Reviews
“Very disappointed that you have taken out all the old episodes. I have a shared subscription and can only see the latest 3 episodes. Hope you can reconsider this decision.”
Lion's Ridge via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/26/24
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“Updated: can't believe you put all the past episodes behind a pay wall. Such a disappointment that you would go for the money grab. Instead of a subscriber, you have actually lost a listener.
Only discovered a few months ago but I'm addicted. Great variety of shows between interviews,...”Read full review »
Tscutty via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/17/24
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“I hope the reviews are being taken into consideration since there is a consensus that the editor of the book review is not a good podcast host. This podcast has been beloved for so many years. Please do something to improve it and bring back the quality of talent that we have enjoyed for so long....”Read full review »
JFouch via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/14/24
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“I would not pay for a subscription to the NYTimes just to be able to listen to this podcast. It has been completely dumbed down since Pamela Paul left.”
Kener1966-1976 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/06/24
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“This podcast was fully formed and successful when Mr Cruz took over the NYTBR sometime in august/September and John Williams left for the WPost. It should not take three months to reimagine a series such as this podcast even if one thinks the series needed reimagining, which it did not.”
outside Boston via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/05/24
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“This new iteration is just a superficial mentioning of titles. What a waste of time. Bring back the old review! Or since that can’t be done, have a host who actually enjoys reading!”
Bear315843355 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/04/24
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“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.”
allofthepodcasts via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/01/24
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“The hosts and NYT guests seem smug — they should know that their inside jokes are not funny, but boring. The old podcast was a weekly favorite, this one not so much.”
Mncxds via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/28/24
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“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...”Read full review »
Sasha1847 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/23/24
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“Some of these editors seem to be significantly less knowledgeable about literature than a listener of a book podcast would hope.”
Mts233 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/22/24
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“I just adore this podcast, the host, the discussions, all the new books and authors I’ve discovered listening to it. Thank you!!”
Ljh66 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/21/24
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“Robert Caro recounted Moses’s blocking of any light rail lines in Long Island, a design that led to unbearable human costs as people get stuck in traffic for up to five hours a day five days a week and Cruz finds this funny???
And then Cruz follows up with a question that tries to find humor...”Read full review »
sr_98_sr via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/15/24
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“I never miss an episode. It is considered, smart and engaging. I have been inspired to read so many fiction and non-fiction books, all of which have been wonderful. I loved Pamela Paul and I like how the podcast has evolved under Gilbert Cruz.”
Bargainista! via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
09/10/24
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“MJ, please practice your presentation and lose the unnecessary word “like”! I find myself starting to count the number of “likes” you use and then have to stop listening. I would love to stick with the discussion but the irritation over the adolescent speech pattern chases me away.”
cyndyluwhoo via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/05/24
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“Very weird that you’ve never read house of mirth!”
Leigh.D via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/01/24
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“My favorite episode for now. I learned but mostly I laughed. Thank you for teaching and tickling me.”
Elmo Pete via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/31/24
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“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...”Read full review »
rhfiwudbdbqnsn via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/23/24
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“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...”Read full review »
BayardLa via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/12/24
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“Please put a photo of the book you are talking about”
Jill Bitt via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/11/24
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“August 9 very rambling!”
Supersmartsquirrel via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/10/24
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“I can’t seem to connect at all with the new topics and format. 😢”
Agiliteve via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/02/24
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“I miss the insights into and updates about the publishing industry, but otherwise enjoy this podcast.”
Nicki160 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/30/24
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“Great discussion, but what was missing for me is 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. One of my favorite books. Thrilled that Gilead landed in the top 10.”
WendyinOakville via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
07/13/24
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“Deeply disappointed that three of three hosts spent minutes talking about visiting with and consulting with their psychics. Really?? I thought you were educated people. I really don’t want to hear this nonsense. Unsubscribing.”
VR Family Guy via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/05/24
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“I used to be a regular listener but now weeks or months go by where I don’t hit play at all. I miss the old crew and format.”
ReverseMerman via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/17/24
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“The new format seems to be covering lots of what I call “airport lit”. I miss the old days when more substantive literature was covered, and I actually learned something.”
DannyA359 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/14/24
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“I looked forward to Fridays when the new podcast would drop but there are now weeks when I don’t even listen to it. I miss the discussions on what everyone is reading as well as the reviews of new books. Not sure why they have made it so short as well.”
naples boomer via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/29/24
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“I loved the podcast and I’m looking forward to its return. I loved the interviews, the publishing news and especially enjoyed hearing about what everyone is reading. The reruns are ok but I’ve basically stopped listening and I just check in to see if it’s something I haven’t heard or don’t...”Read full review »
annewest 33 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/25/24
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“This podcast certainly has gone downhill fast. Would like to see everyone replaced on this.”
twomoonmusic via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/11/24
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“I prefer the old format. I’ve just about stopped listening to the new one. Seems like a hodgepodge no coherence.”
Whippamy via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/10/24
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“Gorgeous interview with Colm Toibin! I wish I could just hop off this train I’m on and buy his book. Alas I just outside of Philadelphia. Hey though, plenty of bookstores in NYC.”
Ei the pie via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/10/24
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“Great addition. Reminiscent of the excellent staff discussions at the end of the old format. Please keep the Book Club going. Gilbert makes it sound experimental.
It worked well in the past and has really improved the podcast’s overall quality.”
Taking the 5th via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/27/24
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“I like the new book club feature (tho MJs speaking voice for radio needs oomph) but they would need to be more frequent to up the chance of even occasionally having read the book in question. And please at least 2x a month bring back the classic episodes with several books covered, author...”Read full review »
new listener32 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/27/24
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“The old format wasn’t broken, why fix it? I enjoy Cruz, just bring back the old segments on publishing world, what critics are reading, etc.”
Caseman80 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/21/24
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“I’ve listened to this podcast for years and I really miss the old format and length. It was great hearing from authors or reviewers about new books coming out and hearing about old books I forgot about or hadn’t heard of before in the what are we reading section. This new format feels like it...”Read full review »
mrroxymusic via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/21/24
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“I love this podcast and rely on it for suggestions on books to read and especially audiobooks. I agree with you that many more people are using audiobooks as we can do so much more with those pods in our ears. Thank you so much.”
washer lady via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/20/24
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“After 15 years of listening religiously, especially after Pamela Paul took over, i can't even bother some weeks. Women buy the books and women do most of the reading, and yet it's a male-centric podcast now. And boring, by the way.”Read full review »
heliotrope2 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/06/24
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“I still find smart and interesting discussions here but I miss news from the publishing world and especially miss hearing what people at the Books desk are reading,”
K Uhuru via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/23/24
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“I agree with the many recent reviews about the downhill slide of this podcast. I keep waiting for the NYT to respond to their long term followers and make some changes. They could start by replacing Cruz.”
Travelbit via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/18/24
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“This is really annoying. I am interested in what you have to say, but interjecting “like” in almost every sentence makes it almost unlistenable. You are smarter than that.”
22bluesman via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/10/24
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“New format seems to get a lot of flack but I like it well enough 🤷♂️”
Evsbee via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/09/24
“Hello I like your point of view and enjoy listening but have to turn it off when the reviewers can’t speak without every other word being “like”.”
WestSF via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/09/24
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“I’m sure the old format was difficult to produce, but I’m not sure that this new format has much to offer. The old format offered reviews of fiction, non-fiction, publishing news, discussion of reading, etc. Each episode was worthwhile because I never knew what I would learn. The new format...”Read full review »
podopinions via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/08/24
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“This cast just gets less and less useful for readers.”
jerusalem gurl via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/24/24
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