A Novel That Helps Explain the Manosphere
An alienated professor takes up weight lifting and ranting in Jordan Castro’s perceptive new novel, Muscle Man.
Books
Introducing The Atlantic’s expanded books coverage: essays, criticism, fiction, poetry, and recommendations from our writers and editors
Panic Attacks and the Meaning of Life
A new novel keenly describes the symptoms—and more important, the existential stakes—of extreme anxiety.
John Cheever’s Secrets
In a new memoir, Susan Cheever searches for the wellspring of her father’s genius.
Why Arundhati Roy Fled Literary Fame
The Indian writer’s new memoir explores the formidable figure who set her on a course of constant motion.
A Book That Doesn’t Seek to Explain Itself
In his movies and his writing, the South Korean director Lee Chang-dong has long used images to suggest what can’t be expressed.
Six Books to Read Before You Get to the Airport
The fact that we regularly float six or seven miles above the Earth is worth our fascination and attention.
Eight Books for Dabblers
Casual pursuits can enrich our lives, regardless of whether we’re any good at them.
The One Book Everyone Should Read
The Atlantic’s staffers on the books they share—again and again
Eight Books That Explain the University Crisis
Now is the perfect time to look with clear eyes at the goals, accomplishments, and failures of higher education.
Newsletter
The Books Briefing
Our culture editors’ weekly guide to the best in books.
Subject to The Atlantic's Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
June
A short story
Lamentations
A short story
Fools for Love
A short story
Weepers
A short story
Is This the End of the Dictionary?
Obsolete (adj.): no longer in use or no longer useful
A Raw Depiction of What Panic Feels Like
Lee Lai’s Cannon builds up to an earthshaking moment when its protagonist’s anxiety can no longer be contained.
A Novel That Helps Explain the Manosphere
An alienated professor takes up weight lifting and ranting in Jordan Castro’s perceptive new novel, Muscle Man.
John Cheever’s Secrets
In a new memoir, Susan Cheever searches for the wellspring of her father’s genius.
Panic Attacks and the Meaning of Life
A new novel keenly describes the symptoms—and more important, the existential stakes—of extreme anxiety.
Why Arundhati Roy Fled Literary Fame
The Indian writer’s new memoir explores the formidable figure who set her on a course of constant motion.
Summertime
A poem
The ‘Remarkable Ability’ Many Dissidents Share
The novelist Lauren Grodstein visited Tbilisi, Georgia, in 2023, and the protests she witnessed made her think differently about perseverance.
A Book That Doesn’t Seek to Explain Itself
In his movies and his writing, the South Korean director Lee Chang-dong has long used images to suggest what can’t be expressed.