The Book Review

MJ Franklin is the best. I look forward to the monthly book club and MJ Franklin really excels at leading the discussion. The book club is the best part of the entire Book Review podcast.

I have been a devoted listener and subscriber for years. Last year I wrote an unkind review. Of Gilbert and this Podcast. I regret any feathers that might have been ruffled but after that review, I noticed some changes that have brought this Podcast back to its outstanding standard. It has been absolutely wonderful hearing from all of the different editors and writers on the podcast. The diverse viewpoints and variety of works discussed has enlightened my reading life again. They actually seem like they enjoy each other’s company and are having fun well really digging into some deep topics and discuss discussing craft. Thank you, Gilbert and all of the staff at the New York Times book review. You are doing your part to keep reading alive. Would love to see an issue for highschoolers and middle schoolers not at one time kind of like KIRKUS used to do. But who am I? I’m not an editor in chief or a staff writer just a listener and a parent and an educator and someone also who stumps for books.

Love the podcast and the on-demand community dialog — so nice for book club commitment phobes who can’t stick to a reading schedule. Thanks for reading my review in the Yesteryear episode, though I thought you all missed out on discussing the macroeconomic arc of the plot and how it relates to defining normative gender roles.

I especially dig your seasonal episodes on upcoming books you’re excited about. You both come across as genuinely excited and that makes me happy and interested in your selections. I like the guests that have on, too. Thank you for your wonderful work on this show.

Sadly, this podcast doesn't even pretend to be a literary podcast anymore. The host discusses movies, streaming series, and even video games more often than books recently. At the time of this review, the podcast hasn't reviewed a book in over a month! When books are discussed, it's often genre fiction. Author interviews are few and far between. Gilbert Cruz doesn't even pretend to be interested in literature. That would be fine if he was hosting a podcast on movies and TV shows, but it's still called the book review podcast. I gave the podcast two stars because I remain hopeful Gilbert will find a new gig, and that the Times will bring a book lover back to host the show.

When Pamela Paul hosted this podcast, I learned so much about the book world with two interviews with authors per episode, plus a discussion with the editors afterwards. It was cozy and fulfilling to listen. Now, we are lucky to get one interview with an author. I am not convinced Gilbert Cruz likes books enough to segue as he has into the Book Review from his prior work in the Film section. He is clearly most passionate about movies and that is what he’s turned this podcast into. He’s new to the book world and it shows, not just in his tastes, but in his approach to this podcast. He always seems like he’s hiding from them (books). He will spend an entire episode talking with a director about movies or television when the project is based on a book and it is stunning how little time is ever dedicated to the book Gilbert, for the love of God. This is a book podcast. Movies are great. That is not what this is about. We are interested in a high level of discourse, not a shallowing of the pool for the sake of making it more appealing to all. Please stop using the podcast as a Trojan Horse excuse to discuss pop culture at large. There are few enough spaces for book people already without diluting a once great cultural institution as the Book Review.