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Andy Pollen

@andypollen.bsky.social

79 followers 110 following 27 posts

Cat dad, city dweller, communicator. | DSM by way of MSP, IND, STL & CHI | Ask me what I'm reading: https://www.pleasereadittome.com/

www.pleasereadittome.com

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Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Nov 14

In 2020, I started a #bookreview website as a distraction during COVID-19. It has remained a creative outlet vastly different from my day job. In the past I shied away from mixing my personal & professional lives but that authenticity seems made for Bluesky. I hope you enjoy following along.

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · 1d

I’m definitely going to try!

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · 1d

Looking forward to this event in Des Moines next week with @annanorth.bsky.social and @carsonfaust.bsky.social. The question is: can I get through both new releases in time? 🤔
#booksky

Anna North @annanorth.bsky.social · 29d

BOG QUEEN is going on tour! This is the part of my book release I’m absolutely the most excited about. Details in thread!

A graphic showing Anna North’s tour dates for the book BOG QUEEN. See thread for text

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Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · 2d

My two favorite horror writers.

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · 10d

open.substack.com/pub/pleasere...

Welcome to the Please Read It To Me Newsletter!

It only took five years, but we finally made it!

open.substack.com

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · 20d

Yay! You found me!

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Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Aug 1

I feel the exact same way!

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Jul 26

Amazing 😂

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Jun 13

My husband and I were on the same Seattle Underground ghost hunting tour with Brittney Griner.

Ashley C. Ford @smashfizzle.bsky.social · Jun 13

1) I was momentarily distracted walking through midtown and ran directly into a barrel-chested Busta Rhymes who kept me from falling backwards, then said, “My bad, sweetheart.” 2) My husband being concerned that the bar we were in was serving children alcohol because he didn’t recognize Elijah Wood.

R.L. Stine Cold Steve Austin @bolt451.bsky.social · Jun 13

Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie

Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Jun 7

Quite possibly my favorite photo of all time. Our beloved 19-year-old icon and ally, Link.
#pride #pridemonth #catsofbluesky

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Jun 4

For the past 5 years, I’ve curated a #PrideMonth reading list, but this year feels different. As queer folks face growing hostility, I’m focusing on the most vulnerable in our rainbow: trans and immigrant voices. Remember: reading is also protest.

www.pleasereadittome.com/home/my-2025...

My 2025 Pride Month Reading List and Recommendations — Please Read It To Me

This year, my Pride Month reading list is an act of deliberate protest. I’m prioritizing queer stories that push boundaries: books by trans writers, by authors of color and by creators outside the U.S...

www.pleasereadittome.com

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Jun 3

Same 😂

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · May 28

Happy Publication Week to @stephenking.bsky.social and "Never Flinch." After reading nearly 30 King books over my lifetime, I have to say that Holly Gibney is one of my all-time favorite characters. Here's my review of her first standalone novel: www.pleasereadittome.com/home/holly-s...

Holly – Stephen King — Please Read It To Me

Expectation: The author’s best character in recent years tackles another supernatural mystery. Reality: Somewhat sidelined by an infusion of current events, it still represents a satisfying entry in...

www.pleasereadittome.com

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · May 16

Des Moines showed up for Abby Jimenez tonight. More than 2,000 book lovers enjoying one of the best cultural experiences the state has to offer, #AViD. Thank you, @desmoineslibrary.bsky.social!

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · May 8

The party over people posturing is becoming exhausting. All this when Iowa has one of the highest workforce shortages in the U.S. By all means, let’s make this a hostile place for people to live.

Iowa Senate Democrats @iowasenatedems.bsky.social · May 7

FILED TONIGHT: Senate Republicans seek to overturn same-sex marriage. Reach out to Senate Republicans now: bit.ly/IowaSenators

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Mar 24

Thank you for sharing. What a great story! Thanks for hosting a fantastic event.

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Mar 22

It was amazing to see one of my all-time favorite writers, Hanif Abdurraqib, at the Des Moines Book Festival. Thanks to @beaverdalebooks.bsky.social for making it happen. #booksky

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Jan 2

More than 70% of my #reading last year had an #audiobook component. Here are the best and worst narrations I heard. www.pleasereadittome.com/home/2024-th...

2024: The Best and Worst Audiobook Narrations I Heard — Please Read It To Me

With 72% of my reading this year incorporating an audio component, it’s surprising that more performances didn’t land on my “worst” list – especially considering how average my overall reading year fe...

www.pleasereadittome.com

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Dec 30

It wasn't the best reading year I've ever had, but there were still several books that left a lasting impact. Here's the best (and worst) of what I read in 2024: www.pleasereadittome.com/home/2024-th...

2024: The Best and Worst Books I Read — Please Read It To Me

Short story collections, anthologies and graphic novels provided much-needed variety, proving that it’s always a good idea to shake up your format. As for my quest to tackle the “chonky” novels langui...

www.pleasereadittome.com

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Dec 9

Throwing it back to the first #bookreview I ever posted on my website, and it remains one of my favorite reads of the decade thus far. If you haven't read John Boyne, this is a fantastic introduction to his work. www.pleasereadittome.com/home/the-hea...

The Avid Listener Review: The Heart's Invisible Furies — Please Read It To Me

In the two novels I've read — each very different from the other but both compulsively readable — Boyne's shown a finely tuned, yet completely accessible way of storytelling that in the span of a few ...

www.pleasereadittome.com

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Nov 27

If you only read one book in recognition of #nativeamericanheritagemonth (or #nonfictionnovember, for those who celebrate), I highly encourage Adrienne Keene’s spotlight of individuals from some of the 574 federally recognized American Indian Tribal nations.
www.pleasereadittome.com/home/notable...

Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present – Adrienne Keene — Please Read It To Me

If you find time to read only one book in recognition of Native American Heritage Month (or Nonfiction November, for those who celebrate), I highly encourage Adrienne Keene’s excellent spotlight on no...

www.pleasereadittome.com

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Nov 19

There were parts of this I really loved and parts that felt a tad reductive, but Rice really nails the ending. Please let me know what you think about it!

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Nov 19

After devouring “Moon of the Crusted Snow," I was excited to to see how the Anishinaabe continue to survive the technological end-of-times. While less intimate & more standard dystopian tale, the emotional ending provided a satisfying conclusion. #bookreview www.pleasereadittome.com/home/moon-of...

Moon of the Turning Leaves – Waubgeshig Rice — Please Read It To Me

Expectation: A true continuation of the first novel, picking up where things left off for the Anishinaabe as they enter the next phase of survival in the Canadian north. Reality: Less intimate and mor...

www.pleasereadittome.com

Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Nov 16

For readers new to Indigenous fiction, this anthology is a fantastic introduction, and with each story concluding with an author bio, it’s easy to find more work from voices that resonate. Highly recommended. www.pleasereadittome.com/home/never-w... #bookreview

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology – Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. — Please Read It To Me

With 26 stories in the collection, it's unsurprising that not all of them resonated. I enjoyed about half, while others felt flat, somewhat confusing or a bit derivative of stronger stories in the mix...

www.pleasereadittome.com

Reposted by Andy Pollen

Ashton Pittman @ashtonpittman.bsky.social · Nov 13

Nothing quite says "efficiency" like hiring co-directors to lead your department of efficiency.

ABC News
NEWS
Trump taps Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead Department of Government
Efficiency

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Andy Pollen @andypollen.bsky.social · Nov 14

Kicking off #bookish posts by spotlighting Indigenous authors for #nativeamericanheritagemonth. Indigenous horror has become one of my favorite subgenres, and while this wasn't my favorite @sgj.bsky.social read, fans of old school King will love his style: www.pleasereadittome.com/home/i-was-a...

I Was a Teenage Slasher – Stephen Graham Jones — Please Read It To Me

Ultimately, “Slasher” is an intriguing experiment into metahorror and a homage to 80s slashers (mostly Jason Voorhees) that narrowly misses its mark. If you’re looking for something punchy, gory and u...