Jack Benjamin
@jackcarterbenjamin.bsky.social
Senior reporter and podcast producer for The Media Leader, a trade publication focused on all things commercial media.
Writer, journalist, American in London.
Writer, journalist, American in London.
The counterpoint is there’s constantly “socialism” hysteria in the media regardless.
Foregoing popular policy positions because you’re worried about being called a socialist, when you’re already going to be called a socialist, strikes me as bad politics.
Foregoing popular policy positions because you’re worried about being called a socialist, when you’re already going to be called a socialist, strikes me as bad politics.
November 23, 2025 at 8:59 PM
The counterpoint is there’s constantly “socialism” hysteria in the media regardless.
Foregoing popular policy positions because you’re worried about being called a socialist, when you’re already going to be called a socialist, strikes me as bad politics.
Foregoing popular policy positions because you’re worried about being called a socialist, when you’re already going to be called a socialist, strikes me as bad politics.
25. Perfume, Patrick Suskind
Wonderfully misanthropic. Beautiful, evocative prose (what a translation!). Enjoyable from start to crazy finish in all its oddity, wry wit, and detached horror.
Wonderfully misanthropic. Beautiful, evocative prose (what a translation!). Enjoyable from start to crazy finish in all its oddity, wry wit, and detached horror.
November 22, 2025 at 11:46 PM
25. Perfume, Patrick Suskind
Wonderfully misanthropic. Beautiful, evocative prose (what a translation!). Enjoyable from start to crazy finish in all its oddity, wry wit, and detached horror.
Wonderfully misanthropic. Beautiful, evocative prose (what a translation!). Enjoyable from start to crazy finish in all its oddity, wry wit, and detached horror.
24. The Crying of Lot 49, Thomas Pynchon
A brief, schizophrenic fever dream. The first half was a confusing challenge. The second half, as Oedipa succumbs to paranoia, was easier for me to digest. Funny and interesting but I’m not sure Pynchon is my cup of tea.
A brief, schizophrenic fever dream. The first half was a confusing challenge. The second half, as Oedipa succumbs to paranoia, was easier for me to digest. Funny and interesting but I’m not sure Pynchon is my cup of tea.
November 22, 2025 at 11:46 PM
24. The Crying of Lot 49, Thomas Pynchon
A brief, schizophrenic fever dream. The first half was a confusing challenge. The second half, as Oedipa succumbs to paranoia, was easier for me to digest. Funny and interesting but I’m not sure Pynchon is my cup of tea.
A brief, schizophrenic fever dream. The first half was a confusing challenge. The second half, as Oedipa succumbs to paranoia, was easier for me to digest. Funny and interesting but I’m not sure Pynchon is my cup of tea.
23. Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell
Goes without saying how relevant it is to today, but I was surprised how thrilling I found the plot and how enjoyable I found the prose. It’s perhaps unrealistically bleak but at its core is a very human book. More enjoyable than Brave New World.
Goes without saying how relevant it is to today, but I was surprised how thrilling I found the plot and how enjoyable I found the prose. It’s perhaps unrealistically bleak but at its core is a very human book. More enjoyable than Brave New World.
November 22, 2025 at 11:45 PM
23. Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell
Goes without saying how relevant it is to today, but I was surprised how thrilling I found the plot and how enjoyable I found the prose. It’s perhaps unrealistically bleak but at its core is a very human book. More enjoyable than Brave New World.
Goes without saying how relevant it is to today, but I was surprised how thrilling I found the plot and how enjoyable I found the prose. It’s perhaps unrealistically bleak but at its core is a very human book. More enjoyable than Brave New World.
22. Less Than Zero, Bret Easton Ellis
“They’re nihilists, Donny. Nothing to be afraid of.”
Getting past the shock value, it’s an alright book without a strong point beyond “rich kids suffering neglect and abuse are psychotic and detached”. Not my kind of thing. At least it was short.
“They’re nihilists, Donny. Nothing to be afraid of.”
Getting past the shock value, it’s an alright book without a strong point beyond “rich kids suffering neglect and abuse are psychotic and detached”. Not my kind of thing. At least it was short.
November 22, 2025 at 11:44 PM
22. Less Than Zero, Bret Easton Ellis
“They’re nihilists, Donny. Nothing to be afraid of.”
Getting past the shock value, it’s an alright book without a strong point beyond “rich kids suffering neglect and abuse are psychotic and detached”. Not my kind of thing. At least it was short.
“They’re nihilists, Donny. Nothing to be afraid of.”
Getting past the shock value, it’s an alright book without a strong point beyond “rich kids suffering neglect and abuse are psychotic and detached”. Not my kind of thing. At least it was short.
21. The Safekeep, Yael Van Der Wouden
An excellent depiction of post-war Europe and the challenges of reintegration for Jews who lost everything. An enjoyable romance with strong, subtle prose. I’d read it again.
An excellent depiction of post-war Europe and the challenges of reintegration for Jews who lost everything. An enjoyable romance with strong, subtle prose. I’d read it again.
November 22, 2025 at 11:44 PM
21. The Safekeep, Yael Van Der Wouden
An excellent depiction of post-war Europe and the challenges of reintegration for Jews who lost everything. An enjoyable romance with strong, subtle prose. I’d read it again.
An excellent depiction of post-war Europe and the challenges of reintegration for Jews who lost everything. An enjoyable romance with strong, subtle prose. I’d read it again.
20. A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M Miller Jr
Canticle says everything there is to say about humanity and its self-destructive nature, about religion and science, about the unlikelihood of our success as a species, and about our persistence for progress in spite of our worse demons.
Canticle says everything there is to say about humanity and its self-destructive nature, about religion and science, about the unlikelihood of our success as a species, and about our persistence for progress in spite of our worse demons.
November 22, 2025 at 11:43 PM
20. A Canticle for Leibowitz, Walter M Miller Jr
Canticle says everything there is to say about humanity and its self-destructive nature, about religion and science, about the unlikelihood of our success as a species, and about our persistence for progress in spite of our worse demons.
Canticle says everything there is to say about humanity and its self-destructive nature, about religion and science, about the unlikelihood of our success as a species, and about our persistence for progress in spite of our worse demons.
19. The White Album, Joan Didion
Somehow my first time reading Didion. A fine collection of essays and example of New Journalism, which I thought I wanted more of until bamboo. Didion writes with a sense of impending doom in the ‘60s that barely compares to today. Yikes.
Somehow my first time reading Didion. A fine collection of essays and example of New Journalism, which I thought I wanted more of until bamboo. Didion writes with a sense of impending doom in the ‘60s that barely compares to today. Yikes.
November 22, 2025 at 11:42 PM
19. The White Album, Joan Didion
Somehow my first time reading Didion. A fine collection of essays and example of New Journalism, which I thought I wanted more of until bamboo. Didion writes with a sense of impending doom in the ‘60s that barely compares to today. Yikes.
Somehow my first time reading Didion. A fine collection of essays and example of New Journalism, which I thought I wanted more of until bamboo. Didion writes with a sense of impending doom in the ‘60s that barely compares to today. Yikes.
18. The Years, Annie Ernaux
The Silent Generation’s conformity to capitalist logic in a nutshell. A good read if you want to understand at least one view of contemporary France.
The Silent Generation’s conformity to capitalist logic in a nutshell. A good read if you want to understand at least one view of contemporary France.
November 22, 2025 at 11:41 PM
18. The Years, Annie Ernaux
The Silent Generation’s conformity to capitalist logic in a nutshell. A good read if you want to understand at least one view of contemporary France.
The Silent Generation’s conformity to capitalist logic in a nutshell. A good read if you want to understand at least one view of contemporary France.
17. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier
Perhaps the best depiction of anxiety I can recall. Such a strong narrative voice lends itself to a fantastic, dark story. I preferred the first half before it turns into a straightforward crime procedural, but the ending is iconic. Another classic-for-a-reason.
Perhaps the best depiction of anxiety I can recall. Such a strong narrative voice lends itself to a fantastic, dark story. I preferred the first half before it turns into a straightforward crime procedural, but the ending is iconic. Another classic-for-a-reason.
November 22, 2025 at 11:39 PM
17. Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier
Perhaps the best depiction of anxiety I can recall. Such a strong narrative voice lends itself to a fantastic, dark story. I preferred the first half before it turns into a straightforward crime procedural, but the ending is iconic. Another classic-for-a-reason.
Perhaps the best depiction of anxiety I can recall. Such a strong narrative voice lends itself to a fantastic, dark story. I preferred the first half before it turns into a straightforward crime procedural, but the ending is iconic. Another classic-for-a-reason.
16. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
While the bioengineering and Fordist logic are still relevant ideas today, it’s Huxley’s creation of soma that is most frighteningly prescient. What can the state get away with while you’re distracted with pleasure? As we’ve learned: damn near anything it wants.
While the bioengineering and Fordist logic are still relevant ideas today, it’s Huxley’s creation of soma that is most frighteningly prescient. What can the state get away with while you’re distracted with pleasure? As we’ve learned: damn near anything it wants.
November 22, 2025 at 11:39 PM
16. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley
While the bioengineering and Fordist logic are still relevant ideas today, it’s Huxley’s creation of soma that is most frighteningly prescient. What can the state get away with while you’re distracted with pleasure? As we’ve learned: damn near anything it wants.
While the bioengineering and Fordist logic are still relevant ideas today, it’s Huxley’s creation of soma that is most frighteningly prescient. What can the state get away with while you’re distracted with pleasure? As we’ve learned: damn near anything it wants.
15. The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde
A joke or jab in damn near every line. Witty, underhanded, snide. What’s not to love?
A joke or jab in damn near every line. Witty, underhanded, snide. What’s not to love?
November 22, 2025 at 11:38 PM
15. The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde
A joke or jab in damn near every line. Witty, underhanded, snide. What’s not to love?
A joke or jab in damn near every line. Witty, underhanded, snide. What’s not to love?
14. Long Island, Colm Toibin
Unlike its predecessor, the novel is essentially a romantic thriller. Less about Long Island than Enniscorthy, no one makes interpersonal drama and nosy neighbors so exciting to read. Heart-wrenching in all the right ways.
Unlike its predecessor, the novel is essentially a romantic thriller. Less about Long Island than Enniscorthy, no one makes interpersonal drama and nosy neighbors so exciting to read. Heart-wrenching in all the right ways.
November 22, 2025 at 11:37 PM
14. Long Island, Colm Toibin
Unlike its predecessor, the novel is essentially a romantic thriller. Less about Long Island than Enniscorthy, no one makes interpersonal drama and nosy neighbors so exciting to read. Heart-wrenching in all the right ways.
Unlike its predecessor, the novel is essentially a romantic thriller. Less about Long Island than Enniscorthy, no one makes interpersonal drama and nosy neighbors so exciting to read. Heart-wrenching in all the right ways.
13. Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Robert Louis Stephenson
Not exactly thrilling knowing the twist, but the gothic style and twisted depiction of London is great. A classic for a reason, though I prefer Dorian Gray for a similar vibe.
Not exactly thrilling knowing the twist, but the gothic style and twisted depiction of London is great. A classic for a reason, though I prefer Dorian Gray for a similar vibe.
November 22, 2025 at 11:37 PM
13. Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Robert Louis Stephenson
Not exactly thrilling knowing the twist, but the gothic style and twisted depiction of London is great. A classic for a reason, though I prefer Dorian Gray for a similar vibe.
Not exactly thrilling knowing the twist, but the gothic style and twisted depiction of London is great. A classic for a reason, though I prefer Dorian Gray for a similar vibe.
12. The Art Thief, Michael Finkel
I can only get through non-fiction if it reads like a novel. This does. Devoured it in a weekend. Phenomenally interesting subject.
I can only get through non-fiction if it reads like a novel. This does. Devoured it in a weekend. Phenomenally interesting subject.
November 22, 2025 at 11:36 PM
12. The Art Thief, Michael Finkel
I can only get through non-fiction if it reads like a novel. This does. Devoured it in a weekend. Phenomenally interesting subject.
I can only get through non-fiction if it reads like a novel. This does. Devoured it in a weekend. Phenomenally interesting subject.
11. Solaris, Stanislaw Lem
Excellent sci-fi. The premise is haunting, and while the book is awkwardly paced with academic-style texts sprinkled in, it remained compelling throughout. A good pairing with the film version of course, but also Alien, Dead Space, and all the best space horror out there.
Excellent sci-fi. The premise is haunting, and while the book is awkwardly paced with academic-style texts sprinkled in, it remained compelling throughout. A good pairing with the film version of course, but also Alien, Dead Space, and all the best space horror out there.
November 22, 2025 at 11:36 PM
11. Solaris, Stanislaw Lem
Excellent sci-fi. The premise is haunting, and while the book is awkwardly paced with academic-style texts sprinkled in, it remained compelling throughout. A good pairing with the film version of course, but also Alien, Dead Space, and all the best space horror out there.
Excellent sci-fi. The premise is haunting, and while the book is awkwardly paced with academic-style texts sprinkled in, it remained compelling throughout. A good pairing with the film version of course, but also Alien, Dead Space, and all the best space horror out there.
10. Creation Lake, Rachel Kushner
Enjoyed the premise, hated the execution. I don’t know how you can make a story about a private spy infiltrating a eco-terrorist commune as boring as this. An attempt to write a novel of ideas without a clear idea.
Enjoyed the premise, hated the execution. I don’t know how you can make a story about a private spy infiltrating a eco-terrorist commune as boring as this. An attempt to write a novel of ideas without a clear idea.
November 22, 2025 at 11:35 PM
10. Creation Lake, Rachel Kushner
Enjoyed the premise, hated the execution. I don’t know how you can make a story about a private spy infiltrating a eco-terrorist commune as boring as this. An attempt to write a novel of ideas without a clear idea.
Enjoyed the premise, hated the execution. I don’t know how you can make a story about a private spy infiltrating a eco-terrorist commune as boring as this. An attempt to write a novel of ideas without a clear idea.
9. The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K Le Guin
Amazing ideas, decent characters, very little plot. Groundbreaking upon release, I’m sure, but a challenging read that doesn’t get especially thrilling until its climax. If this is Le Guin at her best, she probably isn’t for me.
Amazing ideas, decent characters, very little plot. Groundbreaking upon release, I’m sure, but a challenging read that doesn’t get especially thrilling until its climax. If this is Le Guin at her best, she probably isn’t for me.
November 22, 2025 at 11:34 PM
9. The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K Le Guin
Amazing ideas, decent characters, very little plot. Groundbreaking upon release, I’m sure, but a challenging read that doesn’t get especially thrilling until its climax. If this is Le Guin at her best, she probably isn’t for me.
Amazing ideas, decent characters, very little plot. Groundbreaking upon release, I’m sure, but a challenging read that doesn’t get especially thrilling until its climax. If this is Le Guin at her best, she probably isn’t for me.
8. Perfection, Vincenzo Latronico
A spare reading on the hollowness of consumerism and digital nomadism. I felt called out, in a good way.
A spare reading on the hollowness of consumerism and digital nomadism. I felt called out, in a good way.
November 22, 2025 at 11:34 PM
8. Perfection, Vincenzo Latronico
A spare reading on the hollowness of consumerism and digital nomadism. I felt called out, in a good way.
A spare reading on the hollowness of consumerism and digital nomadism. I felt called out, in a good way.
7. I Who Have Never Known Men, Jacqueline Harpman
Good, simple world-building. A very lonely and melancholic book. Effectively digs at how we search for meaning in a life full of inexplicable horrors.
Good, simple world-building. A very lonely and melancholic book. Effectively digs at how we search for meaning in a life full of inexplicable horrors.
November 22, 2025 at 11:33 PM
7. I Who Have Never Known Men, Jacqueline Harpman
Good, simple world-building. A very lonely and melancholic book. Effectively digs at how we search for meaning in a life full of inexplicable horrors.
Good, simple world-building. A very lonely and melancholic book. Effectively digs at how we search for meaning in a life full of inexplicable horrors.
6. Rejection, Tony Tulathimutte
Disgusting, perverted, candid, authentic. More, please.
Disgusting, perverted, candid, authentic. More, please.
November 22, 2025 at 11:32 PM
6. Rejection, Tony Tulathimutte
Disgusting, perverted, candid, authentic. More, please.
Disgusting, perverted, candid, authentic. More, please.
5. The Bee Sting, Paul Murray
The best of the Irish literature I’ve read this year. Brilliantly paced despite its length. The Barnes’s tragicomic story of decline speaks for much of the post-2008 western world’s.
The best of the Irish literature I’ve read this year. Brilliantly paced despite its length. The Barnes’s tragicomic story of decline speaks for much of the post-2008 western world’s.
November 22, 2025 at 11:32 PM
5. The Bee Sting, Paul Murray
The best of the Irish literature I’ve read this year. Brilliantly paced despite its length. The Barnes’s tragicomic story of decline speaks for much of the post-2008 western world’s.
The best of the Irish literature I’ve read this year. Brilliantly paced despite its length. The Barnes’s tragicomic story of decline speaks for much of the post-2008 western world’s.
4. Annihilation, @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social
I’m a sucker for Lovecraftian sci-fi. VanderMeer is great at providing mysteries without answers, but answers would only serve to make the story less interesting. The novel’s vivid imagery sticks with me. The film adaptation rocks too.
I’m a sucker for Lovecraftian sci-fi. VanderMeer is great at providing mysteries without answers, but answers would only serve to make the story less interesting. The novel’s vivid imagery sticks with me. The film adaptation rocks too.
November 22, 2025 at 11:32 PM
4. Annihilation, @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social
I’m a sucker for Lovecraftian sci-fi. VanderMeer is great at providing mysteries without answers, but answers would only serve to make the story less interesting. The novel’s vivid imagery sticks with me. The film adaptation rocks too.
I’m a sucker for Lovecraftian sci-fi. VanderMeer is great at providing mysteries without answers, but answers would only serve to make the story less interesting. The novel’s vivid imagery sticks with me. The film adaptation rocks too.
3. Brooklyn, Colm Toibin
The immigrant experience distilled into a beautifully-written novel. Toibin is a master of subtlety. I was surprised the novel came across as much less romantic than the film.
The immigrant experience distilled into a beautifully-written novel. Toibin is a master of subtlety. I was surprised the novel came across as much less romantic than the film.
November 22, 2025 at 11:30 PM
3. Brooklyn, Colm Toibin
The immigrant experience distilled into a beautifully-written novel. Toibin is a master of subtlety. I was surprised the novel came across as much less romantic than the film.
The immigrant experience distilled into a beautifully-written novel. Toibin is a master of subtlety. I was surprised the novel came across as much less romantic than the film.
2. Intermezzo, Sally Rooney
Rooney’s latest is a confirmation for me that she writes really solid YA for adults. Characters struggle with internal conflict but the stakes feel low (again). But she can write a good sex scene.
Rooney’s latest is a confirmation for me that she writes really solid YA for adults. Characters struggle with internal conflict but the stakes feel low (again). But she can write a good sex scene.
November 22, 2025 at 11:30 PM
2. Intermezzo, Sally Rooney
Rooney’s latest is a confirmation for me that she writes really solid YA for adults. Characters struggle with internal conflict but the stakes feel low (again). But she can write a good sex scene.
Rooney’s latest is a confirmation for me that she writes really solid YA for adults. Characters struggle with internal conflict but the stakes feel low (again). But she can write a good sex scene.