Books & Literary Life

Literary criticism, author interviews, and book culture from within and beyond Harvard.

For This Poet, AI is a Writing Partner

Sasha Stiles trained a chatbot on her manuscripts. Now, her poems rewrite themselves.

by Lydialyle Gibson

New Books from Harvard Authors

Bad Bunny, spider fears, healthcare policy, and more

by Gabriella Gage

These Harvard Mountaineers Braved Denali’s Wall of Ice

John Graham’s Denali Diary documents a dangerous and historic climb.

by Lydialyle Gibson

New Books from Harvard Authors

The American West, the tech frontier, reality TV homes, and other mythic places

by Gabriella Gage

How Stories Help Us Cope with Climate Change

The growing genre of climate fiction offers a way to process reality—and our anxieties.

by Gabriella Gage

Open Book: A New Nuclear Age

Harvard historian Serhii Plokhy’s latest book looks at the rising danger of a new arms race.

Novelist Lev Grossman on Why Fantasy Isn’t About Escapism

The Magicians author discusses his influences, from Harvard to King Arthur to Tolkien.

by Eric Olson

New Books by Harvard Authors

Lincoln’s “boss” energy, Bernie’s political revolution, frogs, vampires, ice cream, and more

by Gabriella Gage

For Campus Speech, Civility is a Cultural Practice

A former Harvard College dean reviews Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber’s book Terms of Respect.

by Rakesh Khurana

The Artist Edward Gorey—and Pets—at Harvard

Winter exhibits at Houghton Library   

by Nell Porter-Brown

Books with Harvard Authors Winter 2025

From aphorisms to art heists to democracy’s necessary conditions 

by Gabriella Gage