My Favourite Women Writers & My Favourite of Their Books | March 2021
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- Опубліковано 5 сер 2024
- This competition is now CLOSED and the winner has been contacted.
Today we have a video which inspired by a vlog I am filming where I read my mother’s favourite books written by women writers and her favourite book of theirs. I thought I would talk about my favourite women authors and which of their books I have loved the most. Speaking of my mother, we are reading the Women’s Prize longlist together, which you can win by commenting on this post following the instructions I give out at the start. Woohoo. #FavouriteAuthors #FavouriteBooks #FavouriteWomenAuthors
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Melanie and I talk Graceland by Bethan Roberts • Graceland by Bethan Ro... v
Me on A Good Read on BBC Radio 4 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00...
Mum and I respond to the Women’s Prize Longlist Live • Women's Prize For Fict...
Books Mentioned…
Cats Eye by Margaret Atwood uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9781853...
Human Croquet by Kate Atkinson uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9780552...
Girl With A Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9780007...
The Redemption of Galen Pike by Carys Davies uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9781907...
Mr Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9780241...
A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers by Xiaolu Guo uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9780099...
The Hoarder by Jess Kidd uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9781786...
Small Island by Andrea Levy uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9780755...
Swimming Home by Deborah Levy uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9781911...
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9780349...
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9781472...
My Policeman by Bethan Roberts uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9780099...
The Gustav Sonata by Rose Tremain uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9781784...
Tin Man by Sarah Winman uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9780755...
The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9781911...
The Second Life of Samuel Tyne by Esi Edugyan uk.bookshop.org/a/550/9781911...
Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones
The Submerged Cathedral by Charlotte Wood
Note - Jessie Burton should have been on this list and I am a fool.
Me Elsewhere...
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In the past couple of years I’ve discovered Sarah Moss and she immediately became one of my favorite writers of all time. It’s awe inspiring how much she can pack into such short books. My favorite of hers is Ghost Wall. Four :).
Yes I loved Ghost Wall and really liked Cold Earth but I’ve only read those two so far. I have Summerwater to read soon.
@@SavidgeReads I hope you get a chance to read Summerwater soon, it’s so good :). I read it in one sitting.
I loved this video, lots of new books for me to try! I struggle with the idea of favourite authors personally because I'm so bad at reading more than one work from an author. I'll love a book and then just move on and not try others. Definitely something I need to work on in my reading, not becoming distracted by the new.
They’re not going to go anywhere so there’s always time to catch up.
I had no idea they're making a film of My Policeman! I read the book on your recommendation and LOVED it!
I can’t wait for the movie. Bethan and I are going to try and be extras. Hahaha.
I loved The Hoarder so much that I bought multiple copies to give to sisters, cousins and friends👋☘️
Yes I gifted it a lot. My mother was one such recipient and she passed her onto my step dad who is also now a huge fan.
Will have to check these out! Absolutely agree with Mr Loverman and I also adored Hamnet but haven’t read any other Maggie O’Farrell books so I’ll need to rectify that 👌🏻
I would highly recommend.
My favorite author is Amy Tan, I loved the Hundred Secret Senses!
(her books tend to be about families, ghosts, the supernatural, I love her work)
Sandra Cisneros- Caramelo
I loved this book about a Mexican American family. Its epic, its told from two points of view, amazing read.
and the number is four!
Happy Reading!
Ooooh two brilliant new to me recommendations. Thank you.
Such a great video and so many of these were already on my TBR, even more excited to get round to them now! First of all, four :) My favourite female author is probably Emily St John Mandel; Margaret Atwood is up there, too, but thought I would say someone that hasn't already been mentioned! Station Eleven is my favourite book ever and I read The Glass Hotel last year and ended up really enjoying this, too. As for recs for you, have you read If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha? This was my favourite book of last year and I am so excited to see what she comes out with next, I just absolutely loved it. Also, I absolutely loved Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and have shared this with so many friends/family. Hope you find some great recommendations from all the comments! :)
I seem to have lost my proof of Frances Cha. I wasn’t sure about it at first and now it’s on the Dylan Thomas longlist which I really want to read though I’ve a lot to read prize wise at the moment. Hahaha. I liked Station Eleven, I’ve not read more of her books though. I should.
I’m so curious to check out these authors! I just finished Mr. Loverman this week!!! SO GOOD I absolutely love Bernardine Evaristo’s characters and writing as well as change of POVs she does in ways that feel effortless. I could tell these authors are favorites bc of how passionately you talked about them/what you love really came through. A female author who I love to recommend and I feel passionate about is Leslie Marmon Silko. One of my top favorite novels is ‘Ceremony’ by her, and I would really recommend it to you! I think it’s an under read contemporary classic.
I’ve not heard of Leslie Marmon Silko. Thanks for the recommendation.
Favourite female author & book: Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire. This was the book that got me back into gothic fiction after a big break. Oh, and 4 📚
Oh wow. Ok. I’ve never read any Anne Rice. Though I have seen the film.
Another great video Simon!
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion stands out for me as a favourite - was just so beautifully done; excellent writing as to be expected but also a very moving story about her grief and relationship to her daughter.
I also think you'd love The Man Who Saw Everything by Deborah Levy! A very literary novel focusing on perspective and memory - really clever!
Also - 4 :)
I must read that Levy. I’m waiting on a proof of her latest memoir. I’m excited for it. I just got Joan Didion’s latest book so maybe I can start there with her.
Hi Simon! I believe the number is 4... and a fav book by a fav author is In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. Thanks for the video!
Oooh I’ll look that one up.
I think 3 1/2 books after this video- 3 for you and half for your mum. Although your mum has finished that one today, so 4 after today's video!
I have read all of Rachel Joyce 's books and loved them, especially The pilgrimage of Harold Fry so would recommend that one. Loved Jess Kidd's books and Agatha Christie too.
Looking forward to spring hibearnation!
It should be a fun eight days of reading!
What a treasure you gave us! Thank you!
A pleasure Mark.
My favorite female author is Donna Tartt - The Secret History. Not sure if you’ve read this already but I just re-read it again many years later and still love it! The number of books is 4! Thanks for another great video, I ha e it bookmarked for future purchases. Have a great weekend😊
Donna Tartt is my favourite too 😁 I'm heading to a re-read of Secret History next. The problem is you have to wait so long between books. Great to find a fellow Tartt fan!
I have read it. I have a very battered read copy in my shelves downstairs.
Such a great list of books with a couple of names I hadn’t read before but will put on my to read list.i love Kate Atkinson in every incarnation, I love Rose Tremain as well, I think she might be my absolute favourite author on this list because she writes such different books earache time, all meticulously researched but wearing that very very lightly. I need to up my reading speed. I daren’t tell you how many books I need to have read this year but I’m powering along!
Need to have read? Unless your being paid to read something you don’t need deadlines on reading. It’s unhealthy.
Excited to add some of these to my tbr! My favorite female author is L.M. Montgomery and my favorite of hers is The Blue Castle. I think (if you haven’t already read her) that you would love Dorothy Whipple. I would start with Someone at a Distance or They Knew Mr. Knight. You and your mum have read 4!
I have read and liked Dorothy Whipple. Someone at a Distance is the one I’ve read. I’ve not read L.M. Montgomery.
My favourite female author is Jhumpa Lahiri because she perfectly captures the second-generation diaspora experience such as in her book ‘The Namesake’ - a favourite of mine. And the number is four! Love your videos so much Simon
Awwww thank you so much. I’ve not read any Jhumpa Lahiri, maybe I should get The Namesake.
Such a great list with some right corkers! The number of books was 4 and my favourite book by a female author would have to be Mom and Me and Mom by Maya Angelou. I think it captured her entire life well and I preferred it to I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. My recommendation for you is Jamaica Kincaid, particularly as you also enjoyed Love after Love and said you wanted to read more Caribbean fiction. Annie John is a great coming of age story set in Antigua which I absolutely loved. Happy longlist reading, I am planning to join in as much as I possibly can! 😉
Hurray for reading the longlist. Maya Angelou is one of my mother’s favourite authors. I’ve not read enough of her books (yet) to have her qualify. But I will. Jamaica Kincaid is an author I’ve always wanted to try. So thanks for the reminder.
So many of these would be on my favourites list too (I love this idea), and tbh most of them I think would be thanks to your introducing them to me over the years!
I think I'd have Cheryl Strayed on my list too. Lily King would be a one to watch as I adored writers and lovers last year.
I need to read Writers and Lovers. Sooooo many books I simply must read lol.
Hey Simon! 4/3.5 ha! For the combined answer.
My fave is Jessie Burton, all 3 of her adult novels have been my ultimate favourite!
A writer to recommend I think you might enjoy Bridget Collins who wrote the Binding and the Betrayals, they're quite gothic!
I read The Binding and liked it. I sadly DNF’d The Betrayals. I looove Jessie’s books I am so cross with myself I missed her out.
Hi Simon the answer is 4.
My favourite female author is Liane Moriarty, especially loved ‘What Alice forgot’, ‘The Husband’s Secret’ and ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’. For you I would recommend a new author Erika walker’s ‘Dog Days’ 😊. I have joined your channel during lockdown and after the fantastic sky arts book club and am completely hooked now 👏🏻👏🏻
Awwww that’s lovely to hear. I hope the Sky Book Club comes back. I think I have Dog Days. I’m a bit nervous of it because animals in books and me... hmmm.
Cats Eyes is great read. So agree with you, you never know what world MA will take you to! I highly recommend Alias Grace - also one of her best books. Thank you for another great reading list ... running out space on my book shelves lol.
I have Alias Grace on the TBR but I might need a little break between chunky Atwoods. Hahaha.
@@SavidgeReads lol :) I know what you mean.
The answer to the first question is 4. I actually hadn't read very many of the previous winners and so enjoyed your videos with your mom. I went back and watched your videos reading previous winner as well. I must admit I ordered quite a few books. I'm finding your videos always lead to the purchasing of books. One of my favorite female authors is Geraldine Brooks. People of the Book is one of my all time favorites and I have March and Year of Wonder saved for a rainy day.
Year of Wonder is amazing. It’s a fictional account of real events that happened in Eyam, a village down the road from my mum and my hometown.
The number is 4 🙃! I’m so glad you and your mum will be reading them together again, I just love this season!!!
My favourite female author is Elizabeth Strout and think my favourite of hers is Anything is Possible. I’m not sure if you’ve read Olive Kitteridge? But if not is a wonderful book of hers to start with.x
I’ve not read any Elizabeth Strout. I will give her a whirl at some point.
4 books in total so far for you and Louise.
My favourite female author is Jesmyn Ward and her book Sing, Unburied, Sing. That's a book that took my breath away, it's such a beautiful depiction on what can constitute a family, what loyalty can be and how the US has and continues to treat it's black population.
I think you would like Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy because for one she's Australian and secondly because it's a gripping story about a women who goes her own way and in spite of what other people thinks of her and her somewhat tragic past finds herself along the way and not at the final destination as she might thought she would.
I played a bit of bingo with this video trying to see how many authors I could guess you would mention, got seven of the right. I also ended up adding a whole lot of those books you mentioned on my TBR-list.
Haha seven out of fifteen isn’t bad at all. Lol. I’ve been recommended Migrations a few times and your recommendation seals the deal.
Yes with Mr Loverman! Can you believe I STILL need to read Hamnet!
You’ve got to get on that. The paperback is out very soon.
Hi Simon! Liz Nugent has got to be one of my most favourite female writers. Her shall we say erm, alternative narratives on motherhood are just brilliant! I have read all of her novels but Lying In Wait has to be my favourite. So I'd love to recommend her to you! Another of my most favourite books by a female author is Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. There is one scene she paints so graphically it will haunt me forever. Oh and also 4 :-) x
Oooh I have a Liz Nugent book. I think Lauren of Lauren and the Books recommended her to me. Eyam, which is where The Year of Wonders is set, is two or three towns away from my hometown.
The number is 4!! My favourite female author is probably Kate Atkinson, and Life after Life is my favourite of hers (with A God in Ruins running it a close second, but man that book is heartbreaking). Also I know she mainly writes for children but I really love Kiran Millwood-Hargrave’s writing - you should definitely read The Mercies, her adult novel, if you’ve not done so already! I would also recommend Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins-Reid if you’ve not read that - it’s a biography of a fictional 70s band, I wasn’t sure I would like it but it is *so* well done, and was one of the most unique books I read last year :)
I want to read much more Kiran Millwood Hargrave. I loved The Mercies. I’ve not read any Taylor Jenkins Reid but I’ve a few of hers including that one.
Hilary Mantel is probably my favourite author as I love Wolf Hall! Also I read Night Waking by Sarah Moss last year and I thought that was amazing, looking forward to reading Ghost Wall and Summerwater
Also- 4!
I’m looking forward to Summerwater too.
Four.
FAVOURITE is J California- Copper of all time.
Teens: Pearl Cleage- I wish I had a red dress
20's: Jane Fallon-How to get rid of Matthew
30's: Lorelei James- Branded as Trouble
40's so far: Elizabeth Acevado-Poet X
So many authors I love V like, but these are the re reads every year,month,reading slump etc.
I love how you’ve split these up. Fab.
Four is the magic number 📚
My favourite female author is Margaret Atwood; The Blind Assassin is perfect.
Another favourite who I think you would like is Diane Setterfield; her book Once Upon a River is so beautiful. This is a great giveaway, thank you for the opportunity! X
I have two current favourite female authors and books and can’t choose between. I love the Donna tart - the secret history is one of my all time favourite books. And also Bernadine Evaristo - Girl, woman, other. I can’t stop thinking about since reading it. The answer to the question in your video the other day is 4! :)
I loved Girl Woman Other too. I was so chuffed she won the Booker with that, and that I got to give her a big hug on the night.
I discovered Human Croquet last month, sitting on my bookshelves. Looked as if it had been there forever, couldn’t remember why or where I ever got it. But absolutely loved it!!
It’s a wonderful, wonderful novel.
Ok I‘ll give this a shot: I‘d say you’ve read 5 books so far. My favourite book by a female author is probably Euphoria by Lily King. It‘s the only one of hers I have read so far, but I bought all her other books straight away so I can read them soon. A book I recently read that you might enjoy (and that took my breath away) was Claire of the Sea Light by Edwidge Danticat. Such a little gem. Brilliant video as always Simon.
Danticat is an author I really really really want to get to. I’ve just got the latest Lily King so might head back to hear earlier work when I’ve read it if I like it.
My favourite book is In The Time of The Butterflies by Julia Alvarez, although I’m yet to read her other books! I would recommend Kristin Hannah’s books (my favourite is Winter Garden). Also, 4!
I’ve seen a lot about Kristin Hannah recently, especially with Noelle’s recent reading of The Four Winds (I think it’s called that) and am sooooo tempted.
I love Kristinn Hannah's The Great Alone.
4 books (or 3 books + 1/2+1/2). My fave author always changes but I loved Tayari jones and silver sparrow is possibly my fave (you’ll love leaving Atlanta!). I think you would really enjoy If I had your face by Frances cha - loved it last year, and amazing exploration into womanhood in South Korea. Excited to hear your thoughts on the long list!
That’s the second recommendation for Frances Cha! I have lost my proof somewhere so I’ll have to hunt down a paperback. Thank you.
favorite female writer is Sally Rooney and favorite book of hers is “Conversations with Friends.” i think you would like “this is how it always is” by Laurie Frankel and 4 is the number!
Ooooh I’ve not heard of Laurie Frankel.
I've actually read none of the nominated books yet, so I would love to enter the givewaway.
- You've read 4 of the books combined.
- Margaret Atwood is my favorite female author. Although I loved Cat's Eye, I would pick The Handmaid's Tale.
- My favourite book by a female author would be Educated by Tara Westover.
I’m watching The Handmaid’s Tale (I’ve read the book years ago) and find it incredible that a text can be so terrifyingly pertinent and possible all these years on.
As always, love your vids so much!! the number is 4!! my favorite book by my favorite female author is _The song of Achilles_ , Madeline Miller just has a way with words that made me fall in love with literature and art all over again when I most needed it (so yeah personal reasons but also it is an amazing book) regardless, since I know you've already read it and you are looking for new female authors, may I recommend my second favorite female author who is Angeles Mastretta? dont know if you've read anything by her, she was my mother's favorite author which pushed me to read her work, she is a mexican writer so I'm not sure how many of her books have been translated but Arráncame la vida ( _Tear this heart out_ , although I personally believe _Tear this life out_ would've been a more accurate translation) is without a doubt my favorite by her!!
I’ve not heard of Mastretta, I shall have to look her up. I’m a big fan of Madeline Miller.
@@SavidgeReads i've always wondered how well her work translates, similar to Gabriel García Marquez, there's so much latin culture in them that they feel very personal! if you check her out i hope you enjoy it!!
Ooh, that’s a difficult question! If I had to pick one I think it would be Diane Setterfield with my favourite book being The Thirteenth Tale.
Have you read anything by Becky Chambers? Long Way to a Small Angry Planet is the first book in her Wayfarers collection and is one of my favourite books of all time. It really focuses on on relationships, love, prejudices etc. But in a unique way 🙂
Loved your video with your Mum and the answer is four. X
I read her first book as it was up for the women’s prize and I liked it but I think I was reading them in a too condensed space. I’m better at pacing now.
Sarah Winman is my favourite, her books leave me in absolute bits but put me back together again if that makes sense ? She has a way of portraying human relationships like no one else and I tend to be hooked from the first page. I also love Madeline Miller. Circe made Greek mythology accessible and began a slightly unhealthy obsession. I find her writing beautiful, it’s like slipping into a warm bath at the end of a hard day. Oh and 4!
It totally. I absolutely love Sarah Winman. Her new one, Still Life, is just brilliant. I also love Madeline Miller, I just need that third book.
Hello Simon. Hope you’re doing well. My favourite book by a female author is Persuasion by Jane Austen. Maybe not the most original but the heart loves what the heart loves. A book I’d recommend is Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant- can’t remember you talking of this one before but apologies if you already have read it. I love her writing. And the number of books you and your mum have read so far is 4. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻 xx
It is original. You’re the first person to mention Jane Austen so far. Hahaha. Mum loves Sarah Dunant. Raves about her.
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman, Sylvia Plath & Rowan Hisayo Buchanan ! ⭐️📚 4!!! Looking forward to your updates on the women’s prize, I *loved* Piranesi!
I’m reading Piranesi now 😬
Reading a book by a favourite author is always something special. One of my favourites is Maggie Nelson. I think you would love Bluets, but I think you have already read it.
The number from the video with your Mum is 4. Always great to see Louise.
I loooooved Bluets. I loved The Argonauts and her first poetry collection.
Magic number #4 (or 3.5!) - Daphne du Maurier is my favourite female author so delighted to see her on your list - just went to count and I have 15 of her books on my shelf that I've read, plus Rule Britannia waiting for me by my bed :) Rebecca was my gateway drug and I still adore it (and have re-read several times) but I also really love her genealogical novels for vividly drawn characters and the sweep of a story over time, so maybe The Loving Spirit or Hungry Hill? Another favourite not on your list is Barbara Comyns, who had a very interesting life - probably my favourite is Our Spoons Came From Woolworths but also love her more gothic stories!
Daphers is great isn’t she. I’m going to read one of hers next week.
@@SavidgeReads Delighted to find someone else who also refers to her as Daphers tbh!
After years of not reading, I finally got back into it after picking up and loving We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, and then swiftly moved on to Margret Atwoods books and loved Hagseed. But my read of 2020 had to be A Little Life, controversial but incredible, well done Hanya Yanagihara. Who run the world? GIRLS! Oh, and 4 books 😊 Already read The Vanishing Half and looking forward to the rest 🤩
We Were Liars was great. I’m team A Little Life too.
Ooh I still have A concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers on my TBR :)
1. 📚 The number of books read 4 (or 3.5)
2. 📖 My favourite author at the moment is Bernadine Evaristo. Maybe ever is Sylvia Plath for Ariel and The Bell Jar 🖤
3. 🔖Recommend - We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
(I know it's cheating but I'd also add Pew by Catherine Lacey and
I'm the King of the Castle by Susan Hill to my recommended)
P.s great video and what a list of books!❤
Pew isn’t a cheat as I’ve read the other books ;)
Same with Cat’s Eye! It made me feel ill the whole time I was reading it but it’s one of the only times I’ve felt like that trauma has been acknowledged. Childhood bullying wrecked me but so many people seem to think of it as a harmless rite of passage. Editing to add- four! And I adore Jeanette Winterson. Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal and Written on the Body are my favourites, but would maybe recommend The Passion as a good place to start. It’s relatively linear in story without losing Winterson’s brilliantly non linear writing style, full of travel and adventure and history. Writing is absolutely gorgeous with some very memorable characters.
I recently gave The Passion to my partner as my choice for her first Winterson book for her to try. She liked it! Winterson was my favourite author of my early 20s, I need to reread her work.
Winterson's FranKissStein, is my favourite of hers, I like the others, but this one is something amazing. Snort laughed through parts of it.
@@kimswhims8435 you know what, I've read every single one except that one!
Yes. It’s a weird book like that and I think it’s why some people really don’t like Cats Eye. I’ve only read a few Winterson’s and I’m not sure they have been the best starts. I love her tone though.
Now I'm going to TBR your whole list, except "Cat's Eye" (nope mum's day wont rant).
Bodily Harm is my fave Atwood, Behind the scenes at the museum is my fave Atkinson, The Virgin Blue is my fave Chevalier, After You’d Gone is my fave O’Farrell (and I’ve read Hamnet 😏)- so there you go! 😊 The author I savour is Barbara Kingsolver - I only have 4 of hers left to read 😱😏 I’m looking forward to getting to Mr Loverman sometime soon 😊 loved this video!
The number is 4 and I would recommend my fave Kingsolver which is Prodigal Summer and yep she is my fave author 😊
Ooh I’ve not read Bodily Harm, I think it’s on my shelves though. As are the other three of the books by authors in this video. Kingsolver I’ve only dabbled in. I wasn’t sure about Lacuna but wasn’t hooked at the start and then moved onto something else but I’ve The Poisonwood Bible which was my Gran’s favourite book.
I haven't read any of these books so I really need to work on that this year! 😅
Anyway, first answer is 4 books... My favorite author is Robin Hobb and my favorite book by hers... Well it's all of the realm of the elderling series but I think her masterpiece is Ship of destiny.
I'm a fairly recent subscriber (hi!) so I'm not sure what you've read and what's your taste exactly but I would say Convenance store woman by Sayaka Murata or Severance by Ling MA. Really loved those recently.
Also on Daphné Du Maurier : if you haven't read the scapegoat yet by her I highly recommend it for your next read! I love it, but it's not as well known
I’ve read the Murata and have the Ma on my TBR. Good signs. Also hello 👋🏻
One of my favorite female authors is Sayaka Murata. I loved Convenience Store Woman so much! I think you would love the short story collection Half Wild by Robin MacArthur :) Also, 4 books!
Ooooh I read Murata’s first published here and I liked it a lot. I have Earthlings on the TBR. I’ve not heard of Robin MacArthur.
Favourite female author - there are far too many to pick just one! But at the moment I'm eagerly awaiting Natasha Pulley's new book so I'll go with her. I loved her Watchmaker series and I can't wait for The Kingdoms. Now that I think of it, she gives me Susanna Clarke vibes - I also loved Piranesi. But I'll recommend Asne Seierstad to you for her non-fiction book One of Us about the mass shooting in Norway. I know you read a huge amount of fiction there's a chance you haven't read this! It's a very emotional read but riveting. Also, four!
Combined, you've read 4 (or had at that point).
My favourite female author is Diane Setterfield...I think, but there are about five that are very close to her so it could change depending on the day! The Thirteenth Tale was probably my equivalent to your Rebecca, in that it got my reading fires relit.
My favourite book by a female author though, is The Door by Magda Szabo. Female friendship, class, a mystery...it's stunning and I need to read more of her books.
It’s wonderful when your reading is ignited by an author or a book, whether you’ve not read a book in years or just weeks. I have The Door on my TBR. It’s just hone a bit higher.
You and your Mum have read 4 (ish) of the longlist... or had...
Favourite female author changes depending on my mood but one I’ve read recently and then have rushed off to pick the rest of her catalogue up is Monique Roffey... that mermaid was no Ariel and now I’m thoroughly enjoying Sun Dog 🥰🥰
Well I think we all know I love Roffey. I am looking forward to heading to her back catalogue.
I loved Gustav Sonata, the only Tremain book I've read. I really want to read her newest one, Islands of Mercy and maybe Restoration :) Jess Kidd books sound so good
If you love the Gustav Sonata you’ll like and love all her books. She is amazing. As is Jess Kidd.
Firstly, the number is four!
Secondly, my favourite female author is probably tied with Maggie O’Farrell and Sarah Waters - faves being Hamnet and Fingersmith respectively. You never mentioned Sarah Moss who I’m sure you’ve read from before. Not all her books are my favourite but I really enjoy her work and Summerwater is one of my favourite reads this year. Would highly recommend! 🥰
I’ve only read two Sarah Moss’s so I couldn’t mention her in this selection cos of my rules.
We share so many favourites, so I feel confident that I will enjoy the others on your list that I have not yet read. My two favourite women authors are Maggie O’Farrell and Kate Atkinson. Hamnet and Life After Life, respectively, are favourites books by them.
As for a suggestion for you, have you read Carol Shields? I knew her personally from my time as a journalist writing about the literary scene in the ‘90s and she was one of my favourite people. I liked The Stone Diaries a lot, plus Larry’s Party, and Unless. I’ll offer another Winnipeg author you may not have read: Miriam Toews.
You and your mum have read 3.5, rounded up to 4, books on the list.
I read my first Carol Shields last year, Larrys Party, as it was a previous Women’s Prize winner. I loved it so must read more.
I share your love of Mr Loverman! I think of that book frequently--the mark of a truly great book in my opinion. I just might need to reread it this year. Another favorite is Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. Another book I think of often. And, I'm going with 4 as my answer to your first question.
I’ve had a lot of recommendations of Elizabeth Strout so I will have to check her out. Mr Loverman is just brilliant.
4 books :) And as to your second part of your questions, that's a tough one. As I have a habit of not returning to authors I loved a book of, as I'm always worried I'll be disappointed! One that does come to mind however, despite feeling that I my reading tastes now don't align with her work is Jodi Picoult. It has been her books which on a number of occasions have got me back into reading. With from memory Nineteen Minutes and Change of Heart being two of my favourites.
It’s hard picking favourites. And you’re right, possibly even harder to find time to go to authors previous works though I’m really working on that this year.
The number of books is four!
For my favourite book by my favourite female author I'm going to pick Carol by Patricia Highsmith.
If you haven't read it, I would suggest it and would love to hear what you think!
As a side note, its impossible choosing just the one! Highsmith isn't even my favourite author in a broader sense! I just love Carol so much. Favourite women authors otherwise are Helen Garner, Lorrie Moore, Rachel Cusk, Mary Gaitskill, Maggie O'Farrell and Lucia Berlin (i really wish there was more of her work). I also adored Bass Rock by Wyld, my fave book in a long time.
Thanks for giving us the opportunity to win some books! Xo
I love Highsmith. I like her thrillers more than Carol, I liked Carol a lot though.
Sarah Moss is absolutely at the top of the list for me. My favourite of hers so far is The Tidal Zone. I have one of hers saved for that potential rainy day too. Also...4!
I’m lucky I’ve quite a few of hers saved.
Great video thank you my TBR is now enormous. I really liked The Secret History by Donna Tartt (though I haven't read The Goldfinch yet - the length is putting me off a bit). I think you might like If We Were Villians by M.L.Rio which has a similar dark academia setting but the central characters are drama students and there are snippets of Shakespeare throughout. The number is 4. 🤞🍀
Ooh I shall look up If We Were Villains. Thank you.
One of my favourite authors (which I saw you noted you had missed, how very dare you haha) is Jessie Burton and I think my favourite of hers is The Confession! I'm not sure if you have read The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid but it's really as great as everyone says. The number you and your mum had read was 4 books from the longlist. I am excited for all the books in the women's prize but you mentioned the Stella prize in one of your videos and all of those books sound amazing too so I definitely want to get my hands on some of those!
I can’t believe I missed Jessie Burton. I bloody love her. I’ve not read any Taylor Jenkins Reid. I would like to.
The number is 4 Simon.
My favourite book by my favourite author is What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt and a favourite book by a favourite author you might love is The Wildlands by Abby Geni
I’ve still not read any Hustvedt, I have The Wildlands on my shelves. Thank you.
Favourite female authors are Jilly Cooper (mainly because I discovered her as a teenager and loved the racy content 😂) and Agatha Christie. My favourite Christie is Dead Man’s Folly because it is based on Greenway - her home in Devon - and I have such fond memories of visiting there with my mum and then later with my boyfriend. I think I would also recommend any poetry collection edited by Ana Sampson as I just adore them. And the number from the previous video was 4. Love your videos and thank you for all the fab book recommendations!
I have never read a Jilly Cooper. Maybe that’s something I should try and do before I’m forty. I like a Christie. I know Ana. She’s a joy.
@@SavidgeReads you really should. She is slightly dated and some of her characters/plot lines seem a tad out of place but I just love her. She’s so witty.
The number of longlist books that Lady Louise and you have read is 4. As you love Aussie reads, I thought I would pick some writers from my home. Recent favourite book The Museum of Modern Love by Heather Rose which is centred around a performance act piece of Maria Abramovic at MOMA and the people watching this piece. Loved it. Favourite women's writer and the one you would love is the great Helen Garner - my first love was Monkey Grip and then I read The Spare Room (which Natalie Maree also loved). Helen Garner has such a clean writing style that the books seem deceptive simple, but she captures real life with a sharp eye. She also write narrative non fiction particularly looking at legal issues and stories in our court system. She is a national treasure and everyone should read her.
The Spare Room is amazing. I loved it... whilst it broke me. I have the Heather Rose on my shelves.
Four books!
And one of my favourite female authors is Heather O'Neill -- I recommend The Lonely Heart's Hotel.
Additionally, I think you'd really like Miriam Toews' novels - especially A Complicated Kindness.
I loooooved Heather O’Neill when I read that very book. I need to go back and read all her books... which I binge bought after read that one. I’ve also got quite a few Toews on my shelves too. Good suggestions.
Four books between you & Louise. I find it difficult to list a favorite author unless I’ve read their entire backlist however a new found favorite female author is Otessa Moshfegh, my year of rest is front runner but I believe you’ve read it!
I have read it indeed. I need to read the rest of her works.
I just went through my entire goodreads by author searching for a female I think you might not have read before and who I've read three or more books by. That is s very short list indeed. But before that, you've read 4 books between you from the LL. My favorite today would be Kate Atkinson's Life After Life. Enough about me, I think you would like Louise Penny's Three Pines series. It's more about the inhabitants than about the mysteries. Also, have you read Geraldine Brooks? People of the Book is probably my favorite, but she never disappoints.
I have read Geraldine Brooks. Twice. Eyam, which The Year of Wonders is all about, is just down the road from my mother’s and my hometown. I’ll look Louise Penny up!
Well this video has made me realise how few books I read/have read by female authors which is definitely something I need to remedy ! In terms of a favourite book All the Beautiful Girls by Elizabeth J. Church was the book that made me fall back in love with reading last year. I was sucked in by the idea of old Vegas show girl glamour but this book delivered so much more , warning though it can be quite dark at times.
Just placed on my list, thanks for the recommendation.
Ooooh I’ve not heard of that one but sounds great. Thanks Nia.
I believe the lucky number is 4.
Hilary Mantel is my favourite female author ... currently. I say ''currently" because, over my 70 plus years, I have loved so many women writers that the top 5 or so change all the time. But I have chosen Hilary Mantel be cause of the way she brought Thomas Cromwell so vividly to life by rounding out every aspect of his character. He did some terribly ruthless things, but his humanity consistently shines through in the books. I'll choose Wolf Hall as my favourite, simply because it was the first.
An author you might like is Helen Garner, a most accomplished Australian writer, and I would suggest starting with her first - Monkey Grip. She also writes very insightful non-fiction and short stories.
Now I will sit back and wait with everything crossed. What a fabulous giveaway!
I loooooooved Helen Garner’s The Spare Room.
I love love love the Gustav Sonata. I think its the closest I've come to reading a perfect book.
It’s just wonderful isn’t it?
I think I would have to say Louise Erdrich is my favourite as I have just about everything she has written to date. I especially like The Master Butchers Singing Club and also The Roundhouse. The number is 4.
I read her last book. I think it was her last book, about fertility and motherhood and thought it was good so would be keen to try more.
So excited to start reading from the long list! I’ve not read a single one but have sooo many on my wish list. I think my current favourite female author(s) are Madeline miller and Natalie Haynes because they opened up a whole new world that I had no idea that I would love - Greek mythology. I’m also so hear for the female - centric narratives within them. My favourite book from these would probably be Circe, as it was the first I read. If you’ve not read The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood I would 100% recommend this one! Also- 4 books! 📚
I love Madeline and am lucky enough to be friends with Natalie AND love her books too. I must read The Penelopiad you’re right.
@@SavidgeReads what wonderful company you keep! 🤩
Hi Simon, another great vlog, thank you. I don’t as much time as I would like to read, so I read vicariously through your UA-cam channel. The number of books you and your Mum have read from the list is four 👏👏👏 Now let me tell you about about one of my favourite female authors and that is Joanne Harris. Food, Simon, Food! She writes food porn “Peach is perhaps the most perfect fruit for making jam: sweet, yet firm; the golden flesh turning to darker burnt-orange with cooking” 😋 You have lashings of historical fiction from Joanne Harris; the chocolat series, my favourite Five Quarters of the orange, my personal favourite. Psychological thrillers, magic realism, and not forgetting her cookbooks 😊
I have read some Joanne Harris but not enough. I must get back to her books as she’s one of the authors I have the most books of to be read.
So many great authors I love Sarah winman sooo much and some of the others you talked about. The girl with the pearl evening is one of the best books from last year as was mr loverman which I found amazing
I think you’re going to love the new Sarah Winman.
@@SavidgeReads can’t wait to get it 😍
Number from your live is 4. My favourite book from a female author has to be To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The female author I have read the most of is Jodi Picoult. I love the different moral dilemmas she deals with and the gripping and often heartbreaking fall out from them. I cannot wait to dive into Hamnet, I picked up my copy after hearing you talk about it on Sky Arts Book Club.
You have a treat ahead with Hamnet. I can’t wait to talk about it with Maggie and my mum in a few weeks.
@@SavidgeReads I can't wait to watch your chat with Maggie.
The number of books read was 4. As for my favourite female author and favourite book by them, that feels like an impossible question as there are SO many, but I think I'd have to go for NW by Zadie Smith. I just love how much it brought London to life for me - and I read it while I was living overseas & missing home which probably made it even more poignant! As a recommendation for you, have you read Sula by Toni Morrison? I was so blown away by it when I read it earlier this year, and think you would love it if you haven't read it already!
Really loving all the Women's Prize content from you and your mum, thank you!! 😊
I have read some of Toni Morrison’s later books, like two, I would like to start from the beginning with her work.
The number is 4 ☺️ it’s so hard to pick a favourite female author but as I gave both her books a 5/5 and you mentioned not having read one the other day I am going to say Celeste Ng and recommend little fires everywhere! I recommend that to everyone. The tv series was great also.
I can’t help but be cheeky and give another - Elizabeth Strout, and I actually prefer Olive again to Olive Kitteridge, the way Strout writes about the human experience is incredible!
I need to read Little Fires Everywhere. I so expected my patreons to pick that as the most me of the minty covers in my last Vlog.
So many great authors mentioned. I thought I didn't know about Bethan Roberts, but looked her up on goodreads and she wrote Graceland, which I haven't read but definitely caused a buzz when it came out.
Small Island is brilliant and Hamnet.
Really like the others too.
Melanie and I did Graceland for our book club (as I mention) as she loves Elvis and I love Bethan and it was a perfect match.
I try not to chose a favourite book because when I was about 11 we were asked and I said, predictably, Five go Adventuring Again. Everyone else in the group said the Bible. I felt diminished.
Enough to say I have many favourites. That was a good list Simon. Another thing I do is save a title for another time. Funnily enough my saved Charlotte Woods title is the Submerged Cathedral. Sometime it doesn’t work because suddenly a film or a TV show is made of the saved one and it puts me off. I didn’t enter the competition because although you didn’t say I imagine posting overseas is not really practical. Looking forward to Sunday and the reading thing with Bear in it.
I wouldn’t be sending them. The prize would. But if you can’t pick a favourite or don’t like to I don’t want to push you on it.
My favorite female author is from Belgium: Griet op de Beeck. Her writing, her characters and how she handles certain topics just always seem to strike a chord in my heart. My favorite book by her is also the only one that had been translated into English as far as I can see: Mona in Three Acts. It’s about a mother-daughter relationship, the roles you play in life, pain, forgiveness and becoming one’s own person and learning to speak your own truth. So that is also my recommendation for you. And: 4!
Ooh I’ve not heard of her. I’ll have to look her up. Thank you.
My favourite books change a lot but Donna Tartt's The Secret History is an all time favourite - I reread every year. I think you'd enjoy The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid - I can't remember if you've mentioned it! It was hyped a lot but it lived up to the hype, it's so enjoyable a read despite some of the events, a brilliant one to get out of a reading slump I found! The number is four!
I have a few Taylor Jenkins Reid books so I’ll head to some of those. Thank you.
4! so I love Roxane Gay (I am almost certain you've read her work but I can't specifically remember hearing you talk about her so hedging my bets!) - her writing always grips me whether it's fiction like An Untamed State or a book of essays like Bad Feminist. So maybe my recommendation would be Bad Feminist? I feel it's often seen as a 'women's book' but I'm sure men would get loads out of it too! I also recently read my first N K. Jemison short story (Emergency Skin) cus I love love love sci fi and the booktuber hype was REAL - she's fab!
I haven’t read any Roxane Gay yet. That really needs to change. I think I have some fiction and non fiction on my shelves.
Sarah Waters is my favourite female author and The Night Watch my all time fave of hers. I would recommend Sally Field's memoir In Pieces as it is written so beautifully.
You and your mum's combined tally is 4!
I looooooved The Night Watch. I must read Fingersmith at some point. Though I say that every Christmas. Hahaha.
1. The number of books is 4
2. I’d have to go for my top 2 favourites books ever (good place to start) which would be The Time travellers wife and Rebecca. I’m the same as you and I find myself holding off on Daphne du Mauriers other books so my aim is to get to more of those this year.
Have you read Ask again, yes? By Mary Beth Keane. I think that might be something you may like, inter generational, following a few characters for their whole lives.
Oooh I liked The Time Travellers a lot too. I think I have Ask Again Yes.
4 books between you ! 🥳
My favourite book by a female author is impossible so I’ve gone for favourite book published in the last few years, even then it’s two!
1. Three women by Lisa Taddeo
2. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
I would like to recommend Priestdaddy by Patricia Lockwood , which is also fantastic
Oh, and then there’s Rachel Cusk............
🤞
Well I shall be reading Lockwood as she’s on the longlist for the Women’s Prize and I have Animal by Lisa Taddeo on the TBR.
The number is 4!
I have so so many fav females, but that i have read multiples and you haven’t mentioned (LOVE Mr. Loverman):
This year i am reading all the back catalog of Deborah Levy and loved “The man who saw everything”. But also a fav is “Hot Milk” (even if not better but like you said: it was my first and also I related to the relation mother-daughter AND it introduced me to Levy’s writing )
I am going to be cheeky and add (because I haven’t written HUGE paragraphs already 🤦🏻♀️) from the longlist Yaa Gyasi because Trascendent kingdom was my favorite book last year ☺️
Lovely commenting the longlist with you and your mom♥️
I’ll be reading Yaa Gyasi very soon. I tried Homegoing and wasn’t sure. Lol.
@@SavidgeReads i didn’t really get along with Homecoming myself to be honest, i think her second is the complete opposite, few characters, less epic... i even know people who loved this one and really disliked her first..Hopefully this one convinces you 🤞🏻
(The number is 4 - rounded up). Goodness it's so difficult. Helen Garner had a big impact on me over the years starting with Monkey Grip when I was at university. I also love Hilary Mantel for making me fall in love with Thomas Cromwell (who would have thought). Zadie Smith is also a favourite and I always rush out to buy her books. I have plans moving forward to read more Maggie O'Farrell, Bernadine Evaristo and return to Virginia Woolf.
😍📚
My favourite book of all time is The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath ofc, and I think you would really love The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa. It has a wonderful mother/son relationship and the maths concepts are (surprisingly) fascinating!! All in all a brilliant and unique read. Also, the number is 4 :)
I did really love The Housekeeper and The Professor. Must read more Ogawa.
My favourite author is Juliet Marrillier. Her Sevenwaters series is AMAZING!!! I don't know if you would necessarily like her?? She writes historical fantasy.
My recommendation for you, if you have not read her already would be Isabel Allende. Her most recent novel, A Long Petal of the Sea, is fantastic!! I think you would really like it.
The number is 4.
I might try Marrillier at some point as lots of channels I love love her. Allende I tried but didn’t love but I think it wasn’t as the right point in my reading life.
#4 Have you read Butter, Honey, Pig, Bread?? Loved this book about twins. I love NKJemison. I think you would love her writing and it would be out of your comfort zone. The Broken Earth Trilogy is my favorite.
I’m so desperate to read Butter Honey Pig Bread. I ordered it from Canada but I’m beginning to think it’s got lost in the post. Weeps.
One of my new favourite authors is Olga Tokarczuk. My favourite by her is Flights because i live the vignette style, but I think you would like Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead. The main character is an old woman and there’s a mystery plot to it. The number is....4🙂.
I love a vignette style book.
I think you and your Mam said 3.5 books to 4 then settled on the 4 in the end.
I remember when you were Tidying your bookshelves with Lauren of Lauren and the Books and you told her you were not sure about Himself and thinking Big Mistake - that is exactly your kind of Book. Jess Kidd's things in Jars is my favourite.
I am going to recommend you get to one of your copies of Anne Griffins Books - I have only read When All is Said - but I think it is one you will enjoy. I replaced Anne in a job as an Accountant about 10 years ago so she could do her Maters in Creative writing and publish books. So basically delighted for her.
I would also recommend a the Auctioneer by Joan Samson - classified as Horror it is not in the slightest and more literary fiction. It is a very real story of how one single individual can change a whole town for the worse but only because they let him do it. Centered at the heart of this novel are the love of family and the deep, deep ties to the land and what we will and will not do to keep them safe. The pace is slow and countrified. The dialogue genuine (or at least sounds so to me). The ending is satisfactory but Ma Moore’s last line will haunt me forever I think.
Ooooh I’ll look up The Auctioneer sounds quite me.
Hi Simon, you and Louise have read a combined total of 4 books (you have read 3.5 and louise 0.5) my favourite female author is Laura Bates and I really couldn't decide what my favourite book is so I had to choose two: Where the Crawdads sing by Delia Owens or The Binding by Bridget Collins :)
Ooooh interesting selection.
You mentioned several of my favorite female authors but one of my favorites who I know you are “meh” about is Ann Patchett, and my favorite of her novels is State of Wonder. A favorite female author with a book I think you would like is Julia Glass’ Three Junes. And also 4.
Oooh I look up Three June’s. I’m giving Patchett another chance with The Magician’s Assistant.
I think my favourite female author might have to be Michelle Paver - I read The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness for the first time when I was in primary school (and I think I remember your mum mentioning that you used to read those too!), and go back to them whenever I need some comfort. I loved Wakenhyrst LOADS as well! And the other answer is 4 :)
Oh and I forgot one that I think you’d love - I ADORED attrib by Eley Williams (who wrote the liar’s dictionary), it’s a short story collection and I think it’s got your name all over it!
I have that’s collection and must, must, must read it.
Mum loved those Michelle Pavers and she loved her latest gothic one. I need to read that as I’ve only read the ghost stories so far.
I would have to say my current favourite author is Sally Rooney and I have to say
Normal People is my fave just because I related to it so much.
I’m currently reading Miracle Creek by Angie Kim and I think you would maybe enjoy it. Courtroom drama with lots of twists and turns.
And I believe you have read 4 of the books between the two of you 😊
Ooooh courtroom dramas can go in two extreme directions with me but I’ll look it up on your say so.
My favorite female author is Jesmyn Ward (if I have to choose one.) My favorite of hers (so far) is Sing, Unburied, Sing, but I have yet to read Salvage the Bones and everyone says that one is amazing so we shall see. I plan on getting to that one this year. I also love Roxane Gay, Min Jin Lee and Maggie O'Farrell. I believe you and your mom have read 4 total from the longlist as of the longlist announcement video. 3 for you and 1 for your mom. I would highly recommend Jesmyn Ward to you and your mum!
I loved Sing Unburied Sing, as did my mother. Must read more of her books. I’ve yet to read Roxane Gay or Min Jin Lee but I have books by them both on my shelves.