautifully crafted winter clothing and jewelry. The hand of an individual not on the cover brushes aginst his forehead gently.
December 8, 2024 at 3:28 AM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Today I bought a nonfiction book translated from Korean to Japanese* and the author was at the table and signed my copy. The only problem is I don't know Korean and can't read the message. Can anybody help me out? 😂

*I bought more than one translation from Korean. I just couldn't stop myself.
A handwritten message in Korean that, I, the writer of this ALT text, can't read because I don't know Korean or how to read hangul.
November 23, 2024 at 11:24 AM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Life has been a lot lately and I think it's kind of peaked emotionally over the past two weeks because of illness, so I think it's time to slow down for a bit and read something gentle to nourish myself.

Much thanks to @antonhur.com for his translation that allows me to enjoy Baek Sehee's work.
A hardcover copy of I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee and translated by Anton Hur. It is laying on a quilted, grey blanket. The cover is 3/4 lime green and at the bottom and underneath the title and author name, there is an illustration of a Korean woman laying her head against her arm. She is wearing pink pajamas and holding chopsticks in her right hand. In front of her is a plate of tteokbokki. The quarter of the cover that isn't lime green is used as a sort of table and is a pale pink.
November 21, 2024 at 12:00 PM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Apropos of nothing, there are publications, individuals, etc. in Japan doing serious political work (loads actually) and this is just an example.

This is the December issue of CHIHEI, a monthly magazine covering loads of issues from around the globe. Very worth reading in my opinion.
A Japanese political magazine laying on a quilted, grey mattress cover. In addition to the names of contributors and features, the illustration is that of a four-legged pink centaur-like creature with blonde hair and a purple tail. It is wearing a long, blue winter coat, turquoise scarf, and purple hat. It is also holding a light purple umbrella.
November 9, 2024 at 12:55 PM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Sogensha has this great series of nonfiction books targeting teens and up covering various topics from an "in-between" angle.

This one, ことばの白地図 by 奈倉有里, is about the space between translation and magic. It's turned out to be more about language learning, but I'm having a lot of fun with it.
A Japanese nonfiction book being held against a wall covered in white, textured wallpaper. The pale hand of the poster (me) is visible holding the bottom of the book between thumb and pointer finger. The cover shows an illustration of a child receiving an apple from an older man with a long beard at a market. A small, black creature peeks out from under the stall.
October 18, 2024 at 1:08 AM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
I've been sorting through what I own and refraining from buying new books for my collection lately for money and space reasons.

Instead of impulse buying, I'm taking advantage of my local library. This is the haul I picked up today! Lots of interesting SFF awaits 👀
Three Japanese books in a line laying on a slightly wrinkled, grey sheet. The first is 忘らるる物語 by Madoka Takadono. The cover illustration is a semi-realistic deer head leading into human-like shoulders. It wears a cloak and mushroom wreath. The second book is 望むのは by Natsuki Koyata. A female student and a gorilla in an apron look out from a fence in a very blue background. The last book is 2084年のSF, which is an anthology from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of Japan. The cover is a simply black-red-black ombre. All the contributors are listed at the top (too many for ALT text).
October 11, 2024 at 1:35 PM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
At #TGS2024 today and got to see the Metal Gear booth up close and personal! There was also a live presentation that showed some Delta gameplay and new features. Got some CalorieMate and a sticker too. Everything just looks so cool 🐍
A large standing poster showing Metal Gear Solid 3's Naked Snake holding a box of CalorieMate. The model is from the remake, Delta. He is looking into the distance in a jungle scene with his bandana blowing in the wind and holding the box in a photoshoot style pose. There is white text overlayed that says: 生き抜きたいなら、食べることた。
September 27, 2024 at 4:03 AM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Finally got a copy of the physical relesse of See you later, Mermaid by Dento Hayane (tr. Annoymous)!

I worked on this title as proofreader when it was first released digitally in 2020. I loved it then and I love it now. The team did such a great job bringing it to print. It's so wonderful.
A volume of manga held up against a textured, white wall from the lower left corner. Two young men in winter coats are portrayed on the right side of the cover and light and confetti-looking stuff floats around them.
September 22, 2024 at 1:39 PM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
This series showcases absolutely everything I love about manga, BL, and translation. Not to mention how great it is to have older protagonists who continue to grew into themselves and have new dreams even into their 40s (aka like reality).

Definitely recommend picking this one up if you can.
Five volumes of manga in Japanese laying on a grey sheet. They are spread into a half circle and overlapping each other, with the bottom of the half circle facing the left. The title is スモークブルーの雨のち晴れ, subtitled in English as "Life in Smokey Blue" by Kamome Hamada.
September 10, 2024 at 4:35 AM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
I finished this fascinating book over the weekend. It follows a young woman as she enters university just as COVID hits. One day, she gets a call from Marilyn Munroe on an old phone she has. A feminist look on the effects of lockdown and life as a young woman in Japan (+ a Marilyn history lesson).
A Japanese novel laying on a grey sheet. It is called マリリン・トールド・ミー by Mariko Yamauchi. The whole cover is in grey and pink and done in a loose collage style with black and white photos of Marilyn reading through papers laying in a chair, a stack of records, a record player, a curtain, and two hands with one holding an old pink rotary phone receiver.
August 26, 2024 at 11:57 PM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Took the time tonight to accidentally start and finish my third book, The Book Censor's Library by Bothayna Al-Essi (tr. Ranya Abdelrahman and Sawad Hussain).

An absolutely wild Orwellian ride of a book from Arabic. Definitely want to read more from this author.

#WITMonth #WomenInTranslation
A novel laying slightly sideways, with the left side slightly higher, on a grey sheet. The center of the book shows a deranged-looking illustration of a rabbit head with beams of colour coming out in various thicknesses. Author and book name are written in a large san-serif font within several of these beams, with both translators credited in a much smaller font. A quote from Emily Drabinski of the American Library Association in the top left corner reads: Meaning, metaphor, and the material are all at stake in this sly fable of a near-future won by censors who ban not just books but imagination, dreams, and desire. I'd follow these characters anywhere.
August 17, 2024 at 1:09 PM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Started my summer vacation by visiting two indie bookstores to decompress a bit before jumping into some translation edits tomorrow.

Both stores had great selections, so I'm definitely looking forward to going to each again. Love supporting small businesses.
A Japanese tankobon sized novel held up against a white wall with textured wallpaper. A small, dainty hand holds the book from the lower left. The book is 地球の果ての温室で by Kim Choyeop, translated from Korean to Japanese by Kim Banghwa). The cover is an illustration of two people sitting in a greenhouse. The sky, visible in the background, is red. Three bunko size Japanese books laying against a white background (a wrinkly pillow) in a row. From left to right: こ とばが変われば社会が変わる by Momoko Nakamura, マザリ ング by Momoko Nakamura, and あなたのことが知りたくて、 an anthology work containing writing from numerous Korean and Japanese writers and translators.
August 11, 2024 at 10:32 AM
mollymay5000.bsky.social
Spent my Sunday afternoon reading about The Great War (via fantastical fiction) and I couldn't help but notice how many parallels there are between then and now. It really made me think about just how long we can feel the echoes of the past if we know where to look...and if we listen to the ghosts.
The cover of Katherine Arden's novel, The Warm Hands of Ghosts. It shows two hands clasped together within an older style oval frame. The hands are holding a red flower and above them and still within the frame is the title, also in red.
July 28, 2024 at 7:36 AM