Books & Literary Life

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

Tara Menon’s Debut Novel Combines Friendship, Grief, and Climate Disaster

The popular Harvard English professor published Under Water this spring.

by Andrés Muedano

Excerpt from “Exercised,” by Daniel E. Lieberman

A biological anthropologist explains why and how exercise works to combat senescence.

by Daniel E. Lieberman

Constitutional scholar Noah Feldman profiled by Lincoln Caplan

Harvard Law School professor Noah Feldman’s constitutionalism is a branch of the humanities.

by Lincoln Caplan

Excerpt from “Higher Education,” by Derek Bok

Derek Bok on curriculum reform

Profile of novelist and TV doctor Ian K. Smith

Ian K. Smith’s turn toward detective fiction

by Lydialyle Gibson

A correspondence corner for not-so-famous lost words

A correspondence corner for not-so-famous lost words

Megha Majumdar's debut novel, “A Burning,” tackles inequality and violence

The Harvard graduate, who grew up in Kolkata, mines the India of her childhood for a tale with modern resonance.

by Lydialyle Gibson

Michael Sandel’s “The Tyranny of Merit” reviewed by Spencer Lenfield

Michael Sandel makes the case against meritocracy.

by Spencer Lee Lenfield

Recent books with Harvard connections

Recent books with Harvard connections

Harvard University Press releases “Racism in America: A Reader”

Harvard University Press releases a new book, Racism in America: A Reader, free online.

by Lydialyle Gibson

Why Do We Still Have the Electoral College?

Historian Alexander Keyssar on why the unpopular institution has prevailed 

by Marina N. Bolotnikova