Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
Colson Whitehead's latest novel, Harlem Shuffle, tells the compelling story of Ray Carney. He is a furniture salesman, family man, and budding entrepreneur who embodies the classic archetype of the striver. The book...
Better Times by Sara Batkie
Sara Batkie's collection Better Times tells stories of characters grappling with various absences in their lives, be it a father, a partner, or a part of themselves. These stories explore the aftermath of...
Rage of Poseidon by Anders Nilsen
In the graphic novel "Rage of Poseidon," Anders Nilsen intertwines the mundane and tragic aspects of human life with the divine and ruthless nature of mythological gods, a theme that has been explored...
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
Ocean Vuong, acclaimed for his poetry collection "Night Sky with Exit Wounds," now presents his debut novel, "On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous," which mirrors the lyrical and poignant style of his poetry. Through...
A Dream Life by Claire Messud
Winston Churchill once said, "We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us." In her novella, A Dream Life, Claire Messud explores how not only our physical environment but also social constructs...
Exhalation by Ted Chiang
Ted Chiang is known for his thought-provoking science fiction stories that have earned him numerous awards starting with his first published story, "Tower of Babylon," which won the Nebula Award in 1991. His...
The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante, translated by Ann Goldstein
A fairy tale is essentially a form of entertainment. The essence lies in the notion that evil and magic are real and tangible, and that a happy ending where love conquers all is...
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
In her eighth novel, Ann Patchett explores familiar themes from her previous works, such as family dynamics post-divorce, sibling bonds, and the journey of forgiveness. Set in the extravagant "Dutch house" in a...
Neverhome by Laird Hunt
One of the remarkable aspects of war heroism, both in literature and reality, is often the overlooked contribution of women who, in juxtaposition with their male counterparts, display a crucial form of strength...
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
Elif Batuman, in the Spring 2006 issue of n+1, explores the essence of the novel. She contrasts short stories that often focus on concise language with novels that embrace the "irrelevant garbage." In...
