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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

A collage of four book illustrations.

Books beyond Bobst: A play about an artist, a novel spanning 300 years 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.

“Red” by John Logan “When I was your age, art was a lonely thing: no galleries, no collecting, no critics, no money. We didn't have mentors. We didn't have parents. We...

An illustration of four women’s faces, each in front of a blue square. The words “COCO MELLORS” are above the faces and “BLUE SISTERS” are below the faces.

Review: ‘Blue Sisters’ by Coco Mellors perfectly underscores the meaning of sisterhood

The novel, written by an NYU alum, exceeded expectations following the author's debut bestseller, "Cleopatra and Frankenstein."
Alexa Donovan, Arts Editor September 24, 2024

I have been eagerly waiting to read “Blue Sisters” by Coco Mellors since early May, when I asked a bookseller at McNally Jackson Books if a copy could be held for me. The book...

A collage of four book illustrations.

Books beyond Bobst: A novel longlisted for the National Book Award, a book by a trailblazing activist 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.
Alexa Donovan, Mehr Kotval, Hannah Marr and Tina Nejand September 23, 2024

“Martyr!” by Kaveh Akbar “Martyr!” by Kaveh Akbar tells the story of Cyrus Shams, a first-generation Iranian immigrant struggling with sobriety and grief while living...

NYU Reads author Hua Hsu on ‘polarization’ at college campuses

NYU Reads author Hua Hsu on ‘polarization’ at college campuses

Hsu told hundreds that President Linda Mills’ first email of the semester, which quotes his memoir, was not an “accurate reflection” of his words at a Monday discussion.
Krish Dev, Director of Creative & Digital Strategy September 18, 2024

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hua Hsu, who wrote this year’s NYU Reads selection, told hundreds of students and faculty that “certain aspects” of a universitywide email from...

A collage of four illustrated book covers on solid-colored backgrounds.

Books beyond Bobst: An art history novel, an athletic autobiography 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.

“Peggy” by Rebecca Godfrey with Leslie Jamison Before reading "Peggy," I imagined the glamorous art collector Peggy Guggenheim in a luxurious caftan, sitting at her waterfront...

An aisle of bookshelves filled with multicolored books.

5 books that will help your transition from the beach to the classroom

On the off chance you have time to read a book for pleasure this semester, here are some suggestions to get you excited for the upcoming academic year.
Alexa Donovan, Siobhán Minerva and Eleanor Jacobs September 6, 2024

With rested minds and lingering tan lines, the summer ends and the school year begins once again. New classes mean new professors, a new workload and new expectations. If you get...

An illustration of a blue book cover on a yellow background. The title of the book, “FUNNY STORY” and author name, “EMILY HENRY #1 NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING AUTHOR OF HAPPY PLACE” are written in white. A girl and boy sit next to each other on bar stools while clinking their drinks together. On the table behind them is a bouquet of flowers and a pitcher.

Review: ‘Funny Story’ weaves vulnerability and longing into the hilarious trappings of a rom-com

New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry demonstrates why she’s the queen of rom-coms in her latest novel.
Ana Sofia Erath, Contributing Writer May 2, 2024

Growing up with a single mother whose job constantly relocated meant never settling in. Even at 33, Daphne Vincent always has one foot out the door — she has no attachments to...

A collage of the four books.

Books beyond Bobst: A summertime romance novel, an analysis of the art world 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.

“Playing to the Gallery: Helping Contemporary Art in Its Struggle to Be Understood” by Grayson Perry — Alexa Donovan, Deputy Arts Editor My copy of “Playing to...

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...