Metropolitan Diary: The Best Selections from the New York Times Column

by Ron Alexander, Susan Romano (Illustrator)

A collection of columns from the "Metropolitan Diary" section of The New York Times presents observations and questions from New Yorkers heard on movie lines and buses, as well as in theater lobbies, restaurants, health clubs, cocktail lounges, and elevators.

Genres: Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published August 1, 1997

Reviews

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining, funny collection of vignettes published in the popular New York Times column from the mid-1970’s to mid-1990’s. The book contains stories about the quirks, foibles, sights and slights, conversations, strange and unusual interactions occurring on the region’s streets, subways and buses, department stores, delis and parks. The book is filled with the “distinctly urban, sly, sassy, and feisty characters … captured in these short anecdotes sent in by everyday readers, giving the Diary its authentic and cosmopolitan feeling.” I laughed throughout my reading of this book! 3 1/2+ stars!

[Peg Schoenfelder · Rating 2 out of 5]

New Yorker insight with some humor and some excerpts not quite that.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best to read when you’re desperate to be in New York. Satisfies the yearning!!

[Emily Mayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

this one doesn't get a proper review, because it's more of a collection of newspaper columns and clippings than an actual novel, but if you haven't read Metropolitan Diaries and have a NY Times subscription and like cities I would recommend checking them out :)) a cute, clever, light read to pass a few hours (or, if you're reading them in the Times, a few minutes!)

[David Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

NYC as small town? This book, like the NYT column it's drawn from, presents gentle vignettes, often laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes wistful, of real-life chance encounters and overheard comments. For some reason I like the column better than this best-of, but it was still a welcome tonic, best taken in small doses.