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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

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...

A collage of four books. The top left is “Happy Hour” by Marlowe Granados. The top right is “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin. The bottom left is “Okay, Cupid” by Mason Deaver. The bottom right is “Prep” by Curtis Sittenfeld.

Books beyond Bobst: A summer-set novel, an unconventional love story 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.

“Happy Hour” by Marlowe Granados — Alexa Donovan, Deputy Arts Editor New York in the summer has a particular feeling to it. The feeling may just be one of thick,...

A collage of book illustrations featuring: An illustration of a book cover titled “Ben and Beatriz,” by Katalina Gamarra, with two silhouettes over a colorful background of abstract shapes; An illustration of an orange book titled “The Bodyguard,” by Katherine Center. Two people stand in a garden with their backs toward each other; An illustration of a brown book titled “home body” by “Rupi Kaur,” with green leaf patterns surrounding the texts, placed on a dark green background; An illustration of the cover of “The Song of Achilles,” by Madeline Miller, with an ancient Greek gold helmet in the center with a dark turquoise background; An illustration of a book titled “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman, with a red border and a dog-like animal looking back in the middle.

5 books to curl up with this winter

These cozy recommendations will help you get through the city’s gray skies and freezing temperatures.
Tess McLafferty, Contributing Writer February 7, 2024

Nothing beats winter blues like a good old blanket, a cup of tea and curling up on the couch with the perfect book. Especially considering how the weather’s been lately, going...

A collage of four books: on the top left is a book titled “Daughter: A Novel” written by Claudia Dey, with an abstract pink, red, orange and yellow shape with white sparks on its black cover; on the top right is a book titled “My Husband” by Maud Ventura, with a face with blue eyes, blonde hair and red lipstick on its cover; on the lower left is a book titled “Know My Name: A Memoir” by Chanel Miller, with a dark turquoise cover with three yellow lines across corners; on the lower right is a book titled “Cleopatra and Frankenstein” by Coco Mellors with a close-up of a woman’s face on its cover.

Books beyond Bobst: A story about a father and daughter, a book narrated by an obsessive wife, and more

Books beyond Bobst is a monthly 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, Julia Diorio, Emily Genova and Alisha Goel January 29, 2024

“Daughter” by Claudia Dey  — Alexa Donovan, Deputy Arts Editor  I am absolutely certain about only a few things in life, but one thing I am sure of is this: when...

Four book covers in four quadrants colored purple, sky blue, and black. In the top left the cover reads “THIRST FOR SALT” and “MADELINE LUCAS”. The bottom left cover reads “JUST KIDS” and “PATTI SMITH”. The top right reads “GEORGE R. R. MARTIN” and “FEVRE DREAM”. The bottom left reads “EMILY HENRY” and “BOOK LOVERS”.

Books beyond Bobst: A vampire novel, a literary-themed rom-com and more

Books beyond Bobst is a monthly 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.

“Thirst for Salt” by Madelaine Lucas — Alexa Donovan, Deputy Arts Editor “It’s in the water where she first sees him,” reads the blurb of “Thirst for Salt”...

A pink book cover with a black and white illustration of a person turning to smoke on a blue background. The cover reads “SLOW DAYS, FAST COMPANY THE WORLD, THE FLESH, AND L.A.” above “EVE BABITZ” and “INTRODUCTION BY MATTHEW SPECKTOR.” An illustration of a book cover which reads “ELIZA CLARK PENANCE” featuring three people sitting on a dock with one of them scribbled over. The cover is on top of a light pink background. An illustration of a yellow book cover featuring a face covered with white and blue flowers with the text “IF I HAD YOUR FACE” and “FRANCHES CHA”. The cover is placed over a green background. An illustration of a book cover which reads “THE SECRET HISTORY” and “DONNA TARTT” over an illustration of a male sculpture’s face. The cover is placed over a brown background.

Books beyond Bobst: A fictionalized memoir, a true crime-inspired novel and more

Books beyond Bobst is a monthly 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.

“Penance” by Eliza Clark — Emily Genova, Copy Chief “Penance” is a dream read for those who love true crime podcasts. The novel centers around the night that...

A man in a blue sweatshirt and a baseball cap with a bee on it is reading a newspaper. Behind him are shelves with magazines and a stand surrounded by candy with a register on it.

Print is not dead: 5 local magazine shops to support

Explore the wide variety of magazine literature beyond the grocery store checkout line selections with these Manhattan small businesses.
Karina Rower, Contributing Writer November 20, 2023

Whether you opt for the newest edition of Vogue, or are seeking interior design inspiration from Architectural Digest, magazines can provide a niche and concise source of information,...

A collage of four illustrations of books titled "Acts of Service," "Couplets," "everything I know about parties, dates, friends, jobs, life, love," and "Stay True."

Books beyond Bobst: A novel in verse, a Pulitzer-winning memoir and more

Books beyond Bobst is a monthly 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.

“Stay True: A Memoir” by Hua Hsu  — Krish Dev, Deputy News Editor In his personal essay for The New Yorker, “My Dad and Kurt Cobain,” Hua Hsu discusses his experience...

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.

Recent literary releases for when you’re tired of fall festivities

Lost in the stacks? Here are five newly released books to curl up with this fall.
Teddie Chappell, Contributing Writer October 27, 2023

Now that cozy season is in full swing, curling up at the crib with a good book is officially cool again. Here are five new book releases to help you know where to start.  “Rouge”...

A large crowd of people stand and walk around by blue, white and red tents. Behind the tent area is a white building with two banners that read “Brooklyn Book Festival.”

The Brooklyn Book Festival: A must-visit for literary lovers

New York’s largest free literary festival is back and better than ever, running through Oct. 2 with fun events and a massive marketplace for replenishing your book collection.
Tess McLafferty, Contributing Writer September 29, 2023

The Brooklyn Book Festival is every literary lover's dream. The nine-day event includes intimate talks with authors, stacks of books from hundreds of sellers, and several virtual...

An illustration of a person standing behind a podium and reading a book to two other people.

NYU’s creative writing department kicks off its fall 2023 reading series

A premiere night of passion-filled poetry by Dean Rader and Nicole Sealey took place at the NYU Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House on Sept. 14.
Olivia Olson, Contributing Writer September 26, 2023

NYU’s Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House, a vessel for artistry and imagination tucked into the West Village, houses the creative writing program’s fall 2023 reading series....