The invasion of Venezuela is being defended as a law enforcement operation and ”self-defense.” It is neither. It is imperialism, pure and simple. And illegal seven ways to Sunday. www.nybooks.com/online/2026/...

"He singled out one aspect of that “transition” in particular: "We’re going to have our very large US oil companies..go in.. & we are ready to stage a second & much larger attack if we need to do so" That is not law enforcement; it is imperialism, pure & simple" www.nybooks.com/online/2026/...

Forgot to share this yesterday! Get it done. Also, lots of new stuff coming in this space, so please sign up! gabinoiglesias.substack.com/p/10-ways-to...

One of the chief virtues of the book is that it’s nearly the only remaining form of media that isn’t constantly being interrupted by ads. Between the covers is the last place on earth where no one is trying to sell you shit, a place where you can still be a human being rather than a mark.

Chicago: Please join us on Sat, January 24th at The Hideout to raise money for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights. A reading & panel with writers, artists, and activists @anandalima.bsky.social Jose-Luis Moctezuma, @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social, Nissa Rhee. Hosted by Michael Zapata.

Wave in Backlight — Peter Witt oil on canvas 80 x 80 cm

Another dozen or so authors could request a correction like this. "In Covid's Wake" egregiously misrepresents research and ignores the scientific consensus throughout. Embarrassing that it's being praised by credible outlets.

instead of traditional gifts a lot of families are celebrating Christmas this year by simply gathering together and reading my newsletters out loud

I hope somehow more people see it this way than if she had just let it run.

"How did you fight fascism this year?" "I spun ICE puns."

a good time to bump this

Still got it baby www.esquire.com/entertainmen...

While we already ran a list of the best books we read in 2025 last week, it pains us to leave so many out. Sooo we’re offering another “best of 2025” list—introducing the best debuts we read in 2025. chireviewofbooks.com/2025/12/22/t...

🤖 Did you write? You still have time! Two drafting strategies to use, even if pressed for time, are (1) distance & (2) structure. Try drafting a page by hand. No fancy pens or paper, just whatever you have. (If you *have* to use a computer, change the font to something ugly and BIG.) (1/2) ❤️

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.

Per NY Times’s Michael Grynbaum on X, this is Sharyn Alfonsi’s email to her “60 Minutes” colleagues in full:

"The rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting." -Louisa May Alcott, Little Women #unabooksboardthoughts #louisamayalcott

Published my first newsletter issue in quite a while. Check it out. It's short, because sometimes after a writing lull, you just need to get a new thing out there. newsletter.aaronjacobwolfson.com/archive/97-n... Special thanks to everyone at @chicagorevbooks.bsky.social!

CHILD: I’m 6 years old, and Santa Claus is real. (The sound of a countdown can be heard, “3…2…1… ding.” Several Santa Deniers dive toward the debate chair. Santa Denier 1 arrives first.) SANTA DENIER: Hi. OK, I just… with everything we know, how can you still think Santa is real?

🤖 u only need a few notes or lines or a paragraphs. a first draft is mostly taking notes anyway. the hardest bit is the pre-writing dread + those first few minutes where it feels like i've got nothing, but you can get past that. even if you don't, it's fine. the best part is having written. ❤️

oomfies, *we* got noticed by the mayor 🫡

Today, we're excited to announce a new online open-enrollment class with the brilliant Carmen Maria Machado! Carmen's four-session class "Speculative Nonfiction: Four Lessons on Story, Memory, Speculation, and Invention" begins Feb. 25. Register now! buff.ly/PLEKu35 #writingcommunity

14/22

Congratulations to tonight's 2025 Chicago Review of Books Award winners!

This speech was 🔥🔥🔥🔥, I hope the whole thing becomes available!

"I can't afford to support my favorite author right now, I—" Reviews. Reviews are free AND they are a gift to authors that can keep on giving (i.e., exposure, marketing, algo boosts, etc.) Please, give the gift of reviews to your authors this holiday season. It really can make a difference!

This book is a must-own.

I thought maybe this GIF was from Singin' in the Rain, the Hitchcock cut. Anyway, that's my pick.

It's admittedly a personal pet peeve—he said as he responded seriously to a joke post—but actually the "can't even imagine" part is equally as dismissive as the "insanely butthurt" part.

This composition had eluded me for nearly a decade, but yesterday I was finally able to capture it. A train rolled through just as the Duquesne Incline was crossing over the tracks in #Pittsburgh, creating a picture perfect winter scene. It was worth the hours and hours I've waited over the years.

Was super lovely to chat with @kathleenmrooney.bsky.social and @bethrooney.bsky.social about their absolutely warm and wonderful children's book LEAF TOWN FOREVER (@uminnpress.bsky.social). lit.newcity.com/2025/12/04/h...

Very enthusiastically co-signed!! www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/o...

Post your favorite Lord of the Rings character. Wrong answers only.

"I myself have publicly advocated the use of direct action, including property sabotage, in the cause of climate justice. It stands to reason that I should support the same range of tactics in the effort to prevent genocide."

Hal hadn’t survived three Thanksgivings by being stupid.

Wanna cry?

ELPHABA and GLINDA will return SUMMER 2027 in SINNERS 2

I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.

The border is a rusted hinge that does not bend. The border is the blood clot in the river’s vein. The border is a handshake that becomes a squeezing contest. -Alberto Ríos from “The Border: A Double Sonnet” (2015) #everynightapoem

Happy pub. day to Maggie Nelson's THE SLICKS, a keen, ardent celebration of unbridled female ambition in the work of Taylor Swift and Sylvia Plath. Get your copy! bookshop.org/p/books/the-...

“The speaker of today’s poem imagines loved ones coming to their funeral—and they have some directives, and some requests," host @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social shares in today's episode of The Slowdown, number 1402. Read "Gloria Mundi" by Michael Kleber-Diggs: https://bit.ly/3Xb2ezJ

If you like an author's work, the best thing you can do is buy it. The second best thing you can do is ask your local library to buy it. Or, do both!

"What the hell is happening? "I blew up the building!" "Why?!" "Because you made a phone call, Charlie Brown!"

Make sure you pair it with this! bsky.app/profile/ifbo...

Migrate it to the @thestorygraph.com. You can have that one for free!

Part 218 of 200 in historically interesting things to inspire your ttrpg dnd Ceramic hedgehog dated to the Neolithic period found at the Hamin archaeological site near Shebotu Town in Inner Mongolia, China

Chicago baby

This class sounds incredible.

Hey if you accidentally read that thing about Olivia Nuzzi and would like a mental cleanse, why not read about Journey’s Separate Ways and the need to scream sometimes when you’re sad?