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.
Ragebait Lit Forces Rethink of Modern Feminist Ideals
I wrote about the books that are inspiring so many heated takes right now, and how they allow us to question where we are and what our feminist ideals have become. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a71363531/the-rise-of-ragebait-lit/
Divorce Stories From Those Lacking Generational Wealth
Apropos of absolutely nothing, here's a little list I made in January of divorce memoirs by people who do not have generational wealth. https://www.themarisreview.com/the-maris-review-vol-87/
Hot
I wrote about a phenomenon in literary adaptations that I refer to as hot-washing. lithub.com/hollywood-ne...
Author‑narrated Audiobooks Are the Best Way to Read Memoirs
Yes. And the audiobook is particularly excellent for this one because it’s read by the author. My preferred way to read memoirs.
Book of the Month Stuck in Middle, Fails Personal Curation
I left Book of the Month in 2018, when I was frustrated that I couldn’t curate based on my personal taste. Wild to see in this excellent piece by @gretarainbow.com that the selections are still middle of the road, while...
Know the Literary Giants; Ignorance Isn’t a Cool Flex
There is a lot to be gained from knowing who the big names are and what’s going on in genres and literary styles that you might not personally read or write. Claiming ignorance is not the flex you think...
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/