“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” From A PRIVATE SPY: THE LETTERS OF JOHN le CARRÉ

Yellow-Red-Blue, by Wassily Kandinsky, 1925 (detail, rotated), 📸 by @riogiancarlo.bsky.social

This

Excellent listen

💯 agree

Delighted to receive my comp copy of this new book from the @illinoispress.bsky.social. Thanks to editor @andyoler.bsky.social for asking me to write about one of my favorite Hoosiers, John Barlow Martin.

We've got a brand-new volume of #LiteraryLandscapes for you to peruse, this time on Mark Twain! Even before you click the link below, check out these portraits—they make me wonder if *anyone* at the turn of the 19-20c was photographed more.

Today’s the day! Find your copy wherever books are sold!* * preferably an independent bookstore somewhere between Cleveland and western Nebraska www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p0...

Introducing our Spring 2026 catalog—featuring bold new voices, groundbreaking studies, and artful reimaginings across genres.📚 #SpringReads #NewReleases #BookCatalog

This book looks amazing! Congratulations @andyoler.bsky.social & @illinoispress.bsky.social!

@ferrifrigida.bsky.social I feel this paragraph. From OUT THERE IN THE DARK

Excellent collection

Currently reading 👇

Fernando Cervantes is mentioned in this excellent book by Giles Tremlett. I was previously unaware of FC’s work. After doing some research about his books, I think I may read two or three titles of his in 2026. I also plan to read more of Tremlett.

This interchange between two of the greats is fabulous. From A PRIVATE SPY: THE LETTERS OF JOHN le CARRE

The 2018 Grinch movie has a choir singing “god rest ye, merry gentlemen,” which implies the existence of Who Jesus, which implies the existence of a Who crucifixion

As I head into my holiday vacation, I decided to chip away at this wonderful collection of letters. (This is a perfect read to dip in and out of between my anticipated Christmas book loot!)

I love this section of a letter… From A PRIVATE SPY: THE LETTERS OF JOHN le CARRE

Two recent WWII reads Both are very interesting

Absolutely wild From FIGHTER PILOT: THE WORLD WAR II CAREER OF ALEX VRACIU by @rboomhower.bsky.social

@rboomhower.bsky.social Alex Vraciu was no joke. He had more lives than ten cats. I found myself holding my breath during the action scenes! Great storytelling, my friend!

This is not just about the decline of reading. This is about the decline of critical thinking, exploration & curiosity, cultural understanding & awareness, and emotional intelligence. If we intend to build a better society, addressing this is as good as anywhere to start.

I have no idea what happens in this building, but I am beguiled by this staircase.

Contender for favorite nonfiction read of 2025.

What a ride. Every chapter is a carnival ride experience. The only criticism I have is that the book is too short—300 more pages might have satisfied my needs. @sheaserrano.bsky.social is a frickin magical storyteller.

I couldn’t wait until break to start this, @rboomhower.bsky.social. I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I especially like the aviation history and tidbits about some of the other pilots.

Ditto

Chris Paul’s unceremonious exit from the Clippers seems to signal a departure from the classic N.B.A. archetype of the veteran locker-room presence—the guy who doesn’t play much but still offers something important to the team, Hanif Abdurraqib writes. newyorkermag.visitlink.me/SAY4PD

Hellevua story by @pflax1.bsky.social included in 2025 Best Sports Writing. I started running about 10 yrs ago after the passing of my father. It was my needed medicine.

Current work reading

I am super excited to get my paws on this! I just know it’ll be a fantastic read. Truth be told, @rboomhower.bsky.social’s books have never let me down as a solid reading choice.

Quite possibly the greatest opening to any chapter in the history of chapters @sheaserrano.bsky.social

Thank you @rboomhower.bsky.social for the copy of FIGHTER PILOT: THE WORLD WAR II CAREER OF ALEX VRACIU! I’m excited to read it over my holiday break.

Google nailing it right now. First image when searching for John Cangelosi…Pete Rose.

This makes me happy beyond words

Brief, but phenomenal, #biography of arguably the greatest war correspondent to cover any conflict. Excellent job, @rboomhower.bsky.social!

My beautiful bride & I & the Grinch celebrating first Friday of the Christmas season!

“History is the essence of innumerable biographies.” Thomas Carlyle

All four of these books are excellent. Order them today.

"Baseball is so beautiful and lazy. It's our version of the café life." —Don DeLillo, "Americana"

Pyle and I most certainly could’ve been buddies From THE SOLDIER’S FRIEND: A LIFE OF ERNIE PYLE by @rboomhower.bsky.social

Ditto

😂 From THE SOLDIER’S FRIEND: A LIFE OF ERNIE PYLE by @rboomhower.bsky.social

Larry Bird getting up shots in an empty Boston Garden.

Painfully relatable. My best buddy loved books (so did I!) but never wanted to play sports (which I also loved!). But the mischief we could create when left alone was otherworldly. From THE SOLDIER’S FRIEND: A LIFE OF ERNIE PYLE by @rboomhower.bsky.social

If I do something half as remarkable as this, I’ll die a satisfied man. From THE SOLDIER’S FRIEND: A LIFE OF ERNIE PYLE by @rboomhower.bsky.social

Currently reading 👇 I’ve never been shy about being an eclectic reader

2026 reading project

@rboomhower.bsky.social 2026 reading project

Happy to see Wallace Terry’s classic “Bloods” represented at the Indiana Historical Society’s Basile History Market. Don’t miss the “Hoosier Voices from Vietnam” exhibition at the IHS.