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.
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The Atlantic 10
The books that made us think the most this year
Six Books That Might Change How You Think About Mental Illness
These individual, honest narratives can help dislodge oversimplifications about mental health.
Eight Books That Explain How the World Works
Technologies such as skyscrapers, airplanes, and sewage systems are fundamental—and confusing. These titles explain how they actually work.
Six Books That Will Scare You—And Make You Think
Black writers have long used science fiction, fantasy, and horror to dramatize the terrors of racism or to tell frightening tales.
Stop Doomscrolling About Israel and Palestine—Read These Books Instead
The Atlantic’s books editor prescribes these titles as antidotes to the quick and dirty ways people are communicating on social media.
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A Book That Changed How I Think
Our writers and editors share one title that granted them a fresh perspective.
Nine Books That Push Against the Status Quo
These titles demand a clear-eyed look at things people too often take for granted.
Six Books to Read When You Want to Feel Closer to Others
The following six titles are correctives to isolation.
Seven Books That Explore How Marriage Really Works
In writing, matrimony can prompt questions about freedom, desire, and identity.
Seven Books That Will Make You Put Down Your Phone
These titles self-consciously aim to grab their reader’s attention.