As 2024 comes to a close, critics, reporters and editors at The New York Times are reflecting on the year in arts and culture, including books.

The deputy editor of Culture and Lifestyle, Melissa Kirsch, speaks with the editor of The New York Times Book Review, Gilbert Cruz, about the best books of 2024 — and of the century. Also, The Times’s book critics detail their favorite reads of the year.

Guest:

Melissa Kirsch, the deputy editor of Culture and Lifestyle for The New York Times.
Gilbert Cruz, the editor of The New York Times Book Review.
M.J. Franklin, an editor for The New York Times Book Review.
Jennifer Szalai, the nonfiction book critic for The New York Times Book Review.
A.O. Scott, a critic at large for The New York Times Book Review.
Sarah Lyall, a writer at large for The Times and the thrillers columnist for The New York Times Book Review.
Alexandra Jacobs, a critic for The New York Times Book Review.
Dwight Garner, a critic for The New York Times Book Review.

Background reading:

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The Year in Books

The Daily