Books
‘The Hurting Kind’ Review: The Power of Living an Observant Life
Limón's dazzling new poetry collection, “The Hurting Kind,” will force a reader to sit in quiet contemplation after each poem, marveling at the beauty and power with which she wields her extraordinary gift of paying attention.
Harvard Law School Librarians Celebrate Freedom to Read in Banned Books Read Out
Patrons looking to enter the Harvard Law School library Wednesday afternoon had to navigate around a dozen librarians and staff members, who crowded the front steps as they took turns reading aloud selections from their favorite banned books and authors.
Books for Busy Readers: The Crimson’s Top Picks
If you need a break from studying or if you’ve exhausted Netflix, cozy up with a captivating, quick read recommended by The Crimson.
Harvard Authors Spotlight: Elif Batuman
The plentiful insights in her published writings are reflective of her inquisitive nature, but a short interaction with the author reveals that she is also a lifelong learner — still as curious about humanity and society as ever.
Review of ‘Good Arguments’ by Bo Seo ‘17 HLS ‘24
Seo’s entrance into the literary world is an ambitious and engaging read that is part memoir, part compendium on competitive debate, and part call to action.
‘I Kissed Shara Wheeler’ Review: A Perfect Rom-Com
In “I Kissed Shara Wheeler,” McQuiston’s latest foray into the world of young adult romance, readers meet another set of couples grappling with much of the same challenges as those in “One Last Stop” (2021) and “Red, White & Royal Blue” (2019).
‘Briefly, A Delicious Life’ Review: A Distracted and Immature Debut Novel
Nell Stevens’s debut novel “Briefly, A Delicious Life” is undeniably imaginative, but a cornucopia of creativity cannot make up for several large-scale drawbacks.
‘We Do What We Do in the Dark’ Review: A Sublime Portrayal of Queer Intimacy
Tactfully written with keen insights into loneliness, lust, and loss, the narrative is a Pride Month must-read.
Harvard Authors Spotlight: Bo Seo
He expressed a preference for a realistic account of his time on campus over rose-colored romanticism: “I wanted to talk about what it was, and what it was was pretty good.”
'Yerba Buena' Review: Understated, Bittersweet, Brilliant
“Yerba Buena” is a mature novel through and through. LaCour demonstrates remarkable agility in retaining the more favorable aspects of young adult fiction while also taking the story to new depths.
‘The Hacienda’ Review: A Multi-layered and Powerful Debut
Cañas delivers a chilling and compelling story that melds a childhood fear of the dark with the impacts of colonialism and Catholicism in Mexico after the War of Independence.
Jennifer Egan Owns Her Unconscious
Readers of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan gathered at the Brattle Theater on Friday, April 8, for an hour-long event featuring a reading and Q&A from the author’s latest novel, “The Candy House.”
‘Bomb Shelter’ Review: Mary Laura Philpott Balances Life, Death, Humor, and Trauma in New Essay Novel
By letting her humorous personality and honesty drive the narrative, Mary Laura Philpott honors her trauma, anxiety, grief, fears, and, most importantly, her hopes and inspires the reader to do the same.
The Words We Lose: The Merits and Disadvantages of Reading Translated Literature
Translating a text from one language to another is doubtless a difficult undertaking for myriad reasons, but the reality of an untranslatable word or phrase presents perhaps the most thought-provoking dilemma for translators and linguists everywhere.
‘Bless the Daughter Raised by a Voice in Her Head’ Review: Warsan Shire Moves Out of Pop Culture’s Shadow
Shire boldly weaves together a narrative of what it means to be displaced, disconnected from home, and incredibly vulnerable.
Carmen Maria Machado’s Reading Dives Into the Queer, the Sexy, and the Apocalyptic
Within the dystopian world of “A Bright and Fearful Star” — told in the confines of Barker’s austere Plimpton room — were tales rich with queer intimacy and raw desire.
‘Checkout 19’ Review: Why We Need Stories to Live
Part autofiction of a young writer, part philosophical encounter with humanity’s inherent and misconstrued darkness, and part subtle but raging feminist outcry, “Checkout 19” is nothing short of astounding.
The Best Spring Reads for All Occasions
Spring has sprung! In Boston, it’s more like a second winter, but whether you prefer rainy grays or budding blooms, The Crimson has the best book recommendations for all your spring reading needs.
Harvard Authors Spotlight: Angela Duckworth
Duckworth brings a lightness and a level of creativity to goal setting, ultimately inspiring more dreamers to do.
‘Juniper & Thorn’ Review: A Fairytale with Teeth
“Juniper & Thorn” is a fairytale, but not in the way that Disney has led one to expect. Instead, Reid’s novel expertly crafts a world of monsters and monstrous men to explore the consequences of patriarchy and trauma.
‘Lapvona’ Review: Moshfegh Explores Religion and Greed Through a Medieval Village
“Lapvona” creates a deeply compelling world with relatable issues, which makes it well worth the read.
Artist Profile: Sally Thames on Reading, BookTube, and Content Creation
Viewing reading as a form of self-care as opposed to just another thing to check off a list can make it feel more enjoyable and less like a hassle.
Artist Profile: Tracy Deonn on Fear, Grief, and Storytelling
"I was a writer when I started writing and then when I decided I enjoyed writing and then when I decided I would write again. That's all you need.”
‘Violeta’ Review: An Average Novel from an Above Average Author
Allende’s latest work gives her fans many of the hallmarks they’ve come to expect: heart wrenching but honest depictions of the Pinochet regime and complex, interwoven, endlessly interesting family dynamics.
BookTok: The Last Wholesome Place On The Internet
BookTok helps its viewers unlearn the practice of overanalyzing every piece of text in anticipation of a quiz, encouraging reading as a source of pure pleasure and enjoyment.