If you’re a writer, editor, teacher, critic — or just a serious reader — you know the conversation around what counts as “great literature” is always evolving. And it should be.

This week on STC, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Emma Sarappo, senior associate editor at The Atlantic, where she helps shape some of the most ambitious literary coverage in contemporary media. You’ve seen her work in Washington City Paper, The Bitter Southerner, Washingtonian, and Pacific Standard. She’s the real deal.

We dug into two of The Atlantic’s biggest recent projects:
– The 50 Best American Novels of the 20th Century
– The 21st Century’s Best American Poetry

Both features triggered predictable online debate, but we went beyond the takes to talk about why list-making matters in the first place — and how it can be both a provocation and an invitation.

What We Talked About

– The editorial philosophy behind curating “Best Of” lists in a fractured cultural moment
– Why canon-building still matters — and how it’s changing
– What novels (and poets) Emma will go to the mat for
– Comics, criticism, and the slow process of literary legitimization
– What poetry can offer in an age of fractured attention
– Why the “young people don’t read” cliché needs to be retired

Favorite Takeaways

One thing Emma said that stuck with me:

“Criticism isn’t about gatekeeping. It’s about stewardship.”

That framing is vital — especially in a time when everyone’s shouting online, and real engagement with literature and culture can feel drowned out. A good critic isn’t there to keep people out, but to help readers find their way in.

We also explored why poetry might be the perfect form for 2025. It’s short, intense, portable. It rewards rereading. It doesn’t require uninterrupted hours — but it does reward close attention.

In other words, it’s exactly what many of us are craving: clarity, connection, and craft in a chaotic, scrolling world.

Why This Episode Matters

There’s a real hunger right now — not just for great books, but for conversations about books that don’t feel rote or performative. Emma brings literary insight without condescension, curiosity without cynicism. I learned a lot — and I think you will too.

? https://murphlaw.substack.com/p/season-4-ep-2-emma-sarappo-on-novels

Thanks, as always, for listening — and for caring about the stories that shape us.