Fiction

Books

Sketch illustration of a hand writing in pencil on lined paper, with another hand guiding it from above — Illustration by The Atlantic

Critics Love It. But Who Wrote It?

A best-selling novel about disability was written via letter board. Or so the story goes.

1:15 PM ET

an illustration of a person covered with medical tests — Illustration by Emma Cheng, MD

The Paradox of Modern Medicine

Testing has become so advanced that doctors now miss important elements of diagnosis.

Meghan O’Rourke

7:30 AM ET

Grid collage of Lena Dunham image — Illustration by Lucy Naland. Source: Theo Wargo / Getty.

What Does Lena Dunham Want to Tell Us?

Her new memoir captures the cost of being an impossibly popular target.

April 14, 2026

Red-and-black illustration of medieval-style woodcut with red figures of the seven deadly sins surrounding a gothic-arched frame surrounding a winged devil wearing modern clothes, walking and staring at a smartphone. — Illustration by Laurie Avon

The Eighth Deadly Sin

Humankind has devised a new form of debasement.

April 14, 2026

What To Read

Two people holding books to their ears like phones — David Avazzadeh / Connected Archives

Six Books That Simply Must Be Talked About

These six books demand discussion—with a pal, a date, or a book club.

March 10, 2026

A photo of a book with animals coming out of the bucolic field pictured on its cover. — Illustration by Paul Spella / The Atlantic. Source: Getty.

Nine Books to Reset Your View of the World

Each of these titles will widen your perspective, offering you original insight and vision.

Deb Olin Unferth

February 25, 2026

A colored-pencil illustration of people reading on the train — Illustration by Pat Thomas

Seven Books to Read When You Have No Time to Read

These titles are worth picking up, even if you have only a moment to spare.

February 3, 2026

A video illustration of a book set against moving clouds — Illustration by Li Anne Liew for The Atlantic

Six Books You Can Get Lost In

These novels highlight the power—both good and bad—of unchecked fantasizing.

January 6, 2026

Latest

a broken stained glass window hanging on a theater stage — Illustration by Chloe Cushman for The Atlantic

The General Intendant’s Daughter

A short story

Adam Ehrlich Sachs

May 19, 2024

Two people stand in a forest setting, staring at a dark figure. A drafting compass draws circles around them, revealing the landscape. — Illustration by Franco Zacha for The Atlantic

The Vale of Cashmere

A short story

Benjamin Nugent

April 17, 2024

A dining table set with a yellow and white tablecloth, as well as plates and wine glasses — Martin Parr / Magnum

Lunch at the Polo Club

A short story

March 25, 2024

illustration of painted wooden doorframe with four figures fleeing into the distance — Michelle Garcia

Saint Dismas

A short story

March 9, 2024

The back of a person's ankles as they walk away from the camera, wearing black heels with white stripes. — Millennium Images / Gallery Stock

Anita’s Secrets

A short story

Xochitl Gonzalez

February 13, 2024

photo-illustration with archival photos of a woman's eyes and a New Orleans street scene — Photo-illustration by Oliver Munday. Sources: GHI Vintage / Universal History Archive / Universal Images Group / Getty; Bettmann / Getty.

She Who Remembers

A short story

October 16, 2023

a blue diary in the sun with duct tape around the cover — Molly Matalon for The Atlantic

The Atlantic Presents: SHORTER STORIES

Six stories from a thrilling array of voices

August 28, 2023

illustration of person standing alone and casting long shadow on pastel-pink baseball field in huge empty stadium — Illustration by Lili Wood

The Comebacker

A short story

August 12, 2023

A black-and-white image of a woman's shadow over a desk. The desk has a phone and sunglasses on it. — Sarah Van Rij and David van der Leeuw for The Atlantic

The Posting

A short story

June 27, 2023

A red half-circle against a black background, with a set of two lines extending from it

Late-Night-Radio Talk-Show Host Tells All

A short story

May 29, 2023