Books

Book Review: ‘Why We Drink Too Much,’ by Charles Knowles

Book Review: ‘Why We Drink Too Much,’ by Charles Knowles

NYT > Book Review, Jan 4, 2026 - 17:51

In a useful entry in the growing canon of “quit lit,” Charles Knowles blends sci...

Book Review: ‘Calamity Before Jane,’ by Noah Van Sciver

Book Review: ‘Calamity Before Jane,’ by Noah Van Sciver

NYT > Book Review, Jan 3, 2026 - 17:22

A new graphic novel both celebrates and demystifies the colorful frontier icon, ...

Book Review: ‘American Reich,’ by Eric Lichtblau

Book Review: ‘American Reich,’ by Eric Lichtblau

NYT > Book Review, Jan 3, 2026 - 17:22

In “American Reich,” the former New York Times journalist Eric Lichtblau dissect...

Great New Historical Fiction

Great New Historical Fiction

NYT > Book Review, Dec 31, 2025 - 12:52

These novels usher readers into fascinating, long-ago worlds.

‘When You Listen to This Song,’ by Lola Lafon, Details Her Night in Anne Frank’s House

‘When You Listen to This Song,’ by Lola Lafon, Details ...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 31, 2025 - 12:52

Lola Lafon’s book “When You Listen to This Song” is a hit in its native France. ...

Dragons, Sex and the Bible Drove Book Sales in 2025

Dragons, Sex and the Bible Drove Book Sales in 2025

NYT > Book Review, Dec 30, 2025 - 14:24

Nonfiction and Y.A. are hurting, but genre fiction and the Good Book are booming...

Book Review: ‘Radical Universalism,’ by Omri Boehm

Book Review: ‘Radical Universalism,’ by Omri Boehm

NYT > Book Review, Dec 30, 2025 - 14:24

Omri Boehm’s new book argues that both the left and the right must abandon divis...

Book Review: The Rest of Our Lives,’ by Ben Markovits

Book Review: The Rest of Our Lives,’ by Ben Markovits

NYT > Book Review, Dec 28, 2025 - 05:56

A middle-age man fighting illness and marital woe heads west in Ben Markovits’s ...

Books to Help You Make — and Keep — Those Pesky New Year’s Resolutions

Books to Help You Make — and Keep — Those Pesky New Yea...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 27, 2025 - 10:26

Our columnist has recommendations.

Book Club: Let’s Talk About ‘What We Can Know’

Book Club: Let’s Talk About ‘What We Can Know’

NYT > Book Review, Dec 26, 2025 - 23:24

Ian McEwan’s latest novel, one of the Book Review’s 100 Notable Books of 2025, i...

Book Review: ‘The Adventures of Cipollino,' by Gianni Rodari, and ‘The Lions’ Run,’ by Sara Pennypacker

Book Review: ‘The Adventures of Cipollino,' by Gianni R...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 26, 2025 - 13:26

Two books center on small acts of grit and valor, from a bold little onion to an...

Book Club: Read ‘The Hounding,’ by Xenobe Purvis, With the Book Review

Book Club: Read ‘The Hounding,’ by Xenobe Purvis, With ...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 26, 2025 - 13:26

In January, the Book Review Book Club will read and discuss Xenobe Purvis’s debu...

Twisty New Thriller Books

Twisty New Thriller Books

NYT > Book Review, Dec 26, 2025 - 13:26

Our columnist on three novels worth your time.

Jeff Kinney and Other Authors on What They Learned From a Book in 2025

Jeff Kinney and Other Authors on What They Learned From...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 25, 2025 - 14:56

Such as: A shrewd move by George Washington. Why Gauguin wore a 10-gallon hat. A...

Classic Mystery Novels, Finally Back in Print

Classic Mystery Novels, Finally Back in Print

NYT > Book Review, Dec 24, 2025 - 06:11

Our columnist on seven terrific mysteries deservedly back in print.

Book Review: ‘How to Cook a Coyote,’ by Betty Fussell

Book Review: ‘How to Cook a Coyote,’ by Betty Fussell

NYT > Book Review, Dec 23, 2025 - 13:44

Betty Fussell’s new memoir offers insights on aging, stories about love and a re...

Why I Stopped Reading and Embraced Audiobooks

Why I Stopped Reading and Embraced Audiobooks

NYT > Book Review, Dec 23, 2025 - 13:44

On the joys of having stories in my ears — and yes, listening counts.

Reading ‘A Christmas Carol’ Aloud, and Leaning Into Its Dark Side

Reading ‘A Christmas Carol’ Aloud, and Leaning Into Its...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 23, 2025 - 13:44

An actor at the Dickens Museum in London is delivering dramatic performances of ...

From ‘Buckeye’ to ‘Mona’s Eyes’: 5 Breakout Novels of 2025

From ‘Buckeye’ to ‘Mona’s Eyes’: 5 Breakout Novels of 2025

NYT > Book Review, Dec 23, 2025 - 13:44

These days, most best sellers are written by authors with household names. Not t...

How Was 2025 in the World of Books?

How Was 2025 in the World of Books?

NYT > Book Review, Dec 20, 2025 - 08:11

“Some of us feel exhausted, some of us feel energized.” The Book Review looks ba...

Jeanette Winter, Who Told Children About Artists’ Lives, Dies at 86

Jeanette Winter, Who Told Children About Artists’ Lives...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 20, 2025 - 08:10

Her picture books found models of perseverance and imagination in figures like E...

Allan Ludwig, ‘Founding Father’ of Gravestone Studies, Dies at 92

Allan Ludwig, ‘Founding Father’ of Gravestone Studies, ...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 20, 2025 - 08:10

His Pulitzer-nominated book “Graven Images” inspired a reassessment of Puritan a...

The Best Middle Grade Mysteries for Kids

The Best Middle Grade Mysteries for Kids

NYT > Book Review, Dec 19, 2025 - 06:06

The author of the City Spies series chooses 7 crime novels that invite young rea...

John Darnielle on His Favorite Books and Annotated Lyrics

John Darnielle on His Favorite Books and Annotated Lyrics

NYT > Book Review, Dec 18, 2025 - 06:40

The novelist and musician is a voracious reader of books in translation. In “Thi...

Book Review: ‘Fear Less,’ by Tracy K. Smith

Book Review: ‘Fear Less,’ by Tracy K. Smith

NYT > Book Review, Dec 18, 2025 - 06:40

Tracy K. Smith, a former U.S. poet laureate, makes the case in a new book of cri...

The Books Times Readers Were Most Excited About This Year

The Books Times Readers Were Most Excited About This Year

NYT > Book Review, Dec 18, 2025 - 06:40

Thrillers, literary fiction, history, memoirs and more: Here are the most popula...

“Common Sense,” by Thomas Paine, Turns 250

“Common Sense,” by Thomas Paine, Turns 250

NYT > Book Review, Dec 17, 2025 - 05:25

Thomas Paine published “Common Sense” in 1776 as an argument for independence. A...

Book Review: ‘Furious Minds,’ by Laura K. Field

Book Review: ‘Furious Minds,’ by Laura K. Field

NYT > Book Review, Dec 17, 2025 - 05:25

“Furious Minds,” by Laura K. Field, traces the ascendancy of hard-right thinkers...

What’s the Deal With the U.S. Economy?

What’s the Deal With the U.S. Economy?

NYT > Book Review, Dec 15, 2025 - 06:06

As costs are rising and wallets are hurting, these books explore the promises an...

The Best Book Covers of 2025

The Best Book Covers of 2025

NYT > Book Review, Dec 14, 2025 - 07:11

A Book Review art director selects the book jackets that surprised him, delighte...

They Read Hundreds of Books a Year. How Do They Pick the Top 10?

They Read Hundreds of Books a Year. How Do They Pick th...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 14, 2025 - 07:11

Crafting The New York Times Book Review’s annual list involves arguments, politi...

The Best Children’s Books of 2025

The Best Children’s Books of 2025

NYT > Book Review, Dec 13, 2025 - 05:10

Here are the year’s most notable picture and middle grade books, selected by our...

Our Critics Look Back on Their Year in Reading

Our Critics Look Back on Their Year in Reading

NYT > Book Review, Dec 12, 2025 - 14:07

It’s been a good one. Dwight Garner, Alexandra Jacobs and Jennifer Szalai discus...

How Matt Dinniman’s ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ Became a Blockbuster

How Matt Dinniman’s ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ Became a Blo...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 12, 2025 - 11:08

Matt Dinniman introduced his series about an alien reality TV show free on the w...

Joanna Trollope, Popular British Author, Dies at 82

Joanna Trollope, Popular British Author, Dies at 82

NYT > Book Review, Dec 12, 2025 - 11:08

Her books, many of which were best sellers, often described empty marriages, lov...

Our Book Critics on Their Year in Reading

Our Book Critics on Their Year in Reading

NYT > Book Review, Dec 12, 2025 - 07:58

Alexandra Jacobs, Jennifer Szalai and Dwight Garner look back at the books that,...

The Best Graphic Novels of 2025

The Best Graphic Novels of 2025

NYT > Book Review, Dec 12, 2025 - 07:58

A candy-colored story collection, sisters who lust after Hitler and harrowing re...

The Best Poetry of 2025

The Best Poetry of 2025

NYT > Book Review, Dec 12, 2025 - 07:58

Here are the year’s most notable collections of verse as chosen by our poetry co...

The Best Mystery Novels of 2025

The Best Mystery Novels of 2025

NYT > Book Review, Dec 11, 2025 - 07:38

Our columnist on the books that wowed her this year.

Michael J. Fox on His Favorite Books and ‘Back to the Future’

Michael J. Fox on His Favorite Books and ‘Back to the F...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 11, 2025 - 07:38

One fiction, one nonfiction (which he turns to at night). In “Future Boy,” he re...

Our Favorite Hidden Gem Books of 2025

Our Favorite Hidden Gem Books of 2025

NYT > Book Review, Dec 11, 2025 - 07:38

The staff of the Book Review recommends unforgettable books that made our person...

The Best Thriller Books of 2025

The Best Thriller Books of 2025

NYT > Book Review, Dec 10, 2025 - 05:15

Our columnist on the books that wowed her this year.

The Best Romance Books of 2025

The Best Romance Books of 2025

NYT > Book Review, Dec 9, 2025 - 07:41

Here are the books our columnist loved the most this year.

The Illustrated Children’s Book I’ll Never Stop Recommending to Adults

The Illustrated Children’s Book I’ll Never Stop Recomme...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 9, 2025 - 07:41

James Marshall’s “George and Martha” books are witty and complex in their depict...

Book Review: ‘The Sea Captain’s Wife,’ by Tilar J. Mazzeo

Book Review: ‘The Sea Captain’s Wife,’ by Tilar J. Mazzeo

NYT > Book Review, Dec 9, 2025 - 07:41

In “The Sea Captain’s Wife,” Tilar J. Mazzeo tells the thrilling story of Mary A...

The Best Historical Fiction of 2025

The Best Historical Fiction of 2025

NYT > Book Review, Dec 8, 2025 - 07:09

Our columnist picks the year’s outstanding books.

Book Review: ‘The Complete Notebooks,’ by Albert Camus

Book Review: ‘The Complete Notebooks,’ by Albert Camus

NYT > Book Review, Dec 8, 2025 - 07:09

The notebooks of Albert Camus, the French philosopher and novelist, have been co...

Cynthia Erivo on Her Favorite Books, “Wicked” and Her New Memoir

Cynthia Erivo on Her Favorite Books, “Wicked” and Her N...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 7, 2025 - 00:31

“I have to be still for a certain amount of time,” says the “Wicked” star and au...

Field Guides Are Getting Niche

Field Guides Are Getting Niche

NYT > Book Review, Dec 6, 2025 - 05:03

What birders well know, fans of “composite organisms” and other creatures can no...

A Forensic Artist Brings the Protagonist of Karl Ove Knausgaard’s “The School of Night” to Life

A Forensic Artist Brings the Protagonist of Karl Ove Kn...

NYT > Book Review, Dec 6, 2025 - 05:03

The pair work together to envision Kristian Hadeland, the protagonist of the aut...