I'm Gilbert Cruz, editor of the New York Times book review, and this is the book review podcast.

We've just released our top 10 books of 2024 episode in which I and several other editors break down the best fiction and nonfiction

of the year. You should definitely check that out. Please check that out. It's just a really fun listen.

One of those books, Dolly Alderton's Good Material, was discussed earlier this year as part of our

monthly book club episodes, and we wanted to revisit that conversation.

So here's M.J. Franklin speaking with Emily Aiken and Leah Greenblatt. Enjoy.

Hello, and welcome to another book club episode of the Book Review podcast. I'm M.J. Franklin. I'm an editor here at the New York Times book review. And this week we're chatting about Dolly Alderton's latest novel, Good Material. This is a funny introduction because depending on what type of reader you are or on what side of the Atlantic you are on,

Dolly Alderton is either a huge, inescapable cultural phenomenon to you,

or she's a writer you've never heard of.

Dolly Alderton is the author of several books.

First, she had a memoir come out called Everything I Know About Love,

then she has a novel called Ghosts,

and she has a collection of columns called Dear Dolly,

and that collection of columns hints Dear Dolly, and that collection

of columns hints at why she's known in the UK, but not necessarily known in the U.S.

Before she became an author, she made a name for herself writing columns for the Sunday Times.

First, she had a dating column, and then she pivoted to a general advice column called Dear Dolly.

Those have been running in some form since 2015, and through those columns,

she kind of ingrained herself in the British zeitgeis because they were fun and voicy and

offered such perspective. But those columns did not run in the U.S. so American readers may be

unfamiliar with Dolly. That may change with her new book, Good Material, the book we're here to discuss,

she's getting a little bit buzzier in the States. And joining me in discussing the book are two great colleagues and readers. People I'm so excited to talk to you. First, we have Emily Aiken, a fellow staff editor here at the book review. Hi, Emily. Hi, MJ. I'm here representing first-time Dolly Alderton readers.

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