The Monumental Discovery That Changed How Humans See Themselves
The unearthing of dinosaur bones transformed Victorian society—and long-held notions about our place in the world.
A Satire of America’s Obsession With Identity
The hero of Danzy Senna’s new novel is trying, and failing, to write the Great American Biracial Novel.
I Get Lifted Oh
A poem for Sunday
Consider the Boor
In Jo Hamya’s new novel, pity becomes a form of power.
The Secret Desire Many Workers Share
Kristi Coulter’s memoir Exit Interview might inspire you to tell your boss what you really think.
Composition With Birds
A poem for Friday
When Realism Is More Powerful Than Science Fiction
In On Strike Against God, Joanna Russ imagined a freer world while confronting its inequities head-on.
What to Read When You Want to Quit
These titles help readers think through pressing questions about modern employment—including whether it’s time to walk away.
A Marriage That Changed Literary History
Fanny Stevenson forced her husband, Robert Louis Stevenson, to live a bigger life than he had known.
This Is Not Your Typical Campus Novel
Karla Cornejo Villavicencio’s debut work of fiction captures the paradox of immigrant identity in the United States.
James Baldwin’s Most Underappreciated Talent
His personal letters deserve as much recognition as his novels and plays.
The Brilliance in James Baldwin’s Letters
The famous author, who would have been 100 years old today, was best known for his novels and essays. But correspondence was where his light shone brightest.
The Contract
A poem for Wednesday
The Psychic Wounds of Being a Whistleblower
A new book looks at medical-research scandals and the price paid by the people who exposed them.
The Painful Reality of Loving a Conspiracy Theorist
What do you do when a family member falls for QAnon?
Athena
A poem for Sunday
The Best Books for the Olympics
Literature and sports are a team that can go for gold.
Seven Books That Will Change How You Watch the Olympics
These titles will allow you to view the competition with a new appreciation.
These Millennials Can’t Get Out of Their Head
In Halle Butler’s new novel, young people won’t stop pathologizing others—or themselves.
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Norman Mailer?
A new documentary offers a model for reassessing the lives of monstrous men.