I always watch your daily penguin videos but it was great to hear you talk about modern novels which you really love, several of these will now go on my tbr list!
I asked my 68 pound American Bulldog if he wanted to do a top 10 21st Century fiction tag and he said "If I can't say Infinite Jest, I ain't doing it."
I think the fact that mantel had already won two booker prizes for the first two novels in the series weighed more heavily.. #letsomeoneelsehavesomepie
You certainly do know how to weaponize a video. I have read a grand total of one book from your list, but there are two or three I've had my eye on. I look forward to a great plethora of videos of this ilk appearing, just so as I can see what these Booktubers are enjoying. (I haven't even read Wolf Hall, but the lack of The Mirror and the Light on the Booker shortlist was quite a shock.)
Have you read THE COMMINGLING OF LIL PEPPER BUNS AND OLD MUSTARD BRITCHES? no - Summary: An einsteinian browed man displays his pet affection rather ambitiously, if not opportunistic before a video streamed audience in contemporary, current Americum. The lead (Old Mustard Britches) pushes romantic gestures on the co-co-star (Lil' Pepper Buns) emphasized by extended, lustful oral plays. Oh, you will be stunned with the cast of character involvement and namesakes. youtube preview viewed here: clip:ua-cam.com/video/_rmz5jTAzUQ/v-deo.html
10. Europe Central 9. Mission to Paris 8. Spies of the Balkans 7. Legacy of Spies 6. Crusader's Cross 5. Our Kind of Traitor 4. Cryptonomicon 3. Prague Cemetery 2. Name of the Wind 1. Shadow Country i don't follow fascist rules
So you're saying Mantel wasn't on the short list because she is white. Yeah I can see your point, I mean just look at the masses of black women awarded the booker prize.
This may shock you, but we agree on three of the books you mention here! Not enough people talk about Two Boys Kissing, so I deeply appreciate you listing it here. But then we get back to disagreeing because I don't think Mantel didn't make the shortlist strictly because she's white. I think it has more to do with the jury wanting to avoid looking like they had a clear favorite from the beginning after last year's fiasco. I haven't gotten to Mirror and the Light yet, but I believe it should have made the shortlist as well (so hey, we're back to agreeing!).
Epitaph! What a great choice! The others I have read are all strong, like Wolf Hall, but seeing Epitaph here brought a smile. I used to coach track against Tombstone HS, and there’s still something rugged about the strip of southern AZ.
Of all the aggravating statements we've grown accustomed to on this lovely channel, this one takes the cake. It's illogical to advance such a bold statement when you haven't (by you own admission) read the whole shortlist. I might be mistaken but that alone gives out your position as being unrelated to the ''quality'' of the literary work or lack thereof. Toni Morrison could have been on that shortlist, we'd hear the same rant all the same. If anybody has been walking around believing literary awards (or any award) are objective to begin with they truly are deluded. The subjectivity of it all only vexes people when they don't get what they want. And not that it matters but, as mentioned on another comment, Diane Cook is white so, there's that. Personally, as a millennial living in the 21st I wanna see books talking about modern subjects win from time to time. Thomas Cromwell has been dead and buried for over five centuries now. Moving on.
Kenny L I’m hoping that “moving on” refers to you moving on from this channel, but just in case it doesn’t, I want to point out to you something you obviously don’t know: I don’t tolerate personal insults. Since this one comment of yours has half a dozen of them, you’re now maxed out - one more personal insult from you & I’ll block you from commenting on this channel.
Hello Steve, is this a world record? I have only heard of two novels out of the seventeen listed and only tried to read one of them and I DNF'd that one!
Thank you so much for reminding me of Two Boys Kissing. I too thought the idea contrived but I too ended up loving the book and was also moist of eye for much of it.
The only book on your list I've read is The Lesser Bohemians and I loved it! I'd link that to my list if I created one. The Percival Everett book sounds interesting, I'll have to check it out.
I like the idea of linking to someone else’s list. My ten? Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart All the Lives We Never Lived by Arundati Roy House On Endless Waters by Emuna Elon Ohio by Stephen Markly Flames by Robbie Arnott A Woman is No Man Rules of Civility by Amor Towles Mussolini’s Island by Susan Day 👋☘️📚🦋📖🤩🌈
Great list and great criteria for a tag. It might bring me out of retirement. While I'm as upset as you are about Hilary getting snubbed, I dont agree that it must be because she is white. I suppose it's one possibility. But how can we know for sure? I would say the same if the argument was about a list that wasn't diverse enough - a single shortlist is a small sample and I couldn't draw conclusions. And a white woman won the Booker just last year! However, I read one of the shortlisted books, and while it was good, it's not on the same level as The Mirror and the Light... so yeah, something's afoot...
My link to your list is number 9 on my list, an extraordinary reimagining of an icon of the history of the Old West--William Barret Travis-- by way of a fictional autobiography. I trust the connection to Epitaph satisfies your rules. 10. The Seventh Function of Language, by Laurent Binet 9. This Way Slaughter: A Novel of William Barret Travis, by Bruce Olds 8. Grey Souls, by Philippe Claudel 7. The Anthologist, by Nicholson Baker 6. The Vegetarian, by Han Kang 5. Convenience Store Woman, by Sayaka Murata 4. Zone, by Mathias Enard 3. This Is Not a Novel, by David Markson 2. The Last Novel, by David Markson 1. Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson
I'm an Everett fan but hadn't heard of that one so will check it out. I have to say I couldn't see the point of The Lesser Bohemians even though I knew that Kentish Town locale of struggling actors very well. Really quite hateful characters totally up themselves and I just didn't see the literary virtuosity other (strange syntax for framing dialogue ain't it).
This is a tag that, were I a booktuber, I simply couldn't do. The majority of my reading this century has been re-reads of older books. Even 'recent' initial-reads tend toward pre 21st century writings. The only qualifying books that come to mind as bona fide favorites are Guy Gavriel Kay's two-volume "Sarantine Mosaic". Kay is my favorite author of Fantasy literature. Sarantine Mosaic is a favorite among his output. But even here I cheat. Book one, "Sailing to Sarantium", was first published at the tail-end of the 20th century. (Book two, however, is solidly early 21st century.)
I've read two books on your list of best novels of the 21st century: Two Boys Kissing and Wolf Hall. But I wanted you to know that I am one of those people who loved The Night Circus, the book Olive loved but you did not. The Night Circus reminded me of John Crowley's Little Big. Both these books are among the few that I have reread over the years.
Percival Everett is such a wonderful writer. I'm amazed at all the pomo lit theory hijinx he can pull off without becoming obnoxious. Guess it helps when the worst bits of that stuff were literally (literarily) put on the mouth of a babe. I read Tigerman because of you, so thanks for that. Planning to get Gnomon next. I'd probably put another book on my list that I read thanks to you: Rabih Alameddine's An Unnecessary Woman
This video just came up for me out of the blue, so it was an interesting watch. Three years ago there was only one winner in the whole duration of the prize was a black woman. Just one. The only black woman winner actually shared the prize with a white woman. Wolf Hall actually won the Booker for Wolf Hall and then again for the follow up Bring Up the Bodies, she won it twice.
I always watch your daily penguin videos but it was great to hear you talk about modern novels which you really love, several of these will now go on my tbr list!
I asked my 68 pound American Bulldog if he wanted to do a top 10 21st Century fiction tag and he said "If I can't say Infinite Jest, I ain't doing it."
I think the fact that mantel had already won two booker prizes for the first two novels in the series weighed more heavily.. #letsomeoneelsehavesomepie
Diane Cook made the Booker Shortlist and she's a straight, white woman.
Steve's just unhappy his darling didn't make the cut and is barking up the wrong tree
.
You certainly do know how to weaponize a video. I have read a grand total of one book from your list, but there are two or three I've had my eye on. I look forward to a great plethora of videos of this ilk appearing, just so as I can see what these Booktubers are enjoying.
(I haven't even read Wolf Hall, but the lack of The Mirror and the Light on the Booker shortlist was quite a shock.)
Have you read THE COMMINGLING OF LIL PEPPER BUNS AND OLD MUSTARD BRITCHES? no - Summary: An einsteinian browed man displays his pet affection rather ambitiously, if not opportunistic before a video streamed audience in contemporary, current Americum. The lead (Old Mustard Britches) pushes romantic gestures on the co-co-star (Lil' Pepper Buns) emphasized by extended, lustful oral plays. Oh, you will be stunned with the cast of character involvement and namesakes. youtube preview viewed here: clip:ua-cam.com/video/_rmz5jTAzUQ/v-deo.html
@@hopep1334 Stay tuned for the Steve's adult version.
10. Europe Central
9. Mission to Paris
8. Spies of the Balkans
7. Legacy of Spies
6. Crusader's Cross
5. Our Kind of Traitor
4. Cryptonomicon
3. Prague Cemetery
2. Name of the Wind
1. Shadow Country
i don't follow fascist rules
So you're saying Mantel wasn't on the short list because she is white. Yeah I can see your point, I mean just look at the masses of black women awarded the booker prize.
This may shock you, but we agree on three of the books you mention here! Not enough people talk about Two Boys Kissing, so I deeply appreciate you listing it here. But then we get back to disagreeing because I don't think Mantel didn't make the shortlist strictly because she's white. I think it has more to do with the jury wanting to avoid looking like they had a clear favorite from the beginning after last year's fiasco. I haven't gotten to Mirror and the Light yet, but I believe it should have made the shortlist as well (so hey, we're back to agreeing!).
Did I hear you right? You have a book you described as , "weird," and "stylistically daring" on your list. Wow!
Epitaph! What a great choice! The others I have read are all strong, like Wolf Hall, but seeing Epitaph here brought a smile. I used to coach track against Tombstone HS, and there’s still something rugged about the strip of southern AZ.
I had to take some liberties but this looks fun and is all the more reason to push myself to read more modern fiction!
This sounds pretty bad but I will have to check to see if I’ve read 10 fiction books from 21st Century. Eeeeek.
Great video. Tags like this getting me reading even more intensely.
You are killing me Steve! 21st century books, ug. I really like the linking idea.
Awesome! I'm going to have a go at this Thursday!
I've been wanting to read Tigerman for ages! And I really need to get to The Lesser Bohemians!
Of all the aggravating statements we've grown accustomed to on this lovely channel, this one takes the cake. It's illogical to advance such a bold statement when you haven't (by you own admission) read the whole shortlist. I might be mistaken but that alone gives out your position as being unrelated to the ''quality'' of the literary work or lack thereof. Toni Morrison could have been on that shortlist, we'd hear the same rant all the same. If anybody has been walking around believing literary awards (or any award) are objective to begin with they truly are deluded. The subjectivity of it all only vexes people when they don't get what they want. And not that it matters but, as mentioned on another comment, Diane Cook is white so, there's that. Personally, as a millennial living in the 21st I wanna see books talking about modern subjects win from time to time. Thomas Cromwell has been dead and buried for over five centuries now. Moving on.
Kenny L I’m hoping that “moving on” refers to you moving on from this channel, but just in case it doesn’t, I want to point out to you something you obviously don’t know: I don’t tolerate personal insults. Since this one comment of yours has half a dozen of them, you’re now maxed out - one more personal insult from you & I’ll block you from commenting on this channel.
Hello Steve, is this a world record? I have only heard of two novels out of the seventeen listed and only tried to read one of them and I DNF'd that one!
Thank you so much for reminding me of Two Boys Kissing. I too thought the idea contrived but I too ended up loving the book and was also moist of eye for much of it.
The only book on your list I've read is The Lesser Bohemians and I loved it! I'd link that to my list if I created one.
The Percival Everett book sounds interesting, I'll have to check it out.
I like the idea of linking to someone else’s list. My ten?
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
All the Lives We Never Lived by Arundati Roy
House On Endless Waters by Emuna Elon
Ohio by Stephen Markly
Flames by Robbie Arnott
A Woman is No Man
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Mussolini’s Island by Susan Day
👋☘️📚🦋📖🤩🌈
Great tag and a great list! If I could pick only one to read I think it would be Two Boys Kissing but I don’t like crying.
Great list and great criteria for a tag. It might bring me out of retirement. While I'm as upset as you are about Hilary getting snubbed, I dont agree that it must be because she is white. I suppose it's one possibility. But how can we know for sure? I would say the same if the argument was about a list that wasn't diverse enough - a single shortlist is a small sample and I couldn't draw conclusions. And a white woman won the Booker just last year!
However, I read one of the shortlisted books, and while it was good, it's not on the same level as The Mirror and the Light... so yeah, something's afoot...
My link to your list is number 9 on my list, an extraordinary reimagining of an icon of the history of the Old West--William Barret Travis-- by way of a fictional autobiography. I trust the connection to Epitaph satisfies your rules.
10. The Seventh Function of Language, by Laurent Binet
9. This Way Slaughter: A Novel of William Barret Travis, by Bruce Olds
8. Grey Souls, by Philippe Claudel
7. The Anthologist, by Nicholson Baker
6. The Vegetarian, by Han Kang
5. Convenience Store Woman, by Sayaka Murata
4. Zone, by Mathias Enard
3. This Is Not a Novel, by David Markson
2. The Last Novel, by David Markson
1. Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson
I'm an Everett fan but hadn't heard of that one so will check it out. I have to say I couldn't see the point of The Lesser Bohemians even though I knew that Kentish Town locale of struggling actors very well. Really quite hateful characters totally up themselves and I just didn't see the literary virtuosity other (strange syntax for framing dialogue ain't it).
This is a tag that, were I a booktuber, I simply couldn't do. The majority of my reading this century has been re-reads of older books. Even 'recent' initial-reads tend toward pre 21st century writings. The only qualifying books that come to mind as bona fide favorites are Guy Gavriel Kay's two-volume "Sarantine Mosaic". Kay is my favorite author of Fantasy literature. Sarantine Mosaic is a favorite among his output. But even here I cheat. Book one, "Sailing to Sarantium", was first published at the tail-end of the 20th century. (Book two, however, is solidly early 21st century.)
Ha! Great to see Percival Everett on your list. I think I will be telling a story about him tomorrow during my q&a.
I've read two books on your list of best novels of the 21st century: Two Boys Kissing and Wolf Hall. But I wanted you to know that I am one of those people who loved The Night Circus, the book Olive loved but you did not. The Night Circus reminded me of John Crowley's Little Big. Both these books are among the few that I have reread over the years.
Percival Everett is such a wonderful writer. I'm amazed at all the pomo lit theory hijinx he can pull off without becoming obnoxious. Guess it helps when the worst bits of that stuff were literally (literarily) put on the mouth of a babe.
I read Tigerman because of you, so thanks for that. Planning to get Gnomon next.
I'd probably put another book on my list that I read thanks to you: Rabih Alameddine's An Unnecessary Woman
i think that Confederacy of Dunces may be the best novel of the last 50 years!
great video!
I wish I could participate, but the only XXI century books that I read are medical textbooks.
Great tag!
The Booker has become affirmative action for writers.
This video just came up for me out of the blue, so it was an interesting watch. Three years ago there was only one winner in the whole duration of the prize was a black woman. Just one. The only black woman winner actually shared the prize with a white woman. Wolf Hall actually won the Booker for Wolf Hall and then again for the follow up Bring Up the Bodies, she won it twice.