Emma Kantor

Moomins book display at Brooklyn Public Library's main branch.

Moomins mural above the shelves in the children's book room of the library

Posing with the Moomins in my Marimekko floral shorts.

By some surreal serendipity, I was wearing my bright pink floral Marimekko shorts when I visited the Moomins. Finnish fashion for the win!

Moomins Enter the Cuteness Pantheon, With Help From Gen Z

Get thee to the Brooklyn Public Library for Tove Jansson and her Moominjoy! @bklynlibrary.bsky.social @nytimes.com ‬

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/s...

In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have read an essay about "heterofatalism" before going on a date.

Bright yellow filming permits tacked to a pole. A light blue Victorian house in the background. The title of the production? HIM

The long-awaited sequel to HER.

Amy Sherald Cancels Her Smithsonian Show, Citing Censorship

Shame on the Smithsonian. I recently saw Amy Sherald's stunning portrait "A single man in possession of a good fortune" at the Morgan Library & Museum, as part of its Jane Austen exhibit, and I look forward to seeing "American Sublime" at the Whitney. @nytimes.com

Cancer stole her voice. AI, curse words and children's books saved it Sonya Sotinsky recorded herself talking and reading books to preserve a critical element of her personality: her voice. After surgery for oral cancer, AI used those recordings to re-create her voice.

"Eloise saved my voice."

I've always believed in the power of children's books. And curse words. But a benevolent, and healing, use of AI? That's a welcome surprise. @npr.org

Could it be the title of a Greek tragedy about demolition experts?

I just found an email that I sent to myself with the subject "Edifice Wrecks" and no content.

This Math Tutor Keeps Popping Up in Wes Anderson Films

In today's NYT Great Read slot, I introduce you to Mike Maggart. He has no interest in acting. No training. But keeps getting cast in Wes Anderson films and commercials. With lines and all.

"This Math Tutor Keeps Popping Up in Wes Anderson Films."

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/a...

Once again, I have a first date and a filling scheduled back to back. Masochist much?

So many gems in here!

This was fantastic! Thanks to you and @tahneeroksman.bsky.social for such a lively and informative discussion.

He’s Ringo. And Nobody Else Is.

A super sweet snapshot of the man who kept the Beat in the Beatles.

@nytimes.com @lindsayzoladz.bsky.social

I'm obsessed with her denim dress! Not sure I can learn accordion on such a tight schedule, but I do play ukulele. That's on theme, right?

YouTube video by Victor Guyomard Conte d'été - Je suis une fille de corsaire

Already making progress

YouTube video by Alejandro F. Moreno La fille du corsaire dans Conte d'été (Eric Rohmer, 1996)

My one and only goal for the summer: to learn this sea shanty.

I wrote up some First Impressions of the Morgan Library's exquisite Jane Austen birthday exhibit, on view through Sept. 14—which, incidentally, is my mother's birthday! (She's never read any Austen...not even "Emma." Perhaps this is the Persuasion she needs?)
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

I saw a teen wearing a Star Wars t-shirt. Because nothing says "Father's Day" like a paternity plot twist.

Why Publishing Sitcoms Help Me Maintain Hope and Humor for the Future of the Industry Hollywood can’t resist a literary adaptation. Frontlist, backlist—it’s all fodder for screenplays. The publishing world itself also feeds the insatiable page-to-screen pipeline: from 1930s and ’40s…

And what a nice surprise to see a shout-out to my essay for Lit Hub from a while back, on "Younger" and "Love & Anarchy." Thank you, @britt-kathryn.bsky.social! PS: I love "The Larry Sanders Show"—an underrated classic.

Showbiz shows and publishing shows: A list of pairings. If you believe the American media, two industries are responsible for the whole wheel of culture. One’s in New York and makes print matter, and one’s in Los Angeles and makes :pops in c…

Really fun list of showbiz shows and publishing shows by @britt-kathryn.bsky.social for @literaryhub.bsky.social. "Happy bingeing" indeed! ‬⭐️📚

Why Publishing Sitcoms Help Me Maintain Hope and Humor for the Future of the Industry Hollywood can’t resist a literary adaptation. Frontlist, backlist—it’s all fodder for screenplays. The publishing world itself also feeds the insatiable page-to-screen pipeline: from 1930s and ’40s…

And what a nice surprise to see a shout-out to my essay for Lit Hub from a while back, on "Younger" and "Love & Anarchy." Thank you, @britt-kathryn.bsky.social! PS: I love "The Larry Sanders Show"—an underrated classic

Getting off the Q train: one woman complimented another on her skirt, then I complimented her hat, then another complimented her handbag. A beautiful moment of yes, and-ing.

Overheard on the Q train: "I might have an *oral* anesthetic."

‘It’s so boring’: Gen Z parents don’t like reading to their kids - and educators are worried Screen time has increasingly replaced story time, and experts warn this could lead to children falling behind

This baffles me. Reading together seems like it would be one of the greatest joys of having a child.

That and sharing* my favorite movies.
[*subjecting them to]

@theguardian.com

And I don't hate it!

In the office before 9 AM. What is this, pre-pandemic times?

Season finale—enjoy!

This is a spoiler-free zone. Just wanted to share my love and appreciation.

Hacks!!!

Also, this is staggering: "In 1970 a federal suit and a new municipal law required McSorley’s Old Ale House, New York City’s oldest continuously operating saloon, to ditch its 116-year ban on women." It was that recent?!