Six feet of romance.

The Supreme Court says Trump doesn’t enjoy absolute immunity from a state prosecutor’s criminal investigation. It also says he enjoys special rules. / 1/27  |  Vox

In a 5-to-4 decision invoking the country’s long history of mistreating Native Americans, the Court rules that much of eastern Oklahoma remains Indian land. / 2/27  |  The Washington Post

A wooden sculpture of Melania Trump was burned in her Slovenian hometown over the July 4th weekend. / 3/27  |  Reuters

Tammy Duckworth: “The hateful vision for America parroted by Mr. Trump and Mr. Carlson will not win.” / 4/27  |  The New York Times

Betsy Hodges: “White liberals, despite believing we are saying and doing the right things, have resisted the systemic changes our cities have needed for decades.” / 5/27  |  The New York Times

A podcast episode for those who would be moved—stories from five continents about the global impact of George Floyd’s murder. / 6/27  |  The Morning News

A Trump-like candidate in Iceland, who ran against any “elites” who would hold back white, wealthy men, loses the presidential race. / 7/27  |  The Ballot

Police find the body of Seoul’s mayor, seen as a presidential hopeful, after a complaint was lodged of alleged sexual harassment. / 8/27  |  USA Today

Germany bans single-use plastics beginning next July, falling in line with an EU directive to reduce waste. / 9/27  |  Deutsche Welle

Simple differences between Trump and Trudeau explain why Canada has successfully corralled the coronavirus. / 10/27  |  The Guardian

Dr. Fauci: “I think you’d have to make the assumption that if there wasn’t such divisiveness, that we would have a more coordinated approach.” / 11/27  |  CNN

More than three million people across every state, DC, and four territories have tested positive for the disease, and more than 132,000 people with the virus have died. / 12/27  |  The Cut

Patricia Lockwood reviews the frightening fever dream that was (and perhaps still is) her experience of COVID-19. / 13/27  |  The London Review of Books

The pandemic has heightened awareness that time is subjective. A few exercises test how long a second feels to you right now. / 14/27  |  Reuters

Philosophers compete to write the most compelling argument to convince people to donate a surprise bonus payment to charity. / 15/27  |  Nautilus

Philosopher Henri Bergson’s general observations about laughter remind us that “to be human is to be alive and free.” / 16/27  |  Aeon

See also: Jessa Crispin explains why she doesn’t have children. / 17/27  |  The Guardian

An epidemiologist answers questions about the safety of children, teachers, and families as schools figure out how to reopen. / 18/27  |  Vox

Related: A dashboard to track and analyze school reopening plans, state by state. / 19/27  |  Johns Hopkins University eSchool+ Initiative

“What used to feel mundane now feels incredibly special.” A short essay on the benefits of families forming “pods” right now. / 20/27  |  GEN

Watch: Trying to flip a bicycle with a children’s trailer attached is a tricky thing. / 21/27  |  The Morning News

Scientists warn that doctors may not see signs of serious brain disorders triggered by COVID-19, even among the mildly affected. / 22/27  |  The Guardian

People write love letters to the restaurants they miss. / 23/27  |  Guest Collective

Sarah Hepola: “What the Pandemic Taught Me About Old-Fashioned Romance.” / 24/27  |  Texas Monthly

After the coronavirus hit, airlines vowed to enforce social distancing. The reality is: not so much, particularly on American. / 25/27  |  The New York Times

Pictures of rarely seen sea creatures, by marine biologist Alexander Semenov. / 26/27  |  Coldwater.science

And in case you missed it: Camp ToB’s July installment kicked off this week, with much conversation around Louise Erdrich’s The Night Watchman. / 27/27  |  The Morning News


And now a brief chat with a recent Sustaining Member, Robert J.

Hi, Robert! How long have you been reading? I’m a bit embarrassed to say I’ve been a reader of TMN since around 2001. Should have supported sooner, if I’d only known I’d get a personal response! Thank you!

You’re welcome! How did you find us in the first place? I think I likely found you through something like memepool or some such, but I later became a true follower when you had Sarah Hepola contributing. She’s a friend of mine and brilliant, as you know.

Yes, yes, and yes. Do you Rooster? I’ve been doing the Tournament of Books since you started and it is how I get my reading list for the year. I really owe you so much more. I’ve used the TOB as not only my reading list but also my gift-giving guide for years. It makes me look so much smarter than I actually am to give people current fiction that’s been so well vetted.


A CURLY BLUE THING OF THANKS to Robert and ALL of our supporters. If haven’t already, consider becoming a Sustaining Member or making a one-time donation today—and you too will get a personal note of thanks, fwiw. 🌀

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