NYT Book Reviews (Filtered)https://avizenilman.github.io/nyt-book-reviews/Actual book reviews from the New York Times, filtered from the noisy Books RSS feed.Sat, 04 Apr 2026 17:20:57 +0000‘True Color,’ by Kory Stamperhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/04/books/review/true-color-kory-stamper.htmlThe lexicographer Kory Stamper’s “True Color” is a sneakily insightful philosophical treatise on what it means to define anything at all.Deirdre MaskSat, 04 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/04/books/review/true-color-kory-stamper.html‘Judgy Bunny and the Terrible Beach,’ by Scott Rothman, and ‘Bartleby,’ by Matt Phelanhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/books/review/matt-phelan-bartleby-scott-rothman-judgy-bunny-childrens-picture-books.htmlMatt Phelan’s bear cub named Bartleby and Scott Rothman’s judgy bunny aren’t wicked or misbehaved. Like our reviewer, they simply prefer not to.Lisa BrownFri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/books/review/matt-phelan-bartleby-scott-rothman-judgy-bunny-childrens-picture-books.html‘This Land Is Your Land,’ by Beverly Gagehttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/01/books/review/this-land-is-your-land-beverly-gage.htmlIn anticipation of the nation’s 250th anniversary, a Pulitzer winner visited 300 sites to see how history is displayed and, sometimes, erased.Jennifer SzalaiWed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/01/books/review/this-land-is-your-land-beverly-gage.html‘A Good Person,’ by Kirsten Kinghttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/books/review/a-good-person-kirsten-king.htmlThe sloppy, solipsistic narrator of Kirsten King’s novel, “A Good Person,” casts a witchy spell on a guy who dumped her. Hours later, he’s been stabbed to death.Cat MarnellTue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/books/review/a-good-person-kirsten-king.html‘Son of Nobody,’ by Yann Martelhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/books/review/yann-martel-son-of-nobody.htmlYann Martel’s “Son of Nobody” joins many recent books that reimagine the classics, but offers a Nabokovian twist.Daniel MendelsohnTue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/books/review/yann-martel-son-of-nobody.html‘The Confessions of Samuel Pepys,’ by Guy de la Bédoyèrehttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/books/review/confessions-of-samuel-pepys-bedoyere.htmlSamuel Pepys’s journals are an invaluable record of British history. A new book reconsiders his infamous sexual exploits.Dwight GarnerMon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/books/review/confessions-of-samuel-pepys-bedoyere.html‘The Witch,’ by Marie NDiayehttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/books/review/the-witch-marie-ndiaye.htmlPart horror, part fable, the latest novel by Marie NDiaye to be translated into English is an exacting portrait of domestic entrapment and psychological turmoil.Emily EakinMon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/books/review/the-witch-marie-ndiaye.html‘Transcription,’ by Ben Lernerhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/29/books/review/ben-lerner-transcription.htmlIn “Transcription,” Ben Lerner considers a famous father, a loyal protégé and a distant son, bound by devotion and separated by miscommunication.Alexandra JacobsSun, 29 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/29/books/review/ben-lerner-transcription.html‘The Keeper,’ by Tana Frenchhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/28/books/review/tana-french-the-keeper.html“The Keeper,” the final book in her Cal Hooper trilogy, returns readers to an insular village in rural western Ireland.Sarah LyallSat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/28/books/review/tana-french-the-keeper.html‘A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic: Or, Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm,’ by Philip Steadhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/books/review/philip-stead-a-potion-a-powder-a-little-bit-of-magic.htmlPhilip Stead’s “A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic” gleefully ignores all the storytelling rules.Adam RubinFri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/books/review/philip-stead-a-potion-a-powder-a-little-bit-of-magic.html‘The Making and Breaking of the American Constitution,’ by Mark Petersonhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/books/review/the-making-and-breaking-of-the-american-constitution-mark-peterson.htmlIn a new book, the historian Mark Peterson argues that our founding document is rooted in ideals of expansion and conquest ill suited to the nation we’ve become.Claire Rydell ArcenasThu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/books/review/the-making-and-breaking-of-the-american-constitution-mark-peterson.html‘The Insatiable Machine,’ by Trevor Jacksonhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/books/review/trevor-jackson-the-insatiable-machine.htmlA new history by Trevor Jackson argues that the economic system that transformed global living standards depends on endless growth impossible to sustain.Jennifer SzalaiWed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/books/review/trevor-jackson-the-insatiable-machine.html‘How Flowers Made Our World,’ by David George Haskellhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/books/review/how-flowers-made-our-world-david-george-haskell.htmlIn “How Flowers Made Our World,” David George Haskell makes a case for their soft power.Adam NicolsonWed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/books/review/how-flowers-made-our-world-david-george-haskell.html‘The Universal Baseball Association,’ by Robert Cooverhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/books/review/robert-coover-universal-baseball-association.htmlJust in time for Opening Day, Robert Coover’s prescient 1968 baseball novel is back in print.Adam DalvaWed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/books/review/robert-coover-universal-baseball-association.html‘American Men,’ by Jordan Ritter Conn; ‘Who Needs Friends,’ by Andrew McCarthyhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/books/review/american-men-jordan-ritter-conn-who-needs-friends-andrew-mccarthy.html“American Men,” by Jordan Ritter Conn, and “Who Needs Friends,” by Andrew McCarthy, report from the front lines of the epidemic of male loneliness.Mark OppenheimerTue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/books/review/american-men-jordan-ritter-conn-who-needs-friends-andrew-mccarthy.html‘A Treacherous Secret Agent,’ by Marjorie Garberhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/books/review/a-treacherous-secret-agent-marjorie-garber.htmlIn a new book, the Harvard scholar Marjorie Garber suggests how Americans targeted during the Red Scare used literature to confound their interrogators.A.O. ScottTue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/books/review/a-treacherous-secret-agent-marjorie-garber.html‘Open Space,’ by David Ariostohttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/books/review/open-space-david-ariosto.html“Open Space,” by David Ariosto, suggests there are few limits on human ingenuity that could prevent us from colonizing the cosmos.Adam BeckerTue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/books/review/open-space-david-ariosto.html‘Darkology,’ by Rhae Lynn Barneshttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/23/books/review/rhae-lynn-barnes-darkology-blackface.htmlA new book by Rhae Lynn Barnes examines how minstrelsy once occupied the center of the nation’s cultural life.Dwight GarnerMon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/23/books/review/rhae-lynn-barnes-darkology-blackface.html‘Almost Life,’ by Kiran Millwood Hargravehttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/23/books/review/almost-life-kiran-millwood-hargrave.htmlIn Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s novel “Almost Life,” a passionate love affair between two college women gives way to a lifetime of what-ifs.Stacey D’ErasmoMon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/23/books/review/almost-life-kiran-millwood-hargrave.html‘Playmakers: The Jewish Entrepreneurs Who Created the Toy Industry in America,’ by Michael Kimmelhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/22/books/review/playmakers-jewish-american-toy-industry-kimmel.htmlIn “Playmakers,” Michael Kimmel traces, and celebrates, the immigrant roots of the American toy industry. (Batteries not included.)Alexandra JacobsSun, 22 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/22/books/review/playmakers-jewish-american-toy-industry-kimmel.html‘The Feather Wars,’ by James H. McCommonshttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/21/books/review/feather-wars-james-mccommons.htmlIn “The Feather Wars,” James H. McCommons pays tribute to the nation’s first conservationists.Joshua HammerSat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/21/books/review/feather-wars-james-mccommons.html‘Everybody’s Fly,’ by Fab 5 Freddyhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/21/books/review/everybodys-fly-fab-5-freddy-fred-brathwaite.htmlAs his new memoir demonstrates, he himself would achieve fame as a visual artist, filmmaker, TV host and formative tastemaker.Alan LightSat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/21/books/review/everybodys-fly-fab-5-freddy-fred-brathwaite.html‘Paradiso 17,’ by Hannah Lillith Assadihttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/books/review/hannah-lillith-assadi-paradiso-17.html“Paradiso 17,” by Hannah Lillith Assadi, considers the toll of displacement through the tale of a Palestinian émigré.Zain KhalidWed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/books/review/hannah-lillith-assadi-paradiso-17.html‘A Scandal in Königsberg,’ by Christopher Clarkhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/books/review/a-scandal-in-konigsberg-christopher-clark.htmlA new book by the historian Christopher Clark chronicles a nearly 200-year-old scandal with echoes of the present day.Jennifer SzalaiWed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/books/review/a-scandal-in-konigsberg-christopher-clark.html‘We’ and ‘The People Can Fly,’ by Joshua Bennetthttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/books/review/joshua-bennett-we-the-people-can-fly.htmlJoshua Bennett’s two new collections, “We” and “The People Can Fly,” take different paths to the same destination.Holly BassWed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/18/books/review/joshua-bennett-we-the-people-can-fly.html‘Chain of Ideas,’ by Ibram X. Kendihttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/books/review/chain-of-ideas-ibram-x-kendi.htmlIn “Chain of Ideas,” Ibram X. Kendi argues that a modern form of xenophobia has come to dominate conservative movements across the world.Sam Adler-BellTue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/books/review/chain-of-ideas-ibram-x-kendi.html‘Salt Lakes,’ by Caroline Traceyhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/books/review/salt-lakes-caroline-tracey.htmlIn a new book, Caroline Tracey explores the mysteries and beauty of salt lakes.Robert SullivanTue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/17/books/review/salt-lakes-caroline-tracey.html‘Sisters in Yellow,’ by Mieko Kawakamihttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/16/books/review/mieko-kawakami-sisters-in-yellow.htmlMieko Kawakami’s novel “Sisters in Yellow” follows a group of dreaming and scheming young women through society’s margins.Dwight GarnerMon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/16/books/review/mieko-kawakami-sisters-in-yellow.html‘Stay Alive,’ by Ian Burumahttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/16/books/review/stay-alive-ian-buruma.htmlIn “Stay Alive,” Ian Buruma paints a picture of the city dwellers who survived in Germany under the Nazis.Kevin PerainoMon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/16/books/review/stay-alive-ian-buruma.html‘The Secret History of French Cooking,’ by Luke Barrhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/15/books/review/the-secret-history-of-french-cooking-review-luke-barr.htmlA new history by Luke Barr chronicles the innovations, excesses and chauvinism of the French chefs who spawned a revolution in cooking.Alexandra JacobsSun, 15 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/15/books/review/the-secret-history-of-french-cooking-review-luke-barr.html‘The Natural Way of Things,’ by Charlotte Woodhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/14/books/review/the-natural-way-of-things-charlotte-wood.htmlCharlotte Wood’s “The Natural Way of Things” conjures a not-so-implausible world in which girls and young women are thrown into prison for their sexual shames.Leah GreenblattSat, 14 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/14/books/review/the-natural-way-of-things-charlotte-wood.html‘Books Good Enough for You: The Storied Life of Ursula Nordstrom, Editor of Extraordinary Children’s Books,’ by Nancy Hudginshttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/books/review/ursula-nordstrom-childrens-books-editor.htmlFrom 1940 to 1973, Ursula Nordstrom transformed kids’ books into real art and big business. A new middle grade biography attempts to capture her magic.Mac BarnettFri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/books/review/ursula-nordstrom-childrens-books-editor.html‘Night Night Fawn,’ by Jordy Rosenberghttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/books/review/night-night-fawn-jordy-rosenberg.htmlJordy Rosenberg’s second novel, “Night Night Fawn,” approaches a closed-minded matriarch with compassion, even at her child’s expense.Melissa BroderFri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/13/books/review/night-night-fawn-jordy-rosenberg.html‘In the Days of My Youth I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man,’ by Tom Junodhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/books/review/in-the-days-of-my-youth-i-was-told-what-it-means-to-be-a-man-tom-junod.htmlIn an affecting new memoir, Tom Junod, a prizewinning magazine writer, grapples with unsettling discoveries about his larger-than-life dad.Jennifer SzalaiWed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/books/review/in-the-days-of-my-youth-i-was-told-what-it-means-to-be-a-man-tom-junod.html‘The Golden Boy,’ by Patricia Finnhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/books/review/patricia-finn-the-golden-boy.htmlFrom his perch in Hawaii, the hero of Patricia Finn’s first novel, “The Golden Boy,” revisits his dark past in rural Ontario.Beatriz WilliamsWed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/books/review/patricia-finn-the-golden-boy.html‘Kids, Wait Till You Hear This! A Memoir,’ by Liza Minnellihttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/books/review/liza-minnelli-memoir-kids-wait-till-you-hear-this.html“Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!” is a familiar reminder that growing up in showbiz can lead to awards and adulation, but also to heartache.Alexandra JacobsTue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/books/review/liza-minnelli-memoir-kids-wait-till-you-hear-this.html‘The Complex,’ by Karan Mahajanhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/books/review/karan-mahajan-complex.htmlKaran Mahajan’s new novel, “The Complex,” tracks the fortunes of a political family in a rapidly changing India.Jonathan DeeTue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/books/review/karan-mahajan-complex.html‘Down Time,’ by Andrew Martinhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/books/review/andrew-martin-down-time.htmlIn Andrew Martin’s keenly observed new novel, a group of friends navigate a society reshaped by the pandemic.Ben GreenmanTue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/books/review/andrew-martin-down-time.html‘Nonesuch,’ by Francis Spuffordhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/books/review/nonesuch-francis-spufford.html“Nonesuch,” the new novel by Francis Spufford, conjures a plot laced with magic to change the course of history.Louisa HallTue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/books/review/nonesuch-francis-spufford.html‘Whidbey,’ by T Kira Maddenhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/books/review/whidbey-t-kira-madden.htmlIn “Whidbey,” three women reckon with the aftermath of sexual assault.Catherine ChidgeyTue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/books/review/whidbey-t-kira-madden.html‘Gunk,’ by Saba Samshttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/books/review/saba-sams-gunk.html“Gunk,” a novel by Saba Sams, follows a woman through the trials and tenuous jobs of young adulthood.Dwight GarnerMon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/books/review/saba-sams-gunk.html‘Stories,’ by Helen Garnerhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/books/review/helen-garner-stories.htmlA newly released collection of the Australian master’s short fiction shows her sympathy, her virtuosity and her ear.Joumana KhatibSat, 07 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/books/review/helen-garner-stories.html‘Chosen Land,’ by Matthew Avery Suttonhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/books/review/chosen-land-matthew-avery-sutton.htmlIn “Chosen Land,” Matthew Avery Sutton argues that, despite the intentions of certain founders, the First Amendment guaranteed that the United States would be a godly country.Brenda WineappleThu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/books/review/chosen-land-matthew-avery-sutton.html‘Days of Love and Rage,’ by Anand Gopalhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/books/review/days-of-love-and-rage-anand-gopal.htmlIn “Days of Love and Rage,” Anand Gopal creates an indelible portrait of revolution and civil war in Syria.Charles GlassThu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/books/review/days-of-love-and-rage-anand-gopal.html