Held has my vote. A stunning book which I immediately started again. It’s very subtle what it’s doing and very clever how it’s doing it. It’s not given to you on a plate. In fact you have to bring your own plate. I am in awe!
So pleased you both loved this book. I felt very moved by this novel. In particular, there is a short passage about caring for someone with Alzheimer’s which I will be forever grateful for. I care for my mother and what Michels wrote about this type of experience has hit me in my heart and made me feel seen and held….I also love the use of language in this book. It’s not a tidy or easy bit of prose, but I feel many rewards gleaned as a reader because of these aspects of the novel. Such an impactful book with so much humanity. I feel a bit saddened that so many seem not to get on with it….Glad that you both highlighted the brilliance of her writing by reading aloud! ❤❤❤
Caring for family is such a privilege and such a hard thing all at once and you’re right, she writes about it so well. It is amazing how fiction can do that for us and situations we’ve gone through or are going through. It’s a beautifully written poignant book, one that will stick with me for some time.
My favorite on the shortlist (and for that matter the longlist) I can’t wait for the rest of your joint reviews of the short list! You are both excellent reviewers! I never miss your videos. Thank you 🙏
Awwww thank you so much. That’s such a kind comment to get. Hope you enjoy the rest of the videos. I was so pleasantly surprised by Held, I think because I’d heard such mixed things. Can’t wait to read the novel of hers I haven’t at some point in the future.
I was surprised how much I loved this book and was totally bewildered by the end but that just made me want to read it again. The shortlist is excellent this year but I think Held is in a very different league
I really enjoyed it, more than I thought I was going to which sounds silly when I liked Fugitive Pieces so much. I think it was all the chatter I had seen about it. Anyway… a beautifully written book and one that will linger with me, though not my winner 😱
I’ve been on the fence as to whether or not I would read “Held” but if it’s good enough for Simon Savidge and the artist formerly known as his mother, then it’s good enough for me.😁
I finished this today so it was a lovely coincidence to see your video pop up. Really enjoyed unpacking my thoughts and then reflecting on yours. Ethereal yet elemental, I was extremely moved by this novel. I love what Louise said “it’s making me physically ache”, I had similar moments. Thank you both!
Coincidence? Or did you read just to the schedule, hahahaha. Ethereal yet elemental is a lovely way to put it! I might borrow that for my monthly wrap up 😉 So pleased we could read along together, sort of. Hope to see you on mums channel next week for Orbital.
I think this book will do well with the Booker Judges because it was born to be read and reread. I first read it a few months ago and I thought it was beautiful, and in some passages incredibly powerful… but I also was quite blurry about the last few chapters. I just reread it and , wow, it only gets better. In addition to all your great observations, I think another thread of the novel is how the dead return to us… through love, art, memory and moments that are ineffable, mysterious. I was blown away by the passages about photography and long exposures over time. I feel like I could pick up this book at any time and read a random paragraph with great satisfaction. A second reading cleared up most of my blurriness regarding how the last few chapters fit into the whole, but I definitely feel like this book would reveal new and rich layers upon every rereading. At this point, I’ve read every shortlisted title except Creation Lake, which I started reading today. I am hard pressed to choose a winner! This is a strong shortlist that offers so many different tones and reading experiences! But I sure wouldn’t be mad if Held ends up winning. Oh and to me this book is wintry, so full of snow…
It wasn’t me that said it was autumnal, it was lots of lovely other folk when they were recommending it to me. Ha. I liked it a lot. I still have a strong front runner though. Will see if that changes in the coming weeks.
Love hearing about your reading experiences from beginning to end. Really just want to say thank you both for doing these parallel reads, what a treat honestly 🌹 (All your videos are a treat btw)
Ha, who says this is the winner, you never know. I wouldn’t mind if it was. Though there is one I’m particularly fond of. Sounds like you have a favourite of the six?
Held is such a beautiful book. It definitely requires careful, focused reading and some deep thought, and I think it gets richer and more satisfying on a reread. The writing is really gorgeous but I do understand people who are put off by the way she tells the story. It’s not for everyone but I really liked it.
Yes, I would concur on your thoughts Cindy. It’s definitely not for everyone but I think for those who do get it it’s really something quite special. It will definitely be lingering with me for a while, that’s for sure, especially Helena. I really loved her.
I love this video, looking forward to more of your discussions on the shortlist. I felt a bit lost with this book, I think I probably need to reread it at a slower pace.
I haven’t read Held but you two have made it sound pretty interesting, I might check it out! I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this style of video & am really looking forward to seeing you continue next week on your mom’s channel 🤍📚
Hi Both 👋🏻 Very much enjoyed your ‘mirrored’ overview of HELD - views & feelings which I share 😌👍 I purchased the paperback (having first read a borrowed hardback from the library) so that I can reread 📖
Reread-ability seems to be a major thing in the discussions of the Booker this year, not sure why I’m surprised as they have to reread all the books so much.
Hi Simon - It was very interesting to hear both your thoughts and your mom's at various points of the book and see how your impressions of it compared. Can't wait for more about the shortlisted books. 😃 I just started reading Razorblade Tears. I'm just 50 pages in, but after 7 pages, I was already crying and by page 23, it had become ugly crying, so needless to say, I am already very invested in the story. Hoping to have time this weekend to dive in more. I also just finished Annie Bot (Sierra Greer) and I really enjoyed the commentary on the place AI is taking into our lives, the concept of "ownership" and the weird unbalanced relationship between Doug and Annie. I had no idea where the story was going to end up, and I am also impressed with how the author concluded the story. I have a feeling this might make my favorites' list this year, as this is the kind of book that I will remember and still think about after finishing it.
So pleased you enjoyed the ‘parallel reads’ style video. It’s nice to do something a bit different now and again. We may need to plan our catch up points a bit better with some of the bigger books especially, we were a teeny bit out of kilter at the start of this 🤣
I loved the way you guys did this! And your thoughts really aligned as far as overall feel and themes of the book. So interesting to see that. I really enjoyed this one and was on my list for making the shortlist.
Glad you both liked it. I'll place it on my want to read list, but I have so many others to get through first, including Demon Copperhead. I enjoyed Horrorstor and enjoying The Final Girl Support Group both by Grady Hendrix and an old book, An Adventure, on Time Travel, which I think Louise mentioned long ago, also, Witch Wood by John Buchan. Thank you.
Thanks for a really great video on your thoughts of Held, which I have yet to read. Really enjoying this year's Booker and looking forward to your thoughts on the rest. 📚
Thank you so much for sharing! We are putting together a video highlighting reactions to this year’s Booker Prize and would love to include this video. All footage will of course be credited. Please can you respond to let me know if we have your permission for use?
Hi there, absolutely, we have almost done all the shortlist on both our channels, we have two to go. James will be discussed on here on Sunday and Charlotte Wood's on mums channel next Wednesday.
I’ve just finished Held on audio. When I began I really wasn’t sure what I was reading? Was it a long prose poem? The writing was wonderful but I scored it 4star. It was very confusing. Beautiful pieces of writing but by the end I couldn’t see how it all came together. Maybe it would have been better if I had the book to refer to at the same time.
Just started Held. The first chapter was very off-putting, and vignette-style writing bugs the hell out of me. But I'm going to continue reading, and seeing you two love it gives me an added boost. I suspected that you'd love the book everyone else on BookTube hates lol. Slowly making my way through the shortlist. Very annoyed that Stone Yard Devotional won't be released in the states until 2/25. Like, seriously? But I'll press on reading what's available to me.
If you don’t like it… stop. I’m not an advocate of reading things you aren’t enjoying. No matter what they’ve been shortlisted for or if everyone else loves them. Have you tried Blackwells for Stone Yard Devotional? Free shipping and I do think, unusually, the UK cover is a banger.
I'm one of those that didn't get this book at all. I loved the first part and their decendents but the addition of Marie Curie lost me entirely and 3 or so weeks on I have to say I can't remember much about it.
That’s fair enough. We can’t all love the same books, that would be very dull indeed. Will be able to see how it lasts with mum and I when we do our rankings and predictions in early November.
Held has my vote. A stunning book which I immediately started again. It’s very subtle what it’s doing and very clever how it’s doing it. It’s not given to you on a plate. In fact you have to bring your own plate. I am in awe!
Ha. I love that expression, you have to bring your own plate. That tickled me.
So pleased you both loved this book. I felt very moved by this novel. In particular, there is a short passage about caring for someone with Alzheimer’s which I will be forever grateful for. I care for my mother and what Michels wrote about this type of experience has hit me in my heart and made me feel seen and held….I also love the use of language in this book. It’s not a tidy or easy bit of prose, but I feel many rewards gleaned as a reader because of these aspects of the novel. Such an impactful book with so much humanity. I feel a bit saddened that so many seem not to get on with it….Glad that you both highlighted the brilliance of her writing by reading aloud! ❤❤❤
Caring for family is such a privilege and such a hard thing all at once and you’re right, she writes about it so well. It is amazing how fiction can do that for us and situations we’ve gone through or are going through. It’s a beautifully written poignant book, one that will stick with me for some time.
Same here. This is one of the best books I have ever read!
I just love you guys. You are wonderful readers.
Awwww thank you so much.
My favorite on the shortlist (and for that matter the longlist)
I can’t wait for the rest of your joint reviews of the short list!
You are both excellent reviewers! I never miss your videos. Thank you 🙏
Awwww thank you so much. That’s such a kind comment to get. Hope you enjoy the rest of the videos. I was so pleasantly surprised by Held, I think because I’d heard such mixed things. Can’t wait to read the novel of hers I haven’t at some point in the future.
❤
I was surprised how much I loved this book and was totally bewildered by the end but that just made me want to read it again. The shortlist is excellent this year but I think Held is in a very different league
I really enjoyed it, more than I thought I was going to which sounds silly when I liked Fugitive Pieces so much. I think it was all the chatter I had seen about it. Anyway… a beautifully written book and one that will linger with me, though not my winner 😱
I adored this novel and your video has made me want to reread it! I love the way you’ve formatted this video. Looking forward to the next one
Thank you! Hope you enjoy the next one… well next five. Hahaha.
I’ve been on the fence as to whether or not I would read “Held” but if it’s good enough for Simon Savidge and the artist formerly known as his mother, then it’s good enough for me.😁
Hahaha. That just really made me laugh.
😂😂😂😊
Loved this format and the book. How you both describe your experience with it resonanted. Thank you.
A pleasure, really pleased you enjoyed the video and our bookish chats.
Love this! Hearing both of you as you're reading was so much fun. Can't wait to read this.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did when you do.
I finished this today so it was a lovely coincidence to see your video pop up. Really enjoyed unpacking my thoughts and then reflecting on yours. Ethereal yet elemental, I was extremely moved by this novel. I love what Louise said “it’s making me physically ache”, I had similar moments. Thank you both!
Coincidence? Or did you read just to the schedule, hahahaha. Ethereal yet elemental is a lovely way to put it! I might borrow that for my monthly wrap up 😉 So pleased we could read along together, sort of. Hope to see you on mums channel next week for Orbital.
❤😊
Really good summing up of this novel, it's beautiful and thought provoking and you just want to re read it at once. So agree with ( both) your videos!
So glad you enjoyed… and agreed 😉
This is such a special book. I loved it and I’m so very glad that you both loved it too.
I liked it a lot, really made me think. Still thinking about Helena. I could have had a whole book about her happily.
Love these parallel reading vlogs, this has been added to my TBR 😊
Soooo pleased you’re enjoying the reading vlogs, the next one is up on mums channel now.
I think this book will do well with the Booker Judges because it was born to be read and reread. I first read it a few months ago and I thought it was beautiful, and in some passages incredibly powerful… but I also was quite blurry about the last few chapters. I just reread it and , wow, it only gets better. In addition to all your great observations, I think another thread of the novel is how the dead return to us… through love, art, memory and moments that are ineffable, mysterious. I was blown away by the passages about photography and long exposures over time. I feel like I could pick up this book at any time and read a random paragraph with great satisfaction. A second reading cleared up most of my blurriness regarding how the last few chapters fit into the whole, but I definitely feel like this book would reveal new and rich layers upon every rereading. At this point, I’ve read every shortlisted title except Creation Lake, which I started reading today. I am hard pressed to choose a winner! This is a strong shortlist that offers so many different tones and reading experiences! But I sure wouldn’t be mad if Held ends up winning. Oh and to me this book is wintry, so full of snow…
It wasn’t me that said it was autumnal, it was lots of lovely other folk when they were recommending it to me. Ha. I liked it a lot. I still have a strong front runner though. Will see if that changes in the coming weeks.
Yes Louise it does make me physically ache It is a beautiful book
❤😊
Love hearing about your reading experiences from beginning to end. Really just want to say thank you both for doing these parallel reads, what a treat honestly 🌹
(All your videos are a treat btw)
So pleased you enjoyed it! Hope you enjoy the next five ahead.
❤😊
Great reviews. I enjoyed listening to both your thoughts on the winning book. 🙂
Ha, who says this is the winner, you never know. I wouldn’t mind if it was. Though there is one I’m particularly fond of. Sounds like you have a favourite of the six?
Love this format and love hearing what you both think about the novel
Glad you enjoyed it, you’ve a couple more of these now… and three to go.
Held is such a beautiful book. It definitely requires careful, focused reading and some deep thought, and I think it gets richer and more satisfying on a reread. The writing is really gorgeous but I do understand people who are put off by the way she tells the story. It’s not for everyone but I really liked it.
Yes, I would concur on your thoughts Cindy. It’s definitely not for everyone but I think for those who do get it it’s really something quite special. It will definitely be lingering with me for a while, that’s for sure, especially Helena. I really loved her.
I love this format ❤ I am reading along. Thank you
Glad you enjoyed the video. What did you think of Held?
I love this video, looking forward to more of your discussions on the shortlist. I felt a bit lost with this book, I think I probably need to reread it at a slower pace.
It’s not a speedy read despite its size and the vignette form, it’s definitely a book you have to think about and let linger with you a while.
I haven’t read Held but you two have made it sound pretty interesting, I might check it out! I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this style of video & am really looking forward to seeing you continue next week on your mom’s channel 🤍📚
So pleased you enjoyed the format. Is a fun way of doing it and really interesting to see where we agree or not as editing it. Ha.
Thank you - beautifully done! (I really liked this book, but had to read to read it twice.)
I can definitely see how it could benefit from a reread. Which is interesting as the judges will have read this a few times.
Hi Both 👋🏻
Very much enjoyed your ‘mirrored’ overview of HELD - views & feelings which I share 😌👍
I purchased the paperback (having first read a borrowed hardback from the library) so that I can reread 📖
Reread-ability seems to be a major thing in the discussions of the Booker this year, not sure why I’m surprised as they have to reread all the books so much.
📖👍🤓📖😉
Hi Simon - It was very interesting to hear both your thoughts and your mom's at various points of the book and see how your impressions of it compared. Can't wait for more about the shortlisted books. 😃
I just started reading Razorblade Tears. I'm just 50 pages in, but after 7 pages, I was already crying and by page 23, it had become ugly crying, so needless to say, I am already very invested in the story. Hoping to have time this weekend to dive in more. I also just finished Annie Bot (Sierra Greer) and I really enjoyed the commentary on the place AI is taking into our lives, the concept of "ownership" and the weird unbalanced relationship between Doug and Annie. I had no idea where the story was going to end up, and I am also impressed with how the author concluded the story. I have a feeling this might make my favorites' list this year, as this is the kind of book that I will remember and still think about after finishing it.
So pleased you enjoyed the ‘parallel reads’ style video. It’s nice to do something a bit different now and again. We may need to plan our catch up points a bit better with some of the bigger books especially, we were a teeny bit out of kilter at the start of this 🤣
@@SavidgeReads It's all part of you guys' charm 😁
I loved the way you guys did this! And your thoughts really aligned as far as overall feel and themes of the book. So interesting to see that. I really enjoyed this one and was on my list for making the shortlist.
It’s a really good book, I’m still quite mystified why it’s not had more love on the internet.
I was on the fence about it because of the format but I think I’m a check it out so I have a full understanding of the 2024 Booker Shortlist
I thought you meant you were on the fence about the format of these videos. Hahaha.
Insert Mario stepping on a 🍄 here - these videos are a power up for me , i appreciate y’all big time 📚 🪱 💚
Hahaha. I wonder if mum will get that reference 🍄
❤😊
Glad you both liked it. I'll place it on my want to read list, but I have so many others to get through first, including Demon Copperhead. I enjoyed Horrorstor and enjoying The Final Girl Support Group both by Grady Hendrix and an old book, An Adventure, on Time Travel, which I think Louise mentioned long ago, also, Witch Wood by John Buchan. Thank you.
Hope you enjoy it if you get to it!
Sooo pleased you loved it too ❤ Tracy Chevalier’s latest (The Glass Maker) does a very intriguing take on time shifting 😊
@@louisesavidgemuses4135 ooooh I’ll be reading that next week before I interview her up in Durham. Looking forward to both!
I wasn't really drawn to this book after seeing a few lukewarm reactions to it, but you two have made me think it's the kind of book I'll enjoy. 🤗🤗
I hope you do enjoy, if you decide to give it a whirl.
Thanks for a really great video on your thoughts of Held, which I have yet to read. Really enjoying this year's Booker and looking forward to your thoughts on the rest. 📚
Hope you keep enjoying them. Orbital is now on mums channel and Creation Lake will be on mine next week.
Thank you so much for sharing! We are putting together a video highlighting reactions to this year’s Booker Prize and would love to include this video. All footage will of course be credited. Please can you respond to let me know if we have your permission for use?
Hi there, absolutely, we have almost done all the shortlist on both our channels, we have two to go. James will be discussed on here on Sunday and Charlotte Wood's on mums channel next Wednesday.
I’ve just finished Held on audio. When I began I really wasn’t sure what I was reading? Was it a long prose poem? The writing was wonderful but I scored it 4star. It was very confusing. Beautiful pieces of writing but by the end I couldn’t see how it all came together. Maybe it would have been better if I had the book to refer to at the same time.
I can’t really comment as I didn’t do the audio… but a 4 star is really good. Lol.
Just started Held. The first chapter was very off-putting, and vignette-style writing bugs the hell out of me. But I'm going to continue reading, and seeing you two love it gives me an added boost. I suspected that you'd love the book everyone else on BookTube hates lol. Slowly making my way through the shortlist. Very annoyed that Stone Yard Devotional won't be released in the states until 2/25. Like, seriously? But I'll press on reading what's available to me.
If you don’t like it… stop. I’m not an advocate of reading things you aren’t enjoying. No matter what they’ve been shortlisted for or if everyone else loves them. Have you tried Blackwells for Stone Yard Devotional? Free shipping and I do think, unusually, the UK cover is a banger.
I thought you'd both like it.
And we did.
I'm one of those that didn't get this book at all. I loved the first part and their decendents but the addition of Marie Curie lost me entirely and 3 or so weeks on I have to say I can't remember much about it.
That’s fair enough. We can’t all love the same books, that would be very dull indeed. Will be able to see how it lasts with mum and I when we do our rankings and predictions in early November.
@SavidgeReads yes looking forward to watching both your thoughts on the other books
I enjoyed it until half way then I got lost. I feel like it would benefit from a second read.
It could indeed be one of those kind of books.