Mythili Rao
@mythili.bsky.social
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Mythili Rao
@mythili.bsky.social
· Feb 9
Review | Seeking out silence, and discovering all it can say
Jérôme Sueur’s “Natural History of Silence” and Pico Iyer’s “Aflame” explore the quiet (and the sounds) that sustain us
www.washingtonpost.com
“Rising temperatures and ecological destruction are reshaping not just the way the planet functions but the way it sounds.” I reviewed two new searching books about the nature of silence for @washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/0...
The kids and I had a real “driveway moment” with this episode about The Snowman this morning. We were about to leave the house but ended up just standing around the kitchen listening to the musicians talk about Howard Blake’s score: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - How to Play, The Snowman by Howard Blake
A musician’s-eye view of classical music’s best-loved works
www.bbc.co.uk
December 23, 2025 at 10:38 AM
The kids and I had a real “driveway moment” with this episode about The Snowman this morning. We were about to leave the house but ended up just standing around the kitchen listening to the musicians talk about Howard Blake’s score: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
"He explained that 'these odd Narratives—half-report, half-imagined, half-science, half-fable, but with a fidelity of their own—are what I do, basically, to keep MY demons of boredom and loneliness and despair away.'" What a piece: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Oliver Sacks Put Himself Into His Case Studies. What Was the Cost?
The scientist was famous for linking healing with storytelling. Sometimes that meant reshaping patients’ reality.
www.newyorker.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:41 AM
"He explained that 'these odd Narratives—half-report, half-imagined, half-science, half-fable, but with a fidelity of their own—are what I do, basically, to keep MY demons of boredom and loneliness and despair away.'" What a piece: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Thanks to @theguardian.com for inviting me to review Susan Orlean’s new memoir, Joyride. It was a pleasure spending time with this book: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d...
Joyride by Susan Orlean review – an extraordinary, curious life
An exuberant, inspiring memoir from the New Yorker writer and author of The Orchid Thief
www.theguardian.com
December 14, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Thanks to @theguardian.com for inviting me to review Susan Orlean’s new memoir, Joyride. It was a pleasure spending time with this book: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/d...
“Some complained about the effect of technology on students’ stamina for reading and interest in books. But more pointed toward the curriculum products their schools had purchased from major publishers.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
Kids Rarely Read Whole Books Anymore. Even in English Class.
www.nytimes.com
December 13, 2025 at 8:41 PM
“Some complained about the effect of technology on students’ stamina for reading and interest in books. But more pointed toward the curriculum products their schools had purchased from major publishers.” www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/u...
"I mean, in some ways, we’re all used to dynamic pricing ... when it comes to airline tickets and concerts and ride shares. But we’re not used to being charged different prices at different times for essential goods and services like food and groceries." crbreadandbutter.substack.com/p/shoppers-a...
“Shoppers are Not Aware That They’re in an Experiment”
Inside CR’s investigation into Instacart’s “algorithmic pricing”—and how it could be inflating your grocery bill. Plus: the Deal of the Week + CR Gift Guides
crbreadandbutter.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:58 AM
"I mean, in some ways, we’re all used to dynamic pricing ... when it comes to airline tickets and concerts and ride shares. But we’re not used to being charged different prices at different times for essential goods and services like food and groceries." crbreadandbutter.substack.com/p/shoppers-a...
Fascinating: www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Make Thanksgiving Radical Again
The holiday’s real roots lie in abolition, liberation, and anti-racism. Let’s reconnect to that legacy.
www.thenation.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Fascinating: www.thenation.com/article/soci...
New episode! On @intelligence2.bsky.social, I spoke with Simon Jenkins about why he wrote this new short history of America, why he hopes for the American experiment’s success, and what Britain might learn from the history of its wayward progeny across the pond. open.spotify.com/episode/4wUY...
November 12, 2025 at 9:35 AM
New episode! On @intelligence2.bsky.social, I spoke with Simon Jenkins about why he wrote this new short history of America, why he hopes for the American experiment’s success, and what Britain might learn from the history of its wayward progeny across the pond. open.spotify.com/episode/4wUY...
"In other words, men and women pay the same bill, but we are obligated to understand that the social and spiritual price it extracts from men is higher," Jessica Winter writes: www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
What Did Men Do to Deserve This?
Changes in the economy and in the culture seem to have hit them hard. Scott Galloway believes they need an “aspirational vision of masculinity.”
www.newyorker.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:50 AM
"In other words, men and women pay the same bill, but we are obligated to understand that the social and spiritual price it extracts from men is higher," Jessica Winter writes: www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
I had a very nice time speaking with Olivia Laing about their new novel, The Silver Book-- an an anti-fascist noir thriller which also happens to be a love letter to Italian cinema. Hear our conversation on the @intelligence2.bsky.social podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/4VUG...
Olivia Laing on Passion and Heartbreak in the Golden Age of New Italian Cinema
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:52 AM
I had a very nice time speaking with Olivia Laing about their new novel, The Silver Book-- an an anti-fascist noir thriller which also happens to be a love letter to Italian cinema. Hear our conversation on the @intelligence2.bsky.social podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/4VUG...
Reposted by Mythili Rao
For this edition of ‘Brooding,’ parenting columnist Kathryn Jezer-Morton reflects on her own community and why parents need to let go to have a village of their own.
Is There a Secret to Having a ‘Village’?
For this edition of ‘Brooding,’ parenting columnist Kathryn Jezer-Morton reflects on her own community and why parents need to let go to have a village of their own.
www.thecut.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:09 PM
For this edition of ‘Brooding,’ parenting columnist Kathryn Jezer-Morton reflects on her own community and why parents need to let go to have a village of their own.
"I had been working at a flower stand on the side of the highway since 2008, but I wanted to be a sailor." This is too well-executed not to share: thebaffler.com/outbursts/th...
The Hatred of Podcasting | Brace Belden
In 2015, if you said, “I heard it on a podcast,” you were trying to sound smart. In 2025, it’s better to lie.
thebaffler.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:39 PM
"I had been working at a flower stand on the side of the highway since 2008, but I wanted to be a sailor." This is too well-executed not to share: thebaffler.com/outbursts/th...
So exciting. Congrats to the Equator team for building a new home for sharp writing from around the world. I can't wait to dive into this beautifully designed first issue.
Equator is live today. Read about our mission and our first pieces, which include works of reportage, essays, memoirs, poetry, and fiction from around the world: www.equator.org
EQUATOR
Equator is a magazine of politics, culture and art.
www.equator.org
October 29, 2025 at 4:38 PM
So exciting. Congrats to the Equator team for building a new home for sharp writing from around the world. I can't wait to dive into this beautifully designed first issue.
It was wonderful to be back in Charlottesville earlier this month to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the University of Virginia's Political and Social Thought program and reflect on all that it's given me-- and all it has to give future students: as.virginia.edu/news/politic...
Political and Social Thought Program Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Graduates and current students of the pioneering Arts & Sciences program of interdisciplinary coursework gathered for a celebratory weekend of panel discussions, receptions and reunions.
as.virginia.edu
October 28, 2025 at 3:43 PM
It was wonderful to be back in Charlottesville earlier this month to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the University of Virginia's Political and Social Thought program and reflect on all that it's given me-- and all it has to give future students: as.virginia.edu/news/politic...
I reviewed Malala Yousafzai's new memoir "Finding My Way" for the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Finding My Way by Malala Yousafzai review – growing up in public
Clambering up bell towers, dancing the night away and falling in love – how ‘saint’ Malala forged a new identity
www.theguardian.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:53 AM
I reviewed Malala Yousafzai's new memoir "Finding My Way" for the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/books/2025/o...
Reposted by Mythili Rao
October 19, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Tonight! I’m looking forward to speaking with poet Raymond Antrobus about his new memoir, The Quiet Ear, at the Kiln Theatre with @intelligence2.bsky.social. Come by if you can! kilntheatre.com/whats-on/ray...
October 8, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Tonight! I’m looking forward to speaking with poet Raymond Antrobus about his new memoir, The Quiet Ear, at the Kiln Theatre with @intelligence2.bsky.social. Come by if you can! kilntheatre.com/whats-on/ray...
Reposted by Mythili Rao
Reading Rainbow emphasis is encouraging kids to read. The focus is not on teaching them to read. The mission is reading should be fun!
We are all readers, worthy of literacy. LeVar Burton said “but you don’t have to take my word for it” because he wanted us to look to the books. That’s the beauty 💚
We are all readers, worthy of literacy. LeVar Burton said “but you don’t have to take my word for it” because he wanted us to look to the books. That’s the beauty 💚
Reading Rainbow Is Back With a New Host -- @mychal3ts.bsky.social -- And The Same Mission
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/s...
‘Reading Rainbow’ Comes Back With a New Host, but the Same Mission
www.nytimes.com
October 4, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Reading Rainbow emphasis is encouraging kids to read. The focus is not on teaching them to read. The mission is reading should be fun!
We are all readers, worthy of literacy. LeVar Burton said “but you don’t have to take my word for it” because he wanted us to look to the books. That’s the beauty 💚
We are all readers, worthy of literacy. LeVar Burton said “but you don’t have to take my word for it” because he wanted us to look to the books. That’s the beauty 💚
Cool layout for the @theguardian.com September paperback roundup, featuring (a condensed version of) my review of What Iranians Want by @arashtehran.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
This month’s best paperbacks: Haruki Murakami, Richard Powers and more
Looking for a new reading recommendation? Here are some wonderful new paperbacks, from a must-read graphic history to a tale of lost love
www.theguardian.com
October 5, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Cool layout for the @theguardian.com September paperback roundup, featuring (a condensed version of) my review of What Iranians Want by @arashtehran.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/books/ng-int...
Reposted by Mythili Rao
Indignity Vol. 5, No. 175, CURRENT EVENTS DEP'T.: Who Were the Big War Speeches Meant For? www.indignity.net/audience-capture/
Audience capture
Indignity Vol. 5, No. 175
www.indignity.net
October 1, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Indignity Vol. 5, No. 175, CURRENT EVENTS DEP'T.: Who Were the Big War Speeches Meant For? www.indignity.net/audience-capture/
This is such a painstakingly reported, clear-eyed account of the hellish search for accountability after a “preventable death.” www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Paul Laity · After Martha
For the hospital, and for the NHS, it was a closed case, another preventable death: medicine is imperfect, such things...
www.lrb.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 7:49 PM
This is such a painstakingly reported, clear-eyed account of the hellish search for accountability after a “preventable death.” www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Reposted by Mythili Rao
I was happy to pitch in on NPR and talk a bit about Beverly Cleary's Henry Huggins, one of my favorite books as a kid.
Happy 75th birthday to Henry Huggins, Ramona Quimby's big-kid neighbor
Beverly Cleary's fictional third grader with an adopted dog named Ribsy made his debut in 1950. Cleary was praised for writing simple, humorous stories that kids wanted to read.
www.npr.org
September 11, 2025 at 1:13 AM
I was happy to pitch in on NPR and talk a bit about Beverly Cleary's Henry Huggins, one of my favorite books as a kid.
“In Walker’s treatment, sections of man and horse have been cut apart and resoldered together in a tangle of hooves, haunches, bridles and necks, the parts more or less recognizable but the whole an entirely new, unsettled being.” www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/a...
Kara Walker Deconstructs a Statue, and a Myth
www.nytimes.com
September 8, 2025 at 7:59 PM
“In Walker’s treatment, sections of man and horse have been cut apart and resoldered together in a tangle of hooves, haunches, bridles and necks, the parts more or less recognizable but the whole an entirely new, unsettled being.” www.nytimes.com/2025/09/08/a...
Wow. When I went to Amsterdam in 2018 to record the radio companion to this New Yorker piece with Astrid Holleeder, she was still in hiding: I got into a car with my Marantz and mics not knowing where we were going. A most unusual production experience. www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/tny...
September 3, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Wow. When I went to Amsterdam in 2018 to record the radio companion to this New Yorker piece with Astrid Holleeder, she was still in hiding: I got into a car with my Marantz and mics not knowing where we were going. A most unusual production experience. www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/tny...
Reposted by Mythili Rao
The official voice of the U.S. government draws from 4chan trolls, explicitly white nationalist phrases and talking points, and radicalizing, dehumanizing, desensitizing language for its targets. I talked to propaganda experts about what it’s doing to us:
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The official voice of the US government Is cruel, gross, and weird. What is that doing to us?
Joking memes about imprisonment, deportation, and death by alligator are designed to radicalize and desensitize.
www.motherjones.com
August 15, 2025 at 1:21 PM
The official voice of the U.S. government draws from 4chan trolls, explicitly white nationalist phrases and talking points, and radicalizing, dehumanizing, desensitizing language for its targets. I talked to propaganda experts about what it’s doing to us:
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
From this year’s International Booker winner, Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, translated from the Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi.
August 16, 2025 at 10:37 AM
From this year’s International Booker winner, Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, translated from the Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi.