Books
Harvard Authors Profile: Youmna M. Chamieh ’21-’22 on How to Look at the World Sideways
Comfortability with ambiguity bleeds into Chamieh’s writing; her empathy as she searches for reconciliation between diverging narratives is palpable.
‘The Dream Hotel’ Review: Deeply Philosophical But Exaggeratedly Didactic
“The Dream Hotel” offers an immersive although sometimes overly didactic exploration of what it means when all of our actions are tracked.
‘Good Girl’ Review: Emotional Excess and Existentialism
“Good Girl” is an addictive immersion into the gaudy world of Berlin nightlife, weaving together a teenager’s hazy memories with keen observations on art.
‘Notes on Infinity’ Review: In Search of Immortality — At Harvard
“Notes on Infinity" is a solid story of a biotech start-up cultivated in the petri dish of ambition that is Harvard.
‘Is a River Alive?’ Review: A Stilted Love Letter to the Natural World
Ecological, nonfiction work "Is A River Alive?" explores the animacy and integrity of nature, but suffers from awkward pseudo-poetic statements.
Harvard University Press Employees Say Director Drove Down Acquisitions and Morale
Since George T. Andreou ’87 became the press’s director in 2017, staff alleged — in interviews, union surveys, and letters to Harvard officials — that he belittled employees and mismanaged the publishing house.
Harvard Authors Profile: Austin E. Taylor ’21 on Her Debut Novel, Women in STEM, and Maine Roots
Austin E. Taylor ’21 — former Harvard double concentrator, Mainer, author, and future Stanford law student — is interested in empathy.
Harvard Authors Profile: Elizabeth C. Lim ’08 Writes With a ‘Different Sort of Magic’
Elizabeth C. Lim ’08 has worn many hats. Today, she’s a young adult fantasy author with eight — soon to be nine — novels and an anthology under her belt.
Harvard Authors Profile: Soman Chainani ’01 on Reimagining Fairy Tales for a New Generation
Soman S. Chainani ’01 is best known for the popular fantasy book series “The School for Good and Evil,” spanning eight books between 2013 and 2023.
‘Vanishing World’ Review: A World Without Sex
“Vanishing World” is equal parts story and thought experiment, an entertaining and thought-provoking commentary on modern society.
Learning the Language of Franz Kafka: Inside Mark Harman’s Translation
For Harman, translation is not merely a mechanical process of matching words, but an effort to breathe life into the characters of Franz Kafka.
Should Didion’s ‘Notes to John’ Be Published? No.
Writing is a private and personal practice, and creating, let alone publishing, one’s work requires serious vulnerability and determination.
‘Balancing Output with Input’: Margaret Rogerson on Writing Fantasy, Taking Breaks, and Balancing Inspiration and Hard Work
What does writing fantasy novels look like? What is the journey and the daily routine of an author who creates these fantastical universes?
‘Dream Count’ Review: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Latest Characters Grapple with Shades of the Unknown
“Dream Count” brings its women’s struggle with the unknown to a poignant head, resulting in a complex exploration of identity and belonging.
‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ Review: Good, but Was It Necessary?
“Sunrise on the Reaping” is a must-read for fans of Collins, but hopefully, this will be our goodbye to Panem — a tearful one, as all final goodbyes should be.
‘The Rainfall Market’ Review: A Journey Fit For a Childhood Dream Come True
Capturing the beauty of a classic fairytale, “The Rainfall Market" is well on its way to the reading lists and hearts of countless young readers worldwide.
‘The Hunger Games’ Lives On: Fans Gather for Harvard Book Stores’s Release Party for ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’
On March 17, fans gathered at the Harvard Book Store to celebrate the midnight release of Suzanne Collins' new book, “Sunrise on the Reaping.”
‘Deep End’ Review: Diving into Ali Hazelwood’s Steamiest Book Yet
“Deep End” successfully manages to explore a darker side to Hazelwood’s romance writing while still staying true to the author’s “STEMinist” roots.
‘Julie Chan Is Dead’ Review: An Enticing, Yet Perplexing Thriller
Despite its uneven pacing, "Julie Chan Is Dead" ultimately lingers as a sharp reminder of the risks of chasing digital fame, making it a memorable read.
‘Let’s Call Her Barbie’ Review: A Page-Turning Tale of Perseverance
“Let’s Call Her Barbie” is an intriguing look at the creation of Barbie, a tale of the importance of following one’s gut and going after what seems impossible.
‘Old Soul’ Review: Horror Meets Millennial Prose
“Old Soul” is a haunting read that may leave some with goosebumps, but its electrifying concept is weighed down by bland writing and flat characters.
‘A Sea of Unspoken Things’ Review: A Mystery that Pulls You In and Then Leaves You Adrift
The mystery at the heart of “A Sea of Unspoken Things” is thrilling and gripping, though the ending leaves a sense of lingering dissatisfaction.
So You Want to Read Like a History Concentrator
These works explore questions of cultural dynamics and remembrance, perfect for anyone who wants to read like a History concentrator.
‘The Unworthy’ Review: You’ve Never Seen Catholicism Like This
Provocative, intelligent, and deeply affecting, “The Unworthy” is a novel that revels in revulsion.
‘Breath of the Dragon’ Review: An Interesting Yet Tonally Confusing Read
While "Breath of the Dragon" is fascinating, Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee fail to populate the novel with rich characters or a story that is tonally cohesive.