Literary Houston

Inside the Mind of The New Yorker’s Most Houston Writer

Before he became the voice of Manhattan irony in The New Yorker, he was shaped by a city that few literary critics have given enough credit.

04/09/2026 By Travis Alexander

Suburbia

When The Woodlands Inspired a Grammy-Winning Arcade Fire Album

The Suburbs captures coming of age on the outskirts—megachurches, conformity, etc.

01/12/2026 By Meredith Nudo

Gripes

What It’s Actually like to Use Public Transit in Houston

Although Houston is growing, its public transit system hasn’t become any more efficient.

06/12/2024 By Uvie Bikomo

Essay

How Insecure Helped Me Open Up About My Mental Health

"Nathan’s struggle with mental health mirrored and affirmed my own experience as a Black, Southern transplant who left home to achieve my dreams."

01/28/2022 By Eric Ford

ESSAY

Seeing Myself in Dear White People's Lionel Higgins

'I watched Lionel, popularized by Houston-born DeRon Horton, grow from season to season as he blossomed from finding identity, purpose, and love.'

12/23/2021 By Eric Ford

Food Essay

How Eating Pozole Helps Me Hold Onto My Roots

A personal dish that's best enjoyed during the holidays.

11/22/2021 By Reyes Ramirez

Genius, Genius!

Four Must-Reads from Cristina Rivera Garza, Houston’s Newest MacArthur Genius

The renowned novelist, poet, and educator was recently named one of this year’s Fellowship recipients. After reading these pieces, you’ll see exactly why.

10/12/2020 By Kaitlyn Miller

Ice House

We May Have Lost the World Series, But We’ve Got a Lot to Celebrate

When there’s so much reason for hope, why wallow in the agony of defeat?

12/01/2019 By Jeff Balke

H-Town Diary

Becoming a Houstonian, Mile by Mile

"I’ve associated Houston itself with driving for as long as I can remember, and hard, crazy driving at that, full of traffic and complicated roadways that could throw off even the most seasoned drivers."

10/28/2019 By Schaefer Edwards