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Articles by R.F. Kuang
Why reading matters more than ever
Once upon a time, before technology and a constant feeling of ‘being on the go’, there lived many books. Those who consumed books may even be self-described bookworms. Now though, it appears bookworms are an endangered species and literacy rates are drifting downhill. Declining literacy refers to a myriad of issues such as less frequent reading, weaker comprehension and analytical skills, and people struggling to understand a text.
The Most Read Books on Goodreads This Week
The most popular books on Goodreads this week are familiar titles, so this felt like a good time to check in on the most popular books on the StoryGraph. This isn’t a one-to-one comparison: the StoryGraph list tracks the books that have been added to shelves recently, not necessarily read, but it is an indication of the buzziest titles on the platform right now.
R. F. Kuang taps memories and regrets for her new novel 'Taipei Story'
Host Indira Lakshmanan speaks with bestselling author R. F. Kuang about her new book “Taipei Story.” It centers on rising Yale sophomore Lily Chen and her summer at an intensive Chinese-language course in Taiwan. Book excerpt: ‘Taipei Story’ By R.F. Kuang Excerpted from the book “Taipei Story” by R.F. Kuang. Copyright © 2026 by R.F. Kuang. From William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Reprinted by permission. This article was originally published on WBUR.org. Copyright 2026 WBUR
7 New Books We Love This Week
7 New Books We Love This Week Reading recommendations from critics and editors at The New York Times. Sept. 10, 2026, 2:21 p.m. ET Every week, the critics and editors at The New York Times Book Review pick the most interesting and notable new releases, from literary fiction and serious nonfiction to thrillers, romance novels, fantasies, mysteries and everything in between.
R. F. Kuang taps memories and regrets for her new novel 'Taipei Story'
SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.
TAIPEI STORY | Kirkus Reviews
A visceral exploration of language as a bridge and a barrier. Lily Chen’s Chinese has always been an embarrassment—good enough that she can order in restaurants, but not fluent enough for talking to her grandparents in a meaningful way. In a bid to feel more confident, Lily has signed up for a summer of intensive language study in Taiwan, where she’ll finally learn to speak, fit in, and be Chinese enough.
La guerra dei papaveri di R.F. Kuang
Lucia Scargetta Pubblicato il 26-03-2026 La guerra dei papaveri Autore: R.F. Kuang Genere: Fantasy Categoria: Narrativa Straniera Casa editrice: Mondadori Anno di pubblicazione: 2023 Se cercate la solita storia dell’eroina prescelta che salva il mondo con la forza dell’amore, lasciate perdere La guerra dei papaveri (Mondadori, 2023, trad. di Sofi Hakobyan). Il libro di R.F. Kuang è un pugno nello stomaco, e lo è fin dalle prime pagine.
Katabasis Special Edition
Katabasis, noun, Ancient Greek. The story of a hero's descent to the underworld. Grad student Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become the brightest mind in the field of analytic magic. But the only person who can make her dream come true is dead and - inconveniently - in Hell. And Alice, along with her biggest rival Peter Murdoch, is going after him.
Book Salon: Yellowface
For this Book Salon, we will read the novel Yellowface by R. F. Kuang. About the novel (publisher's description): Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena’s a literary darling. June Hayward is literally nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks.
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang - Review
Published: August 26, 2025 Publisher: Harper Voyager Series: N/A Genre: Fantasy, Dark Academia Pages: 541 (Hardcover) My Rating: 3 Stars Synopsis: Two graduate students must set aside their rivalry and journey to Hell to save their professor’s soul, perhaps at the cost of their own. Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become one of the brightest minds in the field of Magick.
This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can read my full disclaimer here. I love creating gift guides, especially for guys, as I’m constantly searching for these types of lists myself. Because I don’t care what anyone says, men are harder to shop for than women.
The Best Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror of 2025
Posted on 24th October 2025 by Mark Skinner From R.F. Kuang to Brandon Sanderson, here is the science fiction, fantasy and horror we've loved this year. Please note: for all those looking for a bit more spice and sizzle in their fantasy, check out our dedicated Best Romantasy of 2025 blog. Crafting vividly imagined worlds full of magic and intrigue, fantasy authors excelled themselves in innovation and accomplishment in 2025.
Explorando el Infierno en Catábasis de R. F. Kuang
Espectacular edición especial en tapa dura con sobrecubierta y los cantos de las hojas decorados, además de guardas ilustradas. ¡LIMITADA HASTA FIN DE EXISTENCIAS! A medio camino entre el Infierno de Dante y Piranesi de Susanna Clarke, esta nueva novela de fantasía dark academia de R. F.
R.F. Kuang's 'Katabasis' follows 2 grad students' descent into hell
R.F. Kuang's fantasy novel " Katabasis " centers around Alice and Peter, two graduate students who study magic at Cambridge University. When their thesis advisor dies, they decide to go to hell to rescue him. Kuang, a PhD student at Yale University, came to Boston recently for a Brookline Booksmith event at the Wilbur Theater.
Our August 2025 bestsellers
Become a Readings Member to make your shopping experience even easier. Sign in or sign up for free! You’re not far away from qualifying for FREE standard shipping within Australia You’ve qualified for FREE standard shipping within Australia Readings Recommends Email address Password Create and share wishlists and easily view your order history.
Katabasis
Prepare for one hell of a journey...'A big, bold fantasy romp' GUARDIAN'R.F. Kuang is making magic' ELLE'[A] truly original and spellbinding hero's-journey story' VOGUE'I devoured it' REDOne of the BBC's 25 best books of 2025 Uitgeverij Van Ditmar Boeken B.V. Imprint HarperCollins Publishers Uitgegeven als Paperback Eerste editie 26-08-2025 Laatste editie 04-06-2026 ISBN 9780008501907 • 9780008840266 Aantal pagina's 576 Taal Engels Hoogste positie Hebban Rank 1349
Book review: Going to hell for a PhD in R.F. Kuang’s dark academia fantasy Katabasis
By R.F. KuangFantasy/Harper Voyager/Paperback/560 pages/$35.92 Academia can be hell, as anyone who has slogged through the desert of a doctorate only to tumble into the fiery pit of the job market will tell you. American author R.F. Kuang takes this literally in her sixth novel, Katabasis, in which two graduate students go to hell to retrieve their thesis adviser’s soul. Kuang, who made her name with the fantasy trilogy The Poppy War (2018 to 2020), is one of publishing’s darlings.
The Waterstones Round Up: August's Best Books
Posted on 29th July 2025 by Mark Skinner Whether it's the compelling new fantasy from R.F. Kuang, the latest adult novel from Jacqueline Wilson or engrossing ancient history by Professor Alice Roberts, discover our pick of August's reading below.
These New Book Releases Should Be On Your 2025 Summer Reading List
There’s something about the warm and lackadaisical months ofsummer that begs to be accompanied by a good book (or several). It’s a good thing that there’s no shortage of new releases to choose from. Target Your next great summer read may very well be hiding among the upcoming list that we specially curated for your perusal. Each of these books promises to be satisfying and easy to settle into, with beckoning plots that vow to keep you there, plus one helpful cookbook that’s surprisingly timely .
KATABASIS | Kirkus Reviews
A tasty, if not always tasteful, tale of supernatural mayhem that fans of King and Crichton alike will enjoy. Are we not men? We are—well, ask Bigfoot, as Brooks does in this delightful yarn, following on his bestseller World War Z(2006). A zombie apocalypse is one thing.
Saïd M'Dahoma shares 4 books about the ups and downs of life
Canada Reads·My Life in Books The Alberta-based pastry chef will champion the novel Dandelion on Canada Reads 2025. The debates will take place from March 17-20. The Calgary pastry chef will champion Dandelion on Canada Reads 2025 CBC Books · Posted: Feb 06, 2025 10:51 AM EST | Last Updated: 17 minutes ago Saïd M'Dahoma is championing Dandelion by Jamie Chai Yun Liew on Canada Reads 2025.
Can’t Wait Wednesday: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to share upcoming book releases that we’re excited about! This meme is based on Waiting on Wednesday, which was created and hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Katabasis is definitely one of my most anticipated 2025 book releases and I’m so excited to see a cover for it! The synopsis reminds me a great deal of the world of Ninth House, though set at Cambridge.
Persönlich ausgesucht: "Katabasis"
Die Mitarbeitenden vom Kulturhaus Bider & Tanner stellen dir regelmässig persönliche Buchtipps vor. Tabea Schediwy empfiehlt R.F. Kuangs «Katabasis» – ein Fantasyroman über eine Reise durch die Hölle und die Belastungsgrenze einer Freundschaft. Persönlich ausgesucht, persönlich empfohlen. Mit den Buchtipps von Bider & Tanner geht dir der Lesestoff nie aus.
THE BURNING GOD by R.F. Kuang ★★★★★
Finishing a whole trilogy in less than five months? Must be a new record for me. The Burning God is a hell of an epic conclusion to R.F. Kuang’s Poppy War saga. All I have to say is: George R.R. Martin, eat your fucking heart out. The Red Wedding? Bah. None of the gruesome acts in A Song of Ice and Fire come close to the mayhem and misery inflicted here. This book is dark, we’re talking Frank Miller Batman dark and then some….
10 Great Fantasy Books With Settings That Aren't Based On Western Europe
A lot of well-known fantasy fiction is inspired by Western Europe, but there are many great books that draw inspiration from elsewhere. Books like The Poppy War , Jade City , and Daughter of the Moon Goddess offer perspectives based on Eastern history and culture. These modern additions to the fantasy genre provide rich, detailed storytelling while incorporating elements of history and mythology into their world-building.
15 Best Standalone Fantasy Books, Ranked
One of the most daunting things about fantasy literature is its scale. Fantasy authors find it difficult to conceive of a story that runs for a single volume — and a novel-length one, at that — as opposed to their usual penchant for churning out multi-entry 1000-page brick tomes. But that doesn’t mean they never attempt to do it.
The NEW Great American Novels
For Fourth of July we decided to draft a list of Great American Novels that set the tone for today’s America. These novels capture the diversity, spirit, and complexity of our nation, reflecting the tapestry that is known as American life. From personal triumph tales to cultural heritage to pursuing the American Dream, these new Great American Novels are must-reads for anyone looking to celebrate Independence Day by reading.
8 Ooey-Gooey Book Desserts Better than Robert-Redford-on-a-Stick
I lost 55-pounds in my early 40s and figured out how to maintain the loss for 18 years now. I call it a “forever-loss.” That said, one of my most favorite hacks is to make a deal with myself earlier in the morning that I’ll eat a tiny dinner at 6 p.m. and then will go to my bedroom early – at 8 p.m. – to read a phenomenal book for an hour or two. I explain to the tiniest detail how the puzzle pieces fit together to create a “forever-loss.” Every book on this list is a delicious marvel of a story.
April Heritage Month Reads
By Ione Damasco April is a month of celebrations at the University of Dayton, where rich, diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences from specific members of our community are honored through various programs, events and displays. April is nationally recognized as Arab American Heritage Month, and at UD, we also celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Authors share their favorite reads of 2023 and most anticipated books of 2024 (Pt. 1 of 2)
As I was putting together my Top 10 Reads of 2023, I wondered what the writers of those books enjoyed reading last year. And I thought the readers of this blog would probably be interested to learn that too. So I contacted a few dozen writers and asked them if they would share up to five favorite books from 2023 and five books they’re looking forward to reading this year (preferably those being published this year).
15 Outstanding Reads from the 2023 Goodreads Awards: Books You Shouldn’t Miss
Alright, fellow bookworms, it's time to buckle up for an epic literary ride. 2023 went out like a literary bang, leaving us with an exhilarating list of award-winning books from the renowned Goodreads Choice Awards. Some familiar faces rocked our socks off (we see you, Stephen King), while hot debut novels left us obsessively flipping pages. As we gear up for 2024, brace yourselves for 15 of these victorious gems that are begging to be added to your bookshelf.
The Hardcover 2023 Year in Books
Let's start by thanking all the members of the community for reading so much! 𧥠This is a tribute to every story told and read over the last year. We believe that reading makes each of us better - and in turn we can make the world better. Hardcover is a social network for readers to find and share their favorite books with their friends and the world. We've been inspired by Letterboxd Year in Movies for years and are excited to bring that same celebration to books.
全球中学生阅读能力下降，别错过这份“大众点评”寒假书单！
据今年最新的一项全球教育调查 - 国际学生评估计划（PISA）显示，许多国家学生的学业进步出现了“前所未有的”下降。这项调查不仅包括数学、科学学术能力的考察，还有阅读能力。 一些专家表示，这样的结果并不完全由疫情导致，不同国家出现的系统性教育问题，可能也是原因之一。 像国内小初阶段，虽然目前有许多学校会定期组织学生阅读，但在一定程度上，高内卷高竞争的大环境还是无可避免给学生带来了繁多复杂的课业任务，从而缩减了阅读时间。 学生无法系统培养阅读兴趣，提高自主阅读的能力，也无法锻炼阅读技巧。 在这种情况下升读国际学校，学习国际课程，附加语言环境改变带来的阻力，同学们与英美本土学生的阅读能力相差可能会越来越大。 许多同学及家长能及时意识到阅读在国际课程学习中的重要性，但问题在于，不知道如何系统性进行改变。定制阅读计划时一头雾水，选择阅读的书目也是跟着心情走… 眼下寒假即将来临，那些准备升读国际学校的预备选手以及一些IGCSE/AS新生，可以读哪些书或资料？ 文章为大家总结了两个阅读方向，想提高阅读能力的同学，千万不要错过！ 01...
The Trouble With Race Satires Like 'American Fiction'
The trouble with satires about white people is that you’re always left with the question of what next. Mocking racism is all great fun at first, and I felt a cringing pleasure watching Cord Jefferson’s American Fiction depict encounters that every non-white writer has experienced. It’s all true. I’ve been in meetings listening to how we might promote my work during AAPI heritage month.
Our Favorite Reads This Year
LOSING YOURSELF IN A GOOD BOOK can be almost as restorative as a relaxing vacation—with no packing required! Books can whisk you away, far from mundane daily responsibilities as well as heavier concerns, something we can all use. Whether you’re looking for an escape for yourself, or you want to gift one to someone you care about, the Newsweek staff has compiled the perfect list to choose from.
Announcing the Longlist for the 2024 Aspen Words Literary Prize
The Aspen Words Literary Prize is a $35,000 annual award for a work of fiction that illuminates a vital contemporary issue. The 14 titles included in the 2024 longlist include four story collections and 10 novels with four debut voices. “It’s always an honor to announce the Aspen Words Literary Prize longlist.
Top 10 best books of the year list released in Canada
Canada | Brampton | Caledon | Halton | Hamilton | Mississauga | Literature | Published November 6, 2023 at 3:09 pm Indigo’s 2023 list of the 10 best books of the year has been released. As we head into winter, it’s nice to curl up in a cozy corner with a good book. And, of course, books make great Christmas gifts. Each year Indigo book store releases its list of best books.
An Interview with Rebecca Renner
LibraryThing is pleased to sit down this month with author and journalist Rebecca Renner, a National Geographic contributor whose work has also appeared in such publications as The New York Times, Outside Magazine, Tin House, The Paris Review, The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and others.
'I absolutely inhaled this book.' The Mamamia team's summer reading essentials.
"This is the debut novel from journalist and writer Nadine J. Cohen, and somehow manages to be delightful, hilarious, and heart-wrenching all at once. The short story is that when we meet the protagonist, Yael Silver, she has just experienced a mental health crisis and the book follows her journey towards recovery.
Riot Roundup: The Best Books We Read: July-September 2023
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Goodbye summer, hello fall, and welcome to the Riot Roundup! Every quarter, we ask our staff and contributors to share the best books that they’ve read in the last few months, and that is why we’re gathered here today. These don’t have to be new books: whether it’s frontlist, backlist, or an upcoming release, we just want to know what books our people want to shout about.
The island of dream beaches and waterfalls that's reclaiming its cultural identity
This Caribbean island is at a crossroads and efforts to reclaim its cultural identity have never been more poignant , and I love that. I don’t believe in boundaries,” my guide, Francisco Battistini, explains as I climb back in the van. “But I also think we need to realise the special things we have that make us different.
Cultural racism found to worsen health inequities between racial groups
Racism expressed through cultural norms can perpetuate negative health outcomes for non-white groups, according to a study by UC Berkeley School of Public Health. and risk-taking, that can create another layer of secondary health problems. These findings corroborate prior research that shows discrimination worsens health inequities between white and non-white groups by using a non-systematic literature review of empirical evidence.
I've had PTSD my whole adult life - here's how I cope
Author Anna Britton shares how she calms her mind when PTSD takes over Share this: I thought my home had been invaded and I felt deeply unsafe. Diagnosis and counselling helped me to see that the fear I often felt was triggered by things that had happened in my past, rather than a genuine response to what was happening in the present. Anna's puppy helped her identify PTSD These flare-ups are tiring, especially as they often coincide with bouts of sleeplessness and nightmares.
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