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raymondisreading.bsky.social
Raymond is reading
@raymondisreading.bsky.social
150 followers 230 following 93 posts
I am a reviewer specializing in literary fiction, memoirs, essays, short-story collections, and stories centered on LGBTQIA+ experiences and characters. (he/him)

https://raymondisreading.com/
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raymondisreading.bsky.social
Wild, weird, and totally unforgettable. The Master and Margarita reads like a stage play gone off the rails—in the best way. Bulgakov, a playwright at heart, gives every scene dramatic flair, sharp dialogue, and entrances worthy of a spotlight.
Book cover of The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov, Deluxe 50th Anniversary Edition by Penguin Classics. The design features a stylized split image: on the left, a wide-eyed black cat with red ears and a yellow eye; on the right, the face of a glamorous woman with red lips, a beauty mark, dangling pearl earrings, and curled black hair. The title runs diagonally across the cover in elegant script.
April 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
In Martyr!, Kaveh Akbar delivers an evocative exploration of identity, artistry, and recovery through the life of Cyrus Shams, a recovering alcoholic searching for meaning.
The image shows the book cover of Martyr! A Novel by Kaveh Akbar. The cover is primarily yellow with bold black text for the title and author’s name. Below the title, there is an illustration of a figure in traditional attire riding a horse, holding a weapon. A speech bubble near the figure reads “A Novel.” A blurb at the top says, “Kaveh Akbar is one of my favorite writers. Ever.” attributed to Tommy Orange. Image credit NPR
January 21, 2025 at 12:47 AM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
Sigrid Nunez’s The Vulnerables is a pandemic-era tale that reminds us it wasn’t just humans who had a rough time in lockdown—parrots had feelings too.
Book cover for The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez. The design features a soft olive-green background on the top half and a cream-colored background on the bottom. A vibrant illustration of a parrot's head, appearing upside down, is juxtaposed with delicate pink hydrangea flowers above it. The title is written in bold black lowercase letters, and the author's name is prominently displayed at the bottom, along with a note that she is a National Book Award winner for The Friend.
January 14, 2025 at 1:45 AM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang weaves together three intermingled timelines to explore themes of love and fate. 📚🌈
The image features two sections. On the left, there is a portrait of Justinian Huang, an author, seated in front of a green plant and a window. He is wearing a striped shirt over a white tank top, with a calm and approachable expression. On the right is the colorful cover of his book The Emperor and the Endless Palace, showcasing intricate designs including clouds, a palace, a dragon, and vibrant patterns in red, blue, and gold tones. The title and the author’s name are prominently displayed. Image credit Debutiful
January 8, 2025 at 2:01 AM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
Fables, Vol. 1 starts with a cool idea—fairy-tale characters living secretly in modern-day New York—but it didn’t quite click for me.
The image is an illustrated scene featuring a subway train and various fantastical elements. On the left side, a woman with dark hair is seated, holding a backpack, while other characters are depicted in a chaotic yet surreal environment. The train is filled with whimsical and mythical creatures, including a dragon, humanoid animals, and fairy tale-inspired beings. A woman in a blue dress runs toward the train, holding a red book, with other dynamic characters around her. The text “FABLES” is prominently displayed in bold across the image. The artwork combines urban and fantastical themes with vibrant energy and detail.
January 7, 2025 at 12:23 AM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
Happy Birthday Hayao Miyazaki!
A colorful collage featuring Hayao Miyazaki, smiling broadly in the center, surrounded by iconic characters and scenes from his Studio Ghibli films. These include Totoro, Chihiro from Spirited Away, Kiki on her broomstick from Kiki’s Delivery Service, the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro, and other beloved figures. The artwork captures the whimsical and magical essence of Miyazaki’s storytelling, blending his portrait with the fantastical worlds he created. The background is light, enhancing the vibrant imagery of the characters.
January 5, 2025 at 6:32 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
🤠
A black-and-white portrait of Hayao Miyazaki, the acclaimed filmmaker and animator. He is adjusting a bucket hat with both hands, wearing glasses, a light-colored suit jacket, and a collared shirt. His expression is thoughtful and calm, with the hat adding a touch of casual charm to his composed appearance. A black-and-white portrait of Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary filmmaker and animator. He is wearing glasses, a bucket hat with an emblem, a light suit jacket, and a collared shirt. His expression is calm and thoughtful, exuding a sense of wisdom and creativity.
January 5, 2025 at 6:32 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
Young Hayao Miyazaki as a union activist, 1964.
A black-and-white photograph of a young Hayao Miyazaki, wearing glasses, a jacket, and a watch, with a satchel slung over his shoulder. He stands confidently in the foreground, looking to the side, while a group of people gathers behind him, some seated and others standing. The image captures a moment of purpose or activity, set outdoors on a dirt-covered area, offering a glimpse into Miyazaki’s early years.
January 5, 2025 at 6:32 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
🥸
A playful portrait of Hayao Miyazaki, a celebrated filmmaker and animator, making a hand gesture resembling glasses by forming circles with his fingers and holding them up to his eyes. He has a warm, mischievous expression, with his white hair, beard, and mustache adding to his iconic appearance. The background is dark, emphasizing his lighthearted demeanor.
January 5, 2025 at 6:32 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
This workspace exudes creativity and energy, with shelves and walls covered in sketches and notes. Desk goals
Hayao Miyazaki, a legendary filmmaker and animator, is seated at a cluttered desk filled with papers, drawings, and colorful art supplies. He is smiling warmly at the camera, wearing glasses, a white shirt, a dark sweater, and an apron. The workspace exudes creativity and energy, with shelves and walls covered in sketches and notes.
January 5, 2025 at 6:32 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
Hayao Miyazaki. Born on this day in 1941. A thread.
A photo of Hayao Miyazaki, a renowned filmmaker and animator, with white hair and a beard, wearing glasses, a plaid shirt, and a white apron. He is standing outdoors in front of a house surrounded by lush greenery, smiling warmly at the camera with a relaxed and cheerful demeanor.
January 5, 2025 at 6:32 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
“An immigrant's test of discipline, most probably ancient, for this instinct to pass unnoticed, to veil oneself, must surely be as old as time, as old as exile, as old as when Adam and Eve, cast out of Eden and sent down to earth, were made to live on opposite sides of the empty planet.”
Book cover for ‘My Friends’ by Hisham Matar. The design features a silhouette of a person’s head and shoulders filled with an intricate map pattern in blue, set against a beige background. The title and author’s name are displayed in bold white text.
January 3, 2025 at 10:46 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
So many books, so little time. 📚🌈
Table display of hardcover books in a bookshop.
January 3, 2025 at 10:08 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
Help 😅
A photograph of an open MD Notebook (by Midori) reveals a clean and minimalist design. The left page has sections labeled “IDEA,” “DIARY,” “VOLUME,” and “FINISH,” with space for notes. The right page features a rectangular box for a title or label and the text “MD NOTEBOOK” followed by “MADE IN JAPAN” with the Midori logo beneath it. The background shows a grid-patterned calendar or planner with lined dates and tasks. The notebook is placed on a desk or surface with soft lighting.
December 16, 2024 at 4:17 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
My cup is cooler than your cup!
Image of a ceramic cup covered in blue and red character illustrations from Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro
December 13, 2024 at 10:29 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
The classic rectangular eyeglasses with a thick black or dark-colored frame on top (browline style) and a thinner metal frame on the bottom always send me! 📚🌈💙 — Author Dag Solstad in 1965.
Black and white image of Dag Solstad in 1965, wearing glasses, a tweed coat, and collared shirt with a tie. [image credit The Paris Review]
December 12, 2024 at 10:14 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
Rereading The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw.
The cover of The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw. There is an illustration of the plague doctor and a mermaid next to a pile of skulls.
November 25, 2024 at 3:59 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
In Tongues by Thomas Grattan—a refreshing spin on the classic, post-college pilgrimage. 💙📚
Image of the book cover of In Tongues by Thomas Grattan. The Cover has an illustrated mouth of a dog panting in front of a bright pink background.
November 21, 2024 at 9:17 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
Congratulations to Percival Everett 💙📚
Image of Percival Everett next to the cover of his book titled James
November 21, 2024 at 3:03 AM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
Remembering Rita Hester today. 🕯️🏳️‍⚧️
Image of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman, wearing pearls and a strapped black top. Whose life and tragic death inspired the creation of Transgender Day of Remembrance.
November 20, 2024 at 9:10 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
Susan Sontag, in her five-room apartment on the top floor of a Chelsea building in Manhattan. [Image rights - The Paris Review]
Susan Sontag, in her five-room apartment on the top floor of a Chelsea building in Manhattan. Next to a packed bookcase. [Image rights - The Paris Review]
November 19, 2024 at 4:23 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
Haruki Murakami at his jazz club, Peter Cat, In 1978. [Image rights The Paris Review.]
Image of Haruki Murakami at his jazz club, Peter Cat, In 1978. Image rights The Paris Review.
November 17, 2024 at 8:52 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
“Two girls and a Rainbow” by Konstantin Andreyevich Somov (1869–1939)
Image of two peasant girls overlooking a landscape with a rainbow overtop
November 17, 2024 at 7:13 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
“The Boxer” by Konstantin Andreyevich Somov (1869–1939)
Image of a painting of seated boxer
November 16, 2024 at 9:25 PM
raymondisreading.bsky.social
In McGlue, Ottessa Moshfegh explores the complex, unspoken struggles of a man drowning in self-loathing and buried truths.
Image of a book with the title McGlue by Ottessa Moshfegh
November 16, 2024 at 7:23 PM