Thursday 12th February 2026

Books

The mysterious posters in Oxford, and the novel behind them

I had assumed it was just another poster, lost in the usual blur of student plays, society termcards, and talks promising free pizza. But this one was oddly specific.
Books Charlotte Stuart -

Rory Stewart’s ‘Middleland: Dispatches from the Borders’ in review

Middleland (2025) is not his masterpiece, but it is as much worth reading as any of his work – erudite, perceptive, and beautifully written.  
Books Hassan Akram -

Lost and found: The art of translation

Translation should be more than mechanic substitution. It demands that the translator acts as a conduit, conveying the intricacies of emotion, style, and intention, while negotiating the hurdles of linguistic complexity.
Books Beatrix Arnold -

How does an Oxford student read for fun?

No matter which book is in front of me, I’m almost always reading in twenty-second bursts, and I’m constantly thinking about what else I could be looking at if I only picked up my phone.
Books Ben O'Brien -
Latest

How to judge a book by its cover

Let’s be real. You’re in Blackwells looking for a book to read if you’re cool, and buying a mug with a world map on...

MARCO SOLO: Manuscripts and Archives at Oxford University

Although unnoticed by many students and tutors alike, a revolutionary new service by the name of MARCO was unveiled last week, taking the archivist...

Decline and fall: How They Broke Britain by James O’Brien – review

"Today, in the wake of Brexit, Britain is once again broken – so argues commentator James O’Brien in his new book, How They Broke Britain."

What can books say that we can’t?

As people, we love to talk - to other people, to ourselves, to the mirror (don’t lie, everyone does it!) We all have opinions...

“A Gripping Memoir”: ‘Stay True’ by Hua Hsu Review

Recently I picked up a book that had been on my to-read list for a while. Stay True by Hua Hsu came out last...

Book Recommendations from the Editors’ Desk

Read our book section editors' Michaelmas book recommendations: Rufus Jones on Daniel Keyes' Flowers for Algernon, Ananya Parakh on Henry Miller's Tropic of Cancer,...

Harry Potter as Therapy

'I am 25 years old, and I have reread the Harry Potter books 10 times, but in this review I want to introduce you to something truly special'

Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying: Tracing the Atmospheres of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic

'When the pandemic hit Ontario, William Faulkner was a cadet in the Canadian Royal Air Force. Writing home to his parents, he would bemoan the lengthiness of his base’s lockdown, and the protracted sense of time it engendered.'

Embracing the Echoes: The Significance and Allure of Literary Retellings

'The concept of reimagining an existing story is relatively new in the context of storytelling, emerging more prominently in recent years.'

For the Love of Libraries: The Taylorian

'Although its exterior may not be as striking as the RadCam, the Taylorian's interior is breathtaking and sure to leave a lasting impression on any visitor.'

She’s Glad Her Mom Died. And I understand why.

'In a sea of celebrity memoirs, I'm Glad My Mom Died stands out as one of the most poignant releases of 2022.'

Rabelais’s Gargantua: Formulating Free Will in the Twenty-First Century

"It can feel, at times, that various sources are all fighting to influence you. Not Rabelais."

Give a Book, Give a Smile!

"If it were up to me, I would make every day International Book Giving Day."

Dahl in the Dock; or, the publishing industry and its consequences 

"Modern editors aim to unanchor texts from their historical moorage."

Frankenstein and Me

"The important ethical issues and imaginative storytelling are more than enough to stimulate your mind in the middle of a dreary academic workload."

The Death and Resurrection of Z-Library

"Z-Library opened up doors for people who were barred by too many locked doors."

Of Libraries, With Love

"Here we are in a city of libraries, and it is never enough."

My Favourite Childhood Book: Anne of Green Gables

"Anne is such an iconic figure in children’s literature that I’m sure many relate to my enjoyment of her character"

On Russian History

"The concern with history as a way of understanding the past purveys much of this book."

Have A Hot Girl Hilary!

Deborah Ogunnoiki reviews Oloni's sex guide The Big O on how to have a healthy sex life, just in time for 'Hot Girl Hilary'.
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