I would prefer to see your reactions as you read the books, even in small batches, but not all at the end, please. I love your positive attitude! After all the complaining last year about unknown books, I have little patience for those now complaining that this list is too mainstream. (I’m just happy that most of these will be available from my local library.) And thanks for all your excellent content!
Thanks Joan - that’s a really interesting observation actually. I think people just get in their heads what a good longlist looks like, and when it doesn’t match that they’re disappointed. It’s always easier to criticise than it is to engage and look for the positives! (I am not an optimise by default by the way 😂 I have to work at it)
It’s been a while since I’ve heard anyone use the word “saucy.” If words aren’t used, they die out, so good for you. Keep it up. Oh, I also thought your video was excellent.
I like the list a lot. You were so right, I was OVERJOYED for Charlotte. There are quite a few that I really want to get to, The Safekeep and Enlightenment (woohoo!) in particular, so that is exciting. That said would like more diversity in the authors. I was really sad about the leaks, I feel like it took the fun out of it for a lot of people and guessing, that might just be me though. Love your formula, thought that was fab when you did your predictions.
We love to see an overjoyed Simon 👏 I've actually just started Stone Yard Devotional and really enjoying it! That and Enlightenment felt like where I wanted to start with this list. And yeah, some more diversity would be nice, but I'll reserve judgement until I've read more of the books.
Great video Ben, have been looking forward to watching your reaction! Please do share your reviews as you go along, seeing which ones you are loving the most really helps me decide which ones to read ☺️
Loved this video format, thanks Ben! Please review as you go, I can’t wait until November to hear your opinions on them all. I really like the list, read 3 already and looking forward to the next 10!
Great reaction video Ben and well done on your prediction formula!! Very impressive. I am delighted with this longlist. I think it’s got a terrific range of books on it. Sarah Perry does not write commercial fiction! Enlightenment is literary and I thought The Essex Serpent was as well. I am a big Charlotte Wood fan and am so please for her to get some Booker love. I’ve read six (James and My Friends are stand outs) and am hoping to get through the other 7 before the shortlist (I also feel lucky to have a proof copy of Playground). I’m starting with Headshot. Looking forward to seeing how you get on.
Ben your content and eloquence are top shelf! My favorite booktuber by a mile. I’m looking forward to seeing any booker content - but I quite enjoyed the format you used last year. Happy reading! ❤
‘Tis the season! I really like what you said about it being an emotional and intellectual reaction of 5 people to 150 books- so spot on, and I always try to keep that in mind when the longlist doesn’t tally with my choices. Also, your formula is getting dangerously close to being perfect 😂
Thanks Bob! Yeah, I just think in art there’s no such thing as objectively good or bad so why get stressed about it 😅 Someone in the comments pointed out one mistake in the formula - there are actually 4 former shortlistees! So not quite perfect (…yet)
playground is so pretty! Love that, and this video, well done Ben. You always have such a good balance of providing information and keeping it just the right amount of light and fun. I would love reviews in batches!
Love the formula check-up 🙌🥰 Absolutely an interesting list! And def worth recognising - as you did - how it’s judges’ tastes and how some books will always feel to some (if not many) as missing out or being overlooked. Very excited to hear your thoughts as we go 🕺
Great video Ben! I am currently reading James and loving it. I also have Playground on hold at my library. I wasn’t even aware that Richard Powers wrote another book until I saw the long list. I hope to read more of these books.
So impressed with the analysis you've put into the history of the longlist! I'm currently reading This Strange Eventful History and while I am enjoying it, I am finding the writing a bit hard to get into. Messud will never use a period where a comma will do. For me its an example of the writing getting in the way of interesting characters and rich settings. Very intrigued by this list and looking forward to all the booker content to come!
See - another made for TV video!! Thanks for such great summaries, I feel like I'm getting to grips with the list now. Seems like a good list. Not going to try and read them all, so not sure what I'll try. Batch reviews is good as then it can influence what people pick up next before the announcements, but a final ranking before short list and winner is also fun.
You've beautifully articulated my thoughts on America being invited to the Booker party and I also agree with the point about meeting quotas. Having two books not published until September is frustrating, but I'm looking forward to reading them. I've read Enlightenment and I would classify it as literary fiction. There's an interview with Sarah Perry about it on the Waterstones podcast FYI.
Yeah the September thing is frustrating but it would be equally sad to completely exclude books published in 2 months of the year just because of the timings of the announcements. The Booker should really shift the dates of either the eligibility window or the prize stages! And thanks - a few people have pointed out that I've misinterpreted the marketing for Sarah Perry! Very happy to be wrong and more looking forward to Enlightenment now 😊
Gr8 vid, as always! I got 3 correct in my personal predictions list: James, My Friends and Orbital, which is typical for me! - but 12 out of the 13 were on my Goodreads Listopia somewhere - all but the Woods, which I don't think was on anyone's radar; but only three in the top 13 (the same 3). Haven't read any yet, but have copies of all but the Powers - and since I DO have an ARC of the Kushner, have started there - so far, it's good! Will strive for all 13 (as I said previously, for the 11th year in a row!) Do the vids however feels right for you - I'll be watching regardless! Cheers!
I'm kind of shocked that nobody added the Charlotte Wood to the list - it's not like it's an unknown book! Jealous of the Kushner ARC. Hoping to get a copy soon! Thanks for watching 🙏
Best reaction video I've seen. (Don't tell any of the other Booktubers 🤫). Whatever form your reviews take, I'll be watching. Do what makes you happy! The book I'm most looking forward to is Stone Yard Devotional.
Happy Booker Season Baby 😆.Yes please to first line rankings. I’m currently reading Held- a bit overwrought for my taste, but it’s taken an intriguing turn 25% in. Seeing how long I have to wait for all my library holds.
Very fair reaction. I’m just finishing James now - it’s a great achievement. For me the issue with having the US in the prize is that so many books come from there that they are bound to make up a significant portion of the list. It always seems that this leads to there being far fewer books from other commonwealth countries compared to the years before the US joined the Booker party, particularly from Africa and South Asia. But this exclusion might occur at the stage where publishers decide which books to submit rather than with the choice of the judges.
Yes, definitely - there are probably steps that could be taken at lots of different stages of the process to improve the representation. More African, and particularly Indian, fiction could do with being published, and more of it submitted. I also wonder if, given they've added a huge market to the prize, the Booker should up its longlist to 16 books like the Women's Prize. (That said, not good for my bank balance or my reading time!!!)
I'm excited about the list. I was also able to avoid spoilers, mainly due to a severe reading slump, but im using the longlist as a comeback. I'm starting with, "My Friends," and am enjoying it.
@benreadsgood I'm about a third through, and it's slow going. It snuck up on me and made me cry a bit, so I set it down for the night. I'm definitely hoping it ends as strongly.
A formula for success! I think the list seems really interesting - I've only read Stoneyard so far and really liked it. Will be reading Orbital next. I like the idea of a first lines review :-)
I read Wild Houses back in February. I feel like maybe I heard of it from you. I liked it. Coincidently, I just finished My Friends a few hours before the announcement - I loved his writing. Next up is Headshot. I don’t think I’ll be able to read all the books on the list so I’m looking forward to your reviews to get an idea of which I’d like to prioritise.
Thanks, Ben!🌷Right now I know I’ll be reading Orbital, My Friends and Playground (and while waiting for it, Bewilderment). Possibly also The Safekeep, which got very good reviews also here in the Netherlands. By the way, the Dutch translation was not made by the author, so, if I decide to read The Safekeep, I’ll read it in English. I like to watch booktubers’ reviews before deciding whether I want to read more. So, reviews in batches would be great!😊📚
I love Bewilderment so much - hope you enjoy it! That's so interesting that a Dutch author didn't translate their own book... I wonder if that was an artistic or commercial choice.
You cracked it with your formula Ben. I think you are right that Headahot would have been a surprise if it hadn’t leaked. Lets starts reading them and hopefully finding some new faves 📚❤️
Regardless of the surprise being ruined, I'm still delighted for it. It's such a great book! Was hoping to see it in the running for the Women's Prize, but this makes up for it!!! Happy reading 😊
Predicted a best-ever 4! That'll never happen again, but I'll gladly take it. Great longlist, and after last year's nonsense, this was a make-it-or-break-it for me. I think I've been reeled in to another Booker season! Cheers!
Congrats on winning the ARC of Playground. I enter the giveaways on Good Reads all the time, but have yet to win one. It's a matter of time and odds, innit? 🙂
You always have such interesting ideas to create your videos! And so much analytical stuff going on. Love it! When did you buy all these books? I'm a bit meh about the list. There are great authors on there for sure, but I'm always hoping for some I'd never heard of before. But I would love to see James win, although I still haven't read it yet. Do you reviews whatever way you like, I'll watch all of your videos anyway.
Thanks Amelia 😊 I already had copies of more than half the list, and had saved loyalty stamps and vouchers specifically so I could get my hands on the rest 😅 At the moment, I’ve got to say James is the one to beat!
Oh gosh, you're right! I'm a fraud!! 😂 I checked and I even mentioned Matar as a former shortlistee in my predictions video, so don't know how I missed that. Thank you for spotting it!
I'm coming around to it. It's not that I'm not excited about reading them - because I am - but I always look forward to learning about an author I 've not known previously and that didn't happen this year. In fact, I already owned 9 of the books, and obviously 2 of the 4 I didn't own aren't yet. I bought Wandering Stars and I'm hoping to get my hands on Stone Yard Devotional next week in London. That I could get most of these at the local Barnes & Noble here in suburbia means it's a lot more commercial than it was last year, and maybe that's okay. I'm really looking forward to the Kushner book. Spy/espionage books are a guilty pleasure of mine. So exciting!!
I think no list is going to please everyone. Last year lots of people were unhappy about the unknowns and saying they probably weren't as worthy as xyz other book, and this year they're all too well known 😂 It's kind of good for people being able to get hold of and read the books though, right? Well, except the unreleased ones.
Didn't do any predictions, but had already read four of the books, James, Orbital, Wandering Stars and Enlightenment. Bought Stonewall Devotional a few months ago (had to get in UK as not pub in US and some Booktuber got me excited about it :) and have a few others on long list I am excited to read. I had not read There There previously and still very much enjoyed Wandering Stars. Picked it up because I live in Colorado where the Sand Creek Massacre happened. An incident referenced as one of the events that started the family generational trauma. I don't think you need to read There There, but I may have been even more connected to the characters if I had read the previous book. Don't discount Sarah Perry and Enlightenment as perhaps not literary fiction. I had not read anything else of hers when I picked this up on a whim at the library. I came away , after my experience reading Enlightenment, feeling she was not just a writer, but an artist and am excited to read more of her works! Will be interesting to see what makes the short list:)
Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts! Good to know that Wandering Stars is enjoyable without There There, although someone else has mentioned it’s a must-read, so I’ll see how I get on with timings 😅 And I guess I have completely misjudged the Sarah Perry marketing! Her stuff has always come across to me as commercial, and I’ve seen it placed on commercial fiction tables in bookshops. (Not a bad thing, happy to be set right!)
I'm 🆗 with the longlist. Wanted to see Praiseworthy, but if they were wanting to lean short and commercial, leaving it off was the way to go. Speaking of short, I'm in favor of reviews grouped in smaller chunks rather than a review marathon, though I'll watch it either way. Great vid!
I think a lot of people are disappointed at the Wright omission, but I can also see why it didn’t make it. But hey she just won her second Miles Franklin award! Thanks for watching 🙏
this longlist has been such a slow burn for me, I wasn’t bothered at first but now I’m curious as hell. have got library holds on Held and Wild Houses, also thought I’d grab There There to see if I get on with Tommy Orange’s writing style before picking up Wandering Stars. given my sloth approach to reading this year I think I’ll wait for the reviews to start coming in before I decide on the rest, so thank you in advance for your service x
I wouldn’t recommend reading Wandering Stars without reading There, There first. It can be read alone but I don’t think it would feel cohesive without the former.
@@benreadsgood there there on audiobook is really good and it's only eight hours long so I highly recommend it. They have multiple narrators and they're all great
@@benreadsgood I unfortunately second this idea haha. A large portion of the plot directly follows the events of There, There with a lot of the same characters.
I've enjoyed your Booker videos more than the longlist. I was hoping for a list of more obscure/unknown books. When I have all of the books (including 2 arcs for the Kushner and Powers books), it's not as fun for me. As an American, I would prefer to see more books from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Africa on the list. I will be reading the ten books on the list I have not read though.
I will happily take the compliment, but I am sad to hear the longlist isn’t doing it for you! A few unknown titles would have been great, but I am liking the composition of this year’s list and looking forward to reading it. Feels like less of a slog than last year already.
As a Dutchie I have mixed feelings about the nomination of Yael vd Wouden; I fear it might stimulate more Dutch writers to write in English instead of Dutch, because of the larger reach. English isn’t an official language in the Netherlands and I think we should cherish the literary traditions of smaller languages (and the important work of literary translators!). It also seems a bit odd to read a Dutch translation (by two Dutch translators) of a novel written by a Dutch author whose mother tongue (I presume) is Dutch and/or Hebrew; I tried to find an interview where she explains her choice, but no luck yet (I wonder if she might have been raised bilingual English/Dutch).
That makes sense! It was something I was thinking about when I saw the news about the growth of English language books in European bookshops. Definitely intrigued to know if it was an artistic choice not to self-translate, or a money/time thing.
I was sure that the booker formula works! Absolutely love your reaction video and Roro Reads cameo - I’d love to see some sort of collab between you two and please persuade him to make an insta account! On purely bookish topics, I’m really glad Orbital is on the list, really enjoying Held (current read) and I think I’m the only person not blown away by James 😅 (I’m a huge Everett fan, was raving about Trees for months, and all my high expectations probably ruined my reading experience…)
Haha I’ll have a word with him 😂 Thank you so much for watching (and believing in the formula!!!) Sad to hear James didn’t knock it out of the park for you. I found it the perfect home for Everett’s satire!
Excellent enjoyable reaction video. I'm also bored by the argument around US books being on the longlist - there's a whiff of snobishness when people say they want the prize to be like before. Like you, I just want to read good books wherever they're from.
Exactly - and lots of this filtering probably isn't even the judges fault. Some of these issues go back to what even makes it to publication, and what gets submitted by the publishers. The judges can only judge what's put in front of them, and if their opinion are that these are the best books, I'm happy to go along with that and see if I agree once I've read them!
this year's list feels like a "correction" to last year's list, by which I mean the "big-name retelling of a classic that everyone was expecting to make the cut" ACTUALLY did this year lol. last year was my first "booker" season so I expected more curveballs this year. the surprise for me was having read 6 of these novels already! i'm about 40% through Stone Yard Devotional, and it's giving me Study for Obedience vibes so far, with the outsider perspective and aforementioned "spooky shit" (though I find Devotional to be more apparently funny). Just finished Wild Houses and was a bit underwhelmed; I think all the blurbs overhype the "thriller" aspect of it when it's really more a slow-burning character study. NEED THE NEW RICHARD POWERS SO BAD!!!!
That's interesting - you're right it does seem to be pulling the other way. I wonder if judging panels ever go into these processes with the reaction to the last panel and their choices lingering in the backs of their minds. I've just started Stone Yard Devotional too, and I agree with you! And yes Wild Houses does not really contain any thriller vibes at all. Definitely a character study.
I have predicted 4, woo hoo!!! I am really sad about the leaks, it makes it much less fun :( I have only read Enlightenment (which I was secretly hoping would be on it but did not put it on my final list). Sarah Perry absolutely writes literary fiction :) I think Enlightenment will be quite a marmite book. I admired it a lot, only found it hard to get into at first and wasn't blown away by the ending. Still, it was great and I'm very happy she's getting the recognition she deserves! 💫 I've also met her once on an event in Poland and she was just the coolest and nicest person ever. 🤗 Anyway. I've ordered Charlotte Wood and will see what else I might get to. I am not too happy with the US being included in the Booker personally 😇
It's a pretty conservative list, but I did enjoy those I've read. Of the other seven I need to read I could only find one in the bookshop today. I'm hoping that in a couple of weeks there will be more available. It took me a couple of months to read Praiseworthy, and I'm not sure it was worth it. I felt obliged as an Aussie but Alexis Wright doesn't really work for me. I'd be looking towards the Nobel Prize for her.
Yes, it's hardly daring but I do think it seems nicely constructed from the perspective of its themes, styles, lengths, etc. Will be interesting to see if Wright can add the Nobel to her tally - what an exceptional year for her!
I think My Friends may top James, but I do love both. I've only read 4 so far and only correctly predicted 3. Last time I think I'll say it, but I'm anticipating that Praiseworthy is better than all, including Stoneyard Devotional. It would have won if it had been included and I while the books on the list are probably very good, I don't regard The Booker as selecting the best books anymore. It's just a subjective pick by the current judges. This years judges probably just aren't into long books. Anyway, I'll read what I can on the longlist. Held will probably be next for me. I loved Fugitive Pieces, so I'm anticipating I'll like it. PS Simon is a huge fan of Charlotte Wood's too.
I always consider these lists the subjective choices of the judges, no matter the prize. Even when they have a brief to find the best / the most daring / the most reader-pleasing... it's always still just an opinion. I know there are lots of people frustrated at Praiseworthy not being there, but ultimately there is no such thing as an objective 'best' and so I don't personally find it worth agonising over. Both Stone Yard Devotional and Enlightenment made me think of Simon 😊
I've only read James and Orbital so far but I have a few of the others on hand that I was already planning to read; Safekeep, Wandering Stars, and just picked up Wild Houses at the library. I'll probably read several more but I'm waiting to hear more reviews. I'm still disappointed that Blackouts didn't make it and the list feels too white, but overall I'm interested in quite a few of them.
I really loved Blackouts, but I can see why it isn’t here. It’s a pretty dense book, with lots of references, and perhaps the panel wanted to lean into stuff that’s a little more accessible. It is a very white list, but I’m also a bit reluctant to criticise a majority non-white judging panel for putting it together. Hoping they’ve just been able to put together a list of what they think are the best books they read.
Me: "HEADSHOT sounds interesting, Oh and look.....it's at the library! Let me just put a hold on it". {{{{{{{{{{{{CHECKOUT}}}}}}}}}}}}. Me(again): "Damn you Ben!!!!"
It's beautiful, isn't it! I don't know why they keep trying to make these weird face-nature combos in his books. They did fix Bewilderment for the paperback, but I've seen they are reissuing it with the uglier cover again soon 😭
I’ve read three Stone Yard Devotional is good Orbital is ok Enlightenment is disappointing I’ve now downloaded copies (?audio) of My Friends Wild Houses James Annoyed by the Booker including books that will not be published by the time the shortlist is announced.
Huh, it seems the Booker Prize has lost me. The booker prize sticker used to be a motivation to pick up a book for me. But honestly not interested in any of these.
It’s Booker season, baby!
What a unique and interesting way to share your reaction to the longlist. This video is a standout! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for watching! I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed it.
I would prefer to see your reactions as you read the books, even in small batches, but not all at the end, please.
I love your positive attitude! After all the complaining last year about unknown books, I have little patience for those now complaining that this list is too mainstream. (I’m just happy that most of these will be available from my local library.)
And thanks for all your excellent content!
Thanks Joan - that’s a really interesting observation actually. I think people just get in their heads what a good longlist looks like, and when it doesn’t match that they’re disappointed. It’s always easier to criticise than it is to engage and look for the positives!
(I am not an optimise by default by the way 😂 I have to work at it)
I truly love the eloquent and insightful style of sharing your thoughts on books and bookish news.
That’s so kind of you to say - thank you! 🙌
It’s been a while since I’ve heard anyone use the word “saucy.” If words aren’t used, they die out, so good for you. Keep it up. Oh, I also thought your video was excellent.
Fun fact: I have some socks with ‘SAUCY’ written on them 😂
@@benreadsgood Oh, I LOVE it! 😂😂
I like the list a lot. You were so right, I was OVERJOYED for Charlotte. There are quite a few that I really want to get to, The Safekeep and Enlightenment (woohoo!) in particular, so that is exciting. That said would like more diversity in the authors. I was really sad about the leaks, I feel like it took the fun out of it for a lot of people and guessing, that might just be me though. Love your formula, thought that was fab when you did your predictions.
We love to see an overjoyed Simon 👏 I've actually just started Stone Yard Devotional and really enjoying it! That and Enlightenment felt like where I wanted to start with this list.
And yeah, some more diversity would be nice, but I'll reserve judgement until I've read more of the books.
Great video Ben, have been looking forward to watching your reaction! Please do share your reviews as you go along, seeing which ones you are loving the most really helps me decide which ones to read ☺️
Thank you for watching! Will try and see how best I can schedule them 😊
Loved this video format, thanks Ben! Please review as you go, I can’t wait until November to hear your opinions on them all. I really like the list, read 3 already and looking forward to the next 10!
Thank you for watching! Will see how best I can schedule my reviews 😊
Great reaction video Ben and well done on your prediction formula!! Very impressive. I am delighted with this longlist. I think it’s got a terrific range of books on it. Sarah Perry does not write commercial fiction! Enlightenment is literary and I thought The Essex Serpent was as well. I am a big Charlotte Wood fan and am so please for her to get some Booker love. I’ve read six (James and My Friends are stand outs) and am hoping to get through the other 7 before the shortlist (I also feel lucky to have a proof copy of Playground). I’m starting with Headshot. Looking forward to seeing how you get on.
I have clearly been duped by the marketing of the Sarah Perry 😂 More excited than ever to read it now!
Headshot is great - hope you enjoy it.
Ben your content and eloquence are top shelf! My favorite booktuber by a mile. I’m looking forward to seeing any booker content - but I quite enjoyed the format you used last year. Happy reading! ❤
That is so kind of you to say, thank you!!! 🙏
‘Tis the season!
I really like what you said about it being an emotional and intellectual reaction of 5 people to 150 books- so spot on, and I always try to keep that in mind when the longlist doesn’t tally with my choices.
Also, your formula is getting dangerously close to being perfect 😂
Thanks Bob! Yeah, I just think in art there’s no such thing as objectively good or bad so why get stressed about it 😅
Someone in the comments pointed out one mistake in the formula - there are actually 4 former shortlistees! So not quite perfect (…yet)
playground is so pretty! Love that, and this video, well done Ben. You always have such a good balance of providing information and keeping it just the right amount of light and fun. I would love reviews in batches!
It's such a nice cover, isn't it! Shame they didn't go with it for the final version.
@@benreadsgood I agree!
Love the formula check-up 🙌🥰 Absolutely an interesting list! And def worth recognising - as you did - how it’s judges’ tastes and how some books will always feel to some (if not many) as missing out or being overlooked.
Very excited to hear your thoughts as we go 🕺
The formula was good... it was just me that wasn't 😂 Excited to get into the list!
Great video Ben! I am currently reading James and loving it. I also have Playground on hold at my library. I wasn’t even aware that Richard Powers wrote another book until I saw the long list. I hope to read more of these books.
James is so good!!! Hope you love it through to the end.
Thank you for taking your time and prepare this reaction, It stands out.
It’s always fun to go through and mark my own homework 😂
Thank you so much for watching, and for the kind comment!
I thoroughly enjoy the intersection between books and data. 👌🏽 Well done 👏🏼
Gotta love a bit of data! Thanks for watching 😊
So impressed with the analysis you've put into the history of the longlist!
I'm currently reading This Strange Eventful History and while I am enjoying it, I am finding the writing a bit hard to get into. Messud will never use a period where a comma will do. For me its an example of the writing getting in the way of interesting characters and rich settings.
Very intrigued by this list and looking forward to all the booker content to come!
Oh no, that doesn't bode well. I'm hoping I'll get on with it a bit more than that 😬
Excited to get into the list!
See - another made for TV video!!
Thanks for such great summaries, I feel like I'm getting to grips with the list now.
Seems like a good list. Not going to try and read them all, so not sure what I'll try.
Batch reviews is good as then it can influence what people pick up next before the announcements, but a final ranking before short list and winner is also fun.
Hahaha 😂
Think it definitely seems like a good list! Looking forward to getting into it.
You've beautifully articulated my thoughts on America being invited to the Booker party and I also agree with the point about meeting quotas. Having two books not published until September is frustrating, but I'm looking forward to reading them.
I've read Enlightenment and I would classify it as literary fiction. There's an interview with Sarah Perry about it on the Waterstones podcast FYI.
Yeah the September thing is frustrating but it would be equally sad to completely exclude books published in 2 months of the year just because of the timings of the announcements. The Booker should really shift the dates of either the eligibility window or the prize stages!
And thanks - a few people have pointed out that I've misinterpreted the marketing for Sarah Perry! Very happy to be wrong and more looking forward to Enlightenment now 😊
Gr8 vid, as always! I got 3 correct in my personal predictions list: James, My Friends and Orbital, which is typical for me! - but 12 out of the 13 were on my Goodreads Listopia somewhere - all but the Woods, which I don't think was on anyone's radar; but only three in the top 13 (the same 3). Haven't read any yet, but have copies of all but the Powers - and since I DO have an ARC of the Kushner, have started there - so far, it's good! Will strive for all 13 (as I said previously, for the 11th year in a row!) Do the vids however feels right for you - I'll be watching regardless! Cheers!
I'm kind of shocked that nobody added the Charlotte Wood to the list - it's not like it's an unknown book!
Jealous of the Kushner ARC. Hoping to get a copy soon!
Thanks for watching 🙏
Best reaction video I've seen. (Don't tell any of the other Booktubers 🤫). Whatever form your reviews take, I'll be watching. Do what makes you happy!
The book I'm most looking forward to is Stone Yard Devotional.
Haha thank you - I will keep my lips sealed 🤐😂
Oh and I’ve just started Stone Yard Devotional!
Happy Booker Season Baby 😆.Yes please to first line rankings. I’m currently reading Held- a bit overwrought for my taste, but it’s taken an intriguing turn 25% in. Seeing how long I have to wait for all my library holds.
I'm intrigued to get that one! I'm definitely intrigued by the vignette-y, sparse format.
Very fair reaction. I’m just finishing James now - it’s a great achievement. For me the issue with having the US in the prize is that so many books come from there that they are bound to make up a significant portion of the list. It always seems that this leads to there being far fewer books from other commonwealth countries compared to the years before the US joined the Booker party, particularly from Africa and South Asia. But this exclusion might occur at the stage where publishers decide which books to submit rather than with the choice of the judges.
Yes, definitely - there are probably steps that could be taken at lots of different stages of the process to improve the representation. More African, and particularly Indian, fiction could do with being published, and more of it submitted. I also wonder if, given they've added a huge market to the prize, the Booker should up its longlist to 16 books like the Women's Prize.
(That said, not good for my bank balance or my reading time!!!)
I loved your first lines ranking video…fun and different.
It was fun to put together! And an excuse to make use of the cork board 😂
I'm excited about the list. I was also able to avoid spoilers, mainly due to a severe reading slump, but im using the longlist as a comeback. I'm starting with, "My Friends," and am enjoying it.
Oooh glad to hear My Friends is good so far! I started Held today, but I think I’ll turn to that one next.
@benreadsgood I'm about a third through, and it's slow going. It snuck up on me and made me cry a bit, so I set it down for the night. I'm definitely hoping it ends as strongly.
I also thought of Louise Erdrith but she was shortlisted for the Women's and won the Pulitzer.
It was such a surprise to me! I could have sworn she'd been nominated.
A formula for success! I think the list seems really interesting - I've only read Stoneyard so far and really liked it. Will be reading Orbital next. I like the idea of a first lines review :-)
I'm just reading Stone Yard right now and really enjoying it so far!
I read Wild Houses back in February. I feel like maybe I heard of it from you. I liked it. Coincidently, I just finished My Friends a few hours before the announcement - I loved his writing. Next up is Headshot. I don’t think I’ll be able to read all the books on the list so I’m looking forward to your reviews to get an idea of which I’d like to prioritise.
I have heard such great things about My Friends so really looking forward to that one. Hope you enjoy Headshot!
Thanks, Ben!🌷Right now I know I’ll be reading Orbital, My Friends and Playground (and while waiting for it, Bewilderment). Possibly also The Safekeep, which got very good reviews also here in the Netherlands. By the way, the Dutch translation was not made by the author, so, if I decide to read The Safekeep, I’ll read it in English. I like to watch booktubers’ reviews before deciding whether I want to read more. So, reviews in batches would be great!😊📚
I love Bewilderment so much - hope you enjoy it!
That's so interesting that a Dutch author didn't translate their own book... I wonder if that was an artistic or commercial choice.
So many books and so little time. Best wishes with what you choose to read. I hope you get some great stories.
Hoping the list delivers some good ones!
Great wrap up! Now on to the reading!
There is so much reading to be done! Less than last year, thankfully, but still a lot!
You cracked it with your formula Ben. I think you are right that Headahot would have been a surprise if it hadn’t leaked. Lets starts reading them and hopefully finding some new faves 📚❤️
Regardless of the surprise being ruined, I'm still delighted for it. It's such a great book! Was hoping to see it in the running for the Women's Prize, but this makes up for it!!!
Happy reading 😊
Predicted a best-ever 4! That'll never happen again, but I'll gladly take it. Great longlist, and after last year's nonsense, this was a make-it-or-break-it for me. I think I've been reeled in to another Booker season! Cheers!
Glad this longlist is redeeming the Booker for you! 😅
Small batch reviews!!! Pleeease 🙏🏼✨
I’ll see what I can do 😅
Congrats on winning the ARC of Playground. I enter the giveaways on Good Reads all the time, but have yet to win one. It's a matter of time and odds, innit? 🙂
Gotta be in it to win it!
You always have such interesting ideas to create your videos! And so much analytical stuff going on. Love it!
When did you buy all these books?
I'm a bit meh about the list. There are great authors on there for sure, but I'm always hoping for some I'd never heard of before. But I would love to see James win, although I still haven't read it yet.
Do you reviews whatever way you like, I'll watch all of your videos anyway.
Thanks Amelia 😊
I already had copies of more than half the list, and had saved loyalty stamps and vouchers specifically so I could get my hands on the rest 😅
At the moment, I’ve got to say James is the one to beat!
This year we actually get 4 former shortlistee, I think you missed Hisham Matar. Really interesting analysis. Love this format ❤
Oh gosh, you're right! I'm a fraud!! 😂 I checked and I even mentioned Matar as a former shortlistee in my predictions video, so don't know how I missed that.
Thank you for spotting it!
oh, please individual reviews or small batches - I don't want to wait!
I'll see what I can do!
I'm coming around to it. It's not that I'm not excited about reading them - because I am - but I always look forward to learning about an author I 've not known previously and that didn't happen this year. In fact, I already owned 9 of the books, and obviously 2 of the 4 I didn't own aren't yet. I bought Wandering Stars and I'm hoping to get my hands on Stone Yard Devotional next week in London. That I could get most of these at the local Barnes & Noble here in suburbia means it's a lot more commercial than it was last year, and maybe that's okay. I'm really looking forward to the Kushner book. Spy/espionage books are a guilty pleasure of mine. So exciting!!
I think no list is going to please everyone. Last year lots of people were unhappy about the unknowns and saying they probably weren't as worthy as xyz other book, and this year they're all too well known 😂
It's kind of good for people being able to get hold of and read the books though, right? Well, except the unreleased ones.
1 correction. Hisham Matar is a previously shortlisted author (for In the country of men).
Ahh yes, someone else mentioned that too. Apologies for the fake news - the formula clearly still needs a little tweaking 😅
Didn't do any predictions, but had already read four of the books, James, Orbital, Wandering Stars and Enlightenment. Bought Stonewall Devotional a few months ago (had to get in UK as not pub in US and some Booktuber got me excited about it :) and have a few others on long list I am excited to read. I had not read There There previously and still very much enjoyed Wandering Stars. Picked it up because I live in Colorado where the Sand Creek Massacre happened. An incident referenced as one of the events that started the family generational trauma. I don't think you need to read There There, but I may have been even more connected to the characters if I had read the previous book. Don't discount Sarah Perry and Enlightenment as perhaps not literary fiction. I had not read anything else of hers when I picked this up on a whim at the library. I came away , after my experience reading Enlightenment, feeling she was not just a writer, but an artist and am excited to read more of her works! Will be interesting to see what makes the short list:)
Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts!
Good to know that Wandering Stars is enjoyable without There There, although someone else has mentioned it’s a must-read, so I’ll see how I get on with timings 😅
And I guess I have completely misjudged the Sarah Perry marketing! Her stuff has always come across to me as commercial, and I’ve seen it placed on commercial fiction tables in bookshops.
(Not a bad thing, happy to be set right!)
I'm 🆗 with the longlist. Wanted to see Praiseworthy, but if they were wanting to lean short and commercial, leaving it off was the way to go. Speaking of short, I'm in favor of reviews grouped in smaller chunks rather than a review marathon, though I'll watch it either way. Great vid!
I think a lot of people are disappointed at the Wright omission, but I can also see why it didn’t make it. But hey she just won her second Miles Franklin award!
Thanks for watching 🙏
this longlist has been such a slow burn for me, I wasn’t bothered at first but now I’m curious as hell. have got library holds on Held and Wild Houses, also thought I’d grab There There to see if I get on with Tommy Orange’s writing style before picking up Wandering Stars. given my sloth approach to reading this year I think I’ll wait for the reviews to start coming in before I decide on the rest, so thank you in advance for your service x
A turnaround in 2 days feels like a pretty quick burn to me!!! 😂
I'll be on the lookout for your thoughts on There There 👀
Thank you for watching!
Yes Australian readers are rejoicing! 😊 I too thought of Simon when it was announced. 😊
I just hope it makes up a little for those disappointed over Praiseworthy!
Glorious Exploits deserved a spot….
I agree im so bummed 😢
I would have loved to see it there! But very pleased for its recent Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize win.
I wouldn’t recommend reading Wandering Stars without reading There, There first. It can be read alone but I don’t think it would feel cohesive without the former.
Ahhh this is not the news I wanted 😂
Maybe I’ll leave that one until a bit later and see if I can carve out time. Or perhaps There There on audio.
@@benreadsgood there there on audiobook is really good and it's only eight hours long so I highly recommend it. They have multiple narrators and they're all great
@@benreadsgood I unfortunately second this idea haha. A large portion of the plot directly follows the events of There, There with a lot of the same characters.
Thanks for the info, folks! 🙏
I am currently reading There There by Tommy Orange. Based on that I will definitely read Wandering Stars.
That's really good to know! Trying to think about how I might squeeze it in...
I've enjoyed your Booker videos more than the longlist. I was hoping for a list of more obscure/unknown books. When I have all of the books (including 2 arcs for the Kushner and Powers books), it's not as fun for me. As an American, I would prefer to see more books from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Africa on the list. I will be reading the ten books on the list I have not read though.
I will happily take the compliment, but I am sad to hear the longlist isn’t doing it for you!
A few unknown titles would have been great, but I am liking the composition of this year’s list and looking forward to reading it. Feels like less of a slog than last year already.
Wandering Stars will make a lot more sense having read There There, as it follows the same characters.
I have been afraid of people saying this 😂 I’ll have to try and squeeze it in!
As a Dutchie I have mixed feelings about the nomination of Yael vd Wouden; I fear it might stimulate more Dutch writers to write in English instead of Dutch, because of the larger reach. English isn’t an official language in the Netherlands and I think we should cherish the literary traditions of smaller languages (and the important work of literary translators!).
It also seems a bit odd to read a Dutch translation (by two Dutch translators) of a novel written by a Dutch author whose mother tongue (I presume) is Dutch and/or Hebrew; I tried to find an interview where she explains her choice, but no luck yet (I wonder if she might have been raised bilingual English/Dutch).
That makes sense! It was something I was thinking about when I saw the news about the growth of English language books in European bookshops.
Definitely intrigued to know if it was an artistic choice not to self-translate, or a money/time thing.
She's a Jewish. She was born in Tel Aviv, Israel. I'm not surprised at all that she wrote the book in English.
I admire people who read novels.
You'll find lots of people to admire on BookTube! Thanks for watching 🙏
I was sure that the booker formula works! Absolutely love your reaction video and Roro Reads cameo - I’d love to see some sort of collab between you two and please persuade him to make an insta account! On purely bookish topics, I’m really glad Orbital is on the list, really enjoying Held (current read) and I think I’m the only person not blown away by James 😅 (I’m a huge Everett fan, was raving about Trees for months, and all my high expectations probably ruined my reading experience…)
Haha I’ll have a word with him 😂
Thank you so much for watching (and believing in the formula!!!)
Sad to hear James didn’t knock it out of the park for you. I found it the perfect home for Everett’s satire!
Excellent enjoyable reaction video. I'm also bored by the argument around US books being on the longlist - there's a whiff of snobishness when people say they want the prize to be like before. Like you, I just want to read good books wherever they're from.
Exactly - and lots of this filtering probably isn't even the judges fault. Some of these issues go back to what even makes it to publication, and what gets submitted by the publishers. The judges can only judge what's put in front of them, and if their opinion are that these are the best books, I'm happy to go along with that and see if I agree once I've read them!
Richard Powers is my favorite contemporary writer. I’m glad to see his latest on the list and I’m looking forward to reading it.
I'm so pleased he's there too! Really excited to read Playground.
this year's list feels like a "correction" to last year's list, by which I mean the "big-name retelling of a classic that everyone was expecting to make the cut" ACTUALLY did this year lol. last year was my first "booker" season so I expected more curveballs this year. the surprise for me was having read 6 of these novels already!
i'm about 40% through Stone Yard Devotional, and it's giving me Study for Obedience vibes so far, with the outsider perspective and aforementioned "spooky shit" (though I find Devotional to be more apparently funny). Just finished Wild Houses and was a bit underwhelmed; I think all the blurbs overhype the "thriller" aspect of it when it's really more a slow-burning character study.
NEED THE NEW RICHARD POWERS SO BAD!!!!
That's interesting - you're right it does seem to be pulling the other way. I wonder if judging panels ever go into these processes with the reaction to the last panel and their choices lingering in the backs of their minds.
I've just started Stone Yard Devotional too, and I agree with you! And yes Wild Houses does not really contain any thriller vibes at all. Definitely a character study.
I have predicted 4, woo hoo!!! I am really sad about the leaks, it makes it much less fun :( I have only read Enlightenment (which I was secretly hoping would be on it but did not put it on my final list). Sarah Perry absolutely writes literary fiction :) I think Enlightenment will be quite a marmite book. I admired it a lot, only found it hard to get into at first and wasn't blown away by the ending. Still, it was great and I'm very happy she's getting the recognition she deserves! 💫 I've also met her once on an event in Poland and she was just the coolest and nicest person ever. 🤗 Anyway. I've ordered Charlotte Wood and will see what else I might get to. I am not too happy with the US being included in the Booker personally 😇
Congrats on your predictions!!! 👏
Definitely more looking forward to Enlightenment now that people have assured me it's in the lit fic side of things.
Cape Expectations 🤣
It's a pretty conservative list, but I did enjoy those I've read. Of the other seven I need to read I could only find one in the bookshop today. I'm hoping that in a couple of weeks there will be more available. It took me a couple of months to read Praiseworthy, and I'm not sure it was worth it. I felt obliged as an Aussie but Alexis Wright doesn't really work for me. I'd be looking towards the Nobel Prize for her.
Yes, it's hardly daring but I do think it seems nicely constructed from the perspective of its themes, styles, lengths, etc.
Will be interesting to see if Wright can add the Nobel to her tally - what an exceptional year for her!
I think My Friends may top James, but I do love both. I've only read 4 so far and only correctly predicted 3.
Last time I think I'll say it, but I'm anticipating that Praiseworthy is better than all, including Stoneyard Devotional. It would have won if it had been included and I while the books on the list are probably very good, I don't regard The Booker as selecting the best books anymore. It's just a subjective pick by the current judges. This years judges probably just aren't into long books. Anyway, I'll read what I can on the longlist. Held will probably be next for me. I loved Fugitive Pieces, so I'm anticipating I'll like it.
PS Simon is a huge fan of Charlotte Wood's too.
I always consider these lists the subjective choices of the judges, no matter the prize. Even when they have a brief to find the best / the most daring / the most reader-pleasing... it's always still just an opinion. I know there are lots of people frustrated at Praiseworthy not being there, but ultimately there is no such thing as an objective 'best' and so I don't personally find it worth agonising over.
Both Stone Yard Devotional and Enlightenment made me think of Simon 😊
Justice for New Zealand!
Funnily enough, I'm reading Amma at the moment and loving it!
I was really surprised by the lack of African books on the list.
Yeah, it’s a shame. There seemed to be plenty worthy ones this year!
Should we start a delicious rumor that Simon Savage is an undercover Booker Prize Judge? What a blast if it were true!
Hahaha imagine! 😂
I've only read James and Orbital so far but I have a few of the others on hand that I was already planning to read; Safekeep, Wandering Stars, and just picked up Wild Houses at the library. I'll probably read several more but I'm waiting to hear more reviews. I'm still disappointed that Blackouts didn't make it and the list feels too white, but overall I'm interested in quite a few of them.
I really loved Blackouts, but I can see why it isn’t here. It’s a pretty dense book, with lots of references, and perhaps the panel wanted to lean into stuff that’s a little more accessible.
It is a very white list, but I’m also a bit reluctant to criticise a majority non-white judging panel for putting it together. Hoping they’ve just been able to put together a list of what they think are the best books they read.
Me: "HEADSHOT sounds interesting, Oh and look.....it's at the library! Let me just put a hold on it".
{{{{{{{{{{{{CHECKOUT}}}}}}}}}}}}.
Me(again): "Damn you Ben!!!!"
Hey I can’t take the blame for this one!!! This is on the Booker.
#bookerseasonbaby
I'm not a fan of Richard Powers, but that cover of Playground is gorgeous!! The regular one is awful tbh
It's beautiful, isn't it!
I don't know why they keep trying to make these weird face-nature combos in his books. They did fix Bewilderment for the paperback, but I've seen they are reissuing it with the uglier cover again soon 😭
I’ve read three
Stone Yard Devotional is good
Orbital is ok
Enlightenment is disappointing
I’ve now downloaded copies (?audio) of
My Friends
Wild Houses
James
Annoyed by the Booker including books that will not be published by the time the shortlist is announced.
I'm reading Stone Yard Devotional now and really enjoying it so far!
Huh, it seems the Booker Prize has lost me. The booker prize sticker used to be a motivation to pick up a book for me. But honestly not interested in any of these.
That’s a shame! Maybe worth exploring some other prizes to follow to see if they do it for you a little more.
'leekier' LOL
I'm glad someone noticed 😂🏴