John McMurtrie
@johnmcmurtrie.bsky.social
Nonfiction editor, Kirkus Reviews.
The beauty of Oakland
November 8, 2025 at 12:52 AM
The beauty of Oakland
A midnight blue LaSalle, circa 1940
September 27, 2025 at 10:14 PM
A midnight blue LaSalle, circa 1940
Farewell to a master satirist. #tomlehrer
July 27, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Farewell to a master satirist. #tomlehrer
These lines from Dawn Staley’s “Uncommon Favor” (Atria/Black Privilege Publishing, May 20):
“Every fiber of my soul screamed sports, sports, sports. Before long, my family nicknamed me ‘Dirt’ because it became clear I’d rather play ball than bathe.”
“Every fiber of my soul screamed sports, sports, sports. Before long, my family nicknamed me ‘Dirt’ because it became clear I’d rather play ball than bathe.”
April 19, 2025 at 12:16 AM
These lines from Dawn Staley’s “Uncommon Favor” (Atria/Black Privilege Publishing, May 20):
“Every fiber of my soul screamed sports, sports, sports. Before long, my family nicknamed me ‘Dirt’ because it became clear I’d rather play ball than bathe.”
“Every fiber of my soul screamed sports, sports, sports. Before long, my family nicknamed me ‘Dirt’ because it became clear I’d rather play ball than bathe.”
Wayne Thiebaud’s delicious “Nine Books,” 1991-92, at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco.
April 7, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Wayne Thiebaud’s delicious “Nine Books,” 1991-92, at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco.
San Francisco beach artist (with rake)
March 29, 2025 at 10:32 PM
San Francisco beach artist (with rake)
Hanging out with my buds.
March 11, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Hanging out with my buds.
Randomly met this beauty today: a 1968 Citroën DS.
March 8, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Randomly met this beauty today: a 1968 Citroën DS.
The Women of the Black Panther Party Mural, Oakland
March 1, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The Women of the Black Panther Party Mural, Oakland
Beautiful day in the neighborhood
February 20, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Beautiful day in the neighborhood
I found a redwood branch that fell during a storm. I brought it home, where it now shines.
February 13, 2025 at 1:48 AM
I found a redwood branch that fell during a storm. I brought it home, where it now shines.
And the best book title of the year (so far) goes to…
January 29, 2025 at 11:42 PM
And the best book title of the year (so far) goes to…
The richness of redwoods at sunset.
January 14, 2025 at 1:42 AM
The richness of redwoods at sunset.
Rest in peace, Jimmy Carter. I had the honor of interviewing him twice. He was lighthearted and laughed easily and was as warm as anyone I’ve ever met. In 2015, he played along with me for this photo I took of him.
December 29, 2024 at 10:46 PM
Rest in peace, Jimmy Carter. I had the honor of interviewing him twice. He was lighthearted and laughed easily and was as warm as anyone I’ve ever met. In 2015, he played along with me for this photo I took of him.
Fire in the neighborhood
December 4, 2024 at 12:13 AM
Fire in the neighborhood
“No one has ever successfully painted or photographed a redwood tree. The feeling they produce is not transferable.”
— Steinbeck
— Steinbeck
November 30, 2024 at 11:02 PM
“No one has ever successfully painted or photographed a redwood tree. The feeling they produce is not transferable.”
— Steinbeck
— Steinbeck
You got me singing
even though it all looks grim
You got me singing
the Hallelujah hymn
even though it all looks grim
You got me singing
the Hallelujah hymn
November 22, 2024 at 2:20 AM
You got me singing
even though it all looks grim
You got me singing
the Hallelujah hymn
even though it all looks grim
You got me singing
the Hallelujah hymn
At the Texas Book Festival, y’all. Goodwill abounds.
November 16, 2024 at 11:18 PM
At the Texas Book Festival, y’all. Goodwill abounds.
So pleased to see my L.A. Times profile of Paul Yamazaki, book buyer of City Lights Books, in the bookstore’s front window. Paul will receive the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation on Nov. 15. Here’s my piece: www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
November 10, 2023 at 11:54 PM
So pleased to see my L.A. Times profile of Paul Yamazaki, book buyer of City Lights Books, in the bookstore’s front window. Paul will receive the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation on Nov. 15. Here’s my piece: www.latimes.com/entertainmen...
Always a pleasure to lay eyes on San Francisco’s Hallidie Building, which opened in 1918. Designed by Willis Polk (1867-1924), it was one of the first buildings in the world to make use of a glass curtain wall.
October 25, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Always a pleasure to lay eyes on San Francisco’s Hallidie Building, which opened in 1918. Designed by Willis Polk (1867-1924), it was one of the first buildings in the world to make use of a glass curtain wall.
A sign hand-painted by the late Lawrence Ferlinghetti — a veteran of World War II — at City Lights Books in San Francisco.
October 13, 2023 at 1:46 AM
A sign hand-painted by the late Lawrence Ferlinghetti — a veteran of World War II — at City Lights Books in San Francisco.