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The Book Review

The New York Times
Literature
Grief
Good Material
Stephen King
Breakups
2025
Writing Process
Art
Demon Copperhead
Marriage
Pride and Prejudice
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

“Angel Down,” a grisly novel about World War I told in a single, almost 300-page-long sentence, was awarded this year’s Pulitzer Prize for fiction. In a review for The New York Times, Ben H. Winters described it as a “thunderous gallop” that captures... more

Since its first episode in April 2006, the “Book Review” podcast has played host to hundreds of authors talking about their new works and possibly as many conversations about the best (and sometimes worst) that books have to offer. In this anniversar... more

YouTube

Dilara, the heroine of Kenan Orhan’s debut novel, is a Turkish exile living in Italy and undergoing a routine bathroom renovation that turns out to be not so routine: When the contractors leave, she steps into the refurbished space and finds herself ... more

How is it that a seven-book series written in Danish about a single day repeating over and over has become something of a sensation among the literary set? Since the English translations of Solvej Balle’s “On the Calculation of Volume” series were fi... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sam Tannenhaus
Editor of The New York Times Book Review
The New York Times Book Review
Episode: ‘The Book Review’ Podcast Turns 20
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
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
Bob Crawford
First-time author, Avett Brothers bassist and historian-inclined
The Avett Brothers; author
Episode: The Avett Brothers’ Bassist on Writing a John Quincy Adams Book
Julia Quinn
Author of the Bridgerton series
Episode: Julia Quinn on Her 'Bridgerton' Books and the Smash Netflix Series
Keza MacDonald
Video game writer and journalist, author of Super Nintendo
The Guardian
Episode: How Nintendo Became the World's Most Fun Video Game Company

Host

Gilbert Cruz
Host and Editor of The New York Times Book Review Podcast

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 5.5k ratings
  • Thank you…

    for the spoiler alerts lol. Enjoyable and highly listenable pod.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Loxedsista
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Skipping

    I miss what this podcast used to do. There was real literary engagement, and now it moved to a more conversational vibe. The book club still delivers, but I find myself skipping the other episodes because that tone just doesn’t land for me anymore.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Zumutbar
    Germanya month ago
  • Going Inane

    Gilbert seems like a pleasant chap, but the overall quality of the podcast has plummeted now that its focus has shifted so far in the pop direction. The chipper book club segments are especially cringe.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    J Wow
    United States2 months ago
  • Please replace Gilbert

    It is abundantly clear that Gilbert is not a book person. Please replace him with someone of the caliber of Pamela, Paul or John Williams. The interviews now are much more shallow, the choice of books more often of airport quality and the emphasis on movies and pop culture totally inappropriate for what was once an excellent and informative book podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nina 2026
    United States2 months ago
  • Withering Heights meh episode

    Not one of your better episodes. Maybe some of the panelists are too giggly, so it can be hard to take them seriously. Would be interested to dig deeper rather than just stuck in the plot. Talk about all the other levels going on here.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Bigbirdwatchin
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some have expressed disappointment with recent shifts in content focus, suggesting a desire for more book-centered conversations rather than broader cultural topics.
Overall, the podcast is both praised for its literary discourse and critiqued for perceived deviations from its original mission.
Listeners appreciate the insightful book discussions and engaging author interviews, which often provide a deeper understanding of contemporary literature.
There is a noted tension among fans regarding changes in hosting and editorial direction, reflecting a longing for previous hosts and formats that focused more intensively on literature.

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
#5
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#7
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#14
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#30
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Andy Weir on Writing the Hit Book Behind the Movie ‘Project Hail Mary’
Q: If you could bring three books to Mars, which would they be?
He would choose a mix of classics he hasn't read yet and a trio from his favorite authors: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (Heinlein), I, Robot (Asimov), and Rendezvous with Rama (Clark).
Andy Weir on Writing the Hit Book Behind the Movie ‘Project Hail Mary’
Q: What is the last great book that you read?
Weir names Paradox, Inc. by Forrest Brazeal, a time travel SF novel, and notes it as a recent read that he enjoyed, though he isn't sure of its release status.
The Avett Brothers’ Bassist on Writing a John Quincy Adams Book
Q: What single piece of advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Just write. The act of writing teaches you more than waiting for perfect clarity; you can fix it later through editing and revision.
The Avett Brothers’ Bassist on Writing a John Quincy Adams Book
Q: Why did you gravitate to biographies like Martin Van Buren and James Bradley's work as anchors for readers?
These biographies illuminate pivotal moments between the Revolution and Civil War, offering models of how to present historical figures through authentic, extended narrative voices.

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?

Exploring the intersection of literature and contemporary culture, this podcast features engaging conversations between prominent authors, critics, and editors from a distinguished publication. Within its episodes, listeners can expect discussions on current book releases, author interviews, and insightful commentary on the literary landscape. Key themes include the adaptation of text to film, the evolving nature of literary criticism, and the importance of diversity in literature. The program stands out by blending accessible discussions with intellectual depth, appealing to both book enthusiasts and casual readers alike.

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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 Interview
3. The New Yorker Radio Hour
4. Critics at Large | The New Yorker
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of The Book Review are there?

The Book Review launched 20 years ago and published 589 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Book Review?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Book Review from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Book Review?

Recent guests on The Book Review include:

1. Sam Tannenhaus
2. John Caramanica
3. Patrick Radden Keefe
4. Ada Limón
5. Andy Weir
6. Louise Erdrich
7. Bob Crawford
8. Julia Quinn

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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