Hey, it's Michael.

Today, our coverage of the year in arts and in culture continues with guest host Melissa Kirsch

speaking to Times critics, reporters, and editors.

Take a lesson.

I think you're going to like it.

From the New York Times, this is The Daily. I'm Melissa Kirsch, deputy editor of culture and lifestyle.

As we close out 2024, I'm talking with my colleagues around the newsroom about what they watched and listened to and read this year.

Today, we're talking about books.

I'll talk with Gilbert Cruz, the editor of the New York Times Book Review,

about the best books of the year and the best books of the century.

Then the Times' book critics will join us with some of their favorites of 2024.

And the critic Dwight Garner will share some of the funniest, snappiest, and most insightful writing he encountered this year.

It's Tuesday, December 31st.

Gilbert Cruz, hello.

Melissa, hi.

Okay, so every year, the staff of the New York Times Book Review puts out a list of the

10 best books of the year.

It has just come out.

Tell me about how that list comes together.

Sure.

So a bunch of editors and critics, over the course of the year, really, are meeting monthly,

and at every one of those meetings,

...