Our Book Critics on Their 2025 in Reading
12 December 2025 - 36 minsHere we are in mid-December, which means that along with all of the other year-end lists we produce and avidly consume at this time each year, The New York Times Book Review's staff critics are also looking back on everything they read in 2025, and toasting the books that have stayed with them.
On this episode, host Gilbert Cruz talks with Dwight Garner, Alexandra Jacobs and Jennifer Szalai about their standout fiction and nonfiction of the past 12 months.
Books mentioned:
"What We Can Know," by Ian McEwan"Flesh," by David Szalay"The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny," by Kiran Desai"Playworld," by Adam Ross"When the Going Was Good," by Graydon Carter"I Regret Almost Everything," by Keith McN...
Book Club: Let's Talk About 'Kin,' by Tayari Jones
On this week’s episode, book club host MJ Franklin leads a discussion about Tayari Jones's latest novel, "Kin."
47 mins
27 March Finished
Andy Weir on Writing the Hit Book Behind the Movie ‘Project Hail Mary’
The author talked about adapting his best-selling novel for film, creating the beloved character Rocky and making complex science feel approachable.
39 mins
20 March Finished
Louise Erdrich on Her New Story Collection and the Mystery of Writing
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author talks process and “Planet of the Apes.”
34 mins
13 March Finished
The Avett Brothers’ Bassist on Writing a John Quincy Adams Book
Bob Crawford discusses the leap from stage to page and why his new book, “America’s Founding Son,” feels so relevant.
38 mins
6 March Finished
Book Club: Let's Talk About 'Wuthering Heights,' by Emily Brontë
Emily Brontë’s classic “Wuthering Heights” has long been a favorite among readers, and the novel is back in the zeitgeist thanks to Emerald Fennell’s recent film adaptation. On this week’s episode, host MJ Franklin discusses “Wuthering Heights” with colleagues from the New York Times Book Review.
54 mins
27 February Finished