We asked writers and editors to choose some of their favorite stories of the year in various categories. Here is the best in arts and culture.
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Obsession and Release: 10 Years to Write a Longread
A Longreads Podcast interview with journalists James K. Williamson and Tim Requarth on writing about family.
Should We Create New Life As Our Planet Struggles to Support Life In General?
Knowing what we now know about global warming, is procreation irresponsible?
The Ugly History of Beautiful Things: Lockets
Lockets simultaneously display and hide. But does squirreling our love and grief away in a piece of jewelry keep the memories and emotions present for us, or minimize them?
Editor’s Roundtable: Just Put Some Eyes On There (Podcast)
Longreads editors discuss stories in Grub Street, The New Yorker, Gay Magazine, and The Verge.
On Watching Boys Play Music
“With a drink in my hand and earplugs responsibly in place, I’m very aware that I’ve spent more than half my life essentially standing in the same spot: off to one side of the stage (close but not too close), eyes forward, shifting weight from foot to foot.”
On Solitude (and Isolation and Loneliness [and Brackets])
Sarah Fay reflects on four years spent in solitude (and isolation [and loneliness]), viewing it through the lens of punctuation.
Albatross People
Navigating distance and time in the age of uncertainty.
The Top 5 Longreads of the Week
This week, we’re sharing stories from Sandra Sidi, Lena Solow, Aubrey Hirsch, Noelle Mateer, and Amanda Hess.
Leaning In with Alex P. Keaton
Born with serious CEO aspirations, Nicole Cyrus found her role model in a white kid from an ’80s sitcom.

