New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Books

An illustration of a blue book cover with a woman wearing a large dress with a sunset and people on it. It says “NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER PACHINKO Min Jin Lee”.

6 page-turners to get you out of a reading slump

These gripping reads are full of short chapters, fluid prose and enthralling plots, which will kick-start your reading era just in time for summer.
Lulu Chatterjee, Staff Writer April 25, 2024

“Severance” by Ling Ma “Severance,” published in August 2018, is eerily evocative of the COVID-19 pandemic that followed two years later. The book follows Candace...

A woman with black hair, wearing a black shirt and black leather jacket, stands in front of a gray tiled wall.

Q&A: Miki Berenyi on ‘Fingers Crossed’ and the new chapter of her life

WSN sat down with Berenyi to talk about her memoir, the impact of music as she ages and what it was like navigating the ’80s alternative music scene as a biracial woman.
Stephanie Wong, Arts Editor April 22, 2024

Best known as the frontwoman of the band Lush, Miki Berenyi was an icon of the shoegaze scene back in the ’80s and ’90s. Her red hair is instantly recognizable to any veteran...

On a bright magenta background is a neon red-headed girl in a red and black dress, black sheer tights, and black ankle boots, sitting on the ground reaching for a white teacup filled with a dark, coffee-colored liquid.

Review: ‘Fingers Crossed’ is a stripped portrait of a shoegaze icon

Miki Berenyi’s memoir, “Fingers Crossed: How Music Saved Me from Success” recounts the seasoned musician’s complicated upbringing and tumultuous journey navigating the British alternative music scene in the late ’80s to ’90s.
Stephanie Wong, Arts Editor April 19, 2024

Amid the current shoegaze resurgence brought on by nostalgia-fueled TikToks, new fans of the 30-year-old subgenre are indulging in its ethereal soundscapes by way of Cocteau Twins...

Collage of four illustrated books: on the top left is an illustration of a book cover filled with oranges under a plastic film. The title “BLISS MONTAGE Stories” lies on top of the film. On the top right is an illustration of a black book cover titled “POVERTY, BY AMERICA” on a light green background. On the bottom left is an illustration of a book cover with a black, bold line across it. A bee is in the top right corner, along with the title “The Bee Sting” written between the lines. On the bottom right is an illustration of a dark green book cover with a pink box in the center, titled “THE VIRGIN SUICIDES.” There are five dark green flowers in the box and one of them has a missing petal. A pink petal is in the bottom left corner.

Books beyond Bobst: A modern classic, a short story collection and more

Books beyond Bobst is a book-rec column highlighting what NYU students are reading now, outside of their classes. If you’re in need of a new read, look no further.

“The Bee Sting” by Paul Murray — Emily Genova, Deputy Managing Editor  This nearly 700-page novel follows an Irish family as they reckon with a failing family-run...

Collage of four illustrated books: on the top left is an illustration of a blue book with a deer jumping over shrubs drawn in black. The cover says “YOU ARE HERE” in white, “POETRY IN THE NATURAL WORLD” in orange and “EDITED AND INTRODUCED BY ADA LIMON” in black and white. On the top right there’s an illustration of a green book with several white chairs on it and the words “EMMA” and “JANE AUSTEN” written in white. On the bottom left there is an illustration of a book cover with a woman sitting in a garden of flowers overlooking the water. The cover says “THE ENCHANTED APRIL” in white and “VINTAGE VON ARNIM” in brown and white. On the bottom right there’s an illustration of a white book cover with a blue contorted body on it in a black box. On the cover, “MATISSE”, “VOLKMAR ESSERS” and “TASCHEN” are written in white.

Start your spring right with these 4 books

It’s time to get excited about the weather warming up.
Marisa Sandoval and Alexa Donovan April 11, 2024

There’s nothing more exciting than the first day the weather is warm enough to head to the park, bask in the sun and finally get lost in a good book. It’s important to pick...

A girl sitting on a dormitory desk decorated with pictures and books.

How I learned to love reading again

As casual reading becomes trendy on social media, there is a tendency to read for quantity rather than quality.
Diana C. Sánchez González, Staff Writer April 1, 2024

When someone asks me what my hobbies are, I always answer, “anything that has to do with escapism.” After a long day of lectures and completing assignments, nothing recharges...

Collage of four book covers. On the upper left is Asimov’s “Foundation,” on the upper right is Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go,” on the bottom left is Morelli’s “The Night Portrait” and on the bottom right is Biggs’ “A Life of Ones Own: Nine Women Writers Begin Again.”

Books beyond Bobst: A science-fiction novel, a multifaceted memoir and more

Books beyond Bobst is a book-rec column highlighting what NYU students are reading now, outside of their classes. If you’re in need of a new read, look no further.

“A Life of One's Own: Nine Women Writers Begin Again” by Joanna Biggs  — Alexa Donovan, Deputy Arts Editor Mixing memoir with biography, Joanna Biggs seeks to understand...

An illustration of a girl sitting under a tree and reading. She is sitting on grass, wearing a purple top and blue jeans. The leaves on the tree are brown.

6 books to read this Women’s History Month

There are still a few days left to get riled up about the patriarchy.
Camryn Loor, Contributing Writer March 28, 2024

A great way to round out this Women’s History Month is by picking up a good book and getting lost in a women-led story. Whether you are an experienced reader of feminist philosophy...

Collage of four books: on the top left is “HEREAFTER: THE TELLING LIFE OF ELLEN O’HARA” in red and brown font on a burgundy background, with VONA GROARKE written in the bottom corner in red font. On the top right there’s a pink book on a light blue background, titled “THE EDIBLE WOMAN BY MARGARET ATWOOD” in white font. Bottom left there is a book cover titled “THEY’RE GOING TO LOVE YOU” in green font, with BY MEG HOWERY in pink font below. Bottom right is a white book cover on a red background titled “THE COURSE OF LOVE BY ALAIN DE BOTTON” in black and blue cursive.

Books beyond Bobst: Heartbreaking tales of family, an untraditional romance and more

Books beyond Bobst is a book-rec column highlighting what NYU students are reading now, outside of their classes. If you’re in need of a new read, look no further.

“They’re Going to Love You” by Meg Howrey — Alexa Donovan, Deputy Arts Editor The night I began reading “They’re going to Love You” by Meg Howrey, I knew...

A collage of four books: at the upper left is Lauren’s Elkin’s “Flâneuse” placed on a light green background, at the upper right is Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” placed on a dark red background, at the lower left is Mieko Kawasaki’s “Breasts and Eggs” placed on a brown background, on the lower right is Annie Ernaux’s “Exteriors” placed on a dark green background.

Books beyond Bobst: 2 Japanese novels, a book of journal entries and more

Books beyond Bobst is a book-rec column highlighting what NYU students are reading now, outside of their classes. If you’re in need of a new read, look no further.

“Breasts and Eggs” by Mieko Kawakami — Alexa Donovan, Deputy Arts Editor At first, I felt silly reading a book called “Breasts and Eggs” on a crowded subway —...

An illustration of a white book cover with colorful squares and a person putting socks on. “GOOD MATERIAL” and “DOLLY ALDERTON” are written in the colorful squares.

Review: Dolly Alderton’s ‘Good Material’ turns heartbreak into comedy

The bestselling “Everything I Know About Love” author adds clever twists to the romantic comedy by exploring 30-something life, the male psyche and romantic failure.
Lulu Chatterjee, Contributing Writer February 21, 2024

Author Dolly Alderton is no stranger to spinning life’s misfortunes into comedic gold, and her newest novel, “Good Material,” — released at the end of January — is a...

Collage of four books titled: “RED, WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE,” “ONE TRUE LOVES,” “BEACH READ” and “TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS.”

Lovely books to read or gift this Valentine’s Day

Whether you're looking for a fictional valentine or a gift for your date, here’s a list of books that will never fail.
Diana C. Sánchez González, Staff Writer February 13, 2024

Heart-shaped chocolate boxes, red roses, romantic playlists and red-lipped stained kisses are all reminiscent of the beloved Valentine’s Day. February always becomes an inevitable...