New York Times Book Review Editor Shares Best Books of the Year

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KQED

News, Politics, News Commentary

4.2 • 727 Ratings

🗓️ 21 December 2023

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

For almost as long as there’s been a New York Times Book Review — that is, since 1896 — their book editors have named the annual standouts of the many, many, many books they read. And for the past two decades, they’ve named the 10 Best Books of the year, recognizing some of the most inventive and well-crafted works of fiction and nonfiction. 2023’s standouts include a dystopian satire, a “journey through the deep state” and an account of one house and its inhabitants over 300 years. Editor Gilbert Cruz joins us to share the 10 best, why they’re worth a read — and the year-long process that goes into selecting them. And we’ll hear from you: What was your favorite book released this year? Guests: Gilbert Cruz, editor, The New York Times Book Review Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:50.6	Music From KQED. From KQED in San Francisco, I'm Nina Kim.
0:53.9	Coming up on forum, we talk with editor of the New York Times book review, Gilbert Cruz, about what he and his team determined to be the 10 best books of 2023. Just five works of fiction and five works of nonfiction are selected from more than 1,500 that are reviewed by the Times every year.
1:12.0	We'll learn which books made the cut and why and how time staff members determine and defend
1:17.4	the books that should make the list.
1:19.5	So I loved this book.
1:21.3	I couldn't put it down when I started reading it.
1:23.2	I recommended it to everyone, including an attendant who was helping me when I broke my phone.
1:29.3	We'll also hear about your favorite reads of 2023. Join us.
1:38.6	Welcome to Forum. I'm Mina Kim. The debate among New York Times book review staff of what to name the 10 most
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