Great video Ben! I'm only on my 3rd read of the Booker longlist as I haven't gotten my hands on more, but I enjoyed the two I finished 😆 Really enjoyed your stats on Goodreads ratings and such! You do such a great job with your videos! I really enjoyed Orbital (one of my two haha) but I did find I could only read a few pages at a time. I'm finding Headshot strange, but you're encouraging me to keep going! I'm happy that James was the other book I was able to read and I'm so happy to see it number 1 here! I loved The Trees, but James was incredible!! Let's see the shortlist tomorrow!
Thank you Camila! Your taste must be in line with the judges seeing that Orbital made it onto the shortlist 🚀 Headshot is definitely one you just need to get into the groove with, but I can see why it's not working for some people. I actually found a lot of similarity in what Headshot and Orbital were doing!
Fantastic video Ben. You put an enormous amount of work into this despite Booker-fatigue and it shows. So much insight, wonderful delivery. YOU are at the top of MY UA-cam shortlist 😂❤
What a kind comment - thanks so much!! I have definitely enjoyed the experience but also happy to take a few non-Booker breaths and get to my neverending backlog 😅
Last years list actually sounds like my kind of theme as I like books about mother child relationships, and I like books that focus on grief especially. But it's nice to know this list was a bit more fun to read due to the topics this time around. I have seen so much reader love for the book trail all around! I have seen a lot of people who were disappointed by orbital and the sarah perry (I dnfed the essex serpent so I am not even going to try). I have seen a lot of love for headshot and of all the ones on the longlist that is the one I want to read myself that I hadn't heard of before! You're tempting me towards reading the safekeep and my friends. I see that cropping up in people's top three a lot!!
Ahhh yes it sounds like you would love last year's list! I did like it, but reading the same themes repeated back to back was a bit soul-destroying at the time 😅 The Safekeep is SO good. Such a brilliant ride, with truly interesting characters. Would definiteyl recommend! And My Friends is slower paced but has so much feeling - definitely worth your time ❤️
I loved the Goodreads analysis. I can't resist a bit of data and a graph. Thanks for balanced reflections too. I haven't read There There and found Wandering Stars really rewarding regardless. No emoji but some appreciation of a lot of reading and a great video.
Aaaaalways love to use a data visualisation where I can 🤓 Good to know that Wandering Stars worked for you without There There - there were a lot of negative comments about the book on my review video, so I was starting to think it was essential! Thanks so much for watching, Ros 🙌
You’re my go to for Booker content - I’ve watched all your reviews and this was a great wrap up! James is my pick for the winner (as like everyone else) - but very excited to start Stone Yard Devotional, great to see some aussie books getting recognition 🇦🇺
Ahhh thank you, I'm glad you've been enjoying the Booker content! Sometimes it feels like a bit of overkill when my channel is entirely taken over by one prize 😅 Stone Yard is great, and now shortlisted! So I hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
I’m reading My Friends next and I can’t wait. Also been completely convinced by your review to read The Safekeep and have to really hold myself back and wait to buy it until it’s comes out in paperback (even though I’m really intrigued but it’s not like I don’t have plenty others on the shelves to choose from until then, lol)… Great vid as always, Ben, glad to see you did your own list along with your prediction - and a little analysis as well, I mean, what’s not to like?? 😁😎
Haha I can totally relate to wanting to read something NOW when I'm intrigued by it 😅 Always love doing a bit of analysis! Thanks as ever for watching 🙌
Thank you very much, Ben, for all your thoughtful and inspiring reviews!🌷I’m very much of a mood reader and couldn’t possibly think of reading the whole longlist. So… well done, Ben! I have only read two of the longlisted novels so far and loved them both. My favourite I think is 🇱🇾🐈Playground will be next.
It definitely puts a pin in so many other things I want to read, and I'm excited to get back to the stack on my bedside table 😅 Good choice of favourite - it's a stunner!
Well done on finishing the list. I agree with what you think might make the shortlist, although I hope they swap Strange Eventful History with Safe Keep. I had to dnf Strange Eventful History when it got to the Australian section about midway, there were just a few verifiable errors that made me question other sections and I couldn't go on. If the writing appealed to me more I wouldn't have been thrown out of the story as much, but I was. Still have Wandering Stars, Headshot, Playground and Creation Lake to go on my TBR.
Ahh that's a shame when personal knowledge of something undermines a book. I've had it a few times with places I've lived - I would like to think I can see past it, but it just nags in the back of my mind!
Great video, loved all the stats! I hope Stone Yard Devotional makes the short list as it’s my favourite of the four I’ve read so far. Must read James!
Really appreciate the work and effort that went into the making of this video, Ben. Loved the graphs and stats 😊 I've only read The Safekeep and Held so I don't have a favourite, but I'm afraid I didn't enjoy The Safekeep as much as you did... And I quite like Held 😅 I'm really looking forward to reading James though.
Thank you! I always learn something interesting when I look at the data 📊 Totally understand liking Held - I have admiration for it, it just wasn't quite for me!
Love your Goodreads geek out, very interesting. Always love a line chart! Good to hear your rankings and predictions. Your predictions are very similar to mine so maybe we are psychic !! 🧡🧡🧡(the orange hearts are an attempt at a James emoji 😂)
Well you got 3 out of six. And 2 of the shortlists are on your bottom of the list. Still loved hearing your thoughts. U do a wonderful job describing books. Even ones you don't really like. Looks like everyone is picking James. Have you checked out the audiobook of it? Incredible.
3 out of 6 is basically as good as random chance, but I do appreciate your positivity!! 😅 I always try to be fair to the books, so I'm glad that comes across! I didn't listen to the audio of James, but perhaps if I ever re-read I'd listen at the same time!
My personal pick is the Safekeep, but I'm not sure it will make the short list. I have a hunch Stone Yard Devotional might win this year. Don't know why.
Stone Yard would be such an interesting choice for the win, because it's not flashy at all, but it has really stuck with me. Its slow brooding is really quite delicious.
Thanks for the video - I loved the Good Read stats, really interesting. I've read 5 and so far my favourite is 🍐also liked My Friends. I haven't read James yet mainly because I have no desire to read Huck Finn. But I guess I'll read it when it inevitably makes the shortlist.
Glad you enjoyed the stats, and that your favourite made it onto the shortlist! I'm gutted for My Friends though. Definitely don't need to read Huck Finn before reading James - a plot summary would suffice. I just watched a video!
I have read only eight books (but more than ever before), and it's interesting that your top 2-3 predictions are exactly my top 3, only with My Friends at one, James at two (and I'd really be surprised if the two don't make it), and loving and also predicting Stone Yard Devotional at three. Even more surprising is that, even though I haven't read them, I also thought of Playground and the Messud with that strange title. I just have no idea about the 6th spot. I would be surprised if you not have at least 4 of your predictions for the shortlist right.
Fun to hear we're aligned! Those top two definitely seem to be the frontrunners, and it'll be interesting to see if Playground holds its good score once it's published.
Since I only read James and The Safekeep, I’m agreeing with your shortlist. Love your brief review of each. I’m definitely reading Wandering Stars, but that ending in There There-😢
The end of There There is *so* intense! Wandering Stars part 2 picks up right after it, and it was really interesting/rewarding read some of the aftermath.
Loved your Goodreads rating geek out. I only read 2 books , headshots and the safe keep and I liked headshots more. I’m planing to read James and my friends at one point but none of the others. Thank you for the review
I have only read two so far...🤦♀. I have My Friends, Headshot, Strange Eventful History and The Safekeep from the library but like you, I read slowly (and widely) so I don't know how far I will get. Of course I loved James. Just finished Wild Houses and I am not sure what I think yet...so... ✏ (but I do think My Friends has a strong chance of winning.
My Friends would be a very worthy winner, I reckon. But it really is a tall order to outdo James this year. I can only imagine the meltdowns if it doesn't make the shortlist!
Great video. The Goodreads analysis was very interesting. I agree with you that this was a strong list and find the negativity around it absolutely baffling. I was much less impressed with last year’s list. But as you have said, this reading thing is subjective. Your predictions on the shortlist make sense to me but I find it hard to believe that Creation Lake won’t make it, even though I thought the hype was excessive. Emoji for my favorite of the 13: 🌠
The subjectivity is what makes it fun to discuss, but it's really interesting to see how negative the general vibe is on BookTube, but that it doesn't bear out too much in reader ratings! LOVE that emoji. Almost makes me want to bump Enlightenment up 😅
I have always thought Everett's brand of satire and absurdity would suit short stories, but I didn't know he actually had a collection! Doesn't seem to be available in the UK, but thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Of the 13, I've read 8. My Friends was my favorite, and I'll be rooting for it to win. The Safekeep was a pleasant surprise for me. I never would have encountered it if not for this prize. I thought it balanced suspense and tenderness very well. I also enjoyed James, Creation Lake, Wild Houses, and Headshot. Orbital and Held were just fine to me, didn't move me like the others did. I wanted to read Stone Yard Devotional and Playground, but they either haven't been released yet or are not available at a library near me. The other remaining three didn't really appeal to me, but I might pick them up if they make the shortlist. I read There, There when it first came out, but I might have to reread it as I don't remember a lot of it.
My Friends would be a very worthy winner, I think. A really beautiful book. Wandering Stars part 2 picks up directly after There There, so definitely worth a refresh (even just a plot summary).
Great video. I would like to see James, My Friends, Stoneyard devotional and Safe keep on the shortlist. I would like My Friends or Stoneyard devotional to win. Initially I did not like Held but the writing is poetic and beautiful
Great video. Your personal list is almost the same as mine I might switch Playground and Wild Houses. I hope Anne Michaels book is not one of the six. I also think Tommy Orange's books were once the same book, split apart by editors or publishers who were lacking courage. And when the saw how successful There, There was, bingo. I did think Stars was really good though.Mine: James, My Friends, Safekeep, Playground, Wandering. Thanks for the electricity
Really loved the long list this year I’ll have some 12 by the time the shortlist is announced (I couldn’t get a copy of playground) I really loved headshot and hope it’s shortlisted but I agree James and my friends are the only two certs to get shortlisted
@benreadsgood I didn't dnf this one so that's a start. I liked it more than I thought I would at the half way mark. Orbital is growing on me with hindsight as well. Currently on The Safekeep
i’ve read seven, so at least i’m going to have read something on the shortlist. this whole list has basically been “liked it a lot but didn’t love it” for me-The Safekeep might have been my favorite but i am not sure the very end quite felt right
The ending is probably the weakest part, but it must have been such a hard book to decide how to wrap up. I wonder if it would have been better just left unresolved... approaching the door, about to knock, not sure what the intentions are... and end it there.
I really do think James is untouchable this year (at least on the prize lists it's on... there's maybe one book that might pip it in my favourite reads of the year).
I really liked this year’s list but my shortlist is completely different😂 James, My Friends, Orbital, Enlightenment, Held and Probably Playground but I haven’t got it yet! My favourite 💡! So we are opposite ends of the scale but that’s life!
Also I am very quickly realising that I am terrible at guessing these emojis 😂 I can't think which book is represented by a lightbulb. Maybe Held because of the old-school photography?
Those two emojis together make me think about that story of NASA trying to engineer a special pen that would work in space, while the Soviets just used a pencil ✏️
i would LOVE to see headshot in the shortlist, I absolutely adored it and so has everyone I've recommended it to but I get that you have to really get into the style. it just worked for me! the safekeep was another one I raced through
Hi Ben, many THANKS for your ranking ! I read four of the books and my favourites were 1.”Wild Houses”🔐 (and 2.”Stoneyard Devotional”🔔. )I have got one disagreement with you : The “Safekeep” for me suffered terribly by the totally far-fetched, utterly unlikely ending (even if the construction with the house ownership is right, Isabelle would not have let her back in)and it also was so woke (every character not belonging to a minority group is drawn as awful) that all this really superb storytelling of the first half was rather spoiled. I found only one other person having critical thoughts about it though and I foresee it being right there on the shortlist…Very keen to find out tomorrow ! Greetings from Lotte
I loved The Safekeep all the way through, but can see how the ending won't work for everyone. Something a little more unresolved might have been better.
I do think something that's hard to convey with a ranking video is that I really liked pretty much all the books! Even Held, which didn't massively work for me, is a book I can appreciate and totally see why it was shortlisted.
Well done. I wasn't too excited about the long list when it came out, but you've all but convinced me to read several. Always interesting to see how opinions vary. I haven't read any yet, but 🚣🐀👻
It's definitely been a pretty divisive list on social media, from what I've seen, and I'm feeling much more warmly to it than others. But I hope you find some in there that work for you! Good emoji choices... thinking James, Stone Yard, and... either Held or Enlightenment? 👀
I’ve read Wandering Stars, James & Orbital and loved them all probably in that order , though James seems more like a Booker winner and one that’ll be remembered most decades from now . 📖🪱💚
Apologies that my external microphone decided it didn't want to participate the video about halfway through 🫠
Just about as good as a Booker ranking video you can get! Ben, you keep outdoing yourself. Superb!
Thank you mate!! I need to watch yours now - I was holding off watching anyone else's before I recorded mine as I knew I'd be influenced 😂
You bring each book to life in very few words. Well done!
Thank you so much!
Great video Ben! I'm only on my 3rd read of the Booker longlist as I haven't gotten my hands on more, but I enjoyed the two I finished 😆
Really enjoyed your stats on Goodreads ratings and such! You do such a great job with your videos!
I really enjoyed Orbital (one of my two haha) but I did find I could only read a few pages at a time. I'm finding Headshot strange, but you're encouraging me to keep going!
I'm happy that James was the other book I was able to read and I'm so happy to see it number 1 here! I loved The Trees, but James was incredible!! Let's see the shortlist tomorrow!
Thank you Camila! Your taste must be in line with the judges seeing that Orbital made it onto the shortlist 🚀
Headshot is definitely one you just need to get into the groove with, but I can see why it's not working for some people. I actually found a lot of similarity in what Headshot and Orbital were doing!
I don't think I have ever seen such a thorough analysis! I really enjoyed that, thank you! :)
Thank you so much for watching! Glad you liked the stats 😊
Fantastic video Ben. You put an enormous amount of work into this despite Booker-fatigue and it shows. So much insight, wonderful delivery. YOU are at the top of MY UA-cam shortlist 😂❤
What a kind comment - thanks so much!!
I have definitely enjoyed the experience but also happy to take a few non-Booker breaths and get to my neverending backlog 😅
Last years list actually sounds like my kind of theme as I like books about mother child relationships, and I like books that focus on grief especially. But it's nice to know this list was a bit more fun to read due to the topics this time around. I have seen so much reader love for the book trail all around! I have seen a lot of people who were disappointed by orbital and the sarah perry (I dnfed the essex serpent so I am not even going to try). I have seen a lot of love for headshot and of all the ones on the longlist that is the one I want to read myself that I hadn't heard of before! You're tempting me towards reading the safekeep and my friends. I see that cropping up in people's top three a lot!!
Ahhh yes it sounds like you would love last year's list! I did like it, but reading the same themes repeated back to back was a bit soul-destroying at the time 😅
The Safekeep is SO good. Such a brilliant ride, with truly interesting characters. Would definiteyl recommend! And My Friends is slower paced but has so much feeling - definitely worth your time ❤️
You are one of the best on Booktube. Your videos are always amazing!!!
Ahhhh thank you so much, this is so kind! ❤️
Ok Ben’s video watched, all I need to know about the Booker done - happy that Stone Yard Devotional made your shortlist 🇦🇺😊
Haha well there's at least one more video you need to watch: the shortlist announcement tomorrow!!
I loved the Goodreads analysis. I can't resist a bit of data and a graph. Thanks for balanced reflections too. I haven't read There There and found Wandering Stars really rewarding regardless. No emoji but some appreciation of a lot of reading and a great video.
Aaaaalways love to use a data visualisation where I can 🤓
Good to know that Wandering Stars worked for you without There There - there were a lot of negative comments about the book on my review video, so I was starting to think it was essential!
Thanks so much for watching, Ros 🙌
You’re my go to for Booker content - I’ve watched all your reviews and this was a great wrap up! James is my pick for the winner (as like everyone else) - but very excited to start Stone Yard Devotional, great to see some aussie books getting recognition 🇦🇺
Ahhh thank you, I'm glad you've been enjoying the Booker content! Sometimes it feels like a bit of overkill when my channel is entirely taken over by one prize 😅
Stone Yard is great, and now shortlisted! So I hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
Ben, this was so much fun! I’m inspired more than ever to read My Friends. And I adored James.
Thanks so much Renee! My Friends is so tender and beautiful, so I hope you love it if you end up reading it.
I’m reading My Friends next and I can’t wait. Also been completely convinced by your review to read The Safekeep and have to really hold myself back and wait to buy it until it’s comes out in paperback (even though I’m really intrigued but it’s not like I don’t have plenty others on the shelves to choose from until then, lol)… Great vid as always, Ben, glad to see you did your own list along with your prediction - and a little analysis as well, I mean, what’s not to like?? 😁😎
Haha I can totally relate to wanting to read something NOW when I'm intrigued by it 😅
Always love doing a bit of analysis!
Thanks as ever for watching 🙌
Great video. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
Thank you very much, Ben, for all your thoughtful and inspiring reviews!🌷I’m very much of a mood reader and couldn’t possibly think of reading the whole longlist. So… well done, Ben! I have only read two of the longlisted novels so far and loved them both. My favourite I think is 🇱🇾🐈Playground will be next.
It definitely puts a pin in so many other things I want to read, and I'm excited to get back to the stack on my bedside table 😅
Good choice of favourite - it's a stunner!
Well done on finishing the list. I agree with what you think might make the shortlist, although I hope they swap Strange Eventful History with Safe Keep. I had to dnf Strange Eventful History when it got to the Australian section about midway, there were just a few verifiable errors that made me question other sections and I couldn't go on. If the writing appealed to me more I wouldn't have been thrown out of the story as much, but I was. Still have Wandering Stars, Headshot, Playground and Creation Lake to go on my TBR.
Ahh that's a shame when personal knowledge of something undermines a book. I've had it a few times with places I've lived - I would like to think I can see past it, but it just nags in the back of my mind!
Great video, loved all the stats! I hope Stone Yard Devotional makes the short list as it’s my favourite of the four I’ve read so far. Must read James!
Stone Yard took me by surprise how much I enjoyed it, and how much it's stuck with me. James is such a treat to look forward to!
Really appreciate the work and effort that went into the making of this video, Ben. Loved the graphs and stats 😊
I've only read The Safekeep and Held so I don't have a favourite, but I'm afraid I didn't enjoy The Safekeep as much as you did... And I quite like Held 😅 I'm really looking forward to reading James though.
Thank you! I always learn something interesting when I look at the data 📊
Totally understand liking Held - I have admiration for it, it just wasn't quite for me!
I am here for the data and stats 🤓 Fab video, Ben! Thank you!
Can't resist some data analysis 😅 Thanks for watching!
Superb video and original stats ideas, as always Ben 🏆🤩👌 My favourite pick from the longlist is My Friends 👬👫
Thank you for watching! It was fun to consider the stats 📊 My Friends is a great pick!
Love your Goodreads geek out, very interesting. Always love a line chart!
Good to hear your rankings and predictions. Your predictions are very similar to mine so maybe we are psychic !!
🧡🧡🧡(the orange hearts are an attempt at a James emoji 😂)
I'm a geek 🤓 I'm a weirdoooooo 🤓
Seems we have a psychic connection with each other but not with the judges 😂
Well you got 3 out of six. And 2 of the shortlists are on your bottom of the list. Still loved hearing your thoughts. U do a wonderful job describing books. Even ones you don't really like. Looks like everyone is picking James. Have you checked out the audiobook of it? Incredible.
3 out of 6 is basically as good as random chance, but I do appreciate your positivity!! 😅 I always try to be fair to the books, so I'm glad that comes across!
I didn't listen to the audio of James, but perhaps if I ever re-read I'd listen at the same time!
Very nicely done, I appreciate all the detail
Thank you for watching! 🙌
My personal pick is the Safekeep, but I'm not sure it will make the short list. I have a hunch Stone Yard Devotional might win this year. Don't know why.
Stone Yard would be such an interesting choice for the win, because it's not flashy at all, but it has really stuck with me. Its slow brooding is really quite delicious.
Thanks for the video - I loved the Good Read stats, really interesting. I've read 5 and so far my favourite is 🍐also liked My Friends. I haven't read James yet mainly because I have no desire to read Huck Finn. But I guess I'll read it when it inevitably makes the shortlist.
Glad you enjoyed the stats, and that your favourite made it onto the shortlist! I'm gutted for My Friends though. Definitely don't need to read Huck Finn before reading James - a plot summary would suffice. I just watched a video!
Fun participating with you!
Thank you for watching! Been a fun Booker season 🙏
Loved this video Ben! My favorite: 🍐
Thank you for watching - and great choice of fave!
I have read only eight books (but more than ever before), and it's interesting that your top 2-3 predictions are exactly my top 3, only with My Friends at one, James at two (and I'd really be surprised if the two don't make it), and loving and also predicting Stone Yard Devotional at three. Even more surprising is that, even though I haven't read them, I also thought of Playground and the Messud with that strange title. I just have no idea about the 6th spot. I would be surprised if you not have at least 4 of your predictions for the shortlist right.
Fun to hear we're aligned! Those top two definitely seem to be the frontrunners, and it'll be interesting to see if Playground holds its good score once it's published.
So interesting. Your shortlist is all ones I also really enjoyed, or that I haven't read yet. I reaaaaaally want to read the safekeep.
The Safekeep is such a banger! Hope you love it when you get to it.
Since I only read James and The Safekeep, I’m agreeing with your shortlist. Love your brief review of each. I’m definitely reading Wandering Stars, but that ending in There There-😢
The end of There There is *so* intense! Wandering Stars part 2 picks up right after it, and it was really interesting/rewarding read some of the aftermath.
Loved your Goodreads rating geek out. I only read 2 books , headshots and the safe keep and I liked headshots more. I’m planing to read James and my friends at one point but none of the others. Thank you for the review
Headshot is such a blast if you buy into its vibe (I definitely did). Those two you want to read are definitely worth your time!
Thanks for watching 😊
Wild Houses is a brilliant debut. The audio is great. Mayo is a county that has a reputation as a county of oddness/ craziness etc.
Ahhh yes I bet the audio is wonderful. Irish narrators are the BEST.
I have only read two so far...🤦♀. I have My Friends, Headshot, Strange Eventful History and The Safekeep from the library but like you, I read slowly (and widely) so I don't know how far I will get. Of course I loved James. Just finished Wild Houses and I am not sure what I think yet...so... ✏ (but I do think My Friends has a strong chance of winning.
My Friends would be a very worthy winner, I reckon. But it really is a tall order to outdo James this year. I can only imagine the meltdowns if it doesn't make the shortlist!
Great video. The Goodreads analysis was very interesting. I agree with you that this was a strong list and find the negativity around it absolutely baffling. I was much less impressed with last year’s list. But as you have said, this reading thing is subjective. Your predictions on the shortlist make sense to me but I find it hard to believe that Creation Lake won’t make it, even though I thought the hype was excessive. Emoji for my favorite of the 13: 🌠
The subjectivity is what makes it fun to discuss, but it's really interesting to see how negative the general vibe is on BookTube, but that it doesn't bear out too much in reader ratings!
LOVE that emoji. Almost makes me want to bump Enlightenment up 😅
@@benreadsgood ha! 😌
"Reading CATNIP". "Tommy Orange got me in a chokehold".
Jump cut book stacking. Love the content.
Must try actual catnip one day and see how it compares.
Thanks for watching!
Great video - Thanks Ben
Thanks very much for watching!
I highly recommend Percival Everett's short story collection "Half an Inch of Water". Really enjoyed your video.
I have always thought Everett's brand of satire and absurdity would suit short stories, but I didn't know he actually had a collection! Doesn't seem to be available in the UK, but thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Great video! I love your ratings
Thank you so much! 🙌
My favourite: ✏
So far that's my favourite too, but I have only read five 😅
@@benreadsgood When will The Pencil be finally published? 😂
Pencil?
Thank you for your review! Very insightful. I quite agree with you in almost everything; James has no match on this list!
Glad James has made the shortlist - will be interesting to see if it wins!
Of the 13, I've read 8. My Friends was my favorite, and I'll be rooting for it to win. The Safekeep was a pleasant surprise for me. I never would have encountered it if not for this prize. I thought it balanced suspense and tenderness very well. I also enjoyed James, Creation Lake, Wild Houses, and Headshot. Orbital and Held were just fine to me, didn't move me like the others did. I wanted to read Stone Yard Devotional and Playground, but they either haven't been released yet or are not available at a library near me. The other remaining three didn't really appeal to me, but I might pick them up if they make the shortlist. I read There, There when it first came out, but I might have to reread it as I don't remember a lot of it.
My Friends would be a very worthy winner, I think. A really beautiful book.
Wandering Stars part 2 picks up directly after There There, so definitely worth a refresh (even just a plot summary).
I like your shortlist. I have 4 left to read. My Friends, Playground, Creation Lake and This Strange Eventful History. 🏃♂️
Ooh you've got some goodies left to go! Although I liked pretty much the whole longlist so I would say that 😅
@@benreadsgood they should make you a judge next year. 😉 For no particular reason, I've read shortest to longest. My Friends is up next.
Oh my gosh I would LOVE that!!! But I think I would need to distinguish myself somehow in something other than BookTube 😂
Great video. I would like to see James, My Friends, Stoneyard devotional and Safe keep on the shortlist. I would like My Friends or Stoneyard devotional to win. Initially I did not like Held but the writing is poetic and beautiful
I'd be very happy with your suggestions! I don't know why I'm not seeing it for The Safekeep on the shortlist, but would love for it to happen.
Great video. Your personal list is almost the same as mine I might switch Playground and Wild Houses. I hope Anne Michaels book is not one of the six. I also think Tommy Orange's books were once the same book, split apart by editors or publishers who were lacking courage. And when the saw how successful There, There was, bingo. I did think Stars was really good though.Mine: James, My Friends, Safekeep, Playground, Wandering.
Thanks for the electricity
Interesting theory on the Tommy Orange! Someone needs to ask him at an event or something 😅
Really loved the long list this year I’ll have some 12 by the time the shortlist is announced (I couldn’t get a copy of playground) I really loved headshot and hope it’s shortlisted but I agree James and my friends are the only two certs to get shortlisted
Glad you loved it too, and very good to hear some praise for Headshot! Seems to be one that a lot of people really haven't gelled with.
Reading catnip 😂 I love it.
Closest I can get to cats... I'm very allergic 😂
@@benreadsgood oh no 🙀 that’s awful!
I’ve read only 6 and then my enthusiasm waned. I’m waiting for the shortlist and hoping my enthusiasm returns. My favourite so far is My Friends.
Fingers crossed the shortlist reignites your interest.
(But tbh, if not, no sweat - so many other great books out there to get to!)
I am currently reading Stone Yard Devotional and am really hoping this breaks the streak of what have been dull books for me.
Ahh that's a shame to hear. Stone Yard isn't full of action but I think it's a great read. Fingers crossed!
@benreadsgood I didn't dnf this one so that's a start. I liked it more than I thought I would at the half way mark. Orbital is growing on me with hindsight as well. Currently on The Safekeep
So far, my favourite is 🇱🇾 🇬🇧
A great pick! 👏
🚫🔜I haven't read any of them, I'm just here for the vibes and possible recommendations. Loved the Goodreads geek out!
It's all Booker nerd vibes over here!!! 🤓
You loved that Playground was intricately plotted and that it all came together and you love the ending. But it's not in your shortlist?
Yep - I liked 7 other books on the list more than it. Always a tough call in a strong year. There are only 6 spots!
i’ve read seven, so at least i’m going to have read something on the shortlist. this whole list has basically been “liked it a lot but didn’t love it” for me-The Safekeep might have been my favorite but i am not sure the very end quite felt right
The ending is probably the weakest part, but it must have been such a hard book to decide how to wrap up. I wonder if it would have been better just left unresolved... approaching the door, about to knock, not sure what the intentions are... and end it there.
@@benreadsgood that’s how i felt. an incredibly hard landing to stick.
I am currently half way through Headshots and I think it will sneak into my shortlist. But let's call it, James is the winner.
I really do think James is untouchable this year (at least on the prize lists it's on... there's maybe one book that might pip it in my favourite reads of the year).
I’ve only read three: James, Orbital, and The Safekeep. 🏃
James really is the one to beat! Great pick.
Great analysis as always! Let me guess...you work in controlling or programming? 😉
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Thanks so much!
I actually work in energy, as a web/app designer. Although I have dabbled in code in my spare time and almost tried to switch over 😅
I really liked this year’s list but my shortlist is completely different😂 James, My Friends, Orbital, Enlightenment, Held and Probably Playground but I haven’t got it yet! My favourite 💡! So we are opposite ends of the scale but that’s life!
Well we at least have 2 in common! Feels like James and My Friends are really the ones everyone can agree on this year.
Also I am very quickly realising that I am terrible at guessing these emojis 😂 I can't think which book is represented by a lightbulb. Maybe Held because of the old-school photography?
@@benreadsgood erm I thought it was so obvious - enlightenmemt😳🤣🤣
It would have been my guess to be fair! But probably says a lot about how some of the details have blurred reading all these books 😂
Thanks!
That's very kind, thank you! 🙏
Great video! Hoping ✏️ 📖 wins
It would be extremely well-deserved if it did! Thanks for watching 🙌
I'll read Held because the author is on the longlist for Giller Prize and the Booker Prize.
She's having a good year!
I hope it’s closer to your personal shortlist. I’ve only read one to date, so it’s easy. 🍐
Oh I recognise that pear 😅 Not long until we find out!
I really want Enlightenment to be on the shortlist.
It's definitely got a chance! And I can imagine it could be rewarding for the judges on a re-read.
✏️ but I also really liked 🚀
Those two emojis together make me think about that story of NASA trying to engineer a special pen that would work in space, while the Soviets just used a pencil ✏️
@@benreadsgood I think I had one of those pens as a kid - at least it worked on Earth!
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Great video!
Thank you very much!
I was just wondering, why the hell is “James” the fave of just about everyone? Then I read up on it and thought, oh right, that’s why
The hype is, in this case, absolutely justified!
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Good choice! 🐰
Stone Yard Devotional
It’s a great one!
😮
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Ooooh: The Safekeep? 👀
@@benreadsgood 😃 Yes.
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An absolute banger! 👏
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Thanks for watching!! 🙏
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Oh yes, I know this one! And I agree that it's a special one!!!
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A great pick!
🪐👨🏾🚀👨🏻🚀🧑🏾🚀🧑🏻🚀👩🏾🚀👩🏻🚀
Love what you did with the emojis there!!! 👏
i would LOVE to see headshot in the shortlist, I absolutely adored it and so has everyone I've recommended it to but I get that you have to really get into the style. it just worked for me! the safekeep was another one I raced through
Yeah Headshot really worked for me too, so I'm glad to see some more love for it!
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Still sad it didn't make the shortlist 🥺
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Seeing a lot of love for this one now it's been shortlisted!
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Oooh that one's easy! One of my faves too 😊
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Oooh I definitely know which one that is!
Safe
...keep? 😅
📖 🪱 💚
🐁🐁🐁
The scratching in the walls! So good!
Hi Ben, many THANKS for your ranking ! I read four of the books and my favourites were 1.”Wild Houses”🔐 (and 2.”Stoneyard Devotional”🔔. )I have got one disagreement with you : The “Safekeep” for me suffered terribly by the totally far-fetched, utterly unlikely ending (even if the construction with the house ownership is right, Isabelle would not have let her back in)and it also was so woke (every character not belonging to a minority group is drawn as awful) that all this really superb storytelling of the first half was rather spoiled. I found only one other person having critical thoughts about it though and I foresee it being right there on the shortlist…Very keen to find out tomorrow ! Greetings from Lotte
I loved The Safekeep all the way through, but can see how the ending won't work for everyone. Something a little more unresolved might have been better.
I'm rooting for 🚀👨🚀🌎
It certainly packs a LOT into such a small tome!
I hope Headshot will be shortlisted......
Feels like there aren't any books completely out of contention this year, so it's very possible!
🚣 James was my favorite. Emoji is supposed to be a man on a boat. But it looks more like a thumbs up which works too!
Haha well it looks like a man in a boat to me, so mission accomplished. But I would definitely give the book a thumbs up... maybe even two! 👍👍
Was really hoping to agree with you. But sadly not. Think Booker got the perfect 6 books this year. And Orbital and Held are both so stunning.
I do think something that's hard to convey with a ranking video is that I really liked pretty much all the books! Even Held, which didn't massively work for me, is a book I can appreciate and totally see why it was shortlisted.
only one i've read so far but found it genuinely beautiful . think i'm most looking forward to reading My Friends (when its in paperback)!!!
Not *too* long to wait for the paperback (if you're in the UK) - it's out in early January! It's worth the wait 😊
My favourite is 🐀 also loved 🛶
Both fantastic picks!
Well done. I wasn't too excited about the long list when it came out, but you've all but convinced me to read several. Always interesting to see how opinions vary. I haven't read any yet, but 🚣🐀👻
It's definitely been a pretty divisive list on social media, from what I've seen, and I'm feeling much more warmly to it than others. But I hope you find some in there that work for you!
Good emoji choices... thinking James, Stone Yard, and... either Held or Enlightenment? 👀
@@benreadsgood Held. A novel that starts in WWI is relevant to my interests.
I’ve read Wandering Stars, James & Orbital and loved them all probably in that order , though James seems more like a Booker winner and one that’ll be remembered most decades from now . 📖🪱💚
I think you're right - James is probably going to be taught in schools in future!