Have you seen the essay in today's New York Times: "The Life-Changing Power of a Book Review Before Algorithms: How the WaPo's Now-defunct Book World Transformed the Careers of Two Giants of American Literature"? I'm attempting to post a link here in hopes it bypasses the paywall.
Ron, have you thought of writing a novel or memoir? I'd buy it, even with no review!
I would most definitely buy it … I love, and am frequently inspired, by Ron’s amazing writing. I can’t count the number of books I’ve enjoyed because of his reviews.
Nancy, thanks for the link … very interesting reading!
Thank you, Ron, for another wonderful review. It makes me want to push all of the other books off my night stand and set this one in place instead.
I like the way you review, with a light and thoughtful touch, pulling out elements of the plot that are good signposts for us as we read through the book.
Added American Han to my TBR pile, AKA my library wish list. But I can't read a review or a novel or a memoir about immigrants without thinking about what's happening today. Were their struggles worth it?
My thoughts are how exciting and intriguing you have made this book sound.
I loved the reference to the Book World in the essay but believe you should be working at the NY Times Book Review to bring some life into that publication…. It pales in comparison to Book Club and Book World. (Actually wrote the editor over a week ago.)
My schedule is fairly tight: I typically finish reading on Sunday, write the review on Monday, revise it the next Sunday, and finally post it on Tuesday.
Good morning Ron, I loved your WaPo columns and read them and the books you recommended religiously. Your a new approach appears to me to focus less on why you recommend the book and more on giving us a detailed plot summary. This doesn't make me want to read the book. General summary/more context? Great! But please consider not giving so much of the plot away.
Thanks for your thoughts, Julianne. But I assure you that nothing's changed about my approach to reviewing in the last two months. And if you read this fine novel, you'll find that, in fact, I've given away very little of what happens.
thank you for your personal reply. I appreciate it. I did not mean to demean you. I know it's not your first rodeo. As I stated, I have very high regard for you.
And I'm honestly grateful for your comment. It's a great privilege to be read seriously and attentively. I only snapped back so defensively because you scraped a long-held anxiety of mine. (So thank you -- keep it comin'!)
Have you seen the essay in today's New York Times: "The Life-Changing Power of a Book Review Before Algorithms: How the WaPo's Now-defunct Book World Transformed the Careers of Two Giants of American Literature"? I'm attempting to post a link here in hopes it bypasses the paywall.
Ron, have you thought of writing a novel or memoir? I'd buy it, even with no review!
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/books/review/larry-mcmurtry-annie-proulx-jeff-bezos-brokeback-mountain-lonesome-dove.html?unlocked_article_code=1.VlA.xkAL.lyRjRyNmSpUz&smid=url-share
I would most definitely buy it … I love, and am frequently inspired, by Ron’s amazing writing. I can’t count the number of books I’ve enjoyed because of his reviews.
Nancy, thanks for the link … very interesting reading!
Thank you for recommending this excellent essay. And yes, please, a memoir or a novel by Ron Charles!
My offer of Ron Charles writing his own memoir entitled 'The Wit and Wisdom of Ron Charles' still stands.
The article was a great read. Thanks.
Thanks for linking this article- I really enjoyed reading it!
What a great piece! Thanks for much for posting the link.
Thank you, Ron, for another wonderful review. It makes me want to push all of the other books off my night stand and set this one in place instead.
I like the way you review, with a light and thoughtful touch, pulling out elements of the plot that are good signposts for us as we read through the book.
Thanks so much, KR. I appreciate that so much. (And thanks, too, for being a paid subscriber!)
Added American Han to my TBR pile, AKA my library wish list. But I can't read a review or a novel or a memoir about immigrants without thinking about what's happening today. Were their struggles worth it?
This makes me want to read a book I never would have heard of so thanks !!!
I’m so glad you found it! (Thanks for subscribing.)
My thoughts are how exciting and intriguing you have made this book sound.
I loved the reference to the Book World in the essay but believe you should be working at the NY Times Book Review to bring some life into that publication…. It pales in comparison to Book Club and Book World. (Actually wrote the editor over a week ago.)
Mr. Charles, after reading a book like this, do you write your review right away or do you let it settle for a while?
My schedule is fairly tight: I typically finish reading on Sunday, write the review on Monday, revise it the next Sunday, and finally post it on Tuesday.
Then on Wednesday and Thursday, I wrote the Friday newsletter.
Thank you for answering my question!
Good morning Ron, I loved your WaPo columns and read them and the books you recommended religiously. Your a new approach appears to me to focus less on why you recommend the book and more on giving us a detailed plot summary. This doesn't make me want to read the book. General summary/more context? Great! But please consider not giving so much of the plot away.
Thanks for your thoughts, Julianne. But I assure you that nothing's changed about my approach to reviewing in the last two months. And if you read this fine novel, you'll find that, in fact, I've given away very little of what happens.
thank you for your personal reply. I appreciate it. I did not mean to demean you. I know it's not your first rodeo. As I stated, I have very high regard for you.
And I'm honestly grateful for your comment. It's a great privilege to be read seriously and attentively. I only snapped back so defensively because you scraped a long-held anxiety of mine. (So thank you -- keep it comin'!)