The Toll
A poem
What To Read
Books
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He Was Hugely Influential. He Also Had a Foolish Streak.
A recent biography of the writer John Berger reminds us about his hefty influence—and how he could be blinkered by his convictions.
An Adaptation That’s Both ‘Excellent’ and ‘Bizarre’
Lincoln in the Bardo is a bold novel that has rightfully inspired inventive adaptations.
Forget Grit
Even the luminaries of the self-help genre have begun to recognize how little in life we can actually control.
Fiction
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The Guardians
A short story
Disunion
A short story
I Heard You Singing
A short story
The Wisdom of Holden Caulfield
Beneath all the alienation, The Catcher in the Rye, which turns 75 this year, has a surprisingly hopeful—and ethical—outlook.
24 Books to Get Lost in This Summer
The Atlantic’s writers and editors recommend titles to match some warm-weather moods.
Seven Books for the Lifelong Learner
These books may tempt you to take up a new pursuit and enlarge your sense of your own capabilities.
Five Books That’ll Fit Right Into Your Busy Schedule
These essay and short-story collections are easy to read at your own pace.
What to Read When You Want to Reimagine Family
These books offer a wide set of perspectives on what kinship can be, and on the endless ways we might create it.
Nine Books That Will Actually Make You Laugh
Serious literature is better when it’s funny.
What to Read When You’re Feeling Ambitious
Literature, rife with tales of ambition or slackerdom, can be well-equipped to answer questions about the costs and benefits of striving.
Six Books That Feel Like Puzzles
These titles represent an eclectic mix of various styles and moods, but any one of them will be exactly right if you want a brainteaser.
What to Read When You Need to Start Over
If you’re in search of a boost or motivation to change your life, these seven books may help.
Seven Books to Read as a Family
A strong title can do more than entertain—it can also provoke, challenge, educate, or soothe.
Seven Celebrities Who Published Actually Great Memoirs
A tell-all is worth picking up when the star has an honest, grounded perspective on their life.