I can't tell you how happy and validated this video makes me feel!! I first heard about The Bandit Queens in your longlist video, read it, loved it and I am now getting in touch with publishers to try and translate it into French. I also discovered the previous book I translated (Supper Club) through one of your videos where you mentioned Lara Williams' Treats. So yeah, I owe you a pint (or 12) if we ever meet
I've added Memphis, Black Butterflies and The Bandit Queens to my TBR! Thanks! Video idea: You and Jack Edwards do a video together where you argue for/against Glory. He hated it kind of a lot and I would love to see if your take on it would change his mind at all. Not that minds NEED to be changed - but I still maintain it'd make a good video!
“On a highjacked mini-bus with no one in the driving seat” so perfectly encapsulates how I felt reading The Dog of the North, thanks for putting it into words! 😂
Leena, I feel like I need to say thank you - since I've been following your channel I've discovered so many books and genres I would otherwise have kind of written off as 'not my sort of thing', thanks for helping me freshen up and diversify my reading ❤
I really appreciated the backdrop efforts for all the books 😂. Top marks go to the CDs for Children of Paradise, the door frame for Trespasses and the bathroom for Pod 👏🏼😂. Also if Black Butterflies backdrop is your carpet then I LOVE it. (Could also be a carpet cardigan which I also love). 🌼
This is becoming my favorite tradition from you on booktube. I look forward to the Women's Prize videos every year and every year you double the books I'm interested in from the prize.
When you mentioned The Bandit Queens in a past video I got it at the bookstore when i saw it there and ive been reading it slowly and savoring the brilliance. Geeta's narration is something I really appreciate in its truth and anger on the reality and way stereotypes and tradition can limit women.
Just wanted to say you never let me give up on reading! I'm no longer using reading as a defence mechanism so it kind of lost it's place in my life for a good 6-7 years, but your videos keep the spark alive and even tho i usually can't get the books you review in my country, it makes me go trough my tbr. Thank you Leena for just allowing me to have a hobby that's just for me and has no performative aspect so others can't ask me to show them 'my work'!
Nice! I bought bandit queen and black butterflies in a nice bookshop in Dublin last week based on your unboxing, happy to hear they didn't disappoint 😂
I’ve been a subscriber to your channel for a while but initially more for the content that wasn’t to do with books. I read a lot as a child but I got out of the habit around 6th form when I didn’t get on very well with my English Literature teacher. Since then reading books became a pretty rare thing and a bit of a chore. Anyway, fast forward to watching this video back in May (I’m in my mid 30s now) and I decided to give audio books a go for the first time. I’ve listened to 6 of the books from this list, plus two others and am currently reading my first actual book in years. I’m extremely grateful for the inspiration to rediscover my love of reading. Thank you so much!
I know what you mean about Glory. I spent the first half going 'great audio narrator, love the writing style but what is the plot' and then the second half just blew me away. And that ending! I fully expect (hope?) to see it on the shortlist. Haven't read Pod yet but really looking forward to it now!
I loved Pod so much too! I also didn't expect it lmao, but it was SUCH a good story. Unfortunately did not feel the same at all about Memphis, but I love hearing your perspective always. I can't believe you've gotten through all 16 too, I read 10 and thought that was a ton!
@@MariannesStudio I'm not normally super bothered by that (like, no one enjoys reading about SA, but it's not a deal breaker for me), and I was super uncomfortable to the point where it made me dread every return to the dolphin narrative. The book also felt like being continuously hit over the head with a cartoon mallet while someone shouted "HUMANITY BAAAAD" in my face.
@@MariannesStudio I would say honestly the amount of times it happens it felt similar to when a film will just continuously use extreme gore and it feels so unjustified. I understand why it was used here in the book just once, but continued graphic detail of it was overkill and I really had to force myself to finish it. It was definitely my least favourite of this Prize!
Yeeeeees, I've been waiting for this video! Will listen to the podcasts as well as I read the books ❤. I liked the classification of "who's driving this" and actually would be curious to hear you talk about Sea of Tranquility in some context, as I felt that book lacked direction so much it really disappointed me. Would be cool to see a video of "2022 books that didn't make it on the long list" or something similar.
Oooooh have been so excited for this. Watching this was really interesting as we have so many feelings in common. In mine and mums upcoming video we’ve said some very similar things. A few polar. But lots similar.
I anxiously awaited this video, and it's finally here! Really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the longlist, though we have very different reactions to the books. I'm aligned with you on I'm a Fan (the book isn't what it purports to be) and Children of Paradise (too niche), but I was gutted to see that you DNF'd Demon Copperhead (my #1 of the 10 longlist books I've read), and I LOVED listening to the audiobook of Stone Blind (though I know little of Greek mythology) as well as Cursed Bread (which brought to mind the dizzying uncertainty of My Cousin Rachel). Where we do align is on The Bandit Queens and Pod; I couldn't put either of those books down. Greatly enjoyed this video, Leena. Thanks for sharing your insightful thoughts on this incredible longlist! P.S. The Marriage Portrait is a pale phantom to Hamnet. Highly recommend pulling it from your shelf and finally giving it a read. 😏📘 Also, closest book I've read to Pod is Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton. It's not as literary, but it is hilarious, moving, and memorable. The audiobook is particularly enjoyable.
Thank you for this video. I have been in a rut with my reading for some time & have taken to watching UA-camrs talk about the books they've read to get a feel for what's out there, with pen in hand. I have now added 9 new books to my "to be read" list. That should keep me busy for awhile.
ahh! i also read the whole women's prize longlist and - the beauty of subjectivity of books - we have a totally different personal shortlist. mine would include Demon Copperhead, Trespasses, Cursed Bread, Stone Blind, Wandering Souls, and Children of Paradise (Memphis did almost make it but I thought Children of Paradise was fresher!). Demon Copperhead is my winner for sure - I loved the way hope was sewn through it - you're definitely right that it's trauma heavy but the thing that shone through to me was his spirit (also not a dickens fan but it felt so removed for me, thank god). Pod and Glory were my least favourite on the list :( i definitely agree with you about The Dog of the North and I'm a Fan though - both totally not for me!
I love your reflection on each book. I would enjoy a follow-up to this video now that the shortlist has been announced with your thoughts in more detail and a new ranking. I was very disappointed Bandit Queens was not on the shortlist as so far, that is my favourite, although I've not read all 16 titles.
Love the way this video is shot, with all the different backgrounds. I’ve only read ‘I’m a Fan’ by Sheena Patel ( which I loved). I have Trespasses, Memphis and Fire Rush on my TBR
I'm 30 pages into Pod and struggling so much with it after loving The Bees. I was fully expecting you to slate it which was going to give me the excuse to give up on it 😂 Going to power through.
I read the Black Butterflies because you recommended it and it was 5/5 🌟. So beautiful so moving, it flowed well and by the end I cared enough to cry over these characters
Trespasses won the Irish An Post book awards last year!!! It’s interesting to hear a good review of glory, I feel like all I’ve heard is bad reviews of it 😅😅 I’ll have to check it out
I'm reading Pod now and it's the first book in a log time that I've both appreciated, for the beautiful writing, and loved. It feels like someone's vivisecting my heart, but it's amazing.
I’ve only started following you since Michelle Elman mentioned you on her story and I am so glad she did!! Love this video and the one on how to read a lot of books
your reccommendations singlehandedly have made me love and be excided about reading again. thank you and please never stop, I'd listen you talk about books in any form all day long.
Your last video on the prize made me pick up The Marriage Portrait, which is beyond what I would ever had picked up on my own (I usually steer clear of European historical novels because of the lack of interest and because the background info needed to enjoy them is daunting). I also really enjoyed the first half and couldn't put it down. I recommended it to my flatmate halfway through but by the time I was done, I was like "eh... it was a'ight." Started reading the Bandit Queens just this morning and I'm really enjoying the rhythm of the writing style already. So excited to see that you've ranked it so highly! I'm going definitely going to put Pod on my list and I definitely want to check out Wandering Souls as well. Thanks for helping me step out of my comfort zone, Leena!
Woohoo was so excited about this one! And even though I've been trying to tackle Glory spread over a year or so, but too stubborn to put it down, I'm happy if things might start to fall into place in the second part.
Always exciting to see this video! I'm sad this year I can't read so many of them because of the content and dealing with triggers :( they sound so good tho, glad I at least got to hear your views on them ❤️
I loved Pod too and would be delighted if it made the shortlist. But also loved the griminess of Children of Paradise, and thought Demon Copperhead was a Tour de Force. Generally a fascinating selection. I didn't manage them all but really want to read/listen to Fire Rush after your review.
I grabbed pod out from the library once I listened to your patreon podcast! How good that it ended up at the top of your list! I also devoured the overstory on your recommendations a few years ago and have added a number of these books to my tbr!
You mentioned wanting to learn more about NI/The Troubles; I would recommend "Making Sense of the Troubles" (written by two David/Dave's, I can't recall the surnames!) as a well written, balanced account to consider adding to the ole TBR :)
Woah, POD?! Guess I'll have to try it since I really liked The Overstory. I can guarantee I would have NEVER picked it up browsing through the shop 😮😮😮
Really enjoyed this Leena, thank you. Very interesting, honest and insighful commentary. I've read only Trespasses, The Marriage Portrait and Demon Copperhead so far, and while I enjoyed all three I found myself agreeing with your points on why they don't quite deserve to be shortlisted. I'm excited to give your top six a read now.
Love your thoughts! I love that so many on your list are the ones I haven’t picked up yet! Pod! Who would have thought? And I’m sold on Bandit Queens when you said Greta Gerwig. I also adored Black Butterflies and am loving reading Memphis right now.
"Pod" is also my winner! I also read all the books from the longlist, and, although I would have chosen other titles for the shortlist than you, we definitely met at the top. :)
Loved this! Pod sounds a tiny bit like Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton minus the zombie apocalypse and probably more literary, but I’m definitely interested in reading it after hearing your description and enthusiasm for it!
I keep drawing parallels between those books too, though Pod is definitely more literary. Hollow Kingdom is genre fiction that occasionally dances its way across the line into the realm of literary fiction. Such a great, hilarious read and an even better listen!
Glory has me intrigued now. Jack Edwards mentioned it in a video and he didn't like it at all, and I know he read it with a book club (or something like that), and no one in the group liked it. And now your review is so raving. I guess I'll have to read it to see what's up with that! I'm not surprised you enjoyed Pod; I mentioned in a comment on your previous video on these books that she has another book written from a bee's pov which is also very well written, so it tracks to me that she'd also be adept at writing from a dolphin's pov! A shame about the cover, but that's why we have booktubers 😁
Completely agree about Demon Copperhead. I choose to do the audiobook … I have checked it out 3 times and I am STILL not finished!! I do not WANT to finish! I cannot stand it anymore! We are talking 21 hours and 3 minutes of this unbelievably depressing, endless drone of a story. I love other books by Kingsolver and this one was not at all what I expected. I’m with you on DNFing it. Done and done!
Great video! I've been looking forward to this one. I loved Demon Copperhead but honestly all your reasons were valid. I think I literally just forgot about the David Copperfield basis (which was easy because I've never read it originally) and that's why it was easy for me to enjoy it
i really should’ve watched this video on the tv because i kept clicking off to add books in goodreads! specially excited about black butterflies, you sold it beautifully!!! i think jack edwards really didnt enjoy glory, it seems super polarising and that intrigues me! last thing: i really loved exciting times and luster so i might be in the ‘i’m a fan’ fan club, will have to read and see!
If you enjoyed The Bandit Queens I seriously recommend Out by Natsuo Kirino. A Japanese classic about four middle aged women working the night shift at a bento factory, united by dissatisfaction and loneliness in their domestic lives, when one of them kills their husband, the others (some with a little financial incentive) help cover it up. They become entangled in a dark underworld of organised crime, that tests their friendship - and their jealousies complicate matters further. 10/10 read from me.
Thank you-I always treasure your book reviews. I second the suggestion of Kingsolver’s the Lacuna. I hope you come back to Demon Copperhead some other season. I read along with friends and one, a teacher in that area, attested to the accuracy of a lot of the details, nicknames, etc. based on her experience. With that in mind I saw the political/ethical commentary on the US throughout. The very ending was a letdown for me, but I underlined sentences for sure. I haven’t read the Dickens, I guess sometimes truth is stranger than fiction?!
20:58 - what you’ve described here sounds like reminiscent of DUB! The echoing, the feeling of the present moment being connected to the past & future, almost sounds like a dub novel style? Fire Rush sounds fantastic, very excited to read.
I really recommend you read Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes, it's nonfiction and discusses women throughout Greek mythology. I really enjoyed it but I feel like it would be accessible if you don't know much about Greek mythology to begin with but want to learn more about it before reading other retellings (by Haynes or other authors).
The way you feel about Stone Blind is how I feel about biblical references in books. I didn’t grow up with a biblical education, and the west seems to assume everyone knows that stuff.
Loved this ! "Roger that!" 😂 Interesting. Most opinions I've watched / read have not liked Glory or Bandit Queens. Or dismissed Pod! I have only read Trespasses and I'm A Fan. Loved Trespasses maybe as I'm from NI and I thought the writing was wonderful. Great video 🎉
Ahhhh! Can we just stop to appreciate the stop-motion intro? So slick Leena!❤
Yes!!!! my thoughts exactly.
Same!
Pod being Leena's favorite is the plot twist of the century
Spoiler alert 😂
The first page having over 35 names and characters "that aren't fully, slowly explained"...yes, all I needed to hear to add to my tbr 😂
I can't tell you how happy and validated this video makes me feel!! I first heard about The Bandit Queens in your longlist video, read it, loved it and I am now getting in touch with publishers to try and translate it into French. I also discovered the previous book I translated (Supper Club) through one of your videos where you mentioned Lara Williams' Treats. So yeah, I owe you a pint (or 12) if we ever meet
!!!!! Omg no way! Absolute fingers crossed that you get to translate it, this is a very cool accidental bi-product of my silly little videos xxx
I've added Memphis, Black Butterflies and The Bandit Queens to my TBR! Thanks!
Video idea: You and Jack Edwards do a video together where you argue for/against Glory. He hated it kind of a lot and I would love to see if your take on it would change his mind at all. Not that minds NEED to be changed - but I still maintain it'd make a good video!
To be fair it seems it's a love it or hate it book. The people who love it really love it, but the people who hated can't stand that book at all
“On a highjacked mini-bus with no one in the driving seat” so perfectly encapsulates how I felt reading The Dog of the North, thanks for putting it into words! 😂
Leena, I feel like I need to say thank you - since I've been following your channel I've discovered so many books and genres I would otherwise have kind of written off as 'not my sort of thing', thanks for helping me freshen up and diversify my reading ❤
It’s my absolute pleasure!
A tour de force presentation. You are absolutely mesmerizing. With out a doubt, my favorite UA-camr.
I really appreciated the backdrop efforts for all the books 😂. Top marks go to the CDs for Children of Paradise, the door frame for Trespasses and the bathroom for Pod 👏🏼😂. Also if Black Butterflies backdrop is your carpet then I LOVE it. (Could also be a carpet cardigan which I also love). 🌼
Thank you! I added Pod, Black Butterflies, The Bandit Quuens and Glory to my wishlist, and am happy that Glory is available in German already!
This is becoming my favorite tradition from you on booktube. I look forward to the Women's Prize videos every year and every year you double the books I'm interested in from the prize.
When you mentioned The Bandit Queens in a past video I got it at the bookstore when i saw it there and ive been reading it slowly and savoring the brilliance. Geeta's narration is something I really appreciate in its truth and anger on the reality and way stereotypes and tradition can limit women.
Just wanted to say you never let me give up on reading! I'm no longer using reading as a defence mechanism so it kind of lost it's place in my life for a good 6-7 years, but your videos keep the spark alive and even tho i usually can't get the books you review in my country, it makes me go trough my tbr. Thank you Leena for just allowing me to have a hobby that's just for me and has no performative aspect so others can't ask me to show them 'my work'!
Xxx
wow, i’m excited to add these books to my (ever-expanding) tbr list! loved this video, as always, leena
I love how you talk about literature! I particularly love your segment on Glory, which is a bit devisive but is a masterpiece imo.
Nice! I bought bandit queen and black butterflies in a nice bookshop in Dublin last week based on your unboxing, happy to hear they didn't disappoint 😂
I’ve been a subscriber to your channel for a while but initially more for the content that wasn’t to do with books. I read a lot as a child but I got out of the habit around 6th form when I didn’t get on very well with my English Literature teacher. Since then reading books became a pretty rare thing and a bit of a chore. Anyway, fast forward to watching this video back in May (I’m in my mid 30s now) and I decided to give audio books a go for the first time. I’ve listened to 6 of the books from this list, plus two others and am currently reading my first actual book in years. I’m extremely grateful for the inspiration to rediscover my love of reading. Thank you so much!
I know what you mean about Glory. I spent the first half going 'great audio narrator, love the writing style but what is the plot' and then the second half just blew me away. And that ending! I fully expect (hope?) to see it on the shortlist. Haven't read Pod yet but really looking forward to it now!
Somebody give this woman a book review column. So good.
Seriously!
No way, you hated the sound of that last book. 😂 I am so excited to read it now. It sounded so terrible. What a twist. ❤
I loved Pod so much too! I also didn't expect it lmao, but it was SUCH a good story. Unfortunately did not feel the same at all about Memphis, but I love hearing your perspective always. I can't believe you've gotten through all 16 too, I read 10 and thought that was a ton!
Pod?! I have to say, there was only so many times I could stand to read violent dolphin SA - massively marked it down for me for that.
Oh no
That's my biggest worry about this book :/ I'm quite sensitive to/bored of SA in fiction so not sure how comfortable I'd be reading this one...
@@MariannesStudio I'm not normally super bothered by that (like, no one enjoys reading about SA, but it's not a deal breaker for me), and I was super uncomfortable to the point where it made me dread every return to the dolphin narrative. The book also felt like being continuously hit over the head with a cartoon mallet while someone shouted "HUMANITY BAAAAD" in my face.
@@MariannesStudio I would say honestly the amount of times it happens it felt similar to when a film will just continuously use extreme gore and it feels so unjustified. I understand why it was used here in the book just once, but continued graphic detail of it was overkill and I really had to force myself to finish it. It was definitely my least favourite of this Prize!
Thanks for sharing this, so good to know :/
Yeeeeees, I've been waiting for this video! Will listen to the podcasts as well as I read the books ❤.
I liked the classification of "who's driving this" and actually would be curious to hear you talk about Sea of Tranquility in some context, as I felt that book lacked direction so much it really disappointed me. Would be cool to see a video of "2022 books that didn't make it on the long list" or something similar.
I agree! Sea of Tranquilty worked much much less well for me than all of her other books
I loved Conversations With Friends, Luster AND Exciting Times and still didn't like I'm a Fan 😂 Totally agree on all of your thoughts on it!
Oooooh have been so excited for this. Watching this was really interesting as we have so many feelings in common. In mine and mums upcoming video we’ve said some very similar things. A few polar. But lots similar.
I anxiously awaited this video, and it's finally here! Really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on the longlist, though we have very different reactions to the books. I'm aligned with you on I'm a Fan (the book isn't what it purports to be) and Children of Paradise (too niche), but I was gutted to see that you DNF'd Demon Copperhead (my #1 of the 10 longlist books I've read), and I LOVED listening to the audiobook of Stone Blind (though I know little of Greek mythology) as well as Cursed Bread (which brought to mind the dizzying uncertainty of My Cousin Rachel). Where we do align is on The Bandit Queens and Pod; I couldn't put either of those books down. Greatly enjoyed this video, Leena. Thanks for sharing your insightful thoughts on this incredible longlist! P.S. The Marriage Portrait is a pale phantom to Hamnet. Highly recommend pulling it from your shelf and finally giving it a read. 😏📘 Also, closest book I've read to Pod is Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton. It's not as literary, but it is hilarious, moving, and memorable. The audiobook is particularly enjoyable.
Thank you for this video. I have been in a rut with my reading for some time & have taken to watching UA-camrs talk about the books they've read to get a feel for what's out there, with pen in hand. I have now added 9 new books to my "to be read" list. That should keep me busy for awhile.
Thank you for this! I love the subcategories!
ahh! i also read the whole women's prize longlist and - the beauty of subjectivity of books - we have a totally different personal shortlist. mine would include Demon Copperhead, Trespasses, Cursed Bread, Stone Blind, Wandering Souls, and Children of Paradise (Memphis did almost make it but I thought Children of Paradise was fresher!). Demon Copperhead is my winner for sure - I loved the way hope was sewn through it - you're definitely right that it's trauma heavy but the thing that shone through to me was his spirit (also not a dickens fan but it felt so removed for me, thank god). Pod and Glory were my least favourite on the list :( i definitely agree with you about The Dog of the North and I'm a Fan though - both totally not for me!
I love your reflection on each book. I would enjoy a follow-up to this video now that the shortlist has been announced with your thoughts in more detail and a new ranking. I was very disappointed Bandit Queens was not on the shortlist as so far, that is my favourite, although I've not read all 16 titles.
Love the way this video is shot, with all the different backgrounds. I’ve only read ‘I’m a Fan’ by Sheena Patel ( which I loved). I have Trespasses, Memphis and Fire Rush on my TBR
Wandering souls, trespasses, the marriage portrait, black butterflies, and glory are now on my wishlist! Thanks for sharing!
I'm 30 pages into Pod and struggling so much with it after loving The Bees. I was fully expecting you to slate it which was going to give me the excuse to give up on it 😂 Going to power through.
I've been looking forward to this video and it did not disappoint!! Such a delight, can't wait to see the shortlist tomorrow
I read the Black Butterflies because you recommended it and it was 5/5 🌟. So beautiful so moving, it flowed well and by the end I cared enough to cry over these characters
Trespasses won the Irish An Post book awards last year!!! It’s interesting to hear a good review of glory, I feel like all I’ve heard is bad reviews of it 😅😅 I’ll have to check it out
I'm reading Pod now and it's the first book in a log time that I've both appreciated, for the beautiful writing, and loved. It feels like someone's vivisecting my heart, but it's amazing.
So glad you came round to Pod! Her book 'The Bees' was one of my best book of the year a few years ago - would recommend!
I’ve only started following you since Michelle Elman mentioned you on her story and I am so glad she did!! Love this video and the one on how to read a lot of books
your reccommendations singlehandedly have made me love and be excided about reading again. thank you and please never stop, I'd listen you talk about books in any form all day long.
Xxx
Your last video on the prize made me pick up The Marriage Portrait, which is beyond what I would ever had picked up on my own (I usually steer clear of European historical novels because of the lack of interest and because the background info needed to enjoy them is daunting). I also really enjoyed the first half and couldn't put it down. I recommended it to my flatmate halfway through but by the time I was done, I was like "eh... it was a'ight." Started reading the Bandit Queens just this morning and I'm really enjoying the rhythm of the writing style already. So excited to see that you've ranked it so highly! I'm going definitely going to put Pod on my list and I definitely want to check out Wandering Souls as well. Thanks for helping me step out of my comfort zone, Leena!
Woohoo was so excited about this one! And even though I've been trying to tackle Glory spread over a year or so, but too stubborn to put it down, I'm happy if things might start to fall into place in the second part.
Always exciting to see this video! I'm sad this year I can't read so many of them because of the content and dealing with triggers :( they sound so good tho, glad I at least got to hear your views on them ❤️
Yesss love these videos so much, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!!! Absolutely gobbled them up
Given that I've just bought a copy of Pod from a local bookshop, I'm thrilled it was your number one! I can't wait to read it!
I loved Pod too and would be delighted if it made the shortlist. But also loved the griminess of Children of Paradise, and thought Demon Copperhead was a Tour de Force. Generally a fascinating selection. I didn't manage them all but really want to read/listen to Fire Rush after your review.
i LOVED your intro! i feel so strange when people say a book is "good" even if the writing isn't like...a book IS it's writing
I just got Pod from the library because of you and I'm so enjoying it!
Aaah I was sooo waiting for this video! Been following you on Storygraph and I was so curious to get your comments :))))
I grabbed pod out from the library once I listened to your patreon podcast! How good that it ended up at the top of your list!
I also devoured the overstory on your recommendations a few years ago and have added a number of these books to my tbr!
Heart crushed you DNFed Demon 😭 I'm not a Dickens fan but I loved it. 💙
We love that for you! I’ll definitely be trying some of her other books
@@leenanorms 😄 The Lacuna is gorgeous.
You mentioned wanting to learn more about NI/The Troubles; I would recommend "Making Sense of the Troubles" (written by two David/Dave's, I can't recall the surnames!) as a well written, balanced account to consider adding to the ole TBR :)
Woah, POD?! Guess I'll have to try it since I really liked The Overstory. I can guarantee I would have NEVER picked it up browsing through the shop 😮😮😮
oh noooo i was the most excited for cursed bread! thanks for this deep dive xxxx
Bandit queens is my favourite read so far this year, I thought it was poignant and hilarious and hits harder as a south Asian woman myself!!
Awesome Video Leena! I loved POD also ❤ It was fantastic. Putting Glory higher up on my TBR now too! Love all your content and hearing your thoughts.
Really enjoyed this Leena, thank you. Very interesting, honest and insighful commentary.
I've read only Trespasses, The Marriage Portrait and Demon Copperhead so far, and while I enjoyed all three I found myself agreeing with your points on why they don't quite deserve to be shortlisted. I'm excited to give your top six a read now.
Love your insight. You put my thoughts on I’m A Fan into words I couldn’t quite express 😅
Love your thoughts! I love that so many on your list are the ones I haven’t picked up yet! Pod! Who would have thought? And I’m sold on Bandit Queens when you said Greta Gerwig. I also adored Black Butterflies and am loving reading Memphis right now.
the stop motion at the start was beautiful!
"Pod" is also my winner! I also read all the books from the longlist, and, although I would have chosen other titles for the shortlist than you, we definitely met at the top. :)
you're so good at selling a book!! even ones you didn't like you had something interesting to say about!!
Loved this! Pod sounds a tiny bit like Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton minus the zombie apocalypse and probably more literary, but I’m definitely interested in reading it after hearing your description and enthusiasm for it!
I keep drawing parallels between those books too, though Pod is definitely more literary. Hollow Kingdom is genre fiction that occasionally dances its way across the line into the realm of literary fiction. Such a great, hilarious read and an even better listen!
yes! I've seen your ratings on storygraph and have been dying to know more
The best reviews so far. Although not sure I can be sold on Pod. Really keen for Black Butterflies now.
Yay ❤ I was so excited for this! The wait is over! Finally I can add some of the books to my tbr 😁
Glory has me intrigued now. Jack Edwards mentioned it in a video and he didn't like it at all, and I know he read it with a book club (or something like that), and no one in the group liked it. And now your review is so raving. I guess I'll have to read it to see what's up with that! I'm not surprised you enjoyed Pod; I mentioned in a comment on your previous video on these books that she has another book written from a bee's pov which is also very well written, so it tracks to me that she'd also be adept at writing from a dolphin's pov! A shame about the cover, but that's why we have booktubers 😁
Completely agree about Demon Copperhead. I choose to do the audiobook … I have checked it out 3 times and I am STILL not finished!! I do not WANT to finish! I cannot stand it anymore! We are talking 21 hours and 3 minutes of this unbelievably depressing, endless drone of a story. I love other books by Kingsolver and this one was not at all what I expected. I’m with you on DNFing it. Done and done!
I love you and your reviews - thank you for doing what you do ❤️
hooray, I've been looking forward to this video! Really appreciate your in-depth and critical reviews of these books!!
I love these videos! Thank you for all your reading and reflections 😊
Totally share your opinion on I’m a fan! Thought it was only me who hated it. Thanks for clearing up my thoughts haha
Great video! I've been looking forward to this one. I loved Demon Copperhead but honestly all your reasons were valid. I think I literally just forgot about the David Copperfield basis (which was easy because I've never read it originally) and that's why it was easy for me to enjoy it
Never before have I cackled out loud just hearing someone describe the concept of a book until you described bandit queens. Now I have to read it!
You got me on Glory by saying “grumpy sheep to evangelical horse preacher” Sold!
i really should’ve watched this video on the tv because i kept clicking off to add books in goodreads! specially excited about black butterflies, you sold it beautifully!!! i think jack edwards really didnt enjoy glory, it seems super polarising and that intrigues me! last thing: i really loved exciting times and luster so i might be in the ‘i’m a fan’ fan club, will have to read and see!
I have a copy of Memphis! So glad to hear the rave review.
would like to award leena with the 2023 women's prize for sequins
I loved this ❤ pod sounds awesome, i def wanna read it now!
Out of all of them, I think that Glory would appeal the most to me. You’ve 100% got me sold on that book. Thank you! ❤
Well deserved pr, hope you continue to do these videos forever
Looks like Pod is going straight to the top of my tbr for the longlist! Alongside Bandit Queens!
Omg, that intro 😢 Perfect.
would love to see a video about books best listened to in audio. Struggling to find good audio books
Yup me too. Audible has plenty but none are "available in my country/region". Apparently. Seriously considering getting a VPN to try and dodge it!
I gave Demon Copperhead 5 stars. It's worth finishing!
My favourite series is back!!! I found one of my fave books of all time - still life - from the last one so I can't wait to read these!
Great concept, love the video!
I already know I will add some of these to my tbr. Your top pick sounds incredible!!
If you enjoyed The Bandit Queens I seriously recommend Out by Natsuo Kirino. A Japanese classic about four middle aged women working the night shift at a bento factory, united by dissatisfaction and loneliness in their domestic lives, when one of them kills their husband, the others (some with a little financial incentive) help cover it up. They become entangled in a dark underworld of organised crime, that tests their friendship - and their jealousies complicate matters further. 10/10 read from me.
Thank you-I always treasure your book reviews. I second the suggestion of Kingsolver’s the Lacuna. I hope you come back to Demon Copperhead some other season. I read along with friends and one, a teacher in that area, attested to the accuracy of a lot of the details, nicknames, etc. based on her experience. With that in mind I saw the political/ethical commentary on the US throughout. The very ending was a letdown for me, but I underlined sentences for sure. I haven’t read the Dickens, I guess sometimes truth is stranger than fiction?!
I read almost exclusively non-fiction and yet I've been excited for weeks to hear your thoughts on these books! Truly blown away by your pod reaction
I always love your women's prize videos!
20:58 - what you’ve described here sounds like reminiscent of DUB! The echoing, the feeling of the present moment being connected to the past & future, almost sounds like a dub novel style? Fire Rush sounds fantastic, very excited to read.
I really recommend you read Pandora's Jar by Natalie Haynes, it's nonfiction and discusses women throughout Greek mythology. I really enjoyed it but I feel like it would be accessible if you don't know much about Greek mythology to begin with but want to learn more about it before reading other retellings (by Haynes or other authors).
I was planning to read The Bandit Queens and Memphis just based on the beautiful covers alone, but now I'm even more eager to do so!
Oh man with diversity of opinions on the prize shortlist this years I haven’t got a clue what to read or what might win
The way you feel about Stone Blind is how I feel about biblical references in books. I didn’t grow up with a biblical education, and the west seems to assume everyone knows that stuff.
Loved this ! "Roger that!" 😂 Interesting. Most opinions I've watched / read have not liked Glory or Bandit Queens. Or dismissed Pod! I have only read Trespasses and I'm A Fan. Loved Trespasses maybe as I'm from NI and I thought the writing was wonderful. Great video 🎉
Intro was so awesome =)
Books aside, where did you get your fabulous shirt??