Podcast Summary: The Daily – "The Year in Books"

Episode Overview In the December 31, 2024 episode of The Daily by The New York Times, host Melissa Kirsch delves into the literary highlights of the year. The episode, guest-hosted by Melissa Kirsch, Deputy Editor of Culture and Lifestyle, features insightful discussions with Gilbert Cruz, Editor of the New York Times Book Review, contributions from various book critics, and an engaging segment with Dwight Garner on his commonplace book. This comprehensive exploration of contemporary literature offers listeners a curated look into the best books of 2024 and the most influential works of the 21st century.

1. Best Books of 2024 with Gilbert Cruz

Selection Process Gilbert Cruz explains the meticulous process behind selecting the New York Times Book Review’s top 10 books of the year. “[We] meeting monthly. And at every one of those meetings, we're discussing books that we think are great,” Cruz shares ([02:14]). This ongoing dialogue ensures that the final list reflects a well-considered consensus after extensive debate and evaluation throughout the year.

Top Fiction Picks The fiction selections for 2024 include:

• All Fours by Miranda July
• Good Material by Dali
• Alderton James by Percival Everett
• Martyr by Kaveh Akbar
• You'd Dreamed of Empires by Alvaro Enrique

Cruz highlights his personal favorite, You'd Dreamed of Empires, praising its imaginative portrayal of the first encounter between Hernán Cortés and Moctezuma. “[It] is very funny. It’s very sort of descriptively written. Like there are smells and sights that pop off the page” ([02:47]).

Top Nonfiction Picks The nonfiction category features a diverse range of genres, including biography and history:

• Reagan by Max Boot
• Everyone Who Has Gone Is Here by Jonathan Blitzer
• The Wide, Wide Sea by Hampton Sides
• I Heard Her Call My Name by Lucy Sant
• Cold Crematorium by Josef Debrezeny

Cruz’s favorite nonfiction book, The Wide, Wide Sea, explores Captain James Cook’s final voyage in 1776. He describes it as a captivating tale set on the high seas, filled with adventure and peril. “[It] was sent to try to find the Northwest Passage… something bad happened to him. He died” ([03:50]).

2. Best Books of the 21st Century

Curating the List Gilbert Cruz details the process of compiling the best books of the 21st century, emphasizing the reliance on a vast network of reviewers and literary experts. “[We] sort of lean on their expertise… we published a list of 100, which is a lot of books” ([05:04]).

Top Pick: My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante At the pinnacle of the list is My Brilliant Friend, the first book in Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet. Cruz attributes its success to its profound depiction of female friendship and its compelling narrative that captivates readers across four volumes. “[It] capture female friendship in a way that is truly unique in 21st century literature” ([06:32]).

Surprising Entries Cruz points out unexpected inclusions such as 2666 by Roberto Bolaño and Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald, noting their significant impact despite their challenging nature. “[2666] is a massive, slightly impenetrable literary work… it came in so high was surprising to me” ([07:23]).

3. Book Critics Share Their Favorites of 2024

Melissa Kirsch invites several New York Times Book Review critics to recommend their favorite books of the year, providing a diverse array of genres and themes:

• MJ Franklin praises Margot's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe, highlighting its sharp commentary on gender, power, and societal expectations. “[It] is playful and layered and smart” ([12:00]).

• Jennifer Salai recommends When the Clock Broke by John Ganz, a nonfiction work delving into the tumultuous early 1990s in America. She notes its relevance to contemporary political climates. “[This] is a book that will continue to be relevant” ([13:18]).

• A.O. Scott highlights Modern Poetry by Diane Suess, commending its accessibility and inventive approach to poetry. “[You] don’t have to care or know anything about poetry to enjoy it” ([15:54]).

• Sarah Lyle selects The Hunter by Tana French, appreciating its exquisite writing and depth beyond typical thriller plots. “[Every turn of phrase has had care put into it. It heightens your senses” ([16:00]).

• Alexandra Jacobs endorses Candy Darling, Dreamer, Icon, Superstar by Cynthia Carr, a biography of the transgender pioneer Candy Darling. She lauds the book for capturing Darling’s vibrant and challenging life. “[It] sparkles like Candy Darling would wish” ([17:04]).

4. Dwight Garner’s Commonplace Book

In an intriguing segment, Dwight Garner discusses his commonplace book—a personal collection of memorable quotes and passages.

Understanding the Commonplace Book Garner defines a commonplace book as “a book of quotes and lines and aphorisms… humans have had written language for 5,000 years” ([19:38]).

Personal Insights and Entries Garner shares notable entries from 2024, reflecting on books that resonated deeply with him:

• From Sheila Hetty's Alphabetical Diaries, he quotes: “No one at this point in history knows how to live” ([21:56]). He connects this to his reading philosophy of seeking understanding through fiction.

• From Salman Rushdie's memoir, Knife, Garner admires Rushdie’s resilience and humor amidst personal trauma: “[Salman] is still with us… a sign of his sanity” ([24:17]).

• From Honor Levy’s work, he shares a playful yet profound passage that captures the nuances of modern digital communication among youth ([24:43]).

Reflecting on the Practice Garner emphasizes the importance of writing down impactful lines to internalize and remember them. “[You] are sort of taking notes on how to live” ([23:33]).

Conclusion

The episode concludes with acknowledgments of the production team and a brief advertisement, which are outside the scope of the content-focused summary. Throughout the episode, listeners gain a rich understanding of the literary landscape of 2024, discover diverse book recommendations, and gain a personal glimpse into Dwight Garner’s literary inspirations through his commonplace book.

Notable Quotes:

• Gilbert Cruz on the selection process: “[We] are discussing books that we think are great” ([02:14]).
• Cruz on You’d Dreamed of Empires: “[It] is very funny… smells and sights that pop off the page” ([02:47]).
• Gilbert Cruz on My Brilliant Friend: “[It] capture female friendship in a way that is truly unique” ([06:32]).
• Dwight Garner on Salman Rushdie’s memoir: “[Salman] is still with us… a sign of his sanity” ([24:17]).

This episode serves as an invaluable guide for readers seeking to explore the most impactful and celebrated literature of the year and beyond.