“These books ask questions about what it means to belong to somewhere, whether you are welcomed or not, what it means to stay or leave, or to exist in-between.”

Books by writers who have walked, and walkers who have written.

"Tell Me Yours, I'll Tell You Mine" summons ominous possibilities of fantasy, horror, and science fiction, infusing adolescence—and adulthood—with even more danger. @mcsweeneys.net Stephen Dixon Award winner Kristina Ten discusses these possibilities in our latest interview.

Three cheers for @wendyjfox.bsky.social & @electricliterature.com for championing small press books! Adding GREAT DISASTERS by @grady-chambers.bsky.social ( @tinhouse.bsky.social ) to my to-read list of books set in Chicago at the turn of the 21st century.

We had like 50 people at last night's reading series event at Rough Draft, which we only started in March and have done zero advertising for beyond IG posts... so yeah, it seems like the vibes are good for the future of reading? Maybe?

“I pray to the god who only taught me one dance to please not let me scar, even though I was raised Catholic and know I deserve far worse.”

They say animals are man’s best friend. Let’s put that to the test!

“Can we ever really know ourselves?... I’ve been trying really hard for a long time to know myself, and I am me, so if I’m still a mystery to me, how could I possibly know another person better than that?”

“People show up solo, hoping to meet someone, and the readings are the icebreakers.”

Seven poetry books written from personal experience with movement and activism spaces.

Three poems about questioning the narrative and speaking truth to power, by Jen Siraganian.

Texas State University is the place to be to give yourself the gift of time and attention to pursue your writing under the guidance of dedicated, award-winning faculty. Apply by November 1 for Spring 2026 admission and February 15 for Fall 2026 admission. buff.ly/h4lN98z

Joshua Wheeler's novel "The High Heaven" is in bookstores today! Read this excerpt from the novel, about a 1960s rancher and young child who escapes from a cult, in our Recommended Reading

"A name is powerful. It can place you and also undo who you think you are."

Waiting for my date’s shoes to put him on and carry him out the door.

Hamid Ismailov’s "We Computers: A Ghazal Novel," translated by Shelley Fairweather-Vega, is a finalist for this year's National Book Awards! Ready to dive in to see what all the buzz is about? Read an excerpt from the powerhouse novel in our Recommended Reading, now!

Need more small presses in your literary diet? Oh do we have the list for you!

Electric Literature contributor Ethan Rutherford is a finalist for this year's National Book Awards! Read some of his brilliant writing in Recommended Reading as we try to contain our excitement! buff.ly/60U7VGN

Rose Dommu on being trans at straight weddings, the possibilities of transition, and the necessity of intimacy and community for queer people. buff.ly/YMoTneH

“Why are we living in a world where this is even allowed?”

“For readers who want to understand the human factor behind the news headlines about immigration, there are no better storytellers than immigrants (regardless of status) themselves.” (@cindyfazzi.bsky.social)

These books center disabled people’s stories and experiences, advocating for the creation of a more caring world.

A story by Robyn Ryle about a lonely health department worker determined to run a new hot dog vendor out of town, recommended by Kiese Laymon.

With Augsburg’s two-year low residency Master of Fine Arts, elevate your creative writing through a program catered to your fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, or playwriting goals. Learn more: augsburg.edu/mfa

There is something addictive about people who put their lives on display.

“As long as we live under capitalism, making art should be considered labor and as such be fairly compensated.”

"'Is it my week?' my Sensible Fall Jacket will ask. 'Has it finally come?' 'It has, old friend,' I’ll say. 'What would you like to do with your one wild and precious week of Actual Fall?'" (via @mcsweeneys.net)

“Then it hit me: Kendrick’s cutting the volume on a verse was not some ill-conceived decision. It was a bold artistic declaration.”

Souvankham Thammavongsa and Apoorva Bradshaw-Mittal discuss her forthcoming novel “Pick a Color,” the art of absence, making what is real fiction, and keeping the reader wanting for more.

"Once I’m in that hay-strewn trailer, anything goes. WHOOOOOO! FUCK SUMMER!" (via @mcsweeneys.net)

Always, always respect the dead.

“To read several Toews books back-to-back, I found, is to feel almost like a member of her family.”

“Start an affair with a brilliant person, I thought, and this would light a fuse. The situation could explode in either of two directions.”

“Everyone needs an excuse to gather, a structured place to connect to both new and familiar faces offline."

Books that powerfully illuminate the lingering political and personal damage of national ruptures.

Real

There must be a reasonable explanation for the UFO chasing them.

“Almost immediately the grief breaks down those rules, and you see the systems starting to crumble.”

How acceptable is it to write about the deaths of people you know? buff.ly/UMsvIfU

Carlos Bulosan's 1946 book on immigration is remarkably relevant today. electricliterature.com/7-powerful-n... Thanks @electricliterature.com! #booksky #listicles #readingcommunity #writingcommunity #readerscommunity

“Year after year, I watch as tuition goes up and our pay stays the same. I go out of my way for students, and the university goes out of their way to pay me less and less.”

“To read several Toews books back-to-back, I found, is to feel almost like a member of her family.”

“Everyone needs an excuse to gather, a structured place to connect to both new and familiar faces offline."

Anyone else need new hats or totes for the fall weather coming? Check out our store now to see all of our new merch! buff.ly/R5OB1ZB

The story of a poet determined to turn all of his utterly personal, confessional, sorrowful work into cold, hard AI code.

Plestia Alaqad discusses the difficulties of reporting on the Gaza genocide while also trying to survive it.

Two prose poems about the absurdity of academia. buff.ly/gXIMqt4

“For as far back as I can remember, the soundtrack to my life has always been Baba’s television.”

“God gave mortal man a mind to fathom and long for eternity, a concept at odds with our very nature—­what cruelty.”

Lemon girls, rise!