This is the point where the VP of Common Sense needs to step in and say 'NO' www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

If there's one thing that's definitely true about MAGA, it's that they're HUGE opera fans. 😂 www.billboard.com/music/concer...

Book 32: Angel Down, by Daniel Kraus Wow. This is such a singular and surreal and rewarding reading experience. It’s a wholly original work. LOVED it. substack.com/@thenewdorkr... #books #booksky

Celebrating 25 years of my reading journal this week. It's basically two full War and Peaces long now. My manifesto. 😂 thenewdorkreviewofbooks.substack.com/p/a-very-spe... #books #booksky

Do you ever feel like you're adrift in the sea and nobody's coming to save you? Then do I have the book for you. Enter the Goodreads giveaway to win a copy of Man Overboard!, out on July 7th! www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

My reading journal is celebrating its 25th birthday this week. Crazy!! I wrote a little about this now nearly 2,000-page document I've kept since 2001. thenewdorkreviewofbooks.substack.com/p/a-very-spe... #booksky #books

Friends, if life seems difficult and the obstacles insurmountable, please just remember this one thing… …our pool is bigger than skyscrapers.

The Luddites were not against technology. They were against technology that made any idiot think they were an expert at a craft without actually having to create anything on their own. This is not a post about the Luddites.

I've seen a total of three Faschy Mobiles (cybertrucks) today -- one blew a stop sign and almost hit me on my run, the other two were both parked illegally on public streets. None of this will be very surprising, I'm sure.

My kingdom for a Gmail plugin that automatically routes AI generated emails to a trash folder, blocks the sender for good, and sends a response telling the sender that like their email, they are also trash.

I will never not be awed by this view. Chicago, man. ❤️❤️❤️ Ready for the 13.1 next weekend! #runnersky

At least once a week at the bookstore: "How are you guys doing? It must be tough to be an independent bookstore these days." Us: "WELL, ACTUALLY...." www.chicagotribune.com/2026/05/27/i...

We had so much fun at last year's StoryBoard Festival. In this week's newsletter, we wrote about three of our favorite moments of levity: mailchi.mp/storystudioc... (Early Bird tickets are on sale now for the August 15 Fest!) #chicagowriters

You really wish the two sides would think just a little bit more creatively this time. The public's appetite for millionaires arguing with billionaires about hundreds of millions of dollars is very low but baseball has never been more popular. FIGURE IT TF OUT. buff.ly/IQ9p02O

YAY! And that hat is 🔥 blockclubchicago.org/2026/05/29/c...

😜

Is "joyful schadenfruede" redundant? www.cnn.com/2026/05/28/s...

Book 31: How We See The Gray, by @rachellayown.bsky.social. We read novels to learn and to be entertained. This novel does an amazing job at both. open.substack.com/pub/thenewdo... #books #booksky

Book 31: How We See The Gray, by @rachellayown.bsky.social. We read novels to learn and to be entertained. This novel does an amazing job at both. open.substack.com/pub/thenewdo... #books #booksky

AITA for being disproportionately annoyed when someone comes up to the counter to check out while they’re mid phone conversation? #bookstorelife

This is always a highlight of the year. Get your ticket!!! Hang out with a bunch of cool people. Write write write!!!

It's now unofficially summer, so check out these forthcoming fall books! 😅

Absolutely one of the weirdest things about American culture is mattress sales on Memorial Day

Hell yeah brother. Step outside and just smile. #chicago

SUNDAY SALON CHICAGO's reading event happens tonight, May 24 at 7 pm at magical @roscoebooks.bsky.social w/ these fab five authors: @frugalpoet.bsky.social, Mary Kay Zuravleff, @rachellayown.bsky.social, Melanie Faranello & @jrblanes.bsky.social – Pls share, TY, & see you there!🔥👏❤️

“The best part of running a marathon is getting to tell people I’m running a marathon.” —Anthony Rizzo on the Cubs broadcast today, and possibly the truest thing he’s ever said. 🤣 #runnersky

Friends, I get to see Hum tonight. Foundational music for me -- I'm a sweaty 19-year-old at the Rave in Milwaukee all over again. buff.ly/gH0brId

We're doing a new thing this summer -- a PAY WHAT YOU CAN online class! One of our star instructors, Sheree L. Greer, is teaching "Welcome to the Party: Intro to Creative Writing." This class happens Wednesday, July 15. More details and register here: buff.ly/w27mouO #writingcommunity

Book 30: A Visit From The Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan (reread) Not only did this hold up, it got better with age. substack.com/profile/3501... #books #booksky

Let me tf out. Leave me so far behind.

Why write a book if you are not going to write the book? Truly what is the point? Everything is stupid, the end. Thank you.

“See! See! We told you it’s just as bad as the Zon now!” —-every indie bookstore www.the-independent.com/arts-enterta...

StoryBall was a wild mysterious dream. Here are a few photos from a wonderful, inspiring evening.

Am I going to have to read YESTERYEAR next...you know, for cultural literacy's sake.

Book 29: The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans Wanted to understand the popularity. And I do, but it’s a little too Mitch Albomy for me. Old lady writes lots of letters, makes new friends, discovers her roots, makes amends, puts her life in order before, you know, the final nap. #books #booksky

The Rush nurses (my spouse is one!) are voting yesterday, today, and tomorrow on unionizing. Expected to pass. Exciting times. Let’s go!!!!! #solidarity

This REAL headline is today's reminder it's impossible to write satire in the Trump era www.cnn.com/2026/05/15/p...

"It’s funny because sensitivity is such a strength as a writer, but you really need to steel yourself to publish." - @rachellayown.bsky.social. Great little interview!

"I don’t feel anxious or nervous. More like I’ve just taken off on a wild adventure, so I better enjoy the ride." LOVE this conversation between two brilliant writers, on the occasion of @rachellayown.bsky.social's PUB DAY!!! CC: @amyegia.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/pubcheer... #booksky

All right, book friends. We have some work to do this fall. But it’ll be fun! open.substack.com/pub/thenewdo... #books #booksky

Friends, we have some work to do this fall. Good thing it'll be a labor of love. open.substack.com/pub/thenewdo... #books #booksky

It was so special to interview @rachellayown.bsky.social about her DEBUT NOVEL!!!! which EVERYONE SHOULD GO BUY!!! (link in second comment) 🥳🥳🥳 lit.newcity.com/2026/05/14/w...

We’re thrilled for @rachellayown.bsky.social's debut novel HOW WE SEE THE GRAY forthcoming tomorrow (!!!) from @nupress.bsky.social. She’ll be in conversation at the @theunderstudychi.bsky.social w/ @meganstielstra.bsky.social on May 21 at 7:30pm—register below! www.eventbrite.com/e/a-conversa...

Friends, we have some work to do this fall. Good thing it'll be a labor of love. open.substack.com/pub/thenewdo... #books #booksky

On feedback during a writing workshop... Positive Me: Oh they're just being nice. Constructive and Helpful Criticism Me: I'm the worst writer who ever lived, and I'm quitting writing to grow kumquats on a remote ranch near the Salton Sea. #writers

The whole "might as well give in and accept AI because it's inevitable" argument is exactly as lazy and intellectually dishonest as the purveyors of AI want to make us all anyway. Fuck that.

Book 28: The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver My backlist binge continues with this classic from Kingsolver. Good literature is timeless and Kingsolver’s 1998 masterpiece is just as timely today as it was 30 years ago. #books #booksky substack.com/profile/3501...

A favorite local bakery bragged on IG about using ChatGPT to design their cakes and then wow look how close the cake they made came to the shitty robot design. And so goodbye erstwhile favorite bakery who have shown themselves to be a sham.

We're proud to celebrate 10 years uplifting writers and editors, large and independent presses, and connecting readers with their incredible work.

MASSIVE thank you to everyone who came to StoryBall last night, bid on a silent auction item, donated, or sent us good vibes. You, beautiful writing community, are so very much appreciated!