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.
Bringing a Social Movement to Life
The author Adam Hochschild recommends books that vividly illustrate moments of great change.
Eight Cookbooks Worth Reading Cover to Cover
Flag dishes you want to make, or don’t: The point of this practice is pleasure, not pragmatism.
Six Cult Classics You Have to Read
As word of mouth about a book spreads, it begins to spark with a special kind of electricity.
Seven Books to Read in the Sunshine
Enjoying literature at a park, a beach, or an open-air café encourages a particular leisurely frame of mind.
Six Books That Will Jolt Your Senses Awake
Reading can help us cultivate a more patient, attentive state of mind by highlighting the beauty present in our day-to-day lives.
What to Read Ahead of the Oscars
Publishing and film have long had a special relationship.
Seven Books That Explain How Hollywood Actually Works
These titles shed light on an industry that’s always bubbling with drama beneath the surface.
A Memoir Shouldn’t Boss You Around
Lily Meyer recommends books that recollect personal experience without being prescriptive.
Seven Great Graphic Novels That Go Beyond Words
These titles demonstrate how text and image can blend together to convey one voice.
Six Books About Winter as It Once Was
These titles remind us of the season’s long-established joys and its necessary quiet, even as the climate changes.