Welcome to Smart Girl Lit, a curated exploration of the writers who redefine and elevate nonfiction, capturing the sharp, introspective, and sometimes biting lens through which smart girls see the world. This course centers on writers like Joan Didion, Janet Malcolm, Eve Babitz, Jia Tolentino, and others who challenge convention, critique society, and excavate the nuances of identity, culture, and self. Through essays, memoir, and cultural critiques, these authors create a canon of “smart girl” thought that is as insightful as it is unflinching.

Together, we’ll delve into Joan Didion’s cool, haunting dissection of American values, Janet Malcolm’s investigative brilliance and her relentless pursuit of truth and perspective, and Eve Babitz’s love letter to the glossy yet gritty realities of Los Angeles. We’ll also look at Jia Tolentino’s keen observations on internet culture, modern womanhood, and the structures that shape our lives. Additional readings will introduce writers who share this intellectual spirit and literary incisiveness, inviting us to question how we perceive, interact with, and critique our world.

Designed for those who want to dig deep into nonfiction that pushes boundaries, this course includes reading discussions, analyses, and reflective exercises. Each session offers an opportunity to engage with complex ideas and brilliant writing, leaving you with a more critical and thoughtful lens on culture, self, and society. Join us to discover a world where intellect meets insight, and introspection meets critique—a space where the smart girl canon finds its voice.