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
“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).
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
SNAP helps feed 12 million children.
Brooke Rollins calls food stamps "a broken and corrupt program" and says, "guess what? There's a new sheriff in town. His name is Donald Trump."
November 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM
SNAP helps feed 12 million children.
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
Hours after SNAP, WIC, Head Start, and other critical benefits expired for millions of Americans, Donald Trump is arriving at his golf club in Florida.
November 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Hours after SNAP, WIC, Head Start, and other critical benefits expired for millions of Americans, Donald Trump is arriving at his golf club in Florida.
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
I just donated to my local food bank. If you can, you should too. People are already suffering but next month, in particular, is going to be so difficult.
October 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM
I just donated to my local food bank. If you can, you should too. People are already suffering but next month, in particular, is going to be so difficult.
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
cool cool cool cool cool
October 30, 2025 at 12:26 PM
cool cool cool cool cool
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
Duke University Press fabulous 50% off fall sale is happening now!
Get your own beautiful copies of QTR, or Susan Stryker’s award winning book, or brand new books from folks like M. Wolff and Maia Kotrosits now!!
@susanstryker.bsky.social, @maiakotro.bsky.social, @dukepress.bsky.social
Get your own beautiful copies of QTR, or Susan Stryker’s award winning book, or brand new books from folks like M. Wolff and Maia Kotrosits now!!
@susanstryker.bsky.social, @maiakotro.bsky.social, @dukepress.bsky.social
We are halfway through our fall sale. Save 50% with coupon FALL25 though November 9. Stock up now! If you're outside the US, shop with our partners @uoftpress.bsky.social or @mngupbooks.bsky.social to save on shipping.
buff.ly/ynn27bH
buff.ly/ynn27bH
October 30, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Duke University Press fabulous 50% off fall sale is happening now!
Get your own beautiful copies of QTR, or Susan Stryker’s award winning book, or brand new books from folks like M. Wolff and Maia Kotrosits now!!
@susanstryker.bsky.social, @maiakotro.bsky.social, @dukepress.bsky.social
Get your own beautiful copies of QTR, or Susan Stryker’s award winning book, or brand new books from folks like M. Wolff and Maia Kotrosits now!!
@susanstryker.bsky.social, @maiakotro.bsky.social, @dukepress.bsky.social
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
BREAKING: A Department of Homeland Security officer shot at an unarmed black man during a traffic stop in DC, and the DC police officer said he was told by superiors not to mention the shooting in his incident report. 1/ www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Lawyers allege cover-up after fed shoots at man during D.C. traffic stop
Neither D.C. police nor the Department of Homeland Security have explained why the Homeland Security agent fired his weapon.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:33 AM
BREAKING: A Department of Homeland Security officer shot at an unarmed black man during a traffic stop in DC, and the DC police officer said he was told by superiors not to mention the shooting in his incident report. 1/ www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
BREAKING: Letitia James has announced a Government portal for Videos and images of ICE Agents who may have committed crimes.
Please Use it and SHARE!
ag.ny.gov/federal-acti...
Please Use it and SHARE!
ag.ny.gov/federal-acti...
Federal Action Reporting Form
Federal Action Reporting Form Please use this form to share information regarding federal government action in New York state. Filing a complaint does not start
ag.ny.gov
October 23, 2025 at 3:02 PM
BREAKING: Letitia James has announced a Government portal for Videos and images of ICE Agents who may have committed crimes.
Please Use it and SHARE!
ag.ny.gov/federal-acti...
Please Use it and SHARE!
ag.ny.gov/federal-acti...
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
Today in Kramatorsk, Donbas, two Ukrainian journalists, Alyona Gramova et Yevhen Karmazin (Freedom TV) were killed by a Russian Lancet drone strike on their car at a gas station. Me and my colleague photographer passed by this gas station four times today, seing the wrecked, then evacuated
October 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Today in Kramatorsk, Donbas, two Ukrainian journalists, Alyona Gramova et Yevhen Karmazin (Freedom TV) were killed by a Russian Lancet drone strike on their car at a gas station. Me and my colleague photographer passed by this gas station four times today, seing the wrecked, then evacuated
Reposted by Lauren LeBlanc
“When people mock or intentionally distort someone’s name, it’s a way of saying someone doesn’t belong here.”
“We all learned how to say ‘Daenerys Targaryen’ when we were all into ‘Game of Thrones.’”
Why Can’t People Pronounce ‘Zohran Mamdani’?
Friends and foes keep getting it wrong. Mr. Mamdani says, “It’s pretty phonetic honestly.”
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:09 PM
“When people mock or intentionally distort someone’s name, it’s a way of saying someone doesn’t belong here.”