When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.

Hours before 60 Minutes was set to air a story on deportees who were sent by the Trump administration to prison in El Salvador, describing “brutal and torturous conditions,” 60 Minutes announced that it has pulled the segment and will air it in the future.

Bears-Packers, incredible. What a game, what an ending. I can't believe the Bears actually found a way to win that.

Holy crap Bears!

These Bears games are seriously tense and entertaining. #GoBears

“A book ban is un-American for this simplest reason: it takes a decision that belongs in the private space that exists between a person and their conscience and turns it into a public act of control.” A must-read post by Sharon McMahon substack.com/@sharonmcmah...

Hearing murmurs that publishing houses are pushing editors to use AI in their work. How can writers help employees push back against this? If you work in publishing & don’t feel comfortable replying directly, I am opening up my DMs.

At this point it feels like authors need to have contracts that require human translators for their work. I never thought I'd have to think about that, but here we are. (My translators have all been amazing and send me questions to make sure they are giving readers the very best experience.)

Are these the same companies that told us the robot could do it?

Call your reps and urge them to vote yes!

Libraries have had to make difficult decisions this year while federal funding was rescinded. Funding reinstatement is making a difference, including in Indiana: www.whas11.com/article/news... Tell Congress to #FundLibraries in next year's budget: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

How is your local bookstore fighting book bans? action.everylibrary.org/11_ways_book...

It’s been a particularly heavy start to Hanukkah this year. May the memories of those who were killed be a blessing. May we keep in our minds the suffering of those injured. And may we share our prayers with their families and the Jewish community in Australia.

Rob Reiner: “Silence in the face of authoritarianism is complicity. Speaking out is a patriotic act. Democracy doesn’t defend itself. It requires participation, vigilance, and courage from ordinary people."

Abilene ISD's library advisory committee provided some good news recently, voting to retain 10 frequently banned books, including The Bluest Eye, The Poet X, The Glass Castle, and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. Their conversation will nourish your soul. open.substack.com/pub/franklin...

MK and I cherish the time that we got to spend with Rob and Michele Reiner — we were devastated to learn of their passing. Titans of the industry in every sense, the Reiners' legacy is secured through works of art that impacted generations. May their memories be a blessing.

I sold my books at a holiday market today and I can't tell you how many people I talked to who said they wished they read more (or any) books and I am begging everyone to read more books. You don't even have to buy them. Just go to the library. It will be so good for your brain.

Make sure to put AABB merch on your holiday list this year! You'll help support the freedom to read AND avoid getting yet another pack of tube socks.* *Ok, we can't gurantee that 2nd part, but the 1st part is still legit & we do have some great merch.

***IMPORTANT THREAD***** If you are anywhere near York County, South Carolina, PLEASE show up to their board meeting tomorrow. It is, of course and intentionally, at NOON tomorrow at For Mill Library. Here's York County Library's background, yes, still ongoing: bookriot.com/whats-happen...

Proud that my state is stepping up to protect the people who live here.

My new podcast "Burn Order" is about the decision to incarcerate tens of thousands of Japanese-American families during World War II, and the remarkable fight against it. Episodes #1-4 are up now... free on any podcast app. Final two episodes post Monday 12/15: podcasts.apple.com/me/podcast/r...

How to support the freedom to read and anti-book ban advocacy through holiday giving. A roundup of over 10 ideas that include more than buying banned books–this is the "and" part that follows: bookriot.com/gifting-with...

It's time to talk to you about my cat.

New extortion scam email going round (this was received via a writer's website contact form). I've seen a number of these recently but without the money demand; the translation angle is also a new one

NEWS: The Institute of Museum & Library Services has restored ALL previously canceled federal grants to libraries, following a ruling by a federal judge in Rhode Island last month. This is a massive win for libraries & communities in every state & territory! Learn more: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...

📚 🦸🏻‍♀️RUTHERFORD COUNTY — “Go and thank your librarian. Absolute heroes.” Library director Luanne James gets thunderous applause for bravely blowing the whistle on library board director Cody York, the latest front in the right-wing war on books in Tennessee. Full: www.threads.com/@thetnholler...

This!

RIGHT THE FUCK NOW, Dems should have people on the ground all across rural America holding town halls and speaking directly to farmers about what tariffs are doing to them. They know they are hurting, but most of them don’t or won’t blame the asshole who has done this to them. Dems invest NOTHING

Over 200 authors will be Zooming into classrooms & libraries for World Read Aloud Day on 2/4! Teachers/librarians - Want to be first to see the list so you can book a free visit? It'll go out in my email newsletter in early December! Sign up here: katemessner.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...

This!

Excited to see democrats making huge gains in republican held districts. Hoping @kyleforillinois.bsky.social will do the same next year against Rep. Mary Miller (yes, she's the one who famously said Hitler had good ideas) in the IL 15th. She ran unopposed the last time. This time, it'll be a fight!

Curious where the outstanding vote for the special election in TN is and if the gap will become lower single digits.

Why yes, I am relentlessly refreshing the @thetnholler.bsky.social feed to get TN 7 special election results. Cheering on @aftynbehn.bsky.social from Illinois.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Tuesday to make Illinois the first state to issue vaccine recommendations independent of the CDC. Democrats believe Illinois should ensure healthcare regardless of decisions made by the federal government.

Book banning may seem like the new normal. But at PEN America, we're fighting back—partnering with students, parents, teachers, librarians and like-minded organizations to protect the freedom to read. This #GivingTuesday, help us keep books where they belong: in the hands of students: pen.org/GT25BS

VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE THAT WILL WORK TO EARN YOUR VOTE Tomorrow is election day, TN-7, and I'm humbly asking for your vote. I promise to be accessible and only beholden to the voters of the district, never donors or special interests. Polls open at 7 AM & close at 7 PM. Let's go out and win this!

Short notice, but if anyone is served by the Irving County Library board in Texas they have a Library board meeting tomorrow Dec 1 that might discuss LGBTQ+ materials, new bylaws, & collection development policy. Time & location: irvingtx.gov/index.php?se...

Holiday decorating #caturday

Happy #caturday

Go Bears! This season has been big fun to watch!

Australia just recorded zero cervical cancer cases in women under 25 for the first time since records began in 1982. The amazing result of HPV vaccination.

I interviewed Aftyn Behn, who is running in a special election in TN7 — if you know anyone in the district, please remind them to vote for Aftyn. She has a real shot to flip the congressional seat. @aftynbehn.bsky.social jesspiper.substack.com/p/feed-kids-...

During this season of giving, let’s do what we can to give back to the communities that have given us so much. From our family to yours, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

So far, I've made two kinds of stuffing, cranberry chutney, butternut squash & ricotta pasta, slow cooked beef brisket, meringue cookies, custard citrus cookies and milk rolls. Next up- apple cinnamon bread pudding.

Today is the last day you can vote early for Aftyn Behn if you live in TN-7! As families face high costs this Thanksgiving season, she will fight to make life more affordable. Find your polling place at IWillVote.com/TN and vote for @aftynbehn.bsky.social.

As we head into Thanksgiving I’m so humbled and grateful by how our campaign has caught fire. We’re on pace to be one of the top challengers in the country against a 13-year incumbent who has had never held a town hall and quadrupled her net worth while sitting on $4M in her campaign. We can win…

📣 SHARE COMMENT LIKE — ALL HANDS ON DECK ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT to cast your early vote for Aftyn Behn in Tennessee's 7th District! WE CAN NOT IGNORE THIS sos.tn.gov/govotetn Even if you don't live in Tennessee, we need to be talking about this. @aftynbehn.bsky.social

Authors beware: ClaimsHero is urging authors to opt out of the Anthropic settlement in order to file their own separate lawsuit. Except this outfit has no federal or state court experience with class-action suits. And the judge has called them a fraud.

Report: "Gmail Can Read Your Emails and Attachments to Train Its #AI, Unless You Opt Out" (via @malwarebytes.com) www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/20... #privacy