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

I was traveling recently, everyone, and then I have to tell you, I came down with the most wicked bug.

It just laid me low for many, many days.

So we have a rerun for you this week, and a pretty good one.

In January 2024, I spoke to the movie director, Stephen Soderberg, about his reading life. He is a huge reader.

Soderberg has just released his second film of 2025, The Spy Thriller Black Bag, starring Michael Fastbender

and Kate Blanchett.

It seemed like a good time to revisit our conversation.

Here you go.

Every year, Stephen Soderberg, the incredibly prolific director, publishes on his site, Extension 765, a detailed day-by-day list of every book he's read,

every movie and TV show he's watched, every play he's attended.

I've read these lists for years.

I've gotten great pleasure from them, and I wanted to have Stephen on to talk about the books.

Stephen Soderberg, welcome to the book review podcast.

Thanks for having me.

Stephen, at least on your site, it goes back to 2009.

You've been doing this list for quite a while.

Why did you start?

Why did you want the public to see this?

Well, I was trying to draw attention to my T-shirt business.

And this seemed like the most obvious.

Turned out, didn't really move the needle very much.

...