@AlexandraJacobs

Book critic at The New York Times; author of STILL HERE: The Madcap, Nervy, Singular Life of Elaine Stritch.

 NYC—what is it about you?
nytimes.com/column/books-of-the-times
Joined August 2011
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  • Followers11.4K
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The 5 stages of writing: 1)This is gonna be so great. 2)No story here; what was I thinking. 3)Existential despair. 4)Smugness. 5)Corrections
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Patrick Healy@patrickhealynytOct 20
We're trying something new at @nytimes: "The Backstory," a newsletter digging into Times journalism and decision-making. We also talk to critics and skeptics of The Times in a segment called "Sound Off." You can read our first edition here: nytimes.com/2026/10/15/insid…

How We Reported on the Cornell Case

In our first edition of The Backstory, a new newsletter about Times journalism, we’re diving into coverage of a rape allegation and talking to a critic who says we’re not tough enough on Trump.

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I reviewed the new Larry David bio and here is evidence that his hair used to be cumulus not cirrus (you can take the gal out of Styles, but..). .nytimes.com/2026/10/18/books…

576 Pages? $36? For ‘Nothing’? Larry David Would Understand.

Thanks to begrudging cooperation from the comedian and writer, a new biography is suitably kvetchy, if a little too long and a little too nice.

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Gerald Loeb Awards@LoebAwardsOct 7
Kimmel Goes Dark From: @nytimes By: John Koblin, Michael M. Grynbaum, Brooks Barnes, Benjamin Mullin, Stuart A. Thompson, jim rutenberg and James Poniewozik
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Jon Maas@jondmaasSep 20
Worms!!!!!!!!
Alexandra Jacobs@AlexandraJacobsSep 20
Gordon Gekko made greed good. Ari Emanuel wants to rebrand rage. nytimes.com/2026/09/20/books…

In ‘Roll the Calls,’ a Hollywood Power Broker Acts His Rage

Fights, feuds and insults are all in a day’s work for Ari Emanuel, who offers an unvarnished look at his rapacious career in a new memoir.

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Gordon Gekko made greed good. Ari Emanuel wants to rebrand rage. nytimes.com/2026/09/20/books…

In ‘Roll the Calls,’ a Hollywood Power Broker Acts His Rage

Fights, feuds and insults are all in a day’s work for Ari Emanuel, who offers an unvarnished look at his rapacious career in a new memoir.

nytimes.com
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Reupping this fab @frankdecaroshow profile in light (and what light) of the sad news. Rest in paillettes. nytimes.com/2018/12/01/style…

The Marvelous Mr. Mackie (Published 2018)

Thanks to a new musical, Cher’s favorite designer may finally get the respect he deserves.

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She’s back, baby. Wordle 740 2/6* 🟩🟨🟨⬜🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Wordle 1,867 2/6* 🟩⬜⬜🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Alec MacGillis
@AlecMacGillisAug 4
"Before On the Road, before The Bell Jar, before The Graduate — this novel was *a mood*...And as a parent to Generation DoorDash, you just cannot believe how much this neglected kid copes with on his own." I enjoyed this reassessment by @AlexandraJacobs: nytimes.com/2026/07/14/books…

Holden Caulfield, the Ultimate Adolescent, Is Turning 75

Sure, “Catcher in the Rye” has its detractors. But the influence of its wised-up yet winningly innocent hero keeps it among the Great American Novels.

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Jonah Bromwich
@JonesiemanJun 8
It's all happening ! nytimes.com/2026/06/08/nyreg…

Trump, Mamdani and the Knicks: A Manic Monday Awaits New York

When the Knicks return home for Game 3 of the N.B.A. finals, much of New York City will be watching, including some well-known guests.

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Leggo my Eggers! nytimes.com/2026/06/07/books…

Dave Eggers Returns to Form in ‘Contrapposto’

In this satisfyingly old-school novel, an artist tries to find his place, and hold onto his spark, in a world that values fads and flash.

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Emma Goldberg@emmabgoMay 15
Mayor Mamdani reading Gods of New York!! @jonathanmahler the 🐐
emily rahhal she/her@RahhalEmilyMay 15
What he's reading game continues at City Hall. @NYCMayor says he's reading 'The Gods of New York' - "quite fascinating" From NYT: "Jonathan Mahler’s new book portrays the city’s rebirth as a glitzy capital of global finance — and a petri dish of ego, ambition and class division"
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Daniel Rubin@danielrubinMay 4
Julie K. Brown receives Pulitzer Prize special citation for her work on Jeffrey Epstein case inquirer.com/news/pennsylvan… via @phillyinquirer

Julie K. Brown receives Pulitzer Prize special citation for her work on Jeffrey Epstein case

Brown's 2017 and 2018 reporting was cited at the awards ceremony. “Her work, and the government’s release of the Epstein files, continue to reverberate around the world.”

inquirer.com
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The New York Times
@nytimesMay 4
The New York Times won three Pulitzer Prizes, for investigative reporting, opinion writing and breaking news photography. The Athletic, the sports site owned by The New York Times Company, won for audio. The Washington Post won the public service prize. nyti.ms/48GT5oN
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Peter Schmader@jpschmaderApr 26
“It has the practiced Perrotta polish; an easy shrug about how it will be received or remembered.”—@AlexandraJacobs nytimes.com/2026/04/26/books…

He’s Written Great Books About Sex in Suburbia. This One’s a ‘Ghost Town.’

A middle-aged novelist sifts through memories of growing up in New Jersey in Tom Perrotta’s frustratingly formulaic book.

nytimes.com
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Christopher J. Scalia
@cjscaliaMar 26
John Updike invented The Elaine.
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