The entertainment world mourns the death of acclaimed playwright Tom Stoppard and poet Ellen Bryant Voigt, with tributes reflecting on Stoppard's witty drama and Voigt's musical ear in poetry.

• Tom Stoppard, Award-Winning Playwright of Witty Drama, Dies at 88 — New York Times Arts -
• The Language of Tom Stoppard, Ablaze With Energy and Urgency — New York Times Arts -
• The Language of Tom Stoppard, Ablaze With Energy and Urgency — New York Times Arts -

• Ellen Bryant Voigt, Poet With a Musical Ear, Dies at 82 — New York Times Arts -

Readers are invited to explore holiday romance book recommendations and delve into reviews for Marisa Kashino's 'Best Offer Wins' and Olga Tokarczuk's 'House of Day, House of Night'.

• 12 Holiday Romance Books That Are Pure Magic, With a Dash of Spice — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘Best Offer Wins,’ by Marisa Kashino — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘House of Day, House of Night,’ by Olga Tokarczuk — New York Times Books -

The Grand Ole Opry celebrates its 100th anniversary, while Simon Cowell reflects on his legacy and the intriguing history of the theremin instrument is explored.

• The Grand Ole Opry Toasts 100 Years and Considers What’s Next — New York Times Arts -
• ‘The Interview’: Simon Cowell Is Sorry, Softer and Grieving Liam Payne — New York Times Music -
• The Beguiling, Misunderstood Theremin — New York Times Arts -

Actor Jason Schwartzman finds peace at the library amidst promoting a new Christmas film, and television detectives' complex home lives are analyzed.

• Jason Schwartzman Finds Peace at the Library — New York Times Arts -
• For Detectives on TV, the Messiest Case Is Often at Home — New York Times Arts -

Audiences are invited to share their personal 'best-of' lists for 2025, and five podcasts are recommended for coffee enthusiasts seeking to deepen their appreciation.

• What’s on Your Best-Of List for 2025? We Want to Know. — New York Times Arts -
• 5 Podcasts to Help You Savor Coffee — New York Times Arts -

A cartoonist offers a retrospective on 'Hamilton's' enduring run, highlighting its transformation into a cultural phenomenon over the past decade.

• ‘Hamilton’ Has Had Quite a Run: An Artist Looks Back — New York Times Arts -