John McMurtrie
@johnmcmurtrie.bsky.social
Nonfiction editor, Kirkus Reviews.
The beauty of Oakland
November 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
The beauty of Oakland
Some nonfiction books to counter the dread:
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...
4 New Nonfiction Books That Will Bring You Joy | Kirkus Reviews
Enough with the bad news and doomscrolling. These new releases are guaranteed to lighten your mood.
www.kirkusreviews.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Some nonfiction books to counter the dread:
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...
Such a thrill to present Scott Anderson with the 2025 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction last night in New York.
You can read about all the winners here.
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...
You can read about all the winners here.
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...
October 9, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Such a thrill to present Scott Anderson with the 2025 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction last night in New York.
You can read about all the winners here.
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...
You can read about all the winners here.
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...
A midnight blue LaSalle, circa 1940
September 27, 2025 at 10:14 PM
A midnight blue LaSalle, circa 1940
I’m biking on a beautiful afternoon, the trees alive with the setting sun, and I see an older man in saffron robes on the sidewalk, his gentle gait and head held low making me think, “This guy gets it.” Then, passing by him, I see his forefinger, just as gently, scrolling down the face of his phone.
September 16, 2025 at 2:11 AM
I’m biking on a beautiful afternoon, the trees alive with the setting sun, and I see an older man in saffron robes on the sidewalk, his gentle gait and head held low making me think, “This guy gets it.” Then, passing by him, I see his forefinger, just as gently, scrolling down the face of his phone.
Behold the 2025 Kirkus Prize finalists!
lithub.com/here-are-the...
lithub.com/here-are-the...
Here are the finalists for the 2025 Kirkus Prize.
Today, Kirkus Reviews announced the 18 finalists for the 2025 Kirkus Prize, in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, and Young Readers’ Literature. Finalists are chosen from the pool of writers wh…
lithub.com
August 27, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Behold the 2025 Kirkus Prize finalists!
lithub.com/here-are-the...
lithub.com/here-are-the...
So many of us are indebted to Malcolm Margolin, who did much to celebrate the culture and history of California. I’ll miss his passion, his wisdom and his wit — and his endearing Boston accent. May his memory be a blessing.
www.berkeleyside.org/2025/08/20/m...
www.berkeleyside.org/2025/08/20/m...
‘A mighty redwood of a man has fallen.’ Remembering Malcolm Margolin, founder of Heyday books
Writer, editor and publisher Malcolm Margolin, who promoted Indigenous cultural renewal across California, died Wednesday. He was 84.
www.berkeleyside.org
August 21, 2025 at 1:04 AM
So many of us are indebted to Malcolm Margolin, who did much to celebrate the culture and history of California. I’ll miss his passion, his wisdom and his wit — and his endearing Boston accent. May his memory be a blessing.
www.berkeleyside.org/2025/08/20/m...
www.berkeleyside.org/2025/08/20/m...
Farewell to a master satirist. #tomlehrer
July 27, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Farewell to a master satirist. #tomlehrer
Reposted by John McMurtrie
Kirkus Reviews nonfiction editor @johnmcmurtrie.bsky.social recommends "More Butch Heroes" in a Pride Month round-up of new standout LGBTQ+ titles:
Pride Month Reads: 5 New LGBTQ+ Nonfiction Books | Kirkus Reviews
These essential titles shed light on queer lives, past and present.
www.kirkusreviews.com
June 1, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Kirkus Reviews nonfiction editor @johnmcmurtrie.bsky.social recommends "More Butch Heroes" in a Pride Month round-up of new standout LGBTQ+ titles:
These lines from Dawn Staley’s “Uncommon Favor” (Atria/Black Privilege Publishing, May 20):
“Every fiber of my soul screamed sports, sports, sports. Before long, my family nicknamed me ‘Dirt’ because it became clear I’d rather play ball than bathe.”
“Every fiber of my soul screamed sports, sports, sports. Before long, my family nicknamed me ‘Dirt’ because it became clear I’d rather play ball than bathe.”
April 19, 2025 at 12:16 AM
These lines from Dawn Staley’s “Uncommon Favor” (Atria/Black Privilege Publishing, May 20):
“Every fiber of my soul screamed sports, sports, sports. Before long, my family nicknamed me ‘Dirt’ because it became clear I’d rather play ball than bathe.”
“Every fiber of my soul screamed sports, sports, sports. Before long, my family nicknamed me ‘Dirt’ because it became clear I’d rather play ball than bathe.”
Wayne Thiebaud’s delicious “Nine Books,” 1991-92, at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco.
April 7, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Wayne Thiebaud’s delicious “Nine Books,” 1991-92, at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco.
San Francisco beach artist (with rake)
March 29, 2025 at 10:32 PM
San Francisco beach artist (with rake)
Hanging out with my buds.
March 11, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Hanging out with my buds.
Randomly met this beauty today: a 1968 Citroën DS.
March 8, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Randomly met this beauty today: a 1968 Citroën DS.
The Women of the Black Panther Party Mural, Oakland
March 1, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The Women of the Black Panther Party Mural, Oakland
Beautiful day in the neighborhood
February 20, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Beautiful day in the neighborhood
Reposted by John McMurtrie
"A creative resurrection of people around the world who broke gender norms." — Kirkus Reviews
Ria Brodell's ingenious project celebrating queer lives continues in "More Butch Heroes," coming this April:
Ria Brodell's ingenious project celebrating queer lives continues in "More Butch Heroes," coming this April:
MORE BUTCH HEROES | Kirkus Reviews
Living as themselves—and often punished for it.
www.kirkusreviews.com
February 18, 2025 at 12:40 AM
"A creative resurrection of people around the world who broke gender norms." — Kirkus Reviews
Ria Brodell's ingenious project celebrating queer lives continues in "More Butch Heroes," coming this April:
Ria Brodell's ingenious project celebrating queer lives continues in "More Butch Heroes," coming this April:
I found a redwood branch that fell during a storm. I brought it home, where it now shines.
February 13, 2025 at 1:48 AM
I found a redwood branch that fell during a storm. I brought it home, where it now shines.
And the best book title of the year (so far) goes to…
January 29, 2025 at 11:42 PM
And the best book title of the year (so far) goes to…
I so enjoyed speaking with Pico Iyer about his outstanding new book, “Aflame: Learning From Silence.” @Riverheadbooks.bsky.social is publishing it today.
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...
Pico Iyer Talks About the Power of Silence | Kirkus Reviews
In his latest book, ‘Aflame,’ the peripatetic writer extols the virtues of the contemplative life.
www.kirkusreviews.com
January 14, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I so enjoyed speaking with Pico Iyer about his outstanding new book, “Aflame: Learning From Silence.” @Riverheadbooks.bsky.social is publishing it today.
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...
www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-fea...
The richness of redwoods at sunset.
January 14, 2025 at 1:42 AM
The richness of redwoods at sunset.
Rest in peace, Jimmy Carter. I had the honor of interviewing him twice. He was lighthearted and laughed easily and was as warm as anyone I’ve ever met. In 2015, he played along with me for this photo I took of him.
December 29, 2024 at 10:46 PM
Rest in peace, Jimmy Carter. I had the honor of interviewing him twice. He was lighthearted and laughed easily and was as warm as anyone I’ve ever met. In 2015, he played along with me for this photo I took of him.
Raising Hare, by Chloe Dalton, is an extraordinary book. Here’s the Kirkus review. www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
RAISING HARE | Kirkus Reviews
Made more humane by a hare.
www.kirkusreviews.com
December 12, 2024 at 11:27 PM
Raising Hare, by Chloe Dalton, is an extraordinary book. Here’s the Kirkus review. www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...