Meryl Streep did a wonderful job narrating “Tom Lake” in the audio version. It seemed that Ann Patchett had written it specifically for Meryl Streep’s voice. I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much as if I read the print version. Thanks for reading and reviewing the novels. Agree with you about ghosts and magic. The only ones I don’t mind are those that visit Scrooge. 👻
I thoroughly enjoyed hearing your reviews of each of these six books, Ros. I can't believe that House of Doors is out of the running. I also really enjoyed Tom Lake and Enter Ghost. I read Lone Women in the quarterfinals, and frankly, I was surprised it moved on to the semifinals. I enjoyed it, but I felt almost like I couldn't really compare it to the other books I was reading in that group. I haven't read The Reformatory or Wellness. I'm not sure I'd be able to get through The Reformatory, but Wellness I probably will eventually read. Really thoughtful reviews, Ros. Thank you!
@@BookChatWithPat8668 I was surprised Lone Women got to the semifinal too, although reading it was fun. I am very disappointed about The House of Doors but I know some people found the writing style unappealing. Don't bother with The Reformatory. Wellness was interesting although he throws in everything bar the kitchen sink.
@@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711 I had the same reaction to Lone Women: I had fun with it, but I didn't think it belonged with the rest of the books in the group. I was fairly devastated in the quarterfinal round that my #1 book, LOVED AND MISSED, by Susie Boyt, was eliminated. I'm still thinking about that book. I totally get how you feel about House of Doors being eliminated.
@@Ihearbooks I agree but I think the writing style was unappealing for some readers. Wellness surprised me and I am glad the competition got me to read it.
I totally agree with what you said about The Reformatory. Thematically I think it was very strong but the way in which the story was actually executed just didn’t work for me either 📚 thank you for sharing!✨
@@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711 ofc you do & I really appreciate that approach. It is not fair to the book or other readers to not give your honest opinion😊📚
Red neck (both figurative and literal, but not in any literate way) talking heads in the big, locked trunk, perhaps?? Sorry, I have not read any of the six. Your energy and enthusiasm for forging ahead with your reading goals astound me. The book set in Penang that (one would hope) drags Maugham through the gutter sounds interesting. Reading it might make me no longer wonder what kind of bondage Willie was actually up to.
House of Doors was my favourite book of 2023. It should have been shortlisted and won the Booker. I'm disappointed it didn't advance to the booktube finals. I'm not fond of Enter Ghost. I know I'm in the minority, but I found the plot contrivances (information withheld in ways that make no realistic sense for ex.) and the focus on the romantic elements to be extremely annoying. When I read the women's prize longlist, Enter Ghost was in the bottom four for me. I think Brotherless Night covers similar material, but in a stronger and more cohesive way.
I was sorry that The House of Doors fell by the wayside. I think the writing style was off-putting for many people. I didn't mind the relationship and romantic elements in Enter Ghost. They seemed to fit with the character and preoccupations of the protagonist. But I can see why you might feel differently.
I came here specifically to see where Enter Ghost landed in your rankings! I always love hearing you talk about books.
@@HardcoverHearts it was a close thing to be honest.
Meryl Streep did a wonderful job narrating “Tom Lake” in the audio version. It seemed that Ann Patchett had written it specifically for Meryl Streep’s voice. I don’t think I would have enjoyed it as much as if I read the print version.
Thanks for reading and reviewing the novels. Agree with you about ghosts and magic. The only ones I don’t mind are those that visit Scrooge. 👻
@@mame-musing I can imagine Streep would be perfect. Thanks for understanding my ghost aversion.
Great to hear your thoughts on Wellness because, whilst I loved it as a whole, I do agree with your points!
@@charlottemolloy thanks. I was very glad to have been pushed to read it as I got a lot from it.
Great to see how you chose your top books. Tom Lake is on my TBR soon. I haven’t read your top two so now they are definitely a consideration. 😊💙
@@BookwormAdventureGirl Tom Lake really grew on me as I read it. It stimulates personal reflection I think.
I thoroughly enjoyed hearing your reviews of each of these six books, Ros. I can't believe that House of Doors is out of the running. I also really enjoyed Tom Lake and Enter Ghost. I read Lone Women in the quarterfinals, and frankly, I was surprised it moved on to the semifinals. I enjoyed it, but I felt almost like I couldn't really compare it to the other books I was reading in that group. I haven't read The Reformatory or Wellness. I'm not sure I'd be able to get through The Reformatory, but Wellness I probably will eventually read. Really thoughtful reviews, Ros. Thank you!
@@BookChatWithPat8668 I was surprised Lone Women got to the semifinal too, although reading it was fun. I am very disappointed about The House of Doors but I know some people found the writing style unappealing. Don't bother with The Reformatory. Wellness was interesting although he throws in everything bar the kitchen sink.
@@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711 I had the same reaction to Lone Women: I had fun with it, but I didn't think it belonged with the rest of the books in the group. I was fairly devastated in the quarterfinal round that my #1 book, LOVED AND MISSED, by Susie Boyt, was eliminated. I'm still thinking about that book. I totally get how you feel about House of Doors being eliminated.
@@BookChatWithPat8668 Loved and Missed was a wonderful discovery for me in this year's prize reading. A very fine book.
House of Doors. Such a great book. how did it not make the finals? Loved Wellness as well. Thanks for your thoughts.
@@Ihearbooks I agree but I think the writing style was unappealing for some readers. Wellness surprised me and I am glad the competition got me to read it.
I totally agree with what you said about The Reformatory. Thematically I think it was very strong but the way in which the story was actually executed just didn’t work for me either 📚 thank you for sharing!✨
@@tabitha_h2000 I felt mean saying that and I know many people loved it. But have to be honest as a judge.
@@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711 ofc you do & I really appreciate that approach. It is not fair to the book or other readers to not give your honest opinion😊📚
Glad you grew to love Tom Lake. It really resonated with me.and I liked your comments on how we shape and tell our own histories.
@@janeduffield4801 it was a book that really grew on me. It began to resonate more and more as I went along.
We were likeminded on books 5 and 6 and then our rankings diverged! 😊
It was an interesting batch; I also don't regret reading any of them.
@@readandre-read yes all worth reading for different reasons.
Red neck (both figurative and literal, but not in any literate way) talking heads in the big, locked trunk, perhaps??
Sorry, I have not read any of the six. Your energy and enthusiasm for forging ahead with your reading goals astound me.
The book set in Penang that (one would hope) drags Maugham through the gutter sounds interesting. Reading it might make me no longer wonder what kind of bondage Willie was actually up to.
@@kevinrussell-jp6om Eng's novel is more subtle and makes Maugham an enjoyably ambiguous character, neither wholly good nor bad.
@@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711 Thanks for the added info.
House of Doors was my favourite book of 2023. It should have been shortlisted and won the Booker. I'm disappointed it didn't advance to the booktube finals. I'm not fond of Enter Ghost. I know I'm in the minority, but I found the plot contrivances (information withheld in ways that make no realistic sense for ex.) and the focus on the romantic elements to be extremely annoying. When I read the women's prize longlist, Enter Ghost was in the bottom four for me. I think Brotherless Night covers similar material, but in a stronger and more cohesive way.
I was sorry that The House of Doors fell by the wayside. I think the writing style was off-putting for many people. I didn't mind the relationship and romantic elements in Enter Ghost. They seemed to fit with the character and preoccupations of the protagonist. But I can see why you might feel differently.