Lauren LeBlanc
@laurenleblanc.bsky.social
Writer, critic, National Book Critics Circle board member
She/Her
Formerly: Alfred A. Knopf, Atlas & Co, Penguin Random House Digital, Times-Picayune, Guernica, Brooklyn Book Festival
Chapel Hill, NC
She/Her
Formerly: Alfred A. Knopf, Atlas & Co, Penguin Random House Digital, Times-Picayune, Guernica, Brooklyn Book Festival
Chapel Hill, NC
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
Every moment when I wonder “what will it take?” I have to remind myself “the limit does not exist.”
here's Trump's full racist rant about MN's Somali community: "Somalians ripped off that state for billions. And they contribute nothing... Ilhan Omar is garbage. She's garbage. Her friends are garbage. These aren't people that work... They come from hell & do nothing but bitch. We don't want them"
December 3, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Every moment when I wonder “what will it take?” I have to remind myself “the limit does not exist.”
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
A month old article, but extremely relevant (and unfortunately will be for near future too)
www.thenation.com/article/envi...
www.thenation.com/article/envi...
The Media Is Complicit in the Climate Confusion
The vast majority of people want their governments to take climate action—but most wrongly think they’re in the minority. The media is partly to blame.
www.thenation.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A month old article, but extremely relevant (and unfortunately will be for near future too)
www.thenation.com/article/envi...
www.thenation.com/article/envi...
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
I spent a lot of time by the sea this year, but the thing that comes to mind is perhaps my favourite novel of 2025, The Book of Records, set in an endlessly sprawling, infinitely interpretable building called The Sea. Beautifully imagined and haunting.
tinhouse.com/podcast/made...
tinhouse.com/podcast/made...
December 2, 2025 at 9:50 AM
I spent a lot of time by the sea this year, but the thing that comes to mind is perhaps my favourite novel of 2025, The Book of Records, set in an endlessly sprawling, infinitely interpretable building called The Sea. Beautifully imagined and haunting.
tinhouse.com/podcast/made...
tinhouse.com/podcast/made...
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
Make a contribution to the Hub City Writers Project this #givingtuesday at hubcity.org/support and fund the future of Southern lit!
December 2, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Make a contribution to the Hub City Writers Project this #givingtuesday at hubcity.org/support and fund the future of Southern lit!
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
While the Trump team defends killing suspected drug dealers who have not been convicted of anything, the convicted drug trafficking former president of Honduras is released from prison by a Trump pardon. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
Former President of Honduras Is Freed From Prison After Trump Pardon
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:37 PM
While the Trump team defends killing suspected drug dealers who have not been convicted of anything, the convicted drug trafficking former president of Honduras is released from prison by a Trump pardon. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
LAST DAY to apply for the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing. www.bookcritics.org/awards/balak...
Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing - National Book Critics Circle
The NBCC awards the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing each year to recognize outstanding work by a member of the NBCC. The citation is awarded in honor of
www.bookcritics.org
December 2, 2025 at 1:23 PM
LAST DAY to apply for the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing. www.bookcritics.org/awards/balak...
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
Every year since 1988, the United States has recognized World AIDS Day — until now.
Why not? Maybe because the Trump administration doesn’t want to acknowledge that its foreign aid cuts led to nearly 150,000 deaths from AIDS, according to Boston University researchers.
Shameful.
Why not? Maybe because the Trump administration doesn’t want to acknowledge that its foreign aid cuts led to nearly 150,000 deaths from AIDS, according to Boston University researchers.
Shameful.
Trump Administration Will No Longer Commemorate World AIDS Day
www.nytimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Every year since 1988, the United States has recognized World AIDS Day — until now.
Why not? Maybe because the Trump administration doesn’t want to acknowledge that its foreign aid cuts led to nearly 150,000 deaths from AIDS, according to Boston University researchers.
Shameful.
Why not? Maybe because the Trump administration doesn’t want to acknowledge that its foreign aid cuts led to nearly 150,000 deaths from AIDS, according to Boston University researchers.
Shameful.
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
Attention, book critics!
Book critics, tomorrow is the deadline to apply for the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing. Only @bookcritics.bsky.social members are eligible so please check the status of your membership before you apply here: www.bookcritics.org/awards/balak...
Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing - National Book Critics Circle
The NBCC awards the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing each year to recognize outstanding work by a member of the NBCC. The citation is awarded in honor of
www.bookcritics.org
December 1, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Attention, book critics!
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
For World AIDS Day, Housing Works will again be taking part in the reading of the names of New Yorkers lost to AIDS. The rally and vigil will start at noon at the Memorial Park on Greenwich Ave and W 12th St. A few sign-up times for the reading are still available. www.nycaidsmemorial.org/wad2025
World AIDS Day 2025 — New York City AIDS Memorial
The New York City AIDS Memorial honors World AIDS Day on December 1 with a reading of names of New Yorkers lost to AIDS, rally, vigil and more.
www.nycaidsmemorial.org
December 1, 2025 at 4:21 PM
For World AIDS Day, Housing Works will again be taking part in the reading of the names of New Yorkers lost to AIDS. The rally and vigil will start at noon at the Memorial Park on Greenwich Ave and W 12th St. A few sign-up times for the reading are still available. www.nycaidsmemorial.org/wad2025
Book critics, tomorrow is the deadline to apply for the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing. Only @bookcritics.bsky.social members are eligible so please check the status of your membership before you apply here: www.bookcritics.org/awards/balak...
Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing - National Book Critics Circle
The NBCC awards the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing each year to recognize outstanding work by a member of the NBCC. The citation is awarded in honor of
www.bookcritics.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Book critics, tomorrow is the deadline to apply for the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing. Only @bookcritics.bsky.social members are eligible so please check the status of your membership before you apply here: www.bookcritics.org/awards/balak...
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
“The U.S. recorded 6,600 pertussis cases in early 2025
Texas has already passed 3,500 cases this year” www.healthday.com/health-news/...
Texas has already passed 3,500 cases this year” www.healthday.com/health-news/...
Whooping Cough Surges Nationwide as Vaccinations Fall
THURSDAY, Nov. 20, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Whooping cough is making a major comeback in the United States, with sharp increases now seen in Texas, Florida, Cali
www.healthday.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:15 PM
“The U.S. recorded 6,600 pertussis cases in early 2025
Texas has already passed 3,500 cases this year” www.healthday.com/health-news/...
Texas has already passed 3,500 cases this year” www.healthday.com/health-news/...
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
For 30 years, Hub City Press has championed the finest voices of the American South. This year, we formed our first-ever National Advisory Council to help guide our next chapter. Together, we'll continue to shape the future of independent publishing. Learn more at hubcity.org/advisorycouncil
November 20, 2025 at 7:56 PM
For 30 years, Hub City Press has championed the finest voices of the American South. This year, we formed our first-ever National Advisory Council to help guide our next chapter. Together, we'll continue to shape the future of independent publishing. Learn more at hubcity.org/advisorycouncil
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
the only real way to think about these raids is terrorist attacks
Over 20,000 students stayed home from school Monday in Charlotte amid ICE raids, representing 15% of enrollment
The district is nearly one-third Hispanic, per WBTV
www.wbtv.com/2025/11/18/n...
The district is nearly one-third Hispanic, per WBTV
www.wbtv.com/2025/11/18/n...
Nearly 21,000 Charlotte-Mecklenburg students absent from school on Monday, officials say
Officials did not make it clear if the absences were connected to the on-going immigration operation in the city.
www.wbtv.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:58 PM
the only real way to think about these raids is terrorist attacks
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
I too am stuck into the Nov 18th hype, and wrote about Book III of Solvej Balle’s ON THE CALCULATION OF VOLUME, trans. by Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell, for @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social. I like the variables Balle adds to familiar time-loop tropes and am eager to see where the story goes.
You Can Go Home Again, and Again, and Again | Los Angeles Review of Books
Cory Oldweiler reviews the new translation of Danish author Solvej Balle’s “On the Calculation of Volume (Book III).”
lareviewofbooks.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I too am stuck into the Nov 18th hype, and wrote about Book III of Solvej Balle’s ON THE CALCULATION OF VOLUME, trans. by Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell, for @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social. I like the variables Balle adds to familiar time-loop tropes and am eager to see where the story goes.
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
“We owe it to our young people not to lie to them anymore. A democracy whose citizens operate with fundamentally different understandings of the past and its implications cannot sustain itself.”
I spent October traveling to schools throughout the South talking to students about American history. What I found were young people who understand we can tell a story that includes both the positive and the negative. As one 8th grader in Memphis said, “Doesn’t seem that hard, just say both things.”
Tell Students the Truth About American History
We owe it to Americans of all ages to be honest about the country’s past, including its contradictions.
www.theatlantic.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:18 AM
“We owe it to our young people not to lie to them anymore. A democracy whose citizens operate with fundamentally different understandings of the past and its implications cannot sustain itself.”
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
If CBP, Customs and Border Protection, is only supposed to operate within 100 miles of the U.S. border, what are they doing leading operations in Charlotte, North Carolina?
November 18, 2025 at 3:47 AM
If CBP, Customs and Border Protection, is only supposed to operate within 100 miles of the U.S. border, what are they doing leading operations in Charlotte, North Carolina?
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
Charlotte reels as immigration raids bring North Carolina city to a ‘standstill’
@us.theguardian.com
@us.theguardian.com
Charlotte reels as immigration raids bring North Carolina city to a ‘standstill’
Thriving business districts in North Carolina city now at a ‘standstill’ after at least 81 were arrested over the weekend
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Charlotte reels as immigration raids bring North Carolina city to a ‘standstill’
@us.theguardian.com
@us.theguardian.com
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
Another horrific story from these times, featuring the tireless and heroic work of my Cornell Law colleague Liz Brundige and her clinic students. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
She Was Deported in Error. Her Child Was Left Behind.
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Another horrific story from these times, featuring the tireless and heroic work of my Cornell Law colleague Liz Brundige and her clinic students. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/u...
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
got to post-Zohran blog @thecut.com — multiple election outcomes on Tuesday showed that refusing to fold on trans people, migrants, Muslims, and marginalized communities while pushing kitchen table issues is a winning strategy. the pundit class’s “Decision to Win”-style arguments can be put to bed
Welcome to Woke 2.0
Democrats won by running on kitchen-table issues and accepting or embracing trans people and immigrants.
www.thecut.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:05 PM
got to post-Zohran blog @thecut.com — multiple election outcomes on Tuesday showed that refusing to fold on trans people, migrants, Muslims, and marginalized communities while pushing kitchen table issues is a winning strategy. the pundit class’s “Decision to Win”-style arguments can be put to bed
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
New: Conde Nast fired four employees who were among a group that confronted the company's head of human resources on Wednesday over the decision to fold Teen Vogue into Vogue/recent cuts. Employees who were fired included journalists from the New Yorker, Wired, and Bon Appétit.
November 6, 2025 at 5:49 PM
New: Conde Nast fired four employees who were among a group that confronted the company's head of human resources on Wednesday over the decision to fold Teen Vogue into Vogue/recent cuts. Employees who were fired included journalists from the New Yorker, Wired, and Bon Appétit.
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
Mamdani went to a small college similar to the one where I work and majored in Africana Studies. From now on my answer to the microaggressive question of “what can one (even) do with a Black Studies degree from a liberal arts college?” is “You can run New York.”
November 6, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Mamdani went to a small college similar to the one where I work and majored in Africana Studies. From now on my answer to the microaggressive question of “what can one (even) do with a Black Studies degree from a liberal arts college?” is “You can run New York.”
THE RITZ OF THE BAYOU is in many ways the key to understanding contemporary American politics. It's also an eclectic romp through New Orleans which is a complete pleasure. It's finally coming back into print thanks to @hubcitypress.bsky.social. You'll want to pre-order it.
Nancy Lemann fans! We have a cover for our THE RITZ OF THE BAYOU reissue! @hubcitypress.bsky.social is so pleased to be working with our pals at @nyrb-imprints.bsky.social (who are publishing Nancy's new novel, as well as a reprint) for a big combined release day on April 7!
Email me to get an ARC!
Email me to get an ARC!
November 6, 2025 at 3:28 AM
THE RITZ OF THE BAYOU is in many ways the key to understanding contemporary American politics. It's also an eclectic romp through New Orleans which is a complete pleasure. It's finally coming back into print thanks to @hubcitypress.bsky.social. You'll want to pre-order it.
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
Eight bodyguards! "Look, we know you've got one of those Pulitzer-thingies, but how are you with martial arts? We're reassigning you to Commandant-Direktor Weiss's security detail. It's either that or you can be a litter-bearer."
November 3, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Eight bodyguards! "Look, we know you've got one of those Pulitzer-thingies, but how are you with martial arts? We're reassigning you to Commandant-Direktor Weiss's security detail. It's either that or you can be a litter-bearer."
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
With one day left in the NYC mayoral race it’s tough to describe how inspiring & depressing it’s been. Zohran has obviously created a meaningful, passionate movement; representation is not salvation, but it does mean something to see a politician who looks like me lead in this important way (1/3).
November 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
With one day left in the NYC mayoral race it’s tough to describe how inspiring & depressing it’s been. Zohran has obviously created a meaningful, passionate movement; representation is not salvation, but it does mean something to see a politician who looks like me lead in this important way (1/3).