Monisha Rajesh
@monisharajesh.bsky.social
Author of Around the World in 80 Trains, Around India in 80 Trains and Epic Journeys
Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train published in August
Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train published in August
Pinned
Monisha Rajesh
@monisharajesh.bsky.social
· Apr 18
Moonlight Express by Monisha Rajesh — West End Lane Books
Signed and Dedicated Pre-Order Hardback Published 28th August From the author of the smash-hit Around the World in 80 Trains comes a new globetrotting journey - this time celebrating the pec...
www.welbooks.co.uk
Super excited that my new book Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train is available for pre-order from @qpbooks.bsky.social - signed with personalised dedications if you wish. Please get your orders in from lovely indies like them!
www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/moonl...
www.welbooks.co.uk/shop/p/moonl...
Five-minute timeline cleanse: I wrote about falling in love with sleeper trains in India in 1991.
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/tr...?
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/tr...?
I’ve Traveled on Hundreds of Sleeper Trains. But I’ll Never Forget My First.
A writer reflects on how, as a child, a sleeper train crossing South India awakened a passion for life on the rails. More than 30 years later, trains remain her favorite way to see the world.
www.wsj.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Five-minute timeline cleanse: I wrote about falling in love with sleeper trains in India in 1991.
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/tr...?
www.wsj.com/lifestyle/tr...?
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
My travel books of the year, including work from @monisharajesh.bsky.social, Lyse Doucet, Norman Lewis, @joannapocock.bsky.social, @adamweymouth.bsky.social & @peteralanross.bsky.social:
deskboundtraveller.com/my-books-of-....
deskboundtraveller.com/my-books-of-....
November 28, 2025 at 6:10 PM
My travel books of the year, including work from @monisharajesh.bsky.social, Lyse Doucet, Norman Lewis, @joannapocock.bsky.social, @adamweymouth.bsky.social & @peteralanross.bsky.social:
deskboundtraveller.com/my-books-of-....
deskboundtraveller.com/my-books-of-....
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
November 26, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Good morning to Brazilian reporter Manuela Borges, who’s been waiting eleven years for this petty moment. ❤️ 🇧🇷
This bothers me no end with British media. “Racism ALLEGATIONS”. If someone makes hissing sounds at Jews to mimic gas chambers and calls others p*ki and w*g, that IS racism. And believe me, you NEVER forget those words and those moments however long ago they were. They sear into your brain.
"The level of categorical denial that he has issued tonight after the caveated denial yesterday... has taken it from a 50-year-ago issue to a today issue."
Sam White, former Chief of Staff to Keir Starmer, discusses the racism allegations against Nigel Farage.
#Newsnight
Sam White, former Chief of Staff to Keir Starmer, discusses the racism allegations against Nigel Farage.
#Newsnight
November 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM
This bothers me no end with British media. “Racism ALLEGATIONS”. If someone makes hissing sounds at Jews to mimic gas chambers and calls others p*ki and w*g, that IS racism. And believe me, you NEVER forget those words and those moments however long ago they were. They sear into your brain.
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
My friend Soad has her account back! Can you share it widely, and her fundraiser? Rebuilding in a fragile peace is such an uphill struggle. There's so much she needs to get hold of and work out. #MutualAid
👇🇵🇸🙏🏻When you extend your hand to a mother holding her child you are giving them a new beginning… a chance for a safe home, a smile to return, and a life to grow anew
This is my new campaign to build a new life after all the suffering and pain that my child and I have faced👇👇
gofund.me/15acdba95
This is my new campaign to build a new life after all the suffering and pain that my child and I have faced👇👇
gofund.me/15acdba95
November 26, 2025 at 8:02 AM
My friend Soad has her account back! Can you share it widely, and her fundraiser? Rebuilding in a fragile peace is such an uphill struggle. There's so much she needs to get hold of and work out. #MutualAid
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
Fellow train nerds! Book collectors! Fans of @monisharajesh.bsky.social! Any of the above! Bid on this signed edition of the brilliant Moonlight Express in the #Creatives4Sudan auction. Over £6k raised now, but let's shoot for £10k!
app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
(Art below by @raafaye on insta.)
app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
(Art below by @raafaye on insta.)
November 26, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Fellow train nerds! Book collectors! Fans of @monisharajesh.bsky.social! Any of the above! Bid on this signed edition of the brilliant Moonlight Express in the #Creatives4Sudan auction. Over £6k raised now, but let's shoot for £10k!
app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
(Art below by @raafaye on insta.)
app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
(Art below by @raafaye on insta.)
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
If someone thinks you can have racist behaviour that is not in a hurtful or insulting way, they're 100% massively racist.
“I would never ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way”
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 6:58 AM
If someone thinks you can have racist behaviour that is not in a hurtful or insulting way, they're 100% massively racist.
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
A book I’m looking forward to #BlueBrewBooks
November 23, 2025 at 3:06 PM
A book I’m looking forward to #BlueBrewBooks
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
ICYMI: Submissions for the 10th year of the Jhalak Prize are open 👇 #BookSky
Jhalak Prize submissions open for 10th year
ebx.sh
November 22, 2025 at 4:46 PM
ICYMI: Submissions for the 10th year of the Jhalak Prize are open 👇 #BookSky
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
The horror of Russia’s war against Ukraine’s children was brought home once again when I visited the Save Ukraine Centre, which rescues the stolen children & those under occupation
www.opendemocracy.net/en/ukraine-r...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/ukraine-r...
One in 10 rescued Ukrainian children sexually abused
Russia is abusing and raping children in the occupied territories, warns centre dedicated to rescuing families
www.opendemocracy.net
November 20, 2025 at 3:22 PM
The horror of Russia’s war against Ukraine’s children was brought home once again when I visited the Save Ukraine Centre, which rescues the stolen children & those under occupation
www.opendemocracy.net/en/ukraine-r...
www.opendemocracy.net/en/ukraine-r...
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
It’s time to stop claiming people are ‘cancelled’ on.ft.com/4r6sBEy | opinion
It’s time to stop claiming people are ‘cancelled’
The phrase is permission not to think too closely
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:35 AM
It’s time to stop claiming people are ‘cancelled’ on.ft.com/4r6sBEy | opinion
LONDON FRIENDS! Tomorrow I will be at the WriteIdea Festival in Tower Hamlets, talking about Moonlight Express at 1pm with the brilliant @profsunnysingh.bsky.social - tickets are free! So come along! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/monisha-ra...
November 21, 2025 at 9:30 AM
LONDON FRIENDS! Tomorrow I will be at the WriteIdea Festival in Tower Hamlets, talking about Moonlight Express at 1pm with the brilliant @profsunnysingh.bsky.social - tickets are free! So come along! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/monisha-ra...
My lovely local indie @qpbooks.bsky.social has 20% off today and they have a nice healthy stock of Moonlight Express if you have any train and travel enthusiast friends and family who might like to find it under the Christmas tree!
November 20, 2025 at 9:52 AM
My lovely local indie @qpbooks.bsky.social has 20% off today and they have a nice healthy stock of Moonlight Express if you have any train and travel enthusiast friends and family who might like to find it under the Christmas tree!
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
Writers including David Nicholls, Katherine Rundell, Katherine Webber and Monisha Rajesh are among those donating pledges for the Creatives4Sudan auction, co-organised by Louie Stowell 👇 #BookSky
David Nicholls and Katherine Rundell offer prizes for Creatives4Sudan auction
ebx.sh
November 19, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Writers including David Nicholls, Katherine Rundell, Katherine Webber and Monisha Rajesh are among those donating pledges for the Creatives4Sudan auction, co-organised by Louie Stowell 👇 #BookSky
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
I was delighted to write about the Alishan Forest Railway in #Taiwan for Lonely Planet's latest book. I've been on it the mountain many times to get to my aunt's tea farm.
There are also fantastic pieces by @olismithtravel.bsky.social, @shafikmeghji.bsky.social , @monisharajesh.bsky.social.
There are also fantastic pieces by @olismithtravel.bsky.social, @shafikmeghji.bsky.social , @monisharajesh.bsky.social.
November 19, 2025 at 10:25 AM
I was delighted to write about the Alishan Forest Railway in #Taiwan for Lonely Planet's latest book. I've been on it the mountain many times to get to my aunt's tea farm.
There are also fantastic pieces by @olismithtravel.bsky.social, @shafikmeghji.bsky.social , @monisharajesh.bsky.social.
There are also fantastic pieces by @olismithtravel.bsky.social, @shafikmeghji.bsky.social , @monisharajesh.bsky.social.
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
Russians have killed Natalia Khodemchuk, the widow of Valeriy Khodemchuk—the first victim of the Chernobyl disaster.
A Russian drone struck her apartment on the seventh floor of a building in Troieshchyna. She was hospitalized with burns covering 45% of her body.
A Russian drone struck her apartment on the seventh floor of a building in Troieshchyna. She was hospitalized with burns covering 45% of her body.
November 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Russians have killed Natalia Khodemchuk, the widow of Valeriy Khodemchuk—the first victim of the Chernobyl disaster.
A Russian drone struck her apartment on the seventh floor of a building in Troieshchyna. She was hospitalized with burns covering 45% of her body.
A Russian drone struck her apartment on the seventh floor of a building in Troieshchyna. She was hospitalized with burns covering 45% of her body.
So chuffed to see Moonlight Express in Waterstone best nature and travel books of 2025.
November 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
So chuffed to see Moonlight Express in Waterstone best nature and travel books of 2025.
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 18181999:
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
November 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 18181999:
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
"Write what you know" is limiting advice, which leads to limited writing. Instead, know what you're writing about. That means due diligence: good research, wide reading, specialist help and advice if you need it. Stay curious. Try new ideas. No limits.
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
P.S. @monisharajesh.bsky.social has written about all of this for The Guardian www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
She spoke to Chris Engelsman, one of the founders of European Sleeper - and he claims the carriages for the Paris-Berlin will be from the 1990s. How? 🤨
She spoke to Chris Engelsman, one of the founders of European Sleeper - and he claims the carriages for the Paris-Berlin will be from the 1990s. How? 🤨
New sleeper service will run from Paris to Berlin next year
European Sleeper will operate the new service from March 2026, replacing the Nightjet train that is being axed next month
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:37 AM
P.S. @monisharajesh.bsky.social has written about all of this for The Guardian www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
She spoke to Chris Engelsman, one of the founders of European Sleeper - and he claims the carriages for the Paris-Berlin will be from the 1990s. How? 🤨
She spoke to Chris Engelsman, one of the founders of European Sleeper - and he claims the carriages for the Paris-Berlin will be from the 1990s. How? 🤨
EXCLUSIVE! from me in The Guardian today. Good news for night-train fans as @europeansleeper.eu announces it will run the Paris-Berlin route that ÖBB will be scrapping in December.
www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
New sleeper services will run from Paris to Berlin next year
European Sleeper will operate the new service from March 2026, replacing the Nightjet train that is being axed next month
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:39 AM
EXCLUSIVE! from me in The Guardian today. Good news for night-train fans as @europeansleeper.eu announces it will run the Paris-Berlin route that ÖBB will be scrapping in December.
www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
No one will ever sum up Bari Weiss's career more succinctly than "what's the point of standards"
“Standards will be eliminated or severely cut back. Bari has told people that she wants to get rid of standards and is shocked that they have so much power. She asks ‘What’s the point of standards?’
November 11, 2025 at 3:46 PM
No one will ever sum up Bari Weiss's career more succinctly than "what's the point of standards"
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
Strength training is political. We have a right-wing which has taken over physical fitness spaces, and hijacked “warrior culture”.
We need a muscular progressivist visions. We need to be strong to build the world we want.
Building my guns for the revolution. 💪🏾✊🏾 #Swoletariat #ResistanceTraining”
We need a muscular progressivist visions. We need to be strong to build the world we want.
Building my guns for the revolution. 💪🏾✊🏾 #Swoletariat #ResistanceTraining”
November 7, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Strength training is political. We have a right-wing which has taken over physical fitness spaces, and hijacked “warrior culture”.
We need a muscular progressivist visions. We need to be strong to build the world we want.
Building my guns for the revolution. 💪🏾✊🏾 #Swoletariat #ResistanceTraining”
We need a muscular progressivist visions. We need to be strong to build the world we want.
Building my guns for the revolution. 💪🏾✊🏾 #Swoletariat #ResistanceTraining”
Reposted by Monisha Rajesh
Went for an evening walk and to fetch a book delivery. The ferry from Tallinn was arriving in the moonlight. And I got some new #train #books by the wonderful @monisharajesh.bsky.social !
October 1, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Went for an evening walk and to fetch a book delivery. The ferry from Tallinn was arriving in the moonlight. And I got some new #train #books by the wonderful @monisharajesh.bsky.social !