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The Book Review

The New York Times
Demon Copperhead
Opioid Crisis
James Mcbride
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store
Addiction
Appalachia
Literary Community
Barbara Kingsolver
Wandering Stars
Community
Inclusivity
Dickensian Structure
Social Injustice
David Copperfield
Dune
Percival Everett
John Donne
There There
Climate Change
Petroleum Industry

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. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Listen to this podcast i... more

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Latest Episodes

Summer arrives just over a month from now, and along with your last-minute scramble for a house share or a part-time job scooping ice cream, you’re probably also wondering what to read. On this week’s episode, Gilbert Cruz talks with Joumana Khatib a... more

At 82, Isabel Allende is one of the world’s most beloved and best-selling Spanish-language authors. Her work has been translated into more than 40 languages, and 80 million copies of her books have been sold around the world. That’s a lot of books.

more

Set in New York in the 1980s, Adam Ross’s new novel, “Playworld,” tells the story of a young actor named Griffin as he navigates the chaos of the city, of his family and of being a teenager, and the dangers that swirl around each. 

Although “Playwor... more

Last summer, when The New York Times Book Review released its list of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century, one of the authors with multiple titles on that list was Hilary Mantel, who died in 2022. Those novels were “Wolf Hall” and “Bring Up the Bo... more

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Recent Guests

Steven Soderbergh
Film director and avid reader
Episode: Steven Soderbergh on His Reading Life (Rerun)
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Renowned Nigerian author known for her works on feminism and identity
Author of Dream Count
Episode: Spring Preview: A Few Books We're Excited For
Suzanne Collins
Author of the Hunger Games series
Author of Sunrise on the Reaping
Episode: Spring Preview: A Few Books We're Excited For
Marie Annette Pember
Ojibwe journalist and author
Author of Medicine River
Episode: Spring Preview: A Few Books We're Excited For
Emily Henry
Popular romance author
Author of Great Big Beautiful Life
Episode: Spring Preview: A Few Books We're Excited For
David Scheff
Author of Yoko: The Biography, detailing Yoko Ono's life and work
Episode: Spring Preview: A Few Books We're Excited For
Andrea Long-Chu
Pulitzer Prize-winning book critic
Author of Authority
Episode: Spring Preview: A Few Books We're Excited For
Alison Bechdel
Graphic novelist and author
Author of Fun Home
Episode: Spring Preview: A Few Books We're Excited For
Nettie Jones
Author of Fish Tales, reprint of her first book
Published by Toni Morrison
Episode: Spring Preview: A Few Books We're Excited For

Hosts

Gilbert Cruz
Editor of The New York Times Book Review
MJ Franklin
Editor at The New York Times Book Review

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 5.3k ratings
  • Has really gone down hill

    At first I really enjoyed the new host but as time goes on the caliber of authors interviewed and books discussed has been on the very low end of the high-low spectrum. I’m all for a high low, entertaining approach but the New York Times should still be able to get the top writers and provide us with some stimulating challenging episodes about literature as well. Also I’m sorry but there’s no excuse or justification for frequently and almost systematically spoiling books time and time again. You... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Ljh66
    United States21 days ago
  • Best book review podcast by far

    I hope Gilbert Cruz never retires

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Crismur
    Spaina month ago
  • Cable guy

    Gilbert, Your interview with Colum McCann was delightful. Your questions were as intriguing as his responses. You’ve really grown into your role as host.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Elmo Pete
    United Statesa month ago
  • Enjoy the bookclub

    I miss Slate’s audio bookclub so much and nothing can compete. However, the monthly offering here is pretty good! I like MJ a lot and I think he does a good job facilitating. The other episodes are less inspired and very hit or miss. (Didn’t like the Pamela Paul era, but loved the Sam Tanenhaus era that ended over a decade ago!)

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    peoniesandsnowballs
    United Statesa month ago
  • One of the best

    I’m an MFA Creative Writing candidate and I wish I had these hosts in my workshop! Everyone brings such an impressive breadth of literary and theoretical knowledge to the table. Love the book club episodes as much as the interviews. Definitely a top 3 book podcast for me!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shmonblah
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Some appreciate the diversity of authors and topics covered, while others feel that content has been dumbed down or lacks depth since the change in hosting.
There is a yearning for in-depth literary discussion rather than casual banter among the hosts.
Listeners highlight the insightful commentary and expert perspectives but criticize the audio quality in some episodes.
Listeners express disappointment with new hosts and changes in format, often preferring the old style featuring interviews with authors.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#2
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#8
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#3
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#7
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#14
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#46
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

'The Great Gatsby' at 100
Q: What would you say to someone who hasn’t read The Great Gatsby?
Just start reading it; within a few pages, you'll be hooked due to its engaging narrative that contains various elements appealing to different readers.
'The Great Gatsby' at 100
Q: How have adaptations affected the perception of The Great Gatsby?
Adapting the novel into films has expanded its reach, sometimes misinterpreting it as a simple love story, yet also showcasing its complexity.
'The Great Gatsby' at 100
Q: What are some of the central themes of The Great Gatsby?
It's about the United States in the 1920s, a critical view of the era's prosperity and social changes, class, identity, and the nature of belonging or being an outsider.
Steven Soderbergh on His Reading Life (Rerun)
Q: If you had to recommend one book that you really just want to stump for, which one would it be?
It's got to be the Robert Sapolsky Book Determined. This is seismic. This is something that way back when would have been nailed to the door of some institution.
Steven Soderbergh on His Reading Life (Rerun)
Q: Could you tell us a little bit about this book because I think people who like Nichols or like Elizabeth Taylor are going to flock to this one.
It's really good. It's a fascinating sort of account of a very unique project coming together at a very interesting time in American cinema culture.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Book Review

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

A unique exploration of the literary landscape, this podcast combines the insights of top authors and critics with discussions on the week's notable books. Featuring a diverse range of guests, the episodes often reflect on contemporary themes in literature while offering personal anecdotes from hosts and guests alike. The conversations are not just confined to new releases; they also touch upon ongoing literary trends, adaptations from book to screen, and the richness of the reading experience itself. The format encourages a blend of serious literary critique and engaging dialogue, making it a noteworthy resource for avid readers and those seeking recommendations on both classic and new literature.

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How many listeners does The Book Review get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Book Review have?

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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. The New Yorker: Fiction
4. Critics at Large | The New Yorker
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of The Book Review are there?

The Book Review launched 19 years ago and published 538 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Book Review?

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What guests have appeared on The Book Review?

Recent guests on The Book Review include:

1. Steven Soderbergh
2. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
3. Suzanne Collins
4. Marie Annette Pember
5. Emily Henry
6. David Scheff
7. Andrea Long-Chu
8. Alison Bechdel

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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