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The Book Review

The New York Times
Literature
Grief
Good Material
Stephen King
Breakups
2025
Writing Process
Art
Demon Copperhead
Pride and Prejudice
Marriage
Mark Twain
Football
Pachinko
Scary Books
Cold War
Mrs. Dalloway
A Marriage At Sea
Nuclear War
Edmund Fitzgerald

The world's top authors and critics join host Gilbert Cruz and editors at The New York Times Book Review to talk about the week's top books, what we're reading and what's going on in the literary world. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. ... more

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Artwork for The Book Review

Latest Episodes

In April 1989, a newspaper clipping about an art exhibit landed in the mailbox of the Rev. Donald Wildmon, the founder of a conservative evangelical group, the American Family Association.

Partly funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the ex... more

In 2024, The New York Times Book Review gathered more than 500 novelists, nonfiction writers, poets and literary enthusiasts to help pick the best books of the 21st century so far. One of those books was Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel... more

YouTube

June is here and the long summer days are stretching out ahead, which means it’s time to settle in front of the air-conditioner with a pile of books. (Just us?) But which ones should you read this summer? The “Book Review” podcast’s Gilbert Cruz talk... more

Ben Lerner’s slender new novel, “Transcription,” is just 130 pages long, yet it cracks open some of our most colossal and enduring philosophical questions.

The novel is told in three parts. We open with an unnamed narrator going to interview his me... more

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Recent Guests

Michael Pollan
Author of A World Appears, interview guest
Penguin Random House (publisher)
Episode: The Ezra Klein Show: Michael Pollan’s Journey to the Borderlands of Consciousness
Matt Haig
Author of The Midnight Library and The Midnight Train
Author
Episode: Matt Haig on ‘The Midnight Library,’ Mental Illness and Winnie-the-Pooh
Patricia Cornwell
Bestselling crime novelist and memoirist
Author, Kay Scarpetta series
Episode: Patricia Cornwell on Her Dark Childhood and Best-Selling Novels
John Caramanica
Critic and member of The New York Times 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters Project
The New York Times
Episode: ‘The Book Review’ Podcast Turns 20
Sam Tannenhaus
Editor of The New York Times Book Review
The New York Times Book Review
Episode: ‘The Book Review’ Podcast Turns 20
Patrick Radden Keefe
Author and journalist known for Say Nothing and London Falling
The New Yorker
Episode: Patrick Radden Keefe on the Mystery at the Center of ‘London Falling’
Ada Limón
Poet laureate, author of Against Breaking on the Power of Poetry
Library of Congress (poet laureate), The Library of Congress and poetry community
Episode: 23 Books We Are Looking Forward to This Spring
Andy Weir
Author of The Martian and Project Hail Mary
Author
Episode: Andy Weir on Writing the Hit Book Behind the Movie ‘Project Hail Mary’
Louise Erdrich
Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award–winning author
Author, Python's Kiss; The Night Watchman
Episode: Louise Erdrich on Her New Story Collection and the Mystery of Writing

Host

Gilbert Cruz
Host of The Book Review; editor at The New York Times Book Review

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 5.5k ratings
  • Don’t invite cohosts that don’t like book clubs

    Alexandra was offensive. I chose not to listed to the full episode on the book, Transcription which was disappointing for me. Do better. Most of the cohosts are wonderful and insightful.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Wordgames
    United States18 days ago
  • Please. Replace. Cruz.

    Fascinating guests, thoroughly disappointing host.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Antonio Raguzzi
    United Statesa month ago
  • New format a nothing burger

    Been listening for many years. Enjoyed listening to Sam Tanenhaus’ and Pamela Paul’s thoughtful approaches. The new format is a cop out, doing the minimum and simply leaves me waiting for the missing segments. Very disappointing. April 18: In a recent podcast for example, Cruz discussed Judy Blume’s book “Are You there God? it’s me, Margaret.” Cruz hadn’t bothered to read the book. I don’t understand his inertia. Sad end coming, I’m afraid, to this once terrific podcast. Stopped listening gone t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Cycledoc22
    United States2 months ago
  • Cackling women

    The late thirtysomething female compulsive snickering and cackling on podcasts is a disease. Funny how their pinched little minds always bring the conversation around to AGE as they guffaw. The guys are okay I guess.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    genxorcist
    United States2 months ago
  • Seasonal eps

    I especially dig your seasonal episodes on upcoming books you’re excited about. You both come across as genuinely excited and that makes me happy and interested in your selections. I like the guests that have on, too. Thank you for your wonderful work on this show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shesahottie
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners feel recent episodes skew toward pop culture and away from traditional book discussion.
The book club segments are a consistent draw for many, though a minority prefer more direct literary critique.
Listeners appreciate the depth of author interviews and industry context.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#5
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#21
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#6
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#19
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#30
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#81
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Ezra Klein Show: Michael Pollan’s Journey to the Borderlands of Consciousness
Q: What initially surprised Pollan about consciousness from a scientific perspective?
Pollan describes how scientists who study consciousness often start with very empirical, brain-centered approaches, but their own psychedelic experiences or meditation practices push them toward broader, less mechanistic interpretations of mind and experience.
Matt Haig on ‘The Midnight Library,’ Mental Illness and Winnie-the-Pooh
Q: What is your favorite book that you think no one else has heard of?
He recommends Paris Trance by Jeff Dyer, a 1990s Paris-set novel that captures youth, jazz, and the era's vibe, as a hidden gem that resonates with his own early life.
Matt Haig on ‘The Midnight Library,’ Mental Illness and Winnie-the-Pooh
Q: What book might people be surprised to find on your shelves?
Haig lists a mix of history books, music biographies, and manga, highlighting his broad curiosity and how disparate interests shape a writer's worldview.
Patricia Cornwell on Her Dark Childhood and Best-Selling Novels
Q: What first drew you to forensic pathology and how did you translate that into fiction?
Forensic work captivated me because it merges science with the human story; I learned to observe, investigate, and translate real-world procedures into characters and plots that feel authentic rather than sensational.
Andy Weir on Writing the Hit Book Behind the Movie ‘Project Hail Mary’
Q: Are you going to read Dune?
He plans to read Dune but jokes about whether he has time with parenting; acknowledges many adaptations exist and his familiarity with the story.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Book Review

What is The Book Review about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A high‑level literary discussion show featuring in-depth author interviews, panel debates, and book club style conversations. Episodes typically center on new or classic books, with guests ranging from renowned authors and critics to editors and journalists, often pairing author bios with insider industry perspectives. A recurring highlight is the blend of rigorous literary analysis with accessible, conversational banter, plus occasional forays into film, TV, and pop culture when books intersect with other media. A notable strength is the show's long‑running presence in book culture, bringing together acclaimed writers, investigative journalists, and poets, which can offer listeners diverse perspectives on craft, publishing, and adaptation.... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Book Review?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Book Review:

1. NPR's Book of the Day
2. The New Yorker Radio Hour
3. Fresh Air
4. The Interview
5. The New Yorker: Fiction

How many episodes of The Book Review are there?

The Book Review launched 20 years ago and published 595 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Book Review?

Recent guests on The Book Review include:

1. Michael Pollan
2. Matt Haig
3. Patricia Cornwell
4. John Caramanica
5. Sam Tannenhaus
6. Patrick Radden Keefe
7. Ada Limón
8. Andy Weir

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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