Maris Kreizman
Book critic and host of The Maris Review; shares criticism, links to essays, and smart commentary on the state of publishing and book coverage.
Get a Personalized Book Recommendation on Independent Bookstore Day
Today is Independent Bookstore Day. I would love to give you a personalized rec if you tell me what kind of book you’re looking for and promise to buy from your favorite indie or Bookshop.org.
GLP‑1 Therapy Halves Insulin Use in Type 1 Diabetes
I so don't want to add to The Discourse, but I do have to say that the use of a GLP-1 has been a miracle for my Type 1 diabetes (not even the kind that the drugs are made for)....
Witherspoon's AI Push Undermines Her Feminist Book Club
When you're a celebrity whose book club has championed and profited from the voices of women authors for years, touting the usage of generative AI does not come off as a feminist act. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2026-04-16/reese-witherspoon-authors-book-club-learn-ai-chatgpt
AI Paranoia Exposes Publishing’s Quantity‑Over‑Quality Culture
I wrote about how AI in book publishing is a labor issue. "AI paranoia is a symptom of a larger problem: a corporate culture that values quantity over quality, quick output over the very human labor of poring over a...
No Hollywood Remake of 1984 yet, Despite Star Power
I can’t believe there hasn’t yet been a big splashy Hollywood remake of 1984 starring, like, Timothée Chalamet and Sydney Sweeney.
More Editing Time Improves Book Quality, Even If Incomplete
It won’t solve the problem, but ensuring that book editors have ample time to thoroughly edit every single book on their lists would help. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/10/books/shy-girl-ai-publishing.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Z1A.zfqa.TrX6ekhPfrGj&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Writers Condemn Jewish Book Council's Zionist Bias
Proud to have signed this letter expressing concern that the Jewish Book Council's apparent bias toward centering Israeli & Zionist voices is not only exclusionary but harmful. https://lithub.com/an-open-letter-to-the-jewish-book-council-from-a-concerned-group-of-jewish-writers/
Readers Crave Good Books, Not Fleeting Trends
Yet another instance of a publisher spending time and money chasing the new new thing, when all readers really want—all we have ever wanted—is to read good books.
Harlequin's AI Microdramas: Unwanted, Gimmicky, And
I wrote about the new AI partnership that Harlequin announced as if it was an exciting thing. https://lithub.com/dear-harlequin-nobody-asked-for-your-weird-new-ai-video-microdramas/
Non‑diabetics Using CGMs Are Just Biohacking Folly
Your reminder that people who don’t have diabetes who wear continuous glucose monitors anyway are very silly people. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/dining/biohacking-diets.html?unlocked_article_code=1.XlA.xdLg.jGmzt2iXTMtd&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Tana French's Latest Novel Is Outstanding
In my newsletter, I'm happy to let you know that the new Tana French is excellent. https://www.themarisreview.com/the-maris-review-vol-98/
Overwhelmed by 22 Upcoming Books, Few Reviews
A thing that's stressing me out today is that there are 22 books publishing next week that I'm excited about and, like, four publications still covering books.
Goodreads: Readers' Hub Turned Author Minefield
Might as well post this thing I wrote 2+ years ago. "It’s become routine for publishers to warn authors that Goodreads is a site meant for readers, not for writers — which is to say, what was intended to be...
Politicians Should Prioritize Real Work Over Book Promotion
This repost of an old piece I wrote and stand by goes out to Cory Booker. https://lithub.com/shilling-books-while-rome-burns-why-politicians-need-to-focus-on-their-day-jobs/
Call Your Rep: Stop Book‑Banning Bill H.R. 7661
This dreadful book banning bill, H.R. 7661, has made it out of committee and into the House. It's time to call your reps.