Books/Poetry

Literature critic Christian Burno recommends five books to read this fall. (Courtesy the publishers)

5 books to cozy up with this fall

WBUR book critic Christian Burno has her top picks for fall reads, and she says they're the perfect pairing for your pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider donuts.

Boston author William Giraldi writes about the pitfalls of superstardom in 'About Face'

The author's latest novel explores the power of celebrity and how a pretty face can open lots of doors, some of which may have been better off left shut.

The WBUR Read-In: The cost of higher education

WBUR arts and culture fellow Lauren Williams recommends three books about the creation of student loans and the social class inside of higher education.

Beach Books to make your end-of-summer trip truly magical

Fantasy books often ask questions about humanity, foster community and tell stories of ingenuity and hope. If you’re looking for a real-deal summer escape, this is the list for you.

Beach Books to make you appreciate good friends

It can be hard to explain all the ins and outs of what being a friend can look like, but these authors make the case for why friendship is actually...

Beach Books to get your heart pumping and mind racing

Grab any of these page-turners if you want a thriller that is sure to make you a tad uneasy.

New novel 'Mother in the Dark' chronicles a family's struggle with mental illness

Bouncing between Everett, Topsfield and New York City, Kayla Maiuri's book reads more like a chronicle than a novel with a full narrative arc, says book critic Carol Iaciofano Aucoin.

Beach Books to turn up the heat

Put down your phone and pick up something that’ll make you fall in love with the idea of love — or at the very least blush.

The WBUR Read-In: High water in Appalachia

WBUR arts and culture fellow Lauren Williams recommends books about the history of the Appalachia region.

The WBUR Read-In: Wishing for rain

WBUR arts and culture fellow Lauren Williams recommends books that deal with extreme weather and drought.

The WBUR Read-In: Utopia

WBUR arts and culture fellow Lauren Williams recommends three books on utopia, world-building and reimagining.

Andrea Buchanan's novel 'Five-Part Invention' follows trauma's legacy through generations of a family

Written in the style of a musical invention, the author’s debut novel traces the long-hidden trauma of an elderly woman passed through five generations of women in her family.

Patrick Radden Keefe's essay collection showcases the illicit (and licit) lives of 'Rogues'

A dozen of the writer’s New Yorker articles have been packaged into "Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels, and Crooks," capturing his fascination with crime and corruption, family bonds,...

Arts & Culture

Jun 27, 2022

WBUR arts and culture fellow Lauren Williams recommends three books to read on artist displacement. (Courtesy the publishers)

The WBUR Read-In: Struggling artists

WBUR arts and culture fellow Lauren Williams recommends three books on artist displacement.

Arts & Culture

Jun 22, 2022

Ottessa Moshfegh's latest book is "Lapvona." (Courtesy Penguin Press/Jack Belcher)

Author Ottessa Moshfegh crafts a medieval allegory about capitalism in 'Lapvona'

In her latest book, Moshfegh writes an engrossing tale about community and corruption that suggests our fates may not be as random or immutable as they seem, Michael Patrick Brady...

Arts & Culture

Jun 20, 2022

Christian Burno recommends six books to read that offer escape. (Courtesy the publishers)

6 beach reads that provide a summer escape

From two novels written by queen of romance Jasmine Guillory to a debut anthology from Maine writer Morgan Talty, WBUR contributor Christian Burno recommends six books set on the East...

Arts & Culture

Jun 16, 2022

The WBUR Read-In: On love

WBUR arts and culture fellow Lauren Williams recommends three books to read about all kinds of love.

Arts & Culture

Jun 8, 2022

Author Ru Freeman. (Courtesy Hasadri Freeman)

Ru Freeman probes her characters' private lives in 'Sleeping Alone'

The eleven individual stories tell of many kinds of heartache, more than it would seem a slim volume could hold.

Arts & Culture

Jun 7, 2022

The cover of Tom Perrotta's novel "Tracy Flick Can't Win." (Courtesy Scribner)

Tom Perrotta returns to Green Meadow High in new novel 'Tracy Flick Can't Win'

Over two decades after losing the election for high school president, Perrotta introduces readers to a Flick who is all grown up and serving as assistant principal at her alma...

Arts & Culture

Jun 6, 2022

WBUR arts and culture fellow Lauren Williams recommends three books to read where heat plays a central role. (Courtesy the publishers)

The WBUR Read-In: Heat waves

WBUR arts and culture fellow Lauren Williams recommends three books that use heat as a literary device.

Arts & Culture

May 25, 2022

Sections

Radio

Podcasts

CitySpace

Support

Subscribe to our weekday newsletter

5 books to cozy up with this fall

Boston author William Giraldi writes about the pitfalls of superstardom in 'About Face'

The WBUR Read-In: The cost of higher education

Beach Books to make your end-of-summer trip truly magical

Beach Books to make you appreciate good friends

Beach Books to get your heart pumping and mind racing

New novel 'Mother in the Dark' chronicles a family's struggle with mental illness

Beach Books to turn up the heat

The WBUR Read-In: High water in Appalachia

The WBUR Read-In: Wishing for rain

The WBUR Read-In: Utopia

Andrea Buchanan's novel 'Five-Part Invention' follows trauma's legacy through generations of a family

Patrick Radden Keefe's essay collection showcases the illicit (and licit) lives of 'Rogues'

The WBUR Read-In: Struggling artists

Author Ottessa Moshfegh crafts a medieval allegory about capitalism in 'Lapvona'

6 beach reads that provide a summer escape

The WBUR Read-In: On love

Ru Freeman probes her characters' private lives in 'Sleeping Alone'

Tom Perrotta returns to Green Meadow High in new novel 'Tracy Flick Can't Win'

The WBUR Read-In: Heat waves