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.
The Books That Helped Me Adjust to a Big City
When I moved to D.C., I turned to reading to help me understand the history, and the spirit, of my new home.
Eight Novels That Truly Capture City Life
Only some of these titles tell happy stories, but they are all reminders of what is possible in metropolises.
The Human Face of American Decline
Alex Kotlowitz recommends books that manage to operate at a human scale while arriving at bigger truths.
Eight Books to Take With You on a Road Trip
In these titles, the open highway sparks a reaction between a character and the unknown.
What to Read to Understand Russia
Anastasia Edel, a Russian-born American social historian, recommends books about the country as the war in Ukraine continues.
Seven Books That Earn Your Tears
Getting a cheap rise out of readers is easy. Faithfully representing life on the page takes more skill.
What to Read If You Want to Reinvent Yourself
Whether you’re starting over or discovering a new identity, these works can help reset your perspective.
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Six Books to Read During a Stressful Family Holiday
Reading about other people’s kin, fictional or not, may help you feel better about yours.
Seven Books That Actually Capture What Sickness Is Like
These titles aren’t interested in sticking to a simple narrative about sickness and health—they explore the textures of human life.
Seven Books That Will Make You Rethink Your Relationship to Nature
These titles remind us that our connection to the Earth is inescapable.