All Books
- ‘Fossil Men’ explores breakthrough science – and human nature
A new book tracks the discovery of a ground-shaking addition to the fossil record, and shows how science ultimately comes down to the human element.
- Steve Martin brings the cartoon fun in ‘A Wealth of Pigeons’
A collaboration with New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss yields a droll collection that pokes fun at human foibles and offers gems of comic wisdom.
- Before history devolves into mythology: 2020’s best books on World War II
Historians grapple with the grimmest, toughest questions surrounding the war, about culpability, morality, and demagoguery during a fraught time.
- A family history in trees and flowers: A biologist’s memoir
Part memoir, part travel narrative, and part nature writing, a biologist visits Taiwan – her ancestral homeland – and unravels her family history.
- Richard III struggled against his two brothers for the crown
English history recounts many tales of bloody battles, but the infighting among “The Brothers York” was legendary for its ferocity.
- Cozy up for story time with these delightful picture books
Read-aloud books for children inspire delight and foster kindness by exploring how it feels to be different, to belong, and to win over a new friend.
- Just-right stories: The four best audiobooks of November 2020
In the mood for bite-sized entertainment? Essays about nature and outstanding short stories make for deep but quick listening this month.
- Q&A with N. Scott Momaday, author of ‘Earth Keeper’
Pulitzer prize-winning writer N. Scott Momaday discusses his newest book, his life, poetry, and his career.
- A star architect and his son go on a journey in search of beauty
The pursuit of the mythical Atlantis inspires Renzo Piano to review his career, which includes landmarks such as London’s The Shard skyscraper.
- A chance to redo the past in ‘Before the Coffee Gets Cold’
Time travel and café culture yield a lovely, wise brew in a translation of Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s popular play-turned-novel.
- ‘Cassius X’ captures the spiritual awakening of Muhammad Ali
“The Greatest” is most known for his stunning knockouts and his braggadocio – but a new biography focuses on his conversion to Islam.
- The intricate inner workings of a Japanese police department
Part procedural and part office drama, four novellas paint a portrait of the complex mechanisms of police bureaucracy in Japan.
- ‘The Russian Pink’ offers jewels, thrills, and sneaky characters
Studded with facts about black market diamond trading, this fictional thriller has adrenaline rushes, villainous plotters, and glamorous gems galore.
- Giving thanks for the 10 best books of November 2020
The tantalizing array of great books is reason to give thanks. This month is bursting with unusual novels, humor, cultural critique, and biography.
- Brexit brings together two lovers, both of whom are outsiders
In Xiaolu Guo’s novel “A Lover’s Discourse” two people of different backgrounds are drawn together as Britain moves to isolate itself from Europe.
- Bank shot: A sports writer and a superfan bond over Knicks basketball
In “Our Last Season: A Writer, A Fan, A Friendship,” Harvey Araton pays tribute to the woman who gave him tips about the team – and about life.
- Cary Grant’s charm was legendary, but his best character was actually himself
In Scott Eyman’s thorough biography, the actor comes across as a man who hid behind his debonair persona, to the detriment of his relationships.
- ‘The Upswing’: From personal gain to common good and back again
Robert D. Putnam assesses the schisms and swings in 20th-century American politics – and why there’s hope for the future.
- ‘The Good American’: One man struggled to make the world right
As America stepped into conflicts across the world in the late 20th century, one bureaucrat took on the thankless task of tallying up the human cost.
- Q&A with with James Gardner, author of ‘The Louvre’
Among Western art institutions, the Louvre looms as a supreme icon of cultural sophistication. But how did it get that way? James Gardner explains.