Anthony Veasna So’s “Afterparties” showcases the late author’s immense talent and potential, writes book columnist Ryan Lillestrand PZ ’23.
Books
Literary wanderings: Getting a prescription at the poetry pharmacy
Have a fear of the unknown? Loss of zest for life? Anthology “The Poetry Pharmacy” will prescribe you a poem to address your ailment.
Literary wanderings: The ghost of Ueno Park
Book columnist Ryan Lillestrand PZ ’23 explores how the magical realism in “Tokyo Ueno Station” works to highlight sharp inequalities in Tokyo.
Throw away the junk mail in Sally Rooney’s ‘Beautiful World, Where Are You’
Master of the beach read, Sally Rooney experiments with emails in her new book, “Beautiful World, Where Are You” — but these confusing messages are the novel’s downfall, book columnist Katie Hanson SC ’25 writes.
Literary wanderings: On fiction as environmental activism
Book columnist Ryan Lillestrand PZ ’23 argues that despite its fictional nature, Richard Powers’ “The Overstory” is a powerful vehicle for environmentalism.
Literary wanderings: Getting lost in Lyon
Book columnist Ryan Lillestrand PZ ’23 praises Bill Buford’s “Dirt” for its vivid imagery and reflects on the merits of the modern personal narrative.
Read it and weep: Coming-of-age in Phoebe Gloeckner’s ‘The Diary of a Teenage Girl’
Book columnist Nina Potischman PO ’21 examines how Phoebe Gloeckner’s “The Diary of a Teenage Girl” successfully portrays a nuanced coming-of-age tale.
Read it and weep: The perils of high school debate in Ben Lerner’s ‘The Topeka School’
Book columnist Nina Potischman PO ’21 dives into “The Topeka School,” examining its accurate portrayal of high school debate and surface-level ending.
Read it and weep: On breaking up with diets
Nina Potischman PO ’21 reflects on her relationship with food, the wellness industry and the effect Christy Harrison’s book “Anti-Diet” had on her life.
Assorted novelties: On not reading
Books columnist Anna Solomon PZ ’23 writes about the all-too-relatable feeling of reaching for the remote instead of a book. Read more here.