The Common Reader

The Common Reader “The Common Reader” is Washington University in St. Louis's Journal of the Essay. Louis as an international thought leader.

"The Common Reader" is published online to further the intellectual reputation of Washington University in St. Through freshly conceived, smartly written, and rigorously argued articles, reviews, and essays drawn from diverse perspectives "The Common Reader" engages the scientific and artistic ideas, social issues, and current controversies of our time. We publish new content weekly, with a monthl

y newsletter distributed to email subscribers. To receive our newsletter, email us with your first name, last name, and preferred email address at [email protected]

My friend is a little witchy, a little woowoo. She gets “feelings” before something happens.... Does precognition exist?
10/29/2025

My friend is a little witchy, a little woowoo. She gets “feelings” before something happens.... Does precognition exist?

Of course, living alone has few rules—one of its upsides, usually—and nobody said you have to be that quiet.
10/24/2025

Of course, living alone has few rules—one of its upsides, usually—and nobody said you have to be that quiet.

I fall for these every time. Did we really have to commodify spontaneous joy?
10/24/2025

I fall for these every time. Did we really have to commodify spontaneous joy?

I fall for these every time. DId we really have to commodify spontaneous joy?

Anselm Kiefer begged SLAM not to dust, fuss, or try to explain his work. Then he handed them five new canvases created j...
10/22/2025

Anselm Kiefer begged SLAM not to dust, fuss, or try to explain his work. Then he handed them five new canvases created just for this extraordinary exhibition.

Anselm Kiefer begged SLAM not to dust, fuss, or try to explain his work. Then he handed them five new canvases created just for this extraordinary exhibition

Candy’s friends and family appear, one by one, to testify to his overall good nature, sweetness, and easy laughter. Ofte...
10/17/2025

Candy’s friends and family appear, one by one, to testify to his overall good nature, sweetness, and easy laughter. Often, though, something pulls at these claims.

10/16/2025

How could I love those nursing books as a girl, yet recoil as a grown-up?
ommonreader.wustl.edu/i-was-not-cut-out-for-caregiving/

The answer is grief's own riddle.
10/16/2025

The answer is grief's own riddle.

10/16/2025

The answer is grief's own riddle.

Do we want to bring our loved ones back?
10/10/2025

Do we want to bring our loved ones back?

And our choice of words reveals us.
10/09/2025

And our choice of words reveals us.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s films always have dark humor, but I have to think he may have felt a greater need to signal satir...
10/09/2025

Paul Thomas Anderson’s films always have dark humor, but I have to think he may have felt a greater need to signal satire back then, which plays a little unevenly now.

I looked and looked. It was like looking at another part of myself.
10/05/2025

I looked and looked. It was like looking at another part of myself.

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