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The Book Review

The New York Times

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 in New York Times Audio, our new iOS app for news subscribers. Download now at nytimes.com/audioapp read less

Our Editor's Take

The Book Review by The New York Times explores new releases, top sellers, and literary news. The people behind the newspaper's book section also speak here. It is a resource for readers and those interested in what is happening in the book publishing world. Better still, it discusses literary intrigue and makes it accessible in podcast form. This effort allows even more people to find their place in the written word. Literary-loving listeners may not want to miss this book review podcast.

This show has had several hosts. The Book Review podcast's current host is Gilbert Cruz, the paper's Books editor. When John Williams held that job until the summer of 2022, he hosted the podcast. Joining them are The New York Times Book Review editors, popular authors, and renowned critics. The results are witty banter and serious dialogue.

Novels about both novels and nonfiction books get discussed. From dissecting race and class to celebrating meaningful modern works. Poetry, action thrillers, memoirs, and academic works all have a place here. If it is happening in the book world, it may get discussed on this comprehensive podcast. The Book Review is serious about books. But it is not afraid to explore less serious topics. Hosts and guests diverge from the main subject to debate and laugh along the way.

New episodes of The Book Review debut regularly. They vary in length from around 20 minutes to over an hour. Some feature live events with an audience. Those who appreciate the written word may enjoy this podcast.

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Episodes

Sarah Jessica Parker on Her Life in Publishing
02-08-2024
Sarah Jessica Parker on Her Life in Publishing
Sarah Jessica Parker has been a familiar presence on TV, movie screens and Broadway stages for five decades. But since 2016 she has also been a force in the book world, initially at the helm of the fiction imprint SJP for Hogarth and for the past two years with SJP Lit, an imprint at the independent publisher Zando.Parker visits the podcast this week to chat with the host Gilbert Cruz about her lifelong love of reading, the kinds of books that excite her most and her entry into the publishing business, among other topics.“I just keep learning,” Parker says. “And I think, every time I feel ill equipped, I just recommit to the idea of what books have meant to me since, well, my entire life, literally my entire life, and how I can help an author. … Every year we do this whistlestop of going to literary agents’ offices and just reminding them of the imprint and what we've published and who we're about to publish and the mission of our particular imprint. Because I think people have every right to assume those ideas — ‘dilettante,’ ‘not deserving’ or, like I said, ‘ill equipped.’ People have spent, you know, their whole lives in higher education, and then they come out and pursue this dream of being in publishing in a variety of jobs. And I didn't. And I was very concerned about perception, but also my own concerns for myself about taking care of a writer.” 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.