Friday Reads: Booker Predictions and Holding Onto Hope
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- It was a tough week (and a tough week for my reading), so let’s find some comfort and distraction in a Friday Reads and some thoughts about what might win the Booker. Expand for more information. 👇
Further Viewing 🎥
October Reading Wrap-Up: • Reading Wrap Up for Oc...
My November Book Haul Revisit: • Book Haul Revisit for ...
My Biggest Book Haul Ever: • My Biggest Book Haul E...
A Special Book Haul with Joel: • A Very Special Book Ha...
The End of the Year Book Tag: • The End of the Year Bo...
My Booker Shortlist Reaction: • Booker Prize Shortlist...
Last Friday Reads: • Friday Reads: Some Tou...
Jump to the Booker Prize Prediction: 09:21
Jump to the Friday Reads: 16:26
Titles Mentioned 📚
Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver: bookshop.org/a...
The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver: bookshop.org/a...
The Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver: bookshop.org/a...
James, Percival Everett: bookshop.org/a...
The Safekeep, Yael van der Wouden: bookshop.org/a...
Orbital, Samantha Harvey: bookshop.org/a...
Creation Lake, Rachel Kushner: bookshop.org/a...
Stone Yard Devotional, Charlotte Wood: bookshop.org/a...
Held, Anne Michaels: bookshop.org/a...
Yours Truly, Abby Jimenez: bookshop.org/a...
Just For the Summer, Abby Jimenez: bookshop.org/a...
Part of Your World, Abby Jimenez: bookshop.org/a...
Selamlik, Khaled Alesmael (translated by Leri Price): bookshop.org/a...
The Snow Child, Eowyn Ivey: bookshop.org/a...
My Affiliate Page on Bookshop: bookshop.org/s...
If you would like to support this channel, please feel free to use Super Thanks or the affiliate links to Bookshop, but please do not feel obligated. I appreciate your presence regardless.
But wait, there's more!
Email: supposedlyfungreg-at-gmail.com
Storygraph: app.thestorygr...
Instagram: / supposedlyfun
Website: supposedlyfun....
I feel like those who say separate politics from your channel don't realize how privileged a statement that is. Thanks for continuing to show up even when you don't feel peppy. ❤
The people who unsubscribe when you talk about politics are probably not the kind of people you want as subscribers anyway 😊
💯👏🏽
@@oliviatheresayessss!👍🏼
👍🏾
still we need you
Thank you for this. I needed it more than I realized. And reading is political, those who deny it are unwilling to confront reality. "Free people read freely." I am thankful for this community, especially in times like these. You've fostered a wonderful and safe little space on the internet
Free reading, yes! Books have been burned and banned throughout history.
Your channel is you. I appreciate your thoughts about all things!❤
Thanks for all you do Greg. Even where I am here in Australia, in my circle, there is a heaviness... a sense of shock... anxiety... And more no doubt. Sending everyone who might need it, my best wishes and hopes for goodness and positivity to prevail in the end. Please take care. Much love to you and to all who are muddling through right now. 🏳️🌈💪💙
Thank you, Australia! It helps to know there are people across the world who share our shock but still hope for good to prevail! 🙏🏻😻🌈💙
Thank you for being open and honest - we need more of this in the world. I also love Barbara Kingsolver - a voice of compassion and kindness. ❤
I think its incredibly ethical to care about your friends especially after something happens so emence for the whole world which will take hold of all our lives. Thankyou
Thank you. Also 3:31 and 3:55. Truer words were never spoken. I'm off to donate to the Trevor Project. Thanks for the reminder, I had been distracted by my own melancholy but I'm back now. And I'll be back for your next video.
Thank you for the encouraging thoughts, the Kingsolver message and Teddy's sweet face. It's been tough. I'm really hoping that James wins the Booker. Take care.
Just so glad to hear you talk today. That’s it. Thank you.
Still numb.
Ignore the people who say seperate politics from your channel. (unless too stressful which is fine) 90% of the books you tend to read tend to relate to marginalized experiences in some form. Those experiences are undeniably impacted by the political landscape. To say you can't speak on that because unrelated just demonstrates to me that those particular listeners have a surface level understanding of the lived experience of women/poc/lgbtq
Yes.
7:00 "Reading is political. Everything you do involves politics." 👏🥳💯 Especially in 2024! I need to know who thinks I have a right to stay alive and who doesn't!
I've been feeling the same, that I really want to know what is in people's heads and how they voted vs. just what's on the surface. I feel I have the right to know before expending my limited energy interacting with new people. And the right to know so I can avoid dangerous people. It will take a while for me to fill my meter back up with optimism, strength, and resilience, hopefully before the daily onslaught of outrages starts up next year.😢
Please know that the people who left your channel don't care about you or anyone beside themselves. These are the same people who will be pleasant in your presence and hate you in their hearts. I too am surprised that there are so few of the people in this country that voted for humanity and democracy and more who voted for hate and greed. You keep being you and you will be discovered by people who care more than those others. They never really had your back anyway. I love your channel and how you review, your brilliant and im glad I found you.
I'm so glad to see you!! I have been thinking of you and Joel and hoping you are ok. Just know that there are lots of people who support you. I have a biracial granddaughter and I am terrified for her as well. I lost my brother 3 weeks ago and with this election, the grief is huge. Beautiful, hopeful message from Barbara Kingsolver.
Greg, don't worry about dislikes or losing subscribers when you're talking politics or just being honest and venting about your feelings.. that short term loss will amount to a safer piece of the internet for you with a group of supporters and subscribers who will ultimately be a safer and more sympathetic group of supporters. So never apologize for saying whatever you feel like saying on your channel.
Agree
Sending hugs and love. Devastated for my American friends who didn't choose this.
The election has devastated me. Talk about politics everyone needs to vent. I still can’t believe this has happened
I am grieving
I’m grieving too. Know that you are SO not alone. Sending love and solidarity your way.
Just a little tip to contribute to something that can bring you comfort! Thank you so much for your amazing content!
That’s really kind ❤of you
Thank you so much!
I am with you. I feel such terror I can't relax for more than 90 seconds. I thought books would be a help. I can't read for more than a few minutes. Sending positive vibes to you and Joel.
Super big hugs to you. Lean in to whatever support you can find. Big hugs, special human
I began twice daily breathing exercises, there are plenty here on UA-cam. The Andrew Weil 4-7-8 is popular, there are many. Andrew Huberman has one, too.
Deep breaths.
I just started Anne Patchett's memoir Truth and Beauty, about a beautiful friendship she had. It's helping restore my faith in humanity. 💙
Thank you for this video. I shared on Facebook in a topic of how to cope with the election so some of us do care! In fact, that’s how I found you!!
Sending so much love Greg to you and all the like-minded kind hearted people of American. We all have such a cloud over us and please continue to do what you've been doing to date. Most of us love your message ❤
Do take care of yourself, it’s been a tough week. I hope your weekend is healing🤗
Thanks! There is more to say, but I'm not coming up with the words. Best wishes to us all.
I enjoy watching Supposedly Fun with my emotional support beverage.😁
Thank you so much for pushing through and postimg this week. It has been a comfort to me.
Kindness is political. I read recently that Jacinda Arden, former prime minister of New Zealand, is heading some sort of initiative for global leaders to lead with kindness and empathy. That's hopeful. For my own mental health this week, though, I am staying off social media and the news, and I'm not even American. Except for booktube of course. Thinking of you all over there xx
Thank you Greg! You're one of my favorite UA-camrs and love that you talked about politics on your platform. I myself have deactivated my Facebook and delated Instagramnand I don't know if i will return to either. I hope James wins the Booker. It's probably my favorite book of this year!
Thank you Greg ❤❤❤❤❤ I especially came on to hear the first part. Going in my head: when people say, we don't talk about politics here, now I know I can say, oh so you don't talk about life.
Yes, good to have some Teddy and thanks so much for your words and Barbara Kingsolver's, at this challenging time. It's been a terrible outcome and I couldn't agree more about being here for each other. Sending my love to everyone as we continue to digest what's happened (whether in the US, UK as I am, everywhere). I think it's important for you to speak about politics - it will always be in the mix! Rooting for 'James' (though haven't been interested to read 'S.Y. Devotional', 'Held' or 'Creation Lake'). Take care everyone xx
Truth is, books--- along with all art--- are political. Whether a romantic comedy, whether the most award-winning literature, to a slasher horror story, all books are political. Because politics is the world around us. It is a part of humanity. In any case, I am grateful for your channel.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate the quote from Barbara Kingsolver. And you are so right that there is a danger in admiring ppl we don’t know personally. While it’s then a really comforting experience when that person then surprise us that they hood shared values - and actually speak about them.
Politics is everywhere and it’s very personal. The way we feel is very valid to address - and confront tbh. So I definitely agree that there is no separating it, and I really think it’s almost deluded and also very entitled to ask/tell someone to “leave it alone”… It’s also very valuable to know where ppl stand bc complacency and complicity is just not acceptable.
Hope you take care of yourself and do with your channel what you want 🥰
I wanted to let you know that I finally got my hands on Dearborn and LOVED it. I grew up near Dearborn and loved the nostalgic feelings it brought up in me. Btw I am doing a news fast as a coping mechanism. I need to find a sense of calm. I want to feel optimistic again.
Greg thank you so much for this video. This year I have had lot of lost and your words at the beginning of video resonated with me. I appreciate the powerful message and needed to hear it. Your voice, thoughts are really important and have provided me some comfort. I haven’t had the best reading year, but I always look forward to your videos. I did read “The Snow Child” in a book club a few years ago. I finished “James” a few weeks ago. I really enjoyed it and found it quite interesting reading it through the lens Jim. I have since given it to my brother to read and he enjoyed it as well. The two of us have had great discussions about it. I hope you and Joel have a great weekend and take care of yourselves. Thanks for the distraction.❤
Be the Voice ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🏳️🌈♾️♿
Thank you for this video. It brought me great comfort. I sure hope James wins the Booker-I need something in the win column.
Knowing how hard this week has been, I can only imagine how you are feeling. But I hope in time you will still post what you want regardless of how some may react. Your T-Shirt message is important in so many ways right now and something I have been thinking about myself since Tuesday. I know I plan to use mine more going forward . . .
Just picked up Stone Yard Devotional from my library in Virginia, USA.
Keep doing what you are doing. I have been in denial about the outcome and will someday face the fact.
I hate to see you hurting, sending virtual non-creepy stranger hugs!! I tried everything to get a copy of Stoneyard Devotional, no luck. I’m still finishing the remaining shortlist so I’m reserving judgement on who I think should win. You will laugh when I say, that as of now, Orbital is my front runner. I’m utterly captivated by it. I have always avoided stories about space and never understood why anyone would want to go there. Orbital has changed that for me…I love how the book just meditates on the present experiences and thoughts of those rotating around the Earth. How small we are and how none of us chose the responsibility of it but yet here we are. It feels very profound particularly now as everyone is so divided. I agree James is a media darling but don’t you think the Booker may want to kill its darling? 😂
don't dispair tomorrow eill be better. I feel I know you watching your excellent video. you are good people
You are wonderful! Normally, I'd say politics should be separated from a channel about books. However, this election was about morality and caring about our fellow humans. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Please keep doing what you're doing, following your heart. If there is anything I'm not interested in, I usually just ff through it, simple. Your review of books (and sharing your fur baby) shouldn't be missed. Unite in humanity and compassion! ✊
you are the best and I and others will be there for you
Thanks for all your book updates and I appreciate your honesty at all times. Your discussion of James has been very convincing and even though I havent read it, it sounds like a winner!
Try to have a chill weekend and enjoy each moment. That's🪅really all we have!!!
Happy Saturday! I hope you have a great weekend.
I wanted to comment on your last video but time got away from me. Thank you for posting and allowing others this much needed distraction/ escapism even when it was the last thing you felt like doing
Well said, and I can’t begin to imagine how it feels over there- my office in the UK was deflated and worried the day after. Sending the hugest amount of love and hope your way- I love that Kingsolver quote, and I hope you can take some time to rest, process and come back swinging.
Take it easy, and I totally understand that feeling of avoidance. Do whatever you need to do, and we’ll be here to support. ❤
Love from Canada 🇨🇦 you folks can come visit anytime. The people in charge here are totally different. They can fib in French and English. (too soon?) I listen to 'The Dogs Who Found Me' by Ken Foster on audio in tough times. Highly recommend.
❤
Thank you, Greg. ❤
Those of us in far flung countries really don’t see what your countrymen see in the golden ass , sending you love from New Zealand and hope that dystopia is not coming
Specifically to check in and comfort each other this week, some friends and I got together on Discord last night to play some Jackbox party games. Not everyone could make it, but just the discussions involved in setting up a potential chat time were good to let us know we're loved, not alone, and have a future and folks worth fighting for. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🏳️🌈♾️♿
Yup, just found your channel as a respite from our Elections. Love getting recommendations for my bookshelf. Thanks!!
Thank you so much!
Thanks
Held is beautifully written but confusing. Orbital is meditative and I kept falling asleep listening to it ( a good thing for my insomnia) . Do not read Sone Yard Devotional if you fear mice. I DNFd Creation Lake.
I’ve started listening to The Snow Child and loving it. I’m also listening to
There Are Rivers In The Sky
Playground
Wandering Stars
The Pairing
Yes. You have to keep doing your good.
Had to switch my TBR (after Tuesday 😢) to more comfort reads for now. I’m finishing up “The Kamogawa Food Detectives” then , Autumn by Ali Smith after that Part of Your World🙂 . Like you and Joel I ready “Just for the Summer” first 😏
Thinking of you and Greg, please take good care of each other. Thank you for 'being a much needed voice ' your support for this community may grow, good I say, get louder talk more if needed. As a straight married older lady living in England, be aware you have support here to, much chatter about the situation, sending a warm hugs and best wishes.
Hi Greg, like you I've been feeling numb. Physically, in different parts of my body. Also sharp headaches, and so cold I can't get warm unless I'm under a heated blanket. Usually I don't listen to a lot of audiobooks, but since I had to stay under the covers I was able to finish The Bright Sword before Libby returned it. What a surprise. Before Tuesday I was sure I wouldn't get through the over 23 hours of that lovely chunkster!
Now I'm reading Less for my library's book club, and I thought of you. To wonder how you've been and send caring vibes, but also wondered if you read this one for your Pulitzer project. I'm not done reading it yet, but so far I think you'd really like it 💙
I can't remember if you read poetry, but a Colorado poet, Rosemerry Trommer, posted poems on her blog A Hundred Falling Veils (from November 4,5,7, and 8) that seemed like a response to the election, in a strengthening way. Gavin Newsome was also interviewed on a UA-cam and had words of encouragement.
I had no problem with anything you said about politics. Clearly the Friday Reads format includes sharing what's going on with whatever BookTuber is making the video, so it's a particularly personal format. I agree with the comments that said unsubscribers probably weren't your audience anyway. "Rejection is protection."
It's clear to me that life cannot be separated from reading. Also, your message about the importance of voting was 100% spot on. Apparently he got around the same number of votes as the last time he won, but less people who we thought would be on our side bothered to cast their votes this time. I feel betrayed by those people and feel alienated. So for me it really makes a difference to see you having the courage to speak your truth on UA-cam, which makes me feel less alone. It's a gift that you put out into the world, and I deeply appreciate it. 💚
I think its a battle between James and Stone Yard Devotional for 1st place. The battle for third place I think is between Safekeep and Held.
The loss of our democratic values at the top tier of government does not mean we can’t work to make changes from the local
level up. I’m grieving the death of my black cat who died the day before Election Day so I was already grieving before the votes were even counted. I’m missing him and still find myself putting down a dish of food for him. So getting my head around a fascist being elected has not been a priority for me. But I have already written dozens of letters to newspapers editors to explain the danger Trump poses and how we can begin the process of protesting against hard line policies he may wish to impose. One foot in front of the other. Educate the public on Democrats values. Voters obviously don’t trust us; that has to change if we are to Win Congress back in two years. It can happen!
Have not read all the books you have mentioned yet. You are the book experts I trust the most. Your discussions have enlightened me on books I might not otherwise choose to buy. Will
Make a book haul of these soon. Love you guys and Teddy!
do, and we all should, talk about politics when it matters,,or when it is about to turn ur life upside down..love from Pakistan
I’ve been loosely keeping track of what I read that was suggested by you. There is some overlap as I read the lists and search out books I might like too. Loved The Sakekeep, read it last month! And T J Klune, yes! And I’m not usually a fantasy reader.
There are so many of us who share a different path politically. And I am grateful for you all!
THANK YOU!! And Keep doing what you’re doing! 🫶🏻
Existence is political. Every choice every day is political. If others can't see that, they are extremely privileged, and it's clear why they don't understand why we're all devastated. I'm taking a news sabbatical currently, because it's all just so horrible. I'm about a third of the way through Stone Yard Devotional and enjoying it. I got my copy on Ebay, for those who are still looking for it. I loved James, but I am hoping for The Safekeep to creep in there as the underdog; that book is so prize-worthy. I know you loved it, Greg -- what do you think about it sneaking in and grabbing the prize? Since I've never had a channel, I know nothing about subscribers, views, and likes, but I hope/believe your statistics will even out. I think your people will find you, and stay, just like I did -- because of your politics. Sending you and Joel giant, devastating-election-results hugs, because this sh*t hurts. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜😭😭😭
You got a new subscriber in me due to your mentioning of current politics. I read books on civil rights, feminism etc which by definition are political and I don’t know how any reader can avoid at least some politics when they read.
You’re our emotional support booktuber. Keep going, please.
Awwwwww tysm for sharing Kingsolver’s beautiful message 💔 🤍 💙
I follow FOR the political content! I think we need to get more comfortable talking politics. Sending you strength fro Canada. You talk about whatever feels true to you! and still books obviously! lol :)
How funny. I liked Creation Lake and hated Stone Yard Devotional 🤪
Sorry the election has hit you so hard. I am from the Uk and remember how upset I was over the brexit vote even almost demonising those who voted for it. But then I looked at my core values and that I believe in democracy and realised if I was to live by my values it was important for me to accept the will of the majority and not other them but try to understand some of their reasons for voting for brexit.
Apologies for doubling up on comments but took it in two parts!
On the Friday reads bit of the video:
I’d love to see James or Stone Yard Devotional win! I’m so curious about whether the 5 women vs 1 man dynamic will play into it, especially after 4 years of male winners, but I think Held or Stone Yard might get it- I think they’re books that might reveal slightly more on the third read.
Selamlik is good, I hope you enjoy the rest of it! Without spoiling anything, I thought it was great that the book shows the eroticism and closeness he can have in Syria, instead of it just being a more standard ‘Syria bad, Sweden good’ thing.
I just loved the audio of The Poisonwood Bible.
2:50 🙏🙏🙏
I love books and reading, especially American literature. I studied American Studies at a British university and have lived and travelled all around the US. I am a new subscriber and I am here for the politics. The arts, especially literature, flourish under more conservative governments and in times of uncertainty. It's one thing to look forward to.
Hooray for AJ! ❤❤❤
She did it again!
I like your clips and the energy you bring to books. If it's any comfort, there are far more dismal places around the world you could be living in right now... (my) Israel being one of them. Good to think of hope not as a metaphysical given, but as a choice: choose hope, prioritize moral long run achievements (slavery, women rights, gay rights...). That is to say that in some important areas the 'world' is making huge strides forward... Consider, btw, a clip about hopeful books - love/grace/gratitude/generosity in oppressive circumstances. Be well
I listened to the audiobooks of part of your world and yours truly. I dnf'd just for the summer. Also I learnt that Nadia Cakes which is mentioned in the series is a real bakery owned by Abby Jimenez.
I sm so sad and frightened! the worst is he was legit with a mandate. america broke up with us.
Love the T-shirt. Is there a way to order it?
I'm going to embarrass myself here and confess that I am probably among people that don't realize or didn't realize the political nature of a book. Years and years ago I read a book by libba Bray called a Great and Terrible Beauty. Because she enjoyed at the time. Harry Potter series (all her Harry Potter books have now found a new home in the dumpster). The book has the young girl featured in the story going to a school after her mother dies and discovers she has the ability to travel in and out of different realms. Anyway, she read the book and I asked her what she thought as I thought it was just a cute little story about this girl in her classmates early Victorian times in London. My daughter asked me if we read the same book. Come to find out the book was about feminism in the Victorian age and I totally didn't get that. I will now having read many books later and found people like you Greg on booktube that have helped me understand books on a level that I never did. So perhaps there are many people that don't realize like myself, the political nature of some of the things they're reading because they're not aware of the symbolism and a more critical take on what they're reading. I left some booktube channels because either the commenters or the booktubers said they wanted to separate out their reading from politics and social issues and I just unsubscribed because it seemed so short-sighted to make those comments. Anyway, keep up the great work. I've been following you for a while now and I am forever grateful that you are in my internet life LOL❤
Thanks dude
I am hoping for Held to win, but would be happy to see James at the top too.
You also thought Martyr would be a possible winner
❤
💙 📚 🥰
My vote would be for Held
Thanks for this video, it's hard to do things like this when your heart is not in it. As someone from across the pond, I like hearing about how people are feeling about the result. I'm very thankful that the UK seemed to buck the extreme right this year and elected a left wing government. Booker wise, I do wonder about the optics of James winning from an otherwise female list. I think Orbital may be in with a chance even though I like you didn't enjoy it. My favourite from the shortlist is The Safe Keep which is unlikely to win. Also agree on SYD as a dark horse.
Talking about politics is reasonable and an important field of connection - but beyond that there’s probably not a lot of usefulness in it. Times and situations may change, when “stepping up” becomes more necessary, but not now. Peace.
I appreciate your videos. I know you want to grow your channel but it’s not good to get stifled or silenced. That’s the goal of a dictatorship.
I dont understand the fear/despair and I am sorry you are suffering. Elections happen every four years. I blame the media for fear mongering but I am 75 and perhaps see things differently. Take care.
Project 2025…
@ Trump has disavowed Project 2025, not sure why it keeps coming up. Think I will dig further about it. Thanks.
Sorry for the original info dump. May I suggest a short video? The channel olurinatti has one titled "Lawyer Breaks Down Project 2025." It's only about 25 minutes long.
@Kranhu You do realize T**** is a liar and that Vance wrote the forward. Also, many people that 'worked' in his first administration were involved in writing Project 2025. It is the Blue Print for tskung over America.
Well I´m not going anywhere ❤❤🩹Some people might leave, but others will join. Keep doing your thing🙌❤
Thanks Greg, I’m not a very emotional person but this has been a gut punch and I’m heartbroken…I guess we just cling to our furry friends and try to be there for each other. I’ll be thinking of you guys and all my marginalized friends.🥲
You can talk about whatever you want. It's your UA-cam channel. I have also been leaning into the cinnamon bun reads since that awful day. I am interested in The Snow Child and am currently reading Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez. It has a cute dog! 🙂🫶💔
My personal top 4 move around day to day - James , Orbital, The Safekeep , and Stone Yard Devotional, but the latter tends to be in first place most lately . 📖🪱💚
I feel like James, Orbital, and Stone Yard Devotional all have strong cases for winning