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Matthew Budman, book guy

@matthewbudman.bsky.social
1.9K followers 662 following 6.8K posts

News junkie, editor, faculty spouse, author of “Book Collecting Now.”

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Reposted by Matthew Budman, book guy
Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 18h
In unrelated news, Deram Records released Cat Stevens's first single sixty years ago today. He had just turned 18 and was already taking on the big issues of the day. (Video from a few years later)
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 7h
Great to hear Elizabeth & Lisa & birthday boy Timothy light up Bushwick tonight! @paranoiacs.bsky.social @wussymusic.bsky.social (guest appearance by the great @rxgau.bsky.social)
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 18h
In unrelated news, Deram Records released Cat Stevens's first single sixty years ago today. He had just turned 18 and was already taking on the big issues of the day. (Video from a few years later)
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Reposted by Matthew Budman, book guy
Honey & Wax Booksellers @honeyandwaxbks.bsky.social · 21h
It’s that time — meet the winners of the 2026 Honey & Wax Book Collecting Prize! themillions.com/2026/09/meet...
themillions.com
Meet the Winners of the 2026 Honey & Wax Book Collecting Prize - The Millions
In 2017, Honey & Wax Booksellers established an annual prize for American women book collectors, aged 30 years and younger. Our goal, at the time, was to expand the popular perception of who book coll...
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 22h
Again, Trump believes he literally owns Washington, D.C., and he's a golfer, not a cyclist or a runner, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
washingtonpost.com
Trump’s upscale golf plan could destroy a D.C. haven for cyclists, runners
The president wants to eliminate the public road that loops around the Hains Point peninsula, allowing the golf course to stretch to the water’s edge.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
President Trump: “We have the greatest economy in history.”
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Voters already know that Senate Republicans are impotent Trump lackeys, but nice of the president to offer one final reminder
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
@ddale8.bsky.social: "Facing abysmal poll numbers on inflation as the midterm elections approach, President Donald Trump is sticking to the communications strategy he tried in the summer: lie." If someone has only one mode of communications, can be it called a strategy?
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Reposted by Matthew Budman, book guy
Danielle Kurtzleben @titonka.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The masculinity politics beat continues to be very necessary. goodauthority.substack.com/p/republican...
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Shows 1–20 are up! Everyone who guessed was only a little bit off.
nytimes.com
The 100 Best TV Shows of the 21st Century (Gift Article)
More than 500 influential stars, showrunners and other notable names in the world of TV voted on the best series released since Jan. 1, 2000. See what they chose.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Sticking with this top ten, though my 11–20 shows keep shifting. Right now: Undone, Black Mirror, WandaVision, Veep, Watchmen, Catastrophe, The Last of Us, Mad Men, Adolescence, Friday Night Lights
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
In unrelated news, Robert Rossen's THE HUSTLER premiered sixty-five years ago tonight, in Asheville, N.C. Still incredibly powerful. My favorite film of 1961.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
oof
Polls show that Trump is deeply unpopular with Americans and that most disapprove of his handling of major policy issues, including the economy and immigration.

Faced with potential big losses for his party in November’s midterm elections, Trump so far has failed to end the war in Iran, or reverse a surge in gas prices and grocery, energy and health care costs. During the week he issued the ban, Trump lost at the Supreme Court to change mail voting, and the Federal Reserve raised interest rates despite his efforts to keep them down.

Some media experts pointed out that Trump leans heavily on distraction when things aren’t going his way.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"Sell your farm . . . come with me to the City." F.W. Murnau's SUNRISE: A SONG OF TWO HUMANS premiered 99 years ago tonight. It's still an astonishing film, with breathtaking cinematography. By far the greatest silent drama I've ever seen.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Trump and his people are not only un-American but anti-American
nytimes.com
How Trump Has Cracked Down on Dissent Since the Killing of Charlie Kirk (Gift Article)
The White House has labeled critics terrorists, attributed violence to a left-wing conspiracy and investigated unions, nonprofits and other groups in a battle over free speech.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Oh, it's resonating
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Let's make the next poll another record low!
reuters.com
EXCLUSIVE: Trump approval falls to record low of 32% as high costs bite, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
President Donald Trump's approval rating fell to ​32% - the lowest of his political career - as his fellow Republicans soured on his handling of the cost of living amid the unpopular Iran ‌war, a new ...
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Skimming a few dozen of the posted NYT favorites lists made me rethink a couple of my top ten, so a revise: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
My top shows: Firefly, Breaking Bad, The Good Place, The Wire, Godless, The Americans, BoJack Horseman, Game of Thrones, Last Chance U, Somebody Somewhere
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Wo Hop Restaurant, I love your noodles, but WTF 🥠
fortune cookie: "Don't be afraid to seek professional help when needed."
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Don't MAGA Republicans claim that empathy is "toxic"?
politico.com
‘He needed to be more empathetic’: GOP donors say Trump missed the mark with latest AI comments.
GOP donors see Trump brushing off public fears about AI as a problem. But they see affordability as an even bigger one.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Virgin Records released Spice Girls' debut, SPICE, thirty years ago today, and the world would never be the same. Well, OK, the world would be very much the same, only now we were supposed to know the nicknames of five young women of varying degrees of sportiness, poshness, and vocal ability.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
"The Russian government has been targeting Americans with covert online disinformation operations seeking to undermine public confidence in November’s midterm elections." Trump will—as always—dismiss this news by disparaging his intelligence services and saying, hey, you think *we're* so innocent?
nytimes.com
Russia Aims to Inject Chaos Into Elections, U.S. Intelligence Finds (Gift Article)
The Kremlin is once again seeking to undermine confidence in American democracy with online influence campaigns, U.S. officials said.
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Reposted by Matthew Budman, book guy
Abdul El-Sayed @abdulelsayed.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
As gas prices in Michigan hit $5/gallon and diesel hits a record $6.59, it shouldn't be this hard to buy gas, groceries, or afford healthcare. Our economy has been rigged against the very people who make it work. I'm running for Senate to change that.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Fifty-five years ago today, the title track from Fanny’s second album, CHARITY BALL, hit the top 40—the first song by an all-female rock band to do so. Fanny was fantastic, and I remain appalled that I had never heard of the band until 2015.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Well, yeah. Republicans are a bunch of shitposters and podcasters; they want to hold office because the title helps get them Fox News hits. They have zero interest in, you know, legislating.
thehill.com
Ingraham: Some Republicans would be ‘relieved’ to lose congressional majority
Fox News host Laura Ingraham said “a lot of Republicans” secretly want the party to lose its majority in November to relieve the GOP of the pressure to advance President Trump’s agenda. “I actually…
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Reposted by Matthew Budman, book guy
Anna North @annanorth.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Florida school boards are turning away from book banning, and youth organizing is part of the reason why. I wrote about it for @us.theguardian.com
theguardian.com
No more book bans: how Florida students are pushing rightwingers out of school boards
Local communities are fighting back against the influence of conservative groups like Moms for Liberty in education
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
BREAKING: Donald Trump tells a lie
cnn.com
Analysis: Trump’s claim that ‘almost every item is getting cheaper’ comes up against a damning reality | CNN Politics
The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates to fight inflation that hurts Americans’ pocketbooks, but the move may also make voters feel the pinch in other ways heading into the November election.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Can't help wondering whether the Trump guys who blow off polls in TV spots (Kevin Hassett: "They are surveying Democrats who hate President Trump, that's all") actually believe it
foxnews.com
Fox News Poll: 71% think Trump administration lacks plan to end Iran war
A Fox News poll finds 70% of voters say Trump lacks a clear strategy for the Iran war, while 60% now call the military action the wrong decision.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Magical to hear @jonathanmeiburg.bsky.social play stripped-down versions of some of the new @shearwaterband.bsky.social songs tonight at Rough Trade. (@sfxmaven.bsky.social didn't play but signed our LP!)
A remarkably handsome 50-ish man strums a Gibson acoustic while singing, eyes closed, into a microphone
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Beginning the day with a flu shot AND a COVID-19 booster. Aw yeah.
bare shoulder with two CVS heart-logo bandages
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Am always up for a fresh recap of "the president’s cascade of misfortunes"! "A week in which power has tangibly ebbed from a president with an approval rating in the 30s can’t be ignored. Once an aura of invincibility fades, political authority can erode quickly."
cnn.com
Analysis: Trump’s frustration hits a boiling point with loss after loss | CNN Politics
Donald Trump is boiling with frustration after a spate of political blows weakened his presumption of dominance in Washington and abroad.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Wait: Dear Leader has said many times that the United States has “virtually no inflation.” But now inflation is “stubborn”?
foxbusiness.com
Federal Reserve hikes interest rates for first time since 2023 amid stubborn inflation
The Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate for the first time in three years amid persistent inflation caused in part by high energy prices.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Marvelous @emilymandel.bsky.social book launch tonight for #ExitParty! @greenlightbklyn.bsky.social @aaknopf.bsky.social #BookSky
The great Emily St. John Mandel holding a microphone at St. Joseph's University
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Reposted by Matthew Budman, book guy
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani @mayor.nyc.gov · 15/09/2026
No New Yorker should lose their life just trying to get around our city. We refuse to accept preventable tragedy as an inevitable part of living in New York.  That's why we’ve announced more than 100 policies to make our streets safer over the next 10 years.
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Reposted by Matthew Budman, book guy
Tim Fernholz @timfernholz.com · 15/09/2026
this is an important investigation into how NASA cuts are directly affecting flagship space science missions www.npr.org/2026/09/15/n...
npr.org
NASA rushed engineers out of their labs. They say it risks future space missions
NASA employees say they've lost vital equipment and staff needed to make sophisticated spacecraft amid the agency's abrupt relocations over the past several months.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The perfect soundtrack for any given day's infuriating political news! Elvis Costello released his angriest album forty years ago today.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Republicans have been in charge of every branch of the federal government for nearly two years, so Rick Scott proposes to "rescue America" from . . . whom?
politico.com
Rick Scott launches ‘Rescuing America’ economic messaging plan
The Florida Republican, who is viewed as having 2028 ambitions, is also expected to travel the country to speak at economic events.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
"The event will also feature Andrew Wakefield, a doctor whose medical license was revoked and who is credited with starting the argument that modern vaccines cause autism."
thehill.com
RFK Jr. to headline Children’s Health Defense conference in D.C.
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is scheduled to give a keynote address this week at a conference for Children’s Health Defense (CHD), the anti-vaccine advocacy organ…
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Still recovering from seeing Shudder to Think last night at Bowery Ballroom. The encore: this still-breathtaking track—coincidentally, released 32 years ago today—with the refrain stretched out to hypnotic length, the band bashing away on a B-flat power chord for minute after minute. Mesmerizing.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Great lede by @pogatchnik.bsky.social: “Ireland is girding itself to offer U.S. President Donald Trump the country’s legendary 'hundred thousand welcomes'—and, privately, cannot wait for him to leave.”
politico.eu
Ireland’s Trump plan: Get him in, get him out, hope for the best
Irish authorities hope to shield Trump from protesters and keep his focus on the Irish Open golf tournament at his own Atlantic resort.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
"Here, in one place, are some of Trump’s most notable fabrications about that horrific day in American history." Twenty-five years of stolen valor.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Nearly 25 years later, this @blurrybeth.bsky.social song still makes me choke up every time. "'Beautiful Day' was written a week after 9/11. It's a reflection and narrative of the events of that day and people I knew who were there, and worrying about their safety."
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Chris Hayes @chrislhayes.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Too many people online seem to conflate left politics with being obnoxious and scathing and Mamdani is such a model for combining a principled ideological vision with civility and grace. You shake hands, you act like a grown up even whether others aren’t. You show up.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Will the Reid twins' decision to loudly support the U.K.'s leading anti-trans activists —> fewer music directors cueing up "I'm Gonna Be" in films & shows & TV ads? Please?
thepinknews.com
The Proclaimers defend Graham Linehan's trans views
The Proclaimers have waded into the trans rights debate, defending Graham Linehan as they promote their new album, You May Offend.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Tristan lives two doors down from me. I showed this article to our mailroom attendant, and she said, wide-eyed, "So he's famous?" and, well . . . kind of? What is fame anyway, really?
nytimes.com
The Mathematician Crushed Between OpenAI and Anthropic Over a Math Problem (Gift Article)
Tristan Buckmaster was on the path toward an important proof when one of the A.I. giants used its staggering resources to get there first.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
"President Donald Trump dropped a hot mess of a half-baked midterm promise in lawmakers’ laps Wednesday night.… Some House Republicans following the speech told POLITICO the effort showed how desperate the president was in the last weeks of midterm campaigning."
politico.com
Capitol agenda: ‘Trump dividend’ wins instant GOP critics
Trump pledged to send $5,000 to every adult in the U.S. if Republicans retain control of Congress in the midterms.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
“This is not a comprehensive list of Trump’s falsehoods in his speech,” because even online articles need to end at some point. But @ddale8.bsky.social finds room for more than Trump’s usual “long-debunked lies”—a few of these hallucinations were new to me!
cnn.com
Fact check: Trump makes numerous false claims in Republican convention speech | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump made numerous false claims in his rambling Wednesday speech at the Republican midterm convention.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
In unrelated news: Seventy years ago this evening, on The Ed Sullivan Show, America met Elvis Presley, at least the parts of him from the waist up.
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Ryan J. Reilly “paints a vivid and urgent portrait of… disarray” @ryanjreilly.com · 08/09/2026
“Make no mistake: The communications environment around this fall is going to be horrific. There will be vast quantities of noise, just garbage nonsense coming out of the federal government.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
nbcnews.com
Trump administration gives DOJ civil rights unit a new focus: Voter fraud
Federal election monitors traditionally focused on protecting the voting rights of marginalized groups are getting additional marching orders for the midterms.
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Matthew Budman, book guy @matthewbudman.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Good luck with that
politico.com
Republicans are hoping ‘Trump-a-palooza’ isn’t only about Trump
GOP lawmakers said they are counting on the president to draw a contrast with Democrats in Dallas, not prosecute personal grievances.
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