In the past week, a particular photo has been recirculating in certain corners of the internet. It features Gavin Newsom, California’s governor, leisurely reading Toni Morrison’s “Beloved.”

In the carefully staged picture, Mr. Newsom’s attention is fixed on the book (oh, he’s reading, folks), his lips are pursed, his unblemished white shirt is tucked into his blue pants with the tidiness of an Army cot. His hair? Do you even have to ask? Naturally, it’s slicked back like golden-era Pat Riley.

The shot was uploaded to Mr. Newsom’s Twitter account two years ago, with the caption “Reading some banned books to figure out what these states are so afraid of.” To Mr. Newsom, who has repeatedly sparred with Republican figures, even reading can be an antagonistic, publicity-seeking act.