The Critics’ Picks: A Year in Reading

Early in Douglas Stuart’s new novel, “John of John,” the Booker Prize-winning author describes a peculiar irony: “What skinned him was that the closer he got to home, the more lost he felt.” It’s a passing line, but it captures the tension at the heart of this magnificent book: H ... Show More

The editors at The New York Times Book Review spend almost the entire year discussing, debating and sometimes arguing about the year’s best books. We’re halfway through 2026, which means it’s time for the host Gilbert Cruz and the Book Review editors Joumana Khatib and MJ Frankli ... Show More

Today, we want to bring back an episode from our archives. It’s about a book that has real beach read vibes. There’s a lot of water. It’s a relationship drama. And it’s also a daring story of survival. “Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession and Shipwreck" made it onto ... Show More

<p>As 2024 comes to a close, critics, reporters and editors at The New York Times are reflecting on the year in arts and culture, including books.</p><p>The deputy editor of Culture and Lifestyle, Melissa Kirsch, speaks with the editor of The New York Times Book Review, Gilbert C ... Show More

Here at What Should I Read Next? and Modern Mrs Darcy HQ, our team of bibliophiles talks books all year long, and today our whole team is chiming in to share what they loved most in their 2021 reading life. Our team has a wide range of reading tastes, so our selections today are ... Show More

Regular reviewers, as well as listeners, reviewed some of the books they have recently read, sharing their impressions with Eusebius See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

We round-up a year of reading with recommendations from Penguin colleagues of their favourite books of the year and a look at what they are most excited for you to read in 2025. Explore the full list of the books discussed on this episode and the transcript by visiting: Episode 1 ... Show More

As we wrap up the year of podcasting, Jonesy and Ashto review our favourite book we read and reviewed on the podcast this year. After going through a few honourable mentions, we share our respective "Top 10s", plus a special musical treat at the end based on a couple of the books ... Show More