The Book Review - Podcast Rankings and reviews

I recently discovered this podcast, and I love it! I especially like the episodes where the host and guests look ahead to some books that are coming up. Everyone is insightful and they seem to like different kinds of books, which I appreciate. The interviews with authors are fascinating as well. I’ve noticed many reviewers say they miss an old format from a couple years ago… I didn’t listen then, but as a recent subscriber, I really enjoy this podcast!

I’m an MFA Creative Writing candidate and I wish I had these hosts in my workshop! Everyone brings such an impressive breadth of literary and theoretical knowledge to the table. Love the book club episodes as much as the interviews. Definitely a top 3 book podcast for me!

Just finished listening to the August 9 episode and I relished every minute. Maybe because Gilbert C and I are enjoying the same book at the same time? But no, Anna Dubenko and Joumana Khatib were just as much fun. These are all readers with wide interests and firm opinions (don't try to borrow a book from Anna) and their love of books and reading shines through. I might listen again.

I love the content of this podcast, but the mic for the host must be of poor quality. It’s painful to listen—almost like a dull buzz. So unlike other Times podcasts.

I only check in with this podcast from time to time and am always surprised at the degree to which they spoil novels’ plots. Just as they were finishing their review of ‘Master Slave Husband Wife,’ one of them casually spoils the end of the novel! For no reason whatsoever—it was just said in passing. And then two of them gigglingly say “Spoiler alert,” AFTER they drop the spoiler!! Unbelievable. If these people were my friends I would avoid talking to them about books. Can’t believe people can be so knowledgeable about books and still be so dense about what a listener wants from a book reviewer. Tell us what we need to know in order to be enticed and no more.

This used to be my favorite podcast. Found wonderful books through it. Now it seems the hosts disdain their listeners, and don’t bring you along. Twice recently GC has said “I’m sure everyone knows this book/author” but that’s why many of us listen- we don’t have time to read like a book editor so we want to learn. I’m so sad to lose this. For others like me, check out the New Yorker Culture podcast - “critics at large” which has some of the best elements of the old version of this show.