Reviews
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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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“This podcast used to be the highlight of my week when Pamela Paul was the host. Her interviews with authors and colleagues were thoughtful, entertaining, and joyful. It was a podcast for us book nerds and a gift during COVID to fight feelings of isolation. The quality of the podcast crashed when...”Read full review »
lt1640a via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/24/24
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“Been listening for many years. Enjoyed listening to Sam Tanenhaus’ and Pamela Paul’s thoughtful approaches. The new format is a cop out, doing the minimum and simply leaves me waiting for the missing segments. Very disappointing. April 18: In a recent podcast for example, Cruz discussed Judy...”Read full review »
Cycledoc22 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/02/24
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“Enjoyed this wonderful, normal, honest conversation about author’s open marriage.”
newsjunqui via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/27/24
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“I really miss the old format of the Book Review Podcast, which typically involved an in-depth author interview, news from the publishing world, and an informal chat with a few of the editors about what they were reading (for work and for pleasure).
In the days of the old podcast, I felt...”Read full review »
Asukag via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/21/24
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“This podcast used to be amazing, but it’s just gone downhill. I used to love PP’s author interviews.”
Tunbridge the raven via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/06/24
“I have been an avid listener of this podcast for years, and loved it when Pamela Paul was the host. Her interviews were very in-depth and engaging, and I enjoyed the updates from the publishing world as well. Ever since Ms. Paul moved on, the podcast has been very lackluster. The episode lengths...”Read full review »
eeuhn via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/12/23
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“I’m delighted to have found this podcast. The easy conversational format, insightful reviews, she host, the guests, Joumana and Sadie are my favorites, the book selection, all work for me. I listen guilt-free, knowing as a mom of two young kids, that I won’t read most of the books but the...”Read full review »
Ksenia in sunny LA via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/08/23
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“You probably won’t see my comment but can you PLLLLLLEEEEEAAAAASSSSEEEEE review the book ( Going Viral ) it is my new favorite book and I want to see what you think of it”
rewrite the free right via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/29/23
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“I wanted to give the new format a chance since it takes a while for people to find their footing but I too have no more interest in this podcast. It was my favorite since Sam Tanenbaum. With a few exceptions, it was author focused and reader focused. A great mix of author interviews and staff...”Read full review »
sissbsmods via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/19/23
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“This used to be my favorite podcast. I have listened for years and years, and I am slowly giving up hope that it will return to the compelling experience that I looked forward to every Friday. I’ve been rooting for Gilbert and team, but whatever the new mix is, it’s just not working, and I’m so...”Read full review »
taibug via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/14/23
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“Thank you, Pamela. We have enjoyed your work on the show a great deal. Happy trails and take care!”
664lef via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
11/03/23
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“⭐️ One star for YOU.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ FIVE STARS FOR BARBRA STREISAND
No one will remember you in 75 years but Barbra will always reign supreme.”
OMG Design Studio via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/02/23
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“Gilbert Cruz is too self-involved to be interested in books and their authors. I miss interesting interviews of authors and critics. I miss hearing what staff members are currently reading. I miss Pamela Paul and John Williams and the former podcast format.”
Harriet D. via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/01/23
“Miss hearing about news of the publishing world and about reviews/interviews with authors about new books. Seems every podcast now is a look back at books that were released 10+ years ago or book recommendations for whatever holiday is around the corner. Pamela Paul had her moments of annoyance...”Read full review »
ChrisFletcher89 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/28/23
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“I was tolerating Gilbert Cruz. He seems like a careerist straight guy and not a bookish person but he was OK as a host of the podcast until he said I can’t imagine readers of the book review and listeners of the podcast are interested in Barbra Streisand? Why can’t he imagine that? She’s a gay...”Read full review »
jayhfromohio via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/19/23
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“I have enjoyed several of Ann Patchett’s books. I sat down in a great recliner, with my feet way up prepared to do nothing but listen for 1/2 hr to her interview. I turned it off after 5-6 minutes. The rate of speech was so brisk, so rushed. Listening was the opposite of relaxation.
It’s not...”Read full review »
MaliaBobia via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/08/23
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“What’s the point of interesting guests if the host doesn’t shut up? He is way to verbose and repeats himself and a five word question becomes a too long paragraph . Bring back Pamela Paul!”
trillionshelper via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/07/23
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“This is a Book Review podcast, (not Sway), and you talk about Elon Musk rather than Walter Isaacson. I think he’s an extraordinary biographer—who could make the founder of Cinnabon sound as interesting as Henry Kissinger.”
cabrunicus via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/16/23
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“This went from being my absolute favorite podcast to being pretty much unlistenable. New host Gilbert Cruz seems much more interested in talking about himself than he is in asking questions. Half the time he hasn’t even read the books. I guess on the positive side, Cruz doesn’t seem to care...”Read full review »
Yiqian via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/27/23
“The NYTBR podcast used to be my favorite pod, hands down. Sadly, it’s become barely listenable ever since Gilbert Cruz became Book Review editor. It sounds amateurish, the questions in the interviews aren't good, even the sound quality isn’t! I miss the industry news sections, the criticism...”Read full review »
LauraSSF via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/21/23
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“One of my favorites. I look forward to hearing it each week.”
Cannot enter a nickname via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/18/23
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“It took a while for Pamela Paul to hit her stride so I’ve kept listening in hopes that the new host and format would develop into another good podcast. But it seems he’s just filling the slot and doing the bare minimum until someone who really likes the job is hired. If so, I hope that happens soon.”
Meta pelet via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/17/23
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“Love the podcast, been listening to it for over a decade. But occasionally the guests are awful— andrew Sullivan?! Come on! That guy is so transphobic. Do better, please!”
Alicejames via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/11/23
“I’m a longtime listener and am genuinely shocked by the aggressive negative comments about the host. This show has always seemed to me to be a labor of love by the editors and critics of the Book Review. It was fun when Sam Tanenhouse was host. It was surprisingly emotional and nerdy (in the best...”Read full review »
LanceDavis33366 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/01/23
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“The old format and host of the podcast made it my favorite. I hardly listen anymore. There must be a way to breathe some life back into it. I hope that with all of the reviews saying similar things, the NYT will do something about it.”
JFouch via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/20/23
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“I have listened to this podcast for many years but it’s just not interesting anymore. Too many popular commercial titles. Maybe you’re trying to expand your audience but you’re losing your hard core fans.”
The reading brain via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
07/18/23
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“I used to love listening to this podcast and always finished with a list of books I couldn’t wait to read. Now, I can barely make it through 1 episode. Host is not a good fit and does not convey a love of books and reading. Podcast feels slapped together. Please bring back old format and find a...”Read full review »
Deea_cd via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
07/17/23
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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 ·
07/15/23
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“This used to be my absolute favorite podcast, I loved the author interviews. Now it seems like an afterthought that they are barely putting effort in to throw together. I understand the editors are busy but could they find literally anyone else who has time to do this well? So weird that they...”Read full review »
nathkolan via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/30/23
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