Joel Pinckney
@jpinckney.bsky.social
Book worker at University of Texas Press | Formerly a bookseller, at Paris Review | Occasionally writing about books at LARB, Full Stop, The Millions, elsewhere | [email protected]
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‘The High Heaven’ Is A Beautifully Grounded Debut Novel | Defector
We first meet Izzy Gently, the protagonist of Joshua Wheeler’s captivating debut novel, The High Heaven, as a child. She is alone, wounded, and wandering. The year is 1967, and disaster has befallen t...
defector.com
I'm just thrilled to have this piece up at @defector.com, on Joshua Wheeler's debut novel, THE HIGH HEAVEN, from @graywolfpress.bsky.social. I loved this book, and getting to work with @brandyjensen.bsky.social and have this run at Defector is a real dream come true. Gift link below, but subscribe!
“When it was revealed in the summer that one of Mr. Mamdani's senior campaign staffers had tweeted ‘Matteo Guendouzi is lowkey nice with it,’ in 2019, that staffer kept his job and avoided any disciplinary action.”
Arsenal fandom has been steadily rising in New York City, and it is the responsibility of the Mayor to ensure that New Yorkers who do not root for that particular team feel safe in their communities. defector.com/can-zohran-m...
Can Zohran Mamdani Keep New Yorkers Safe From Remembering Some Arsenal Guys? | Defector
Zohran Mamdani is weeks away from becoming Mayor of New York City. As someone who does not live in the city but nevertheless has a lot of opinions about what goes on there, I want his administration…
defector.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:07 PM
“When it was revealed in the summer that one of Mr. Mamdani's senior campaign staffers had tweeted ‘Matteo Guendouzi is lowkey nice with it,’ in 2019, that staffer kept his job and avoided any disciplinary action.”
“…the wanderers will find a way home, and the perished, whose lack we always feel, will step through the door finally and stroke our hair with dreaming, habitual fondness, not having meant to keep us waiting long.”
A passage for today. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.
A passage for today. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.
A passage that means more to me than just about any other:
November 27, 2025 at 7:35 PM
“…the wanderers will find a way home, and the perished, whose lack we always feel, will step through the door finally and stroke our hair with dreaming, habitual fondness, not having meant to keep us waiting long.”
A passage for today. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.
A passage for today. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.
One of the books I worked on that I most wish hadn’t dropped deep in the heart of the pandemic. This book is a marvel, @jessicawluther.com is the best.
Because @lollardfish.bsky.social says we should promote our books: utpress.utexas.edu/9781477313138/
Loving Sports When They Don't Love You Back
Triumphant wins, gut-wrenching losses, last-second shots, underdogs, competition, and loyalty—it’s fun to be a fan. But when a football player takes a hi...
utpress.utexas.edu
November 26, 2025 at 10:49 PM
One of the books I worked on that I most wish hadn’t dropped deep in the heart of the pandemic. This book is a marvel, @jessicawluther.com is the best.
I'm 3 hours deep in the vet waiting room and reminiscing, so here's a picture of my child from when she'd just turned 1, an amazing phase despite the damage done to authors' U-Z. I remember her taking a break from this day's destruction to play peekaboo with the cover of Richard Wright's BLACK BOY.
November 25, 2025 at 11:40 PM
I'm 3 hours deep in the vet waiting room and reminiscing, so here's a picture of my child from when she'd just turned 1, an amazing phase despite the damage done to authors' U-Z. I remember her taking a break from this day's destruction to play peekaboo with the cover of Richard Wright's BLACK BOY.
Hey @marissarmoss.bsky.social, you should know that your reading in this piece—on hearing songs based in romantic love through a parent's ears—has stuck with me ever since. I think about it all the time.
For everyone else: read this masterful piece (wherever Isbell lands for you these days).
For everyone else: read this masterful piece (wherever Isbell lands for you these days).
Issue #11: JASON ISBELL
On Weathervanes, death, love and listening like a mother
dontrocktheinbox.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Hey @marissarmoss.bsky.social, you should know that your reading in this piece—on hearing songs based in romantic love through a parent's ears—has stuck with me ever since. I think about it all the time.
For everyone else: read this masterful piece (wherever Isbell lands for you these days).
For everyone else: read this masterful piece (wherever Isbell lands for you these days).
“Our whole family was standoffish. This was the fairest description of our best qualities, and the kindest description of our worst faults.”
—Marilynne Robinson, HOUSEKEEPING
—Marilynne Robinson, HOUSEKEEPING
November 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
“Our whole family was standoffish. This was the fairest description of our best qualities, and the kindest description of our worst faults.”
—Marilynne Robinson, HOUSEKEEPING
—Marilynne Robinson, HOUSEKEEPING
Listening to Thursday's @thepressbox.bsky.social interview with Zara Rahim from Zohran’s team, it's pretty striking how she totally nails what ended up happening: that Zohran would model how to interact with Trump and would successfully establish common cause, that Trump would end up liking him, etc
Trump’s “Piggy” Attack, MLB’s TV Deal, and Joel’s Nuzzi Take. Plus: Mamdani Adviser Zara Rahim. - The Ringer
Bryan and Joel discuss President Trump’s recent interactions with the media. Next, the guys parse through MLB’s new media rights deal with NBC, ESPN, and Netflix. Later, Joel gives his take on t...
www.theringer.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Listening to Thursday's @thepressbox.bsky.social interview with Zara Rahim from Zohran’s team, it's pretty striking how she totally nails what ended up happening: that Zohran would model how to interact with Trump and would successfully establish common cause, that Trump would end up liking him, etc
This is extremely well done. Really recommend it.
PTFO collaborated with @msjpauly.bsky.social and @motherjones.com on an investigation into Riley Gaines.
Riley’s messaging about trans athletes involves “predatory men” and “sexual assault.”
But there’s an important story multiple ex-teammates at Kentucky want you to know: youtu.be/iKUl8lkuGOc?...
Riley’s messaging about trans athletes involves “predatory men” and “sexual assault.”
But there’s an important story multiple ex-teammates at Kentucky want you to know: youtu.be/iKUl8lkuGOc?...
Riley Gaines Investigated: The Lia Thomas Race, the Coach & Why She "Doesn't Even Like" Trump | PTFO
YouTube video by PABLO TORRE FINDS OUT
youtu.be
November 21, 2025 at 10:46 PM
This is extremely well done. Really recommend it.
Taking some joy imagining JD Vance looking at this photo, hands sweating, teeth clenched, knowing Donald never has and never will look at him this way.
this is like that scene in office space where the consultants end up loving peter
November 21, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Taking some joy imagining JD Vance looking at this photo, hands sweating, teeth clenched, knowing Donald never has and never will look at him this way.
My mom lives in Charlotte and teaches a sewing class for refugee women. Heard from her today that they'd relocated to a new venue for the safety of her students, and this morning nearly all were there, relieved to be in a safe place, excited to be sewing Christmas table runners for their homes.
November 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
My mom lives in Charlotte and teaches a sewing class for refugee women. Heard from her today that they'd relocated to a new venue for the safety of her students, and this morning nearly all were there, relieved to be in a safe place, excited to be sewing Christmas table runners for their homes.
I'm going to ignore the context and just choose to celebrate the fact that our editor-in-chief saying "we are following in the footsteps of the Butthole Surfers" made it into this PW profile
University of Texas Press Celebrates 75 Years
The Austin-based academic publisher has evolved from a modest regional publisher into one of the most innovative academic presses in the United States, striking a balance between scholarly and trade s...
www.publishersweekly.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:54 PM
I'm going to ignore the context and just choose to celebrate the fact that our editor-in-chief saying "we are following in the footsteps of the Butthole Surfers" made it into this PW profile
Reposted by Joel Pinckney
‘The High Heaven’ is a beautifully grounded debut novel: defector.com/the-high-hea...
‘The High Heaven’ Is A Beautifully Grounded Debut Novel | Defector
We first meet Izzy Gently, the protagonist of Joshua Wheeler’s captivating debut novel, The High Heaven, as a child. She is alone, wounded, and wandering. The year is 1967, and disaster has befallen…
defector.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:57 AM
‘The High Heaven’ is a beautifully grounded debut novel: defector.com/the-high-hea...
One more time on this one: at @defector.com, I reviewed Joshua Wheeler's THE HIGH HEAVEN, a novel of cosmic proportions that's deeply attuned to the specificities of place, a novel of exploration and escape that beautifully depicts just how badly we need each other. I think many of you would dig it.
‘The High Heaven’ Is A Beautifully Grounded Debut Novel | Defector
We first meet Izzy Gently, the protagonist of Joshua Wheeler’s captivating debut novel, The High Heaven, as a child. She is alone, wounded, and wandering. The year is 1967, and disaster has befallen t...
defector.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:20 PM
One more time on this one: at @defector.com, I reviewed Joshua Wheeler's THE HIGH HEAVEN, a novel of cosmic proportions that's deeply attuned to the specificities of place, a novel of exploration and escape that beautifully depicts just how badly we need each other. I think many of you would dig it.
I do hope you’ll read my piece but more than that I hope you’ll read Joshua Wheeler’s book, which is filled to the brim with writing that’ll stop you in your tracks. Been thinking about this passage for weeks:
November 19, 2025 at 2:27 AM
I do hope you’ll read my piece but more than that I hope you’ll read Joshua Wheeler’s book, which is filled to the brim with writing that’ll stop you in your tracks. Been thinking about this passage for weeks:
I'm just thrilled to have this piece up at @defector.com, on Joshua Wheeler's debut novel, THE HIGH HEAVEN, from @graywolfpress.bsky.social. I loved this book, and getting to work with @brandyjensen.bsky.social and have this run at Defector is a real dream come true. Gift link below, but subscribe!
‘The High Heaven’ Is A Beautifully Grounded Debut Novel | Defector
We first meet Izzy Gently, the protagonist of Joshua Wheeler’s captivating debut novel, The High Heaven, as a child. She is alone, wounded, and wandering. The year is 1967, and disaster has befallen t...
defector.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I'm just thrilled to have this piece up at @defector.com, on Joshua Wheeler's debut novel, THE HIGH HEAVEN, from @graywolfpress.bsky.social. I loved this book, and getting to work with @brandyjensen.bsky.social and have this run at Defector is a real dream come true. Gift link below, but subscribe!
"If you get the greatest of poems, it can distill everything like a teardrop. If you’re thirsty and you get that drop of water, it suddenly becomes like a liter of water. Then you’re satisfied. And that’s what a poem can do."
This was a beautiful interview.
This was a beautiful interview.
Opinion | Patti Smith on the One Desire That Lasts Forever
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:03 PM
"If you get the greatest of poems, it can distill everything like a teardrop. If you’re thirsty and you get that drop of water, it suddenly becomes like a liter of water. Then you’re satisfied. And that’s what a poem can do."
This was a beautiful interview.
This was a beautiful interview.
Reposted by Joel Pinckney
I get why it happens but goddamn do I wish anything could hit as hard on the timeline as something that sucks that everyone hates written by or about the worst person you know. I wish something good or interesting was able to get anywhere near the traction some shit that sucks does.
November 17, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I get why it happens but goddamn do I wish anything could hit as hard on the timeline as something that sucks that everyone hates written by or about the worst person you know. I wish something good or interesting was able to get anywhere near the traction some shit that sucks does.
He said this in an interview published yesterday: "It’s actually healing for people to see the people who represent the church and represent God in public really care about this and that they’re not going to shrink from the violence. That they’re not afraid of what’s going to happen."
November 14, 2025 at 9:52 PM
He said this in an interview published yesterday: "It’s actually healing for people to see the people who represent the church and represent God in public really care about this and that they’re not going to shrink from the violence. That they’re not afraid of what’s going to happen."
The book industry is often so cruel to the people who embody its brightest possibilities. This is such a shame.
Volumes Bookcafe will close in January www.instagram.com/p/DRDALTFEYn...
Volumes Bookcafe on Instagram: "A message from Kimberly and Rebecca. Not the best news, but we plan on having a kick-ass last holiday season with you all, and we hope you get a chance to come say good...
262 likes, 36 comments - volumesbooks on November 14, 2025: "A message from Kimberly and Rebecca. Not the best news, but we plan on having a kick-ass last holiday season with you all, and we hope you ...
www.instagram.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:49 PM
The book industry is often so cruel to the people who embody its brightest possibilities. This is such a shame.
Hell, I knew @paranoiacs.bsky.social’s new pod was going to be very good but I didn’t know it was going to be “asking Patterson Hood where he got the balls to do ‘Southern Rock Opera’” levels of good.
November 13, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Hell, I knew @paranoiacs.bsky.social’s new pod was going to be very good but I didn’t know it was going to be “asking Patterson Hood where he got the balls to do ‘Southern Rock Opera’” levels of good.
Great responses from some of the best booksellers in the land here. Would love to hear yours too.
I’d like to hear: what are your grounding books? What books do you return to when the world is too much? Marilynne Robinson’s HOUSEKEEPING is the one for me—the language, the pace, the voice, all a kind of comfort.
November 11, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Great responses from some of the best booksellers in the land here. Would love to hear yours too.
I’d like to hear: what are your grounding books? What books do you return to when the world is too much? Marilynne Robinson’s HOUSEKEEPING is the one for me—the language, the pace, the voice, all a kind of comfort.
November 11, 2025 at 3:17 AM
I’d like to hear: what are your grounding books? What books do you return to when the world is too much? Marilynne Robinson’s HOUSEKEEPING is the one for me—the language, the pace, the voice, all a kind of comfort.
This is a very fun piece, on the beautifully chaotic mysteries of children's books.
"You’re telling me this ovine climbed a ladder while carrying skis and poles and put them on while balancing at the top of the slide?"
"You’re telling me this ovine climbed a ladder while carrying skis and poles and put them on while balancing at the top of the slide?"
Here Is What Reading To My Child Has Done To My Brain | Defector
As the parent of an 18-month-old, I’ve been reading a lot lately. That is, if your definition of reading includes thumbing through sheets of increasingly careworn and spittle-soaked cardboard, recitin...
defector.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:15 PM
This is a very fun piece, on the beautifully chaotic mysteries of children's books.
"You’re telling me this ovine climbed a ladder while carrying skis and poles and put them on while balancing at the top of the slide?"
"You’re telling me this ovine climbed a ladder while carrying skis and poles and put them on while balancing at the top of the slide?"
Reposted by Joel Pinckney
New York electing its first Muslim mayor 24 years after 9/11 and rejecting the idiotic racism that would connect those events is actually a legit excuse for American triumphalism, but the people who say they love America the most hate all the best things about it.
November 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
New York electing its first Muslim mayor 24 years after 9/11 and rejecting the idiotic racism that would connect those events is actually a legit excuse for American triumphalism, but the people who say they love America the most hate all the best things about it.
To whom are you beholden? What is the purpose of your politics, and who is it for? I’m grateful that Zohran has really good answers to these questions, grateful that he rightfully sees the job ahead of him as fundamentally one of care. May he help usher in an era where that doesn’t feel so novel.
November 5, 2025 at 2:58 AM
To whom are you beholden? What is the purpose of your politics, and who is it for? I’m grateful that Zohran has really good answers to these questions, grateful that he rightfully sees the job ahead of him as fundamentally one of care. May he help usher in an era where that doesn’t feel so novel.