Alexandra Jacobs

Olivia Nuzzi’s Memoir Is Self-Serious and Altogether Disappointing

Alexandra Jacobs very clearly wanted to like it and couldn't.

Reintroducing Jessica Mitford, the Activist With a ‘Concrete Upper Lip’

“‘Troublemaker’ is a repository of astounding resourcefulness; a detailed curriculum vitae; a crack against the soft rump of the modern screen-addled slacker.” @alexandrajacobs.bsky.social

She’s John Cheever’s Daughter, Except When It Comes to Keeping Secrets

Whoo-hoo!!!..

"So many girlish exclamation points pinprick the text that I was moved to look up the author’s age: 82! Whoo-hoo." - @alexandrajacobs.bsky.social

#SusanCheever
@nytbookreview.bsky.social
#books #memoir #amreading #JohnCheever #BookSky #bookreview
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/26/b...

She’s John Cheever’s Daughter, Except When It Comes to Keeping Secrets

“literary buried treasure.” @alexandrajacobs.bsky.social

From Epstein’s Chief Accuser, a Memoir Both Sad and Devastating

Heartbreaking, beautifully-written review by @alexandrajacobs.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/b...

Thank you so much.

Into the Dark Heart of a Novelist Who Was ‘Something of a Witch’

“‘Somehow things happened, odd things, when Muriel was around,’ said Shirley Hazzard . . .”—from the review by @alexandrajacobs.bsky.social

A spokesman for The Times responded: “This lawsuit has no merit. It lacks any legitimate legal claims and instead is an attempt to stifle and discourage independent reporting. The New York Times will not be deterred by intimidation tactics. We will continue to pursue the facts without fear or favor and stand up for journalists’ First Amendment right to ask questions on behalf of the American people.”

NYT on Trump lawsuit:

Huge thanks to Ron, Becca Rothfeld, @alexandrajacobs.bsky.social, Michelle Hart, @jhowardrosier.bsky.social, @thelincoln.bsky.social, @summ.bsky.social, Chelsea Leu, and everyone else who spoke with me about their craft.

Jennifer Szalai and Alexandra Jacobs on Great American Road Trip Books New York Times book critics Jennifer Szalai and Alexandra Jacobs join co-hosts Whitney Terrell and V.V. Ganeshananthan to discuss their recent article, “Love Jack Kerouac? Read These Great American…

NEW EPISODE: New York Times book critics
JenniferSzalai and @alexandrajacobs.bsky.social
join co-hosts Whitney Terrell and @sugi.bsky.social to discuss their recent article, “Love Jack Kerouac? Read These Great American Road Trip Books Next.”
@literaryhub.bsky.social
lithub.com/jennifer-sza...

In ‘Not My Type,’ E. Jean Carroll Gets the Last Gab About the Trump Trials

"a mash note to Ye Olde New Journalism. [ #E.JeanCarroll] is a Tom Wolfette armored in a... 'Dior-inspired Zara suit' and Revlon’s Toast of New York lipstick, punctuating her observations with a 'whoooooooosh!' and a 'Swaaaaaaaaaaaaak!'" @alexandrajacobs.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/b...

Peeking Into Joan Didion’s Years of Psychological Thinking Drawn from her previously unpublished reflections on sessions with a therapist, “Notes to John” is at once slightly sordid and utterly fascinating.

The last, perhaps, in a Boxed Set of Bereavement.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/b...

🙏

In His 80s, and Recalling All the Men He’s Loved Before Edmund White seems to hold nothing back in his raunchy, stylish, intimate new memoir, “The Loves of My Life.”

This was a fun review from @alexandrajacobs.bsky.social of a book I blurbed and very much enjoyed www.nytimes.com/2025/02/16/b...

😘

Of course—thank you so much for reading, in either medium! :)

Print has a long lead time. Usually reviews post on the book’s pub date; what goes into print and when depends on newsiness, art, editorial mix etc. I hope this is helpful. :)

The best Chrismukkah present:

Wordle 1,285 1/6*

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

It’s Hard to Be the Brother of a Genius Who Died Young In “Ira Gershwin: A Life in Words,” Michael Owen offers a sympathetic portrait of the lyricist, overshadowed in a life that had him tending the legacy of his younger sibling George.

Who could ask for anything more?
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/15/b...

Our Book Critics on Their Year in Reading Jennifer Szalai, Dwight Garner and Alexandra Jacobs look back at the books that “offered refuge from the wheels grinding in our heads.”

"This year’s best books mattered because they offered refuge from the wheels grinding in our heads. They made us feel less alone and reminded us that we are still sane." - @dwightgarner.bsky.social
@jenszalai.bsky.social
@alexandrajacobs.bsky.social
#BookSky #books
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/12/b...

Thank you so much!

Book Review: ‘Giant Love: Edna Ferber, Her Best-Selling Novel of Texas, and the Making of a Classic American Film,’ by Julie Gilbert In “Giant Love,” the novelist’s great-niece chronicles the Texas saga’s divisive reception and the epic film adaptation that’s now better known than the book.

I reviewed a lovely book about “Giant” by Edna Ferber’s great-niece. I feel confident “Ferb” would be on Bluesky!
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/b...

Thank you so much, Michael!

Book Review: ‘Cher: The Memoir,’ by Cher The first volume of her frank autobiography is a testament to resilience, chronicling a grim childhood and the brazen path to stardom, with and without Sonny.

I reviewed Cher’s new femme-oir. (She has upstaged Barbra slightly by breaking it into two volumes.)
Wonder if she’ll make it over here?
www.nytimes.com/2024/11/19/b...

Aw, thank you, sir!