Alexandra Jacobs, Jennifer Szalai and Dwight Garner look back at the books that, as Jacobs writes, “bonked me on the head this year.”

Late-night came roaring back to life, Roy Wood Jr. delivered a must-see special and Amy Poehler made a must-listen podcast.

Lea Michele’s star turn in “Chess.” Kara Young as an 8-year-old. A 12-minute monologue delivered from a cloud. These are our favorite scenes from this year.

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