The Best Books of the Year (So Far)

David Hastings is a retired business executive on a grim mission: He’s going to end his life.That’s the dramatic setup of Emma Cline’s latest novel, “Switzy.”When the story opens, David is on a plane, traveling to Europe. Throughout his life, he sacrificed friendship and family t ...  Show more

Halloween is the season for scary stories, but what actually makes a book frightening? And where should you start if you’re not already a horror reader?This week on “The Book Review” podcast, Gilbert Cruz talks with two writers who know their way around the genre. Leigh Bardugo i ...  Show more

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.

The deputy editor of Culture and Lifestyle, Melissa Kirsch, speaks with the editor of The New York Times Book Review, Gilbert C ...

Gather around for this week's episode where the girls share their top reads of the year thus far. From romance that had them swooning to fantasies that transported them to new worlds, they're excited to reveal the books that have left a lasting impression. They also update on how ...  Show more

What makes dark academia so enticing? Which book turned slow cooking into a life-changing obsession? What are the new books are already causing a stir inside Penguin HQ? And what happens when a TV presenter tries their hand at a novel? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna heads arou ...  Show more