The Daily The Year in Books
Gilbert Cruz, the editor of The New York Times Book Review, shares his insights on the best books of 2024 and reflects on literary gems of the century. He discusses remarkable titles like Alvaro Enrique's 'You Dreamed of Empires' and highlights 'My Brilliant Friend' by Elena Ferrante. The conversation touches on the joy of reading and the significance of diverse literary experiences. Cruz also explores the concept of commonplace books and how literature shapes personal growth, offering a profound take on the influence of reading in our lives.
26:02
Best Book Recommendations
- Explore the New York Times Book Review's 10 Best Books of 2024 list for reading recommendations.
- Consider the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century list for a broader selection.
Best Books of the 21st Century
- The New York Times polled various experts, including authors and celebrities, for their top books of the 21st century.
- This resulted in a diverse list of 100 books, offering a range of reading experiences.
Embracing the Unread
- Even seasoned book reviewers like Gilbert Cruz haven't read every book on the list.
- He encourages seeing it as a chance to discover new reading experiences, not a measure of reading status.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Celebrating the Best Books
01:52 • 9min
Literary Highlights of 2024
10:40 • 10min
The Art of Keeping a Commonplace Book
20:32 • 4min
Literature as a Guide: Insights from Contemporary Reads
24:15 • 5min
Cold Creamatorium
Reporting from the Land of Auschwitz
Paul Olchváry
József Debreczeni
Man the Hunter
Man the Hunter
richard lee
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
Michael Chabon
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay follows the lives of two Jewish cousins, Joe Kavalier and Sammy Clay, before, during, and after World War II. Joe, an artist and escape artist, escapes Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia and joins his cousin Sammy in New York City. Together, they create the popular comic book character the Escapist, an anti-fascist superhero. The novel explores themes of magic, manhood, superheroes, and growing up Jewish in America during the 1930s and 1940s, delving into their creative and personal lives amidst the backdrop of war and social change.
Candy Darling
Dreamer, Icon, Superstar
Cynthia Carr
This biography by Cynthia Carr provides a detailed and evocative look at the life of Candy Darling, a trans icon who was part of Andy Warhol's circle. Born in 1944, Darling faced a tumultuous childhood, identified as female in her late teens, and became a prominent figure in Greenwich Village's queer and bohemian circles. The book explores her career in films, modeling, and theater, as well as her personal struggles with identity, love, and financial instability. Carr's work is based on extensive research, including Darling's personal papers and interviews with her friends, offering a comprehensive portrait of Darling's life and her impact on the cultural landscape of her time.
Margo's Got Money Troubles
Rufi Thorpe
The novel follows Margo Millet, a young woman who becomes pregnant after a brief affair with her English professor. Despite the challenges, Margo decides to keep the baby and faces numerous financial and personal struggles. She turns to a controversial but lucrative career on OnlyFans to support her family, which further complicates her relationships and societal perceptions. The book explores themes of motherhood, financial independence, and the societal expectations placed on single mothers, all while maintaining a humorous and heartwarming tone.
Modern Poetry
Diane Seuss
My First Book
Honor Levy
My First Book by Honor Levy is a unique collection of short stories that blend elements of essay, story, diatribe, and diary. The book explores the lives of characters deeply embedded in the digital world, grappling with formative political, existential, and romantic experiences. Levy's writing is characterized by its inventive, surreal, and culturally rich prose, reflecting the hyper-real and hyper-performative nature of the internet generation. The stories touch on themes such as digital identity, internet culture, and the challenges of forming a self in a world on the brink of collapse[1][3][4].
2666
Roberto Bolaño
2666 is a sprawling novel composed in the last years of Roberto Bolaño's life. It revolves around the unsolved murders of hundreds of young women in Santa Teresa, a fictional city based on Ciudad Juárez. The novel is divided into five sections, each focusing on different characters and locations, including academics, convicts, an American sportswriter, and an elusive German novelist. The book delves into themes of violence, death, mental illness, journalism, and the breakdown of relationships and careers. Bolaño's writing style shifts and weaves through various voices, evoking a range of emotions and confronting the reader with the harsh realities of life[1][3][4].
Knife
Meditations After an Attempted Murder
Salman Rushdie
In 'Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder', Salman Rushdie provides a gripping and detailed account of the traumatic events following the knife attack on him in August 2022. The book is a meditation on his survival, the metaphysical implications of his experience, and the purpose of writing. Rushdie describes the horrific wounds he suffered, including the loss of his right eye, and reflects on the miraculous nature of his survival. The memoir is characterized by its lack of self-pity, despite the immense pain and struggle Rushdie faced during his recovery. It also touches on themes of art, pain, love, and the ongoing battle for free speech[2][4][5].
When the Clock Broke
Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s
John Ganz
Alphabetical Diaries
Sheila Heti
Sheila Heti's Alphabetical Diaries is a unique and experimental work that reorders a decade's worth of diary entries into alphabetical order. This unconventional approach challenges traditional notions of time and narrative, creating a fragmented yet compelling exploration of self-discovery and the creative process. The book delves into Heti's personal life, thoughts, and experiences, weaving together seemingly disparate entries to reveal a deeper understanding of her artistic journey. The alphabetical structure forces the reader to engage with the text in a non-linear way, prompting reflection on the nature of memory, identity, and the passage of time. The book's experimental form and introspective content have garnered critical acclaim and established Heti as a significant voice in contemporary literature.
Everyone Who Has Gone Is Here
The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis
Jonathan Blitzer
Lincoln in the Bardo
Yannick Garcia Porres
George Saunders
Javier Calvo Perales
The novel is set in 1862 during the American Civil War and revolves around the death of Willie Lincoln, the 11-year-old son of President Abraham Lincoln. After Willie's death from typhoid fever, his spirit finds itself in a limbo known as the bardo, a concept borrowed from Tibetan Buddhism. Here, he encounters a diverse group of ghosts who are also trapped between the world of the living and the afterlife. The story delves into themes of grief, both personal and national, as Lincoln grapples with the loss of his son amidst the broader context of the Civil War. The novel is characterized by its unique narrative style, which includes a multitude of voices and historical quotes, and its exploration of the human experience of suffering and love[1][2][4].
Austerlitz
The Story of a Battle
Claude Manceron
This book by Claude Manceron provides a lively and detailed account of Napoleon's 1805 campaign, with a particular emphasis on the Battle of Austerlitz. It is a historical narrative that brings to life the events leading up to and including the battle, which was a significant victory for Napoleon and solidified his claim to the title of Emperor. The book is translated by George Unwin and offers a comprehensive look at one of the most pivotal battles in Napoleonic history.
I Heard Her Call My Name
Lucy Sante
My Brilliant Friend
Elena Ferrante
My Brilliant Friend is the gripping first volume in Elena Ferrante’s widely acclaimed Neapolitan Novels. The story begins in the 1950s in a poor but vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples, where Elena and Lila form a complex and intense friendship. Through their lives, Ferrante tells the story of a neighborhood, a city, and a country as it undergoes significant transformations. The novel explores themes of female experience, rivalry, and friendship, creating an unsentimental portrait of two girls’ path into womanhood and the broader societal changes around them[2][4][5].
Reagan
His Life and Legend
Max Boot
In this monumental biography, Max Boot illuminates the untold story of Ronald Reagan, drawing on over 100 interviews with Reagan's aides, friends, and family members, as well as thousands of newly available documents. Boot portrays Reagan as a man of profound contradictions—a strong ideologue and a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills, cut deals with Democrats, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. The book contextualizes Reagan's life against American history, from his early successes as a lifeguard and sportscaster to his career in Hollywood and his eventual rise to the presidency. Boot also critically examines Reagan's opposition to civil rights, his handling of the AIDS epidemic, and the income inequality that marked his era. This biography is not a hagiography but a thoughtful, reflective, and critically nuanced account of Reagan's life and legacy.
The Wide, Wide Sea
None
Hampton Sides
Good Material
Dolly Alderton
James
Percival Everett
Percival Everett's "James" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that reimagines the classic tale of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim. Everett's writing is both sharp and witty, blending humor and pathos to create a compelling narrative. The novel explores themes of race, freedom, and identity in a way that is both timely and timeless. Everett's unique voice and perspective offer a fresh take on a familiar story, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about race and American history. The novel's unexpected twists and turns keep readers engaged until the very end, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
Martyr
null
Kaveh Akbar
Middlemarch
George Eliot
Middlemarch, written by George Eliot, is a novel that delves into the complexities of provincial life in 19th-century England. The story revolves around the intersecting lives of its characters, particularly Dorothea Brooke and Dr. Tertius Lydgate, as they navigate marriage, vocation, and social class. Eliot critiques the conventional romance narratives of her time by portraying marriage as a complex and often problematic institution. The novel also explores themes of idealism, self-interest, hypocrisy, and the constraints on women's lives. Set in the fictional town of Middlemarch between 1829 and 1832, the novel incorporates historical events such as the Great Reform Act of 1832 and early developments in medicine. Eliot's realistic portrayal of ordinary human life, with its quiet tragedies and small triumphs, has made 'Middlemarch' a masterpiece of English literature.
You Dreamed of Empires
Natasha Wimmer
Álvaro Enrigue
All Fours
Miranda July
Miranda July's "All Fours" is a poignant and unconventional novel that explores themes of aging, mortality, and the complexities of human connection. The narrative unfolds through the experiences of an unnamed narrator grappling with her changing body and relationships. July's writing style is characterized by its intimate and often humorous approach to profound subjects. The book delves into the challenges of intergenerational friendships and the societal obsession with youth. Ultimately, "All Fours" offers a reflective and empathetic portrayal of the human experience.
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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