The Best (and Most Overrated) Books of 2024
On with Kara Swisher
Deep Dive
Why did Kara Swisher decide to focus on books for this year's holiday season?
Kara Swisher shifted her focus to books for the holiday season because she used to read a lot but stopped due to the internet's addictive nature. She has recently rediscovered her love for reading in physical book form and also enjoys listening to audiobooks.
How do Dwight Garner and Becca Rothfeld prefer to read books?
Dwight Garner prefers to read books in print because he enjoys underlining and annotating them, while Becca Rothfeld tries to avoid reading on screens as much as possible, finding it changes the quality of her attention. She prefers physical books and only reads magazines on her computer.
What are some of the best books of 2024 according to Dwight Garner?
Dwight Garner's top three books of 2024 include Percival Everett's 'James,' Salman Rushdie's memoir 'Knife,' and Rachel Kushner's novel 'Creation Lake.' He also mentioned Sally Rooney's 'Intermezzo' as a standout.
What are some of Becca Rothfeld's favorite books from 2024?
Becca Rothfeld's favorite books of 2024 include Garth Greenwell's 'Small Rain,' Mark Haber's 'Lesser Ruins,' and Adam Schatz's biography 'The Rebels Clinic.'
Why does Dwight Garner think Garth Greenwell's 'Small Rain' is overrated?
Dwight Garner finds 'Small Rain' overrated because it lacks humor, is prosaic, and the observations are not smart. He believes it is dull and not well-written.
What does Becca Rothfeld think is the main issue with Salman Rushdie's memoir 'Knife'?
Becca Rothfeld believes 'Knife' is meandering, frequently trite, and surprisingly boring. She feels the memoir doesn't offer much beyond the personal experience of being stabbed and doesn't rise to the level of a compelling narrative.
How does Dwight Garner approach writing negative reviews?
Dwight Garner approaches negative reviews by speaking to the reader as if they are a close friend, being straightforward about his feelings. He believes criticism is about making a prejudice plausible by explaining why a book didn't work for him.
What does Becca Rothfeld think about the role of critics in the current era?
Becca Rothfeld believes critics should focus on books that are bad in an important way, representing broader cultural tendencies, rather than just mediocre books by unknown authors. She aims to write negative reviews that say something about cultural pathologies.
Why does Dwight Garner think Percival Everett's 'James' has been both critically acclaimed and commercially successful?
Dwight Garner believes 'James' straddles literary and commercial success because it combines Percival Everett's wit and humor with a deeper emotional resonance. The book riffs on cultural objects and characters, making it appealing to both literary critics and general readers.
What does Becca Rothfeld think about the impact of book clubs on a book's popularity?
Becca Rothfeld views book clubs as a mixed blessing. While they can boost a book's popularity, she notes that some authors, like Jonathan Franzen, have been wary of being associated with book clubs, seeing them as middlebrow. However, she acknowledges the potential to reach a wider audience.
How do Dwight Garner and Becca Rothfeld feel about the current state of the book industry?
Dwight Garner is optimistic about the book industry, believing that great writers will always emerge to describe the culture. Becca Rothfeld is also hopeful, citing a fundamental faith in the reading public and humanity's need for literary engagement.
What are some of the themes that stood out in books reviewed by Dwight Garner and Becca Rothfeld in 2024?
Dwight Garner noticed themes of loneliness, turmoil, and cultural collision in fiction, while avoiding political books. Becca Rothfeld highlighted themes of divorce, the decision to have children, and public intellectualism in her reviews.
How do Dwight Garner and Becca Rothfeld feel about book bans and censorship?
Dwight Garner finds book bans absurd, especially in a world where children are bombarded with other forms of media. Becca Rothfeld is concerned about the trend but believes critics can promote banned books to ensure they remain accessible.
What older books did Dwight Garner and Becca Rothfeld find meaningful in 2024?
Dwight Garner reread Boswell's journals and Kafka, finding them relevant to his current feelings of loneliness. Becca Rothfeld recommended 'The Politics of Cultural Despair' by Fritz Stern, which she found illuminating about the intellectual roots of Nazism and the Trump phenomenon.
What books do Dwight Garner and Becca Rothfeld think will become classics from 2024?
Dwight Garner predicts Rachel Kushner's 'Creation Lake' and Lucy Sont's memoir will endure. Becca Rothfeld believes Garth Greenwell's 'Small Rain' has the potential to become a classic.
What books are Dwight Garner and Becca Rothfeld looking forward to in 2025?
Dwight Garner is excited about Nell Zink's new novel and Hanif Qureshi's memoir 'Shattered.' Becca Rothfeld looks forward to Andrea Longchew's book of essays on the role of the critic.
What book recommendations do Dwight Garner and Becca Rothfeld have for younger readers?
Dwight Garner recommends classic children's books like 'Good Night Moon' and 'Dr. Seuss.' Becca Rothfeld suggests 'D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths' and Diana Wynne Jones' 'Howl's Moving Castle' for slightly older children.
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