Most of my writing for The Times is for the Culture section, so it was a treat to do a little something for The Book Review. Thanks to Jennifer Kitses for the book recommendation. nytimes.com/2021/07/06/boo…

Yay! Now it really feels like NYC is reopening.

Don't let them argue that background checks don't work. They think that about masks, too.

Reasonable precautions save lives.

It should not be easier to buy an AR-15 than it is to vote.

Today it's a tragedy in Boulder, Colorado. This past weekend it was a house party in Philadelphia. And last week it was an armed attack on Asian American women in the Atlanta area. It doesn't have to be this way. It’s beyond time for our leaders to take action.

The new issue of Cricket arriving was a major event. I still have all my copies in a box somewhere. Thank you, Marianne Carus, who created it:
nytimes.com/2021/03/19/bus…

I've also found myself mesmerized by these posts/videos, and once lost a few hours to discussing them! Really enjoyed this piece:

A decade ago today my dear friend Gabrielle Giffords was wounded in a horrific attack that took six innocent lives. Since then she’s courageously worked to keep our communities safe from gun violence. Joe Biden and I join Gabby in this fight: let’s end this epidemic once and for all.

I'm just so glad to hear she's OK.

Quite a tell just now that Cruz referred to 'the viewers' instead of 'the voters.'

Totally confused. Is the idea to reopen middle & high schools at some point -- 5 days/week, for those that opted (already) for hybrid? Or are they closed for the year? NYC Public Schools

'I love what I do. The joy of discovery, of seeing something new, is what makes you want to live.” -- Bill Helmreich, an inspiring guy. So glad to have met & interviewed him several times these last few years.

Stephen King New Yorkers expressing how w really feel....

This day keeps on giving!

German Chancellor Angela Merkel does not waste a nanosecond congratulating the newly restored leader of the free world, Joe Biden.

Hearing the cheers & shouts and & car horns in Jackson Heights right now is the best thing ever.

Philly knew.

Stacey Abrams should have been Governor but for voter suppression. A lot of people would have been turned off politics. Instead she went back to work and here we are.

Health insurance shouldn’t be tied to employment. Period.

This is a very good obituary from Sam Roberts about Sophia Farrar, a friend and neighbor of Kitty Genovese who was with her when she died -- contrary to the false reporting of callous indifference of the city that spread for decades.

nyti.ms/2SbHF4B