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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
A Marriage At Sea
Mrs. Dalloway
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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Latest Episodes

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

Today we are delighted to share an episode from our colleagues on “The Ezra Klein Show,” originally published on March 31. Ezra interviewed author Michael Pollan, whose best-selling books include “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” “In Defense of Food,” and “H... more

YouTube

Matt Haig was already several books into his career as a writer by the time he published “The Midnight Library” in 2020. One of those books, the 2015 memoir “Reasons to Stay Alive,” had even been a best seller in England, his home nation. Yet, “The M... more

YouTube

“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

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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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
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
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

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
  • Thank you…

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Loxedsista
    United Kingdom2 months 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
    Germany2 months 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 States3 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 States3 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
#2
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#9
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#4
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#8
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#12
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#30
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. Critics at Large | The New Yorker

How many episodes of The Book Review are there?

The Book Review launched 20 years ago and published 592 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. Sam Tannenhaus
5. John Caramanica
6. Ada Limón
7. Andy Weir
8. Louise Erdrich

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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