Books
Top 10 Books of 2024
The Crimson’s Arts Board presents its favorite books of 2024, from “The Mighty Red” to “Funny Story.”
‘Wind and Truth’ Review: Sanderson Closes The First Arc of ‘The Stormlight Archive’ With a Bang
"Wind and Truth," the latest installment of Brandon Sanderson's The Stormlight Archive series, is satisfyingly epic despite its numerous perspectives.
Harvard Authors Profile: Aislinn Brophy ’17 on the Magic of Writing
Aislinn Brophy '17 discussed their YA fantasy goals and inspirations, reflecting on the common themes of identity, love, and family in their work.
‘Set My Heart on Fire’ Review: A Woman’s Broken Relationship with Addiction, Youth, and the World
Known for her science fiction, Izumi Suzuki switches genres to tell the story of a young woman navigating the hookup, drug, and rock scene of 1970s Japan.
‘Origins of Marvel Comics’ at 50: A Historical Peek Into the Creation of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes
Simon and Schuster’s 50th anniversary reprint of “Origins of Marvel Comics” by Stan Lee is a must-read for all superhero fans, despite its flaws.
‘Cross’ Review: Almost Brilliant, Needs Quotation Marks
“Cross” is a hard book to read, but Duffy’s beautiful language and character-focused storytelling style do justice to a particularly complex period of history.
Harvard Authors Profile: Leyla Brittan ’19 on the Messy and Beautiful Power of Storytelling
Leyla Brittan '19 encourages aspiring authors to keep writing even when you aren’t creating the most beautiful prose, finding the beauty in the messy parts.
Jeffrey Deaver and Isabella Maldonado are Partners-in-Crime-Fiction: Boston Book Festival Mystery Keynote
Jeffrey Deaver and Isabella Maldonado gave the mystery keynote at the 2024 Boston Book Festival following their recent collaboration, "Fatal Intrusion."
‘The Third Gilmore Girl’ Review: A Raw and Brilliantly-Crafted Glimpse Into an Extraordinary 80 Years
Dancer and actress Kelly Bishop launches into her 80th year with “The Third Gilmore Girl,” an inspiring memoir detailing her life on and off the stage.
‘The City in Glass’ Review: Beautiful and Bland
Nghi Vo has generated a stunning novel that takes the reader on a journey through grief, time, and love. Yet the reader may become lost in its beauty.
Jeff VanderMeer Talks Craft, Climate, and ‘Absolution’ at The Brattle Theatre
Over 150 attendees filled the Brattle Theatre on Oct. 22 for the second stop on Jeff VanderMeer’s U.S. tour for his book "Absolution."
Bridging the Gap: Self-Help Books as Accessible Introductions to Other Genres and Cultures
Self-help books can be an accessible starting point of one’s reading journey, and an introduction to other forms of writing and cultures.
Singing Poetry with Illustrations: Cecilia Vicuña’s Poetry Performance with Translator Rosa Alcalá at T.S. Eliot Memorial Reading
Introduced by Rosa Alcalá, the Woodberry Poetry Room’s T.S. Eliot Memorial Reading spotlighted Cecilia Vicuña’s creative work.
Sebastian Smee’s Impressions on Impressionism: Boston Book Festival Art History Keynote
Sebastian Smee delivered the Art History keynote at the Boston Book Festival, speaking on impressionism and its broader political context.
Aiden Thomas on World Building and Representation in Young Adult Media: Boston Book Festival YA Keynote
Aiden Thomas, author of "Celestial Monsters," delivered the YA keynote at the Boston Book Festival, speaking on craft and the importance of representation.
Katherine M. Burstein ’25 and Julia A. Mansfield ’25 on the Revival of Winthrop’s ‘The Lion Rampant’
Roommates Katherine M. Burstein ’25 and Julia A. Mansfield ’25 discuss their revival of "The Lion Rampant," a Winthrop house literary magazine.
Louise Erdrich on Writing to Learn: Boston Book Festival Fiction Keynote
At the 2024 Boston Book Festival, Louise Erdrich gave the Fiction keynote speech on her latest book, "The Mighty Red," and writing to learn.
Malcolm Gladwell Speaks on Viral, Cultural Phenomena at the 2024 Boston Book Festival
Gladwell shares that he created his newest work to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his first and wildly famous book, “The Tipping Point.”
‘Book and Dagger’ Review: How Readers Rewrote Espionage
In this powerful mid-20th century commentary, Graham shows how artists can produce both economic value and political power with world-altering effects.
‘Lovely One’ Review: A Timely and Intimate Glimpse Into Life Before the Supreme Court
There is a distinct timeliness and relatability to Jackson's new memoir, "Lovely One," offering an intimate look at her personal and professional journey.
Zadie Smith Talks ‘The Fraud’ and Abolitionism at Coolidge Corner Theatre
Smith delivered her third book talk with the Brookline Booksmith, discussing her book "The Fraud" and its key themes of freedom and abolition.
The Witches of El Paso Review: Magic and Reality Muddle the Message
In this epic whirlwind Luis Jaramillo constructs, an all-consuming magic threatens the women's autonomy across time, space, people, and countries.
‘Remember You Will Die’ Review: A Bold, Yet Disjointed Confrontation of Death
"Remember You Will Die" is an ambitious, genre-bending, and ultimately unsuccessful reflection on endings and the finality of death.
‘The Comfort of Crows’ Review: Masterfully Reintroducing the World as We Know It
“The Comfort of Crows” dives deep into what it means to be alive, portrayed through Renkl’s vulnerability with her readers and her environment.
HKS Lecturer Marshall Ganz ’64 Talks New Book on Organizing at Cambridge Public Library
Harvard Kennedy School lecturer Marshall L. Ganz ’64 discussed his new book — “People, Power, Change: Organizing for Democratic Renewal” — at the Cambridge Public Library on Wednesday.