Harvard University

For me, reading is anything but an escape into fantasy. I love gritty and miserable books that include murder, mayhem and family dysfunction. While I have at least some interest in all genres of literature, dark books interest me most. For a long time I couldn’t figure out why I like a good shank in the ribs more than a soft caress of the cheek, but I’m developing some theories. It could be that I like gritty books because of the way I was raised. Nothing like growing up on a nice block in a yuppie town to make me yearn for meaner streets. Soon after listening to my parents read us Maurice…