New York Times Book Review

The New York Times Book Review is designed for an archetypal NYTimes Reader: a person with a solid liberal-arts education with moderate-to-liberal political views who is eager to appear up-to-date with contemporary literature serious fiction, popular biographies and non-fiction in the social sciences. Popular fiction, serious science and other subjects are usually omitted not by design but because of space constranits, I believe.

That said, most reviews seem to be thorough, fair and educational in themselves, although occasionally you will note that a reviewer may have a significant, important bias concerning the author s/he is reviewing. Some times this isn't revealed and leads to weeks of debate in the letters column.

In recent years more attention has been paid to so-called children's literature, which is helpful. The fiction best-seller lists are almost meaningless anymore, as they are crammed with thrillers and romances almost of the drug-store variety, but the non-fiction best-seller lists can be a way to find something new.

There are few specialty columns (or any columns at all, come to think of it), but the venerable Marilyn Stasio has done an excellent job of covering the huge mystery field and keeping readers up to date on their old favorites as well as promising newcomers.

The Times' book world tends to be occupied by authors who have already passed an invisible acid test of acceptability. You'll have to seek out truly new voices in less traditional publications. That said, the Times Book Review keeps you up-to-date on all of the important books and provides additional sustenance for the average, well-educated reader of somewhat broad tastes.

I purchased this subscription as a gift for my wife. Unfortunately, Magazine Express could not start the subscription for almost eight weeks. I put up with this indignity because the price seemed reasonable. My wife loves the Review and reads every word.

It would be nice if the delivery was consistent. Magazine Express really is a mediocre company. Some weeks we don't receive the week's review and then the next week we get two different editions. This not what I signed up for. Please, one review per week delivered on or about the same day of each week would be nice.

Buy New York Times Book Review Now

I have been reading the NY Times Book Review for many many years. There rarely is a week when there is not some review of considerable interest to me. Though I oppose its political bias which is left liberal, I appreciate the solidity, and respectful way in which most reviews are written. There is a sense that for the Times books and culture in general have meaning and importance.

The 'Times ' tends to bet for its main articles on proven winners. A review in the Times can make a person's name, and many many are the writers whose books have arrived in the 'Times' offices never to be given a real look at.

The 'Times ' articles and reviews are not the longest and the deepest but they do often provide pleasant reads, and arouse real interest in the book in question.

The NY Times Book Review is still of first importance because the NY Times is .

I still try to skim through every week searching for the review or two that I really have to try to chew and digest.

Read Best Reviews of New York Times Book Review Here

This is a lame excuse not to actually go out and Purchase new books. I grew up with Cliff's Notes. This would be a logical extension.

Want New York Times Book Review Discount?

for anybody who can't handle the whole Sunday New York Times, this section is very welcome. Also: it arrives in the mail a few days before the Sunday Times.