Ron Charles
@roncharles.bsky.social
I write about books for The Washington Post.
Billionaire “leader” tells tens of millions of Americans running out of food money: “I don’t want to hear about the affordability.”
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Trump Dismisses Affordability Concerns, Insists Prices Are Coming Down
The president said the notion that the GOP performed poorly in the recent elections because of the cost of living is a Democratic “con job.”
www.wsj.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Billionaire “leader” tells tens of millions of Americans running out of food money: “I don’t want to hear about the affordability.”
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Ron Charles
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
November 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Border Patrol agent Lairmore testifies that he was not injured by the sandwich, but he felt the impact through his ballistic vest.
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
The sandwich came apart and "kind of exploded" on his chest upon impact, he says.
"I could smell the onions and mustard."
"More than half of the companies that donated to Trump's ballroom are facing or have recently faced federal enforcement actions tied to alleged wrongdoing that includes engaging in unfair labor practices, deceiving consumers and harming the environment."
wapo.st/4hD7dm0
wapo.st/4hD7dm0
Report: Donors to Trump’s White House ballroom have $279B in federal contracts
The White House ballroom’s donor list contains heavyweights in the tech, financial and defense sectors, including Google, Comcast and Lockheed Martin.
wapo.st
November 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM
"More than half of the companies that donated to Trump's ballroom are facing or have recently faced federal enforcement actions tied to alleged wrongdoing that includes engaging in unfair labor practices, deceiving consumers and harming the environment."
wapo.st/4hD7dm0
wapo.st/4hD7dm0
My book recommendations this month for CBS Sunday Morning:
youtu.be/HB25ITZ4tTI?...
youtu.be/HB25ITZ4tTI?...
The Book Report: New fiction and non-fiction (Nov. 2)
YouTube video by CBS Sunday Morning
youtu.be
November 3, 2025 at 5:22 PM
My book recommendations this month for CBS Sunday Morning:
youtu.be/HB25ITZ4tTI?...
youtu.be/HB25ITZ4tTI?...
In today's Halloween edition of the Book Club newsletter, I'm giving away my copy of "The H. P. Lovecraft Experience Deluxe Box Set":
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s2.washingtonpost.com/camp-rw/?tra...
October 31, 2025 at 6:34 PM
In today's Halloween edition of the Book Club newsletter, I'm giving away my copy of "The H. P. Lovecraft Experience Deluxe Box Set":
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s2.washingtonpost.com/camp-rw/?tra...
This week, I turn my august critical attention to a work of literature called "My Brother's Butt Is Haunted": s2.washingtonpost.com/camp-rw/?tra...
October 31, 2025 at 6:32 PM
This week, I turn my august critical attention to a work of literature called "My Brother's Butt Is Haunted": s2.washingtonpost.com/camp-rw/?tra...
Happy news leads this week's Book Club newsletter:
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Book Club: Philip Pullman’s imaginary world has become more like our real one
s2.washingtonpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Happy news leads this week's Book Club newsletter:
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s2.washingtonpost.com/camp-rw/?tra...
WSJ today on Chicago’s savage, crime-infested war zone:
“Visits to the Magnificent Mile are nearly back to prepandemic levels. The area’s crime rate is falling…. And other parts of Chicago’s retail scene have recovered faster.”
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
“Visits to the Magnificent Mile are nearly back to prepandemic levels. The area’s crime rate is falling…. And other parts of Chicago’s retail scene have recovered faster.”
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
The Fight to Restore Chicago’s Magnificent Mile to Its Glory Days
The area’s crime rate is down, and cheaper rents have prompted retailers to lease new space.
www.wsj.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:14 AM
WSJ today on Chicago’s savage, crime-infested war zone:
“Visits to the Magnificent Mile are nearly back to prepandemic levels. The area’s crime rate is falling…. And other parts of Chicago’s retail scene have recovered faster.”
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
“Visits to the Magnificent Mile are nearly back to prepandemic levels. The area’s crime rate is falling…. And other parts of Chicago’s retail scene have recovered faster.”
www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
"Insurers have cited the expiration of extra subsidies as a reason for hiking premiums BECAUSE THEY ANTICIPATE HEALTHY PEOPLE DROPPING COVERAGE."
There it is, folks. Once Republicans introduced adverse selection back into the insurance market, it was doomed.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
There it is, folks. Once Republicans introduced adverse selection back into the insurance market, it was doomed.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Average Obamacare premiums are set to rise 30 percent, documents show
The price increases — affecting up to 17 million Americans who buy coverage on the federal marketplace — are by far the largest annual premium increases in recent years.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
"Insurers have cited the expiration of extra subsidies as a reason for hiking premiums BECAUSE THEY ANTICIPATE HEALTHY PEOPLE DROPPING COVERAGE."
There it is, folks. Once Republicans introduced adverse selection back into the insurance market, it was doomed.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
There it is, folks. Once Republicans introduced adverse selection back into the insurance market, it was doomed.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
“The water’s been brown for weeks. It’s a drag, but I bet there’s an Ivy-educated lib walking around Bushwick in a really bad mood right now. So it’s totally worth it.” www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/at-...
At Least We Owned the Libs
Sure, it was a huge bummer that they cut funding for fixing the streets in our town. We enjoyed going places. But, overall, it’s worth it for the t...
www.mcsweeneys.net
October 22, 2025 at 2:41 AM
“The water’s been brown for weeks. It’s a drag, but I bet there’s an Ivy-educated lib walking around Bushwick in a really bad mood right now. So it’s totally worth it.” www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/at-...
Feels like it's been months since somebody wrote an essay about discovering John Williams's "long forgotten" novel "Stoner."
October 19, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Feels like it's been months since somebody wrote an essay about discovering John Williams's "long forgotten" novel "Stoner."
“Gen Z borrowers have seen the steepest decline in credit scores of any age group this year.”
So much winning!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/b...
So much winning!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/b...
Gen Z Wants to Build Credit. It Has Few Options.
www.nytimes.com
October 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM
“Gen Z borrowers have seen the steepest decline in credit scores of any age group this year.”
So much winning!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/b...
So much winning!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/b...
Perfect:
“Mike Johnson replied, ‘We’ve got pages and pages and pages of ideas on how to reform health care.’ He did not elaborate.” www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/u...
“Mike Johnson replied, ‘We’ve got pages and pages and pages of ideas on how to reform health care.’ He did not elaborate.” www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/u...
Shutdown Fight Reopens Debate in G.O.P. Over Health Care
www.nytimes.com
October 19, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Perfect:
“Mike Johnson replied, ‘We’ve got pages and pages and pages of ideas on how to reform health care.’ He did not elaborate.” www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/u...
“Mike Johnson replied, ‘We’ve got pages and pages and pages of ideas on how to reform health care.’ He did not elaborate.” www.nytimes.com/2025/10/19/u...
Remember, 13 minutes ago when the White House was warning Americans against "violent, divisive rhetoric"?
Good grief....these people.
Good grief....these people.
Leavitt: "The Democrat Party's main constituency is made up of Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals."
October 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Remember, 13 minutes ago when the White House was warning Americans against "violent, divisive rhetoric"?
Good grief....these people.
Good grief....these people.
A press release arriving today announces, "Critics are no longer driving the conversation."
My first thought was, "How did I just get an email from 1952?"
My first thought was, "How did I just get an email from 1952?"
October 16, 2025 at 7:05 PM
A press release arriving today announces, "Critics are no longer driving the conversation."
My first thought was, "How did I just get an email from 1952?"
My first thought was, "How did I just get an email from 1952?"
"Do you ever feel conflicted about being in a business that is associated with addiction?"
"I’m really comfortable with what we do."
(So chilling....)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/12/b...
"I’m really comfortable with what we do."
(So chilling....)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/12/b...
What’s the Deal With All Those FanDuel Ads?
www.nytimes.com
October 12, 2025 at 5:34 PM
"Do you ever feel conflicted about being in a business that is associated with addiction?"
"I’m really comfortable with what we do."
(So chilling....)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/12/b...
"I’m really comfortable with what we do."
(So chilling....)
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/12/b...
When Nanette Vonnegut -- Kurt's daughter -- was about 8, her mother sat her down for The Talk.
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Book Club: To understand our divided America, she started with her hometown
s2.washingtonpost.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
When Nanette Vonnegut -- Kurt's daughter -- was about 8, her mother sat her down for The Talk.
s2.washingtonpost.com/camp-rw/?tra...
s2.washingtonpost.com/camp-rw/?tra...
Jesus wept.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Inside billionaire Peter Thiel’s private lectures: Warnings of ‘the Antichrist’ and U.S. destruction
In leaked recordings of private lectures by tech billionaire Peter Thiel he argued that “the Antichrist” is likely to take the form of a critic of technology.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Jesus wept.
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Mitch Albom’s new novel, “Twice,” is about a man with the miraculous ability to travel back to any point in his life and make a different choice. A few hours after starting “Twice,” I knew exactly which choice I would make differently.
www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/1...
Review | Mitch Albom’s ‘Twice’ is somehow both bonkers and bland
Albom’s new novel is somehow both bonkers and bland as it follows a man who can go back in time and redo his past.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Mitch Albom’s new novel, “Twice,” is about a man with the miraculous ability to travel back to any point in his life and make a different choice. A few hours after starting “Twice,” I knew exactly which choice I would make differently.
www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/1...
Reposted by Ron Charles
Senate Republicans don’t seem too worried about the government shutting down....as they have a glorified resort vacation scheduled just days after the looming deadline. trib.al/j9UA4yF
Republicans to Spend Shutdown Playing Golf at Five-Star Resort
Senate Republicans don’t seem too worried about the government shutting down.
trib.al
October 4, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Senate Republicans don’t seem too worried about the government shutting down....as they have a glorified resort vacation scheduled just days after the looming deadline. trib.al/j9UA4yF
Excellent news for Oklahoma’s students:
apnews.com/article/okla...
apnews.com/article/okla...
Ryan Walters resigns as Oklahoma's top public schools official to lead conservative educators' group
Oklahoma's top public schools official, Ryan Walters, says he's resigning to lead a conservative educators' group.
apnews.com
September 25, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Excellent news for Oklahoma’s students:
apnews.com/article/okla...
apnews.com/article/okla...
All I want to know this morning is which Cava does White House border czar Tom Homan go to?
September 21, 2025 at 2:25 PM
All I want to know this morning is which Cava does White House border czar Tom Homan go to?
Judge Steven Merryday's dismissal of Trump’s lawsuit against the NYT may be my favorite literary review of the year:
deadline.com/wp-content/u...
deadline.com/wp-content/u...
deadline.com
September 19, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Judge Steven Merryday's dismissal of Trump’s lawsuit against the NYT may be my favorite literary review of the year:
deadline.com/wp-content/u...
deadline.com/wp-content/u...
The Kidneystone Kops....
"This reversed a vote on Thursday to allow coverage, apparently because some members had misunderstood the way it was worded."
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/h...
"This reversed a vote on Thursday to allow coverage, apparently because some members had misunderstood the way it was worded."
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/h...
Vaccine Panel Postpones One Vote and Reverses Another Amid Confusion
www.nytimes.com
September 19, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The Kidneystone Kops....
"This reversed a vote on Thursday to allow coverage, apparently because some members had misunderstood the way it was worded."
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/h...
"This reversed a vote on Thursday to allow coverage, apparently because some members had misunderstood the way it was worded."
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/h...
Here’s what’s in Kamala Harris’s upcoming campaign memoir, “107 Days”: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Harris book draws blowback from Shapiro, Buttigieg. Here’s what’s in it.
The same people criticizing what she said about them in her new book about the 2024 campaign could be among those she faces in 2028 if she runs again.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 19, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Here’s what’s in Kamala Harris’s upcoming campaign memoir, “107 Days”: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...