This was an absolute treat to watch and to get to look forward to 🙌 Bringing back the parallel reads is an excellent idea, in my humble opinion. Great point as well that the judges read these books more than once, so it’s going to be so interesting to hear how that experience is for you. Along with having read and not read huckleberry ahead of james. Really glad you decided to read the shortlist together. And the magpie bookish eyes - very relatable 😍
I just finished Stone Yard Devotional. I felt it was a really powerful book about various types of grief: for a life lost, for things said and unfair, for most relationships, for the ones we've lost, for a life violated by external influences... Beautiful.
Hooray for this! I have read the whole longlist but there has been a lot of emphasis on rereading in the judges’ comments and I definitely want to reread at least a few of the shortlisted titles. My Friends is definitely worth reading and Enlightenment is my favorite of the books on the longlist, so those omissions sting but I do think this is a very solid shortlist. Will not say more until your joint discussions of the individual books.
Yes I had noticed quite a few mentions of the rereads and books can go in so many different directions with a reread. It’s why I don’t do it very much, in fact I think it’s only been reading for prizes that has made me do it in the last decade. Too many other books to read.
Orbital is the only one I’ve read so far and it’s a sure favourite for 2024. I’m inspired to read the other two you’ve already read - stone yard devotional and the safekeep because I love historical fiction. Thanks for sharing your schedule for re-reading, got some structure to work with as I tackle the others
Stone Yard Devotional isn’t historical, I should just add that for fairness. Ha. It has a timeless feel though, the pandemic could be in the past, it could be the one we’ve just been through, it could even be one in the future. That’s another thing I really loved about it, the out of timeness.
I'm currently reading my first book from the shortlist, The Safekeep, and am very much enjoying it. Looking forward to the shortlist videos. Love your sweater/ cardigan!☺
Thanking you, the cardigan is a bit Bet Lynch but we all need a bit of that in our wardrobes. Hahaha. Glad to hear you’re enjoying The Safekeep, I’m a big fan of that book!
Held has my vote. It’s a book that doesn’t give it to you on a plate. In fact you may have to bring your own plate. It will however hold your hand. Feel the gaps. Breathe. Give it space. Be held. You will get out of it what it let’s you put in. Stunning book.
I was going through a reading dump when I read them and don’t think there the types of books to read when you're in one. Plus listened to stone yard on audio and while the narrator was great, I think I would of preferred to have read the physical copy.
Simon - I need to very much thank you. I read Orbital after seeing you talk about its release and it’s now among my favourite books, I absolutely love it! ❤
Reading Held now. I’m finding it a slow meditative read-beautifully done. Recently finished Enlightenment and that book will stay with me for a long time. Love the read-a-long idea. Yay!!! Happy dance!!!
Enlightenment I meant to mention as I am super duper keen to finish that. I started it before I had a mad busy fortnight so need to get back to that one. Maybe this week actually.
I loved There There and will probably also read Wandering Stars. I definitely want to read Stone Yard Devotional, but I think I’ll wait for the paperback release in Canada. 💜
I definitely want to read There There at some point. I bought it after so much chatter about Wandering Stars. Fingers crossed the shortlisting will mean that Stone Yard Devotional will get a release in North America now.
Yay 🎉 booker shortlist vids are happening 🙌🏻 so excited! Love your cardigan 🐆 👍🏻 I must say I really envy people who read and loved Orbital. I read it and didn’t dislike it but I did need to imagine Morgan Freeman narrate it to keep me going. But I know it’s me and not the book because it a genius writing just if anyone out there needs to keep the focus on this type of story Mr Freeman is your man 😉 try it thank me later.
Hahaha. I love that you imagined Morgan Freeman reading it. That’s brilliant. I have wondered about heading to some of the rereads on audio, hmmmm food for thought.
I really think Safekeep is going to take the prize, however , Stone Devotional has stronger writing and moved me more. Orbital was another favorite, but I feel it is too meditative to take the prize. However, according to the Booker judges, a Booker Book is a book someone will want to re read over time, and that would be all 3 of those 🤷🏻♀️ I haven’t read Held or Creation Lake, they are on my stack in my reading room. I am predicting James to win a the National Book Prize, as it was just longlisted there along with My Friends. However, I am currently reading Yr Dead by Sam Sax, also longlisted for the National Book Award in that same category and really being moved by it so far. Have fun reading these with your Mum!
I loooooooved Yr Dead, well if loved is the right term. Was sad not to see it shortlisted. I’m currently still hoping Stone Yard Devotional wins, it’ll be interesting to see how a reread of that goes and if the final two I’ve not yet read change my ranking. We shall see!
Interesting to see what made the short list. "James" was already on my TBR and I know my library has it. I might borrow it next month if I manage to get through what I have already borrowed from the library in time. I read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer a good twenty years ago so I don't know how much of the book I remember.
James should be able to be read as a standalone to be up for the prize I feel. It’ll be interesting to see how mum and I get on with it, her having read Huckleberry Finn and me not. Time will tell.
I hope it does too. Lovely to have you reading along with us. Though don’t put any pressure on yourself with it (I mean both reading and joining in) it’s meant to be fun.
I'm really intrigued by Creation Lake as I also love Slow Horses. I'm resisting watching the new season episodes so I can binge them all in one go - I'm feeling better about that decision now 🙂
Held for the win! Loved it, it's the only one I'd consider buying too. I might pick up a secondhand copy of Charlotte Wood's too. I would not be disappointed if Wood Wins. I'm reading Creation Lake at the moment and enjoying it. Overall a strong shortlist. I'll have a go at Orbital again from the page only because the audiobook didn't do it for me. I've still got Headshot and Wandering Stars to go and then I'll have completed the longlist. Happy Reading, I'm interested to see what you and Louise think about these ones. Cherio
No I’m sorry I can’t talk about anything that’s not Booker related until further notice. Hahahaha. Joking obviously. Still Life, and indeed all Sarah’s books, are favourites of mine. I hope you enjoy it!
See, I don’t know why but I feel that’s cheating. Both watching the movie and indeed knowing Huckleberry before reading James. As it’s been shortlisted it surely must stand on its own, so that’s what I wanna find out. Thank you for the tip off though.
I believe it does stand on its own but we have such a long history with Twain(required reading in school) and honestly it doesn’t travel into the future well…you might find Huck Finn and Twain’s writing more impactful after reading James? I appreciate your recommendation for The Safekeep. I enjoyed it! I also want to pick up my friends. I’m intrigued. As homage to your mom right now I’m reading Hera by Jennifer Saint.
I wish I could read all of them, but I only got Orbital on my Kindle. Maybe if I see the others on sale I could read them before November, if not I'll wait like before until I get them all when they're on sale eventualy :))) (I'm poor and in a non-English-speaking country :(((( lol) Where did you get that nice cardigan?? Spill, please :)
The cardigan is from Boohoo Men. I’ve wanted something leopard print for ages and the insta ads got me in the end 🤣 We will be talking about Orbital next week. Hope you’ll join in with the chat on mums channel then.
I think one can appreciate Demon Copperhead, for example, without having read David Copperfield, but I think you lose so much by reading James without having read Huck Finn. The contrast is the whole point.
I totally get that, though I read Demon Copperhead without having read David Copperfield and loved it regardless. So think I will do the same with this as the Booker books should all stand alone on their own two feet, well their own spine anyway. Hahaha.
I didn't read Huckleberry Finn before James, though I did look up the plot summary beforehand, which I found helpful! I don't feel as though my enjoyment of James was impacted by not having actually read it :) Really recommend reading My Friends at some point! I'm gutted it didn't make the shortlist.
I think you join many, many folk who feel that way about My Friends. Good to know how you got on with James without reading Huck Finn, I don’t think I’m even going to read the summary. Just go in rogue lol
Videos with your mum are going to be a real treat! I’m rooting for Stone Yard Devotional to win.
I am too, think it will take quite the book to sway me elsewise.
I’m currently reading…”James”-so many feelings yet rewarding on many levels!
Ooh that sounds good!
Do you think you need to read the original mark twain books to fully understand it? I want to read it but idk if i should reread mark twain first
Just added Orbital to my reading list, I got the Kindle version 99p today. Currently working my way through Lessons in Chemistry
Hope you’ll join us for the Orbital chat on mums channel next week!
This was an absolute treat to watch and to get to look forward to 🙌 Bringing back the parallel reads is an excellent idea, in my humble opinion. Great point as well that the judges read these books more than once, so it’s going to be so interesting to hear how that experience is for you. Along with having read and not read huckleberry ahead of james. Really glad you decided to read the shortlist together. And the magpie bookish eyes - very relatable 😍
Hope you enjoy the first one which is up on the channel now.
I just finished Stone Yard Devotional. I felt it was a really powerful book about various types of grief: for a life lost, for things said and unfair, for most relationships, for the ones we've lost, for a life violated by external influences... Beautiful.
Glad you enjoyed it so much. I’m looking forward to a reread and also to finding out what mum makes of it!
Just finished the audiobook this morning and enjoyed it very much.
Yeah for you guys reading the Shortlist. Very exciting!! Love the cardy, looks very cosy.
I’m really looking forward to the reads and rereads. When I filmed this it was literally the first proper autumnal day. Delightful 🍂
Hooray for this! I have read the whole longlist but there has been a lot of emphasis on rereading in the judges’ comments and I definitely want to reread at least a few of the shortlisted titles. My Friends is definitely worth reading and Enlightenment is my favorite of the books on the longlist, so those omissions sting but I do think this is a very solid shortlist. Will not say more until your joint discussions of the individual books.
Yes I had noticed quite a few mentions of the rereads and books can go in so many different directions with a reread. It’s why I don’t do it very much, in fact I think it’s only been reading for prizes that has made me do it in the last decade. Too many other books to read.
Orbital is the only one I’ve read so far and it’s a sure favourite for 2024. I’m inspired to read the other two you’ve already read - stone yard devotional and the safekeep because I love historical fiction. Thanks for sharing your schedule for re-reading, got some structure to work with as I tackle the others
Stone Yard Devotional isn’t historical, I should just add that for fairness. Ha. It has a timeless feel though, the pandemic could be in the past, it could be the one we’ve just been through, it could even be one in the future. That’s another thing I really loved about it, the out of timeness.
@@SavidgeReads sounds brilliant! thanks for clarifying
Happy to know of your reading plan and future videos together, you are both appreciated.
Awwww thank you!
I'm currently reading my first book from the shortlist, The Safekeep, and am very much enjoying it. Looking forward to the shortlist videos. Love your sweater/ cardigan!☺
Thanking you, the cardigan is a bit Bet Lynch but we all need a bit of that in our wardrobes. Hahaha. Glad to hear you’re enjoying The Safekeep, I’m a big fan of that book!
Held has my vote. It’s a book that doesn’t give it to you on a plate. In fact you may have to bring your own plate. It will however hold your hand. Feel the gaps. Breathe. Give it space. Be held. You will get out of it what it let’s you put in. Stunning book.
It’s a very good book, not my favourite, but very good.
Read all of them but may re-read orbital and stone yard devotional.
Looking forward to seeing your and Louise’s thoughts
Oooh why those two in particular?
I was going through a reading dump when I read them and don’t think there the types of books to read when you're in one. Plus listened to stone yard on audio and while the narrator was great, I think I would of preferred to have read the physical copy.
Simon - I need to very much thank you. I read Orbital after seeing you talk about its release and it’s now among my favourite books, I absolutely love it! ❤
I’m soooooooooooo pleased to hear this 🪐
Am already on book two 😊❤❤❤Love doing this 🎉
Was so interesting to see both our thoughts on Held. Quite similar in some ways.
Reading Held now. I’m finding it a slow meditative read-beautifully done. Recently finished Enlightenment and that book will stay with me for a long time. Love the read-a-long idea. Yay!!! Happy dance!!!
Enlightenment I meant to mention as I am super duper keen to finish that. I started it before I had a mad busy fortnight so need to get back to that one. Maybe this week actually.
A great idea of reading with your mum (we share a birthday:)) and thank you for the dates 🎉
Awww happy birthday in advance.
I loved There There and will probably also read Wandering Stars. I definitely want to read Stone Yard Devotional, but I think I’ll wait for the paperback release in Canada. 💜
I definitely want to read There There at some point. I bought it after so much chatter about Wandering Stars. Fingers crossed the shortlisting will mean that Stone Yard Devotional will get a release in North America now.
Yay 🎉 booker shortlist vids are happening 🙌🏻 so excited!
Love your cardigan 🐆 👍🏻
I must say I really envy people who read and loved Orbital. I read it and didn’t dislike it but I did need to imagine Morgan Freeman narrate it to keep me going. But I know it’s me and not the book because it a genius writing just if anyone out there needs to keep the focus on this type of story Mr Freeman is your man 😉 try it thank me later.
Hahaha. I love that you imagined Morgan Freeman reading it. That’s brilliant. I have wondered about heading to some of the rereads on audio, hmmmm food for thought.
@@SavidgeReads 😁👍🏻
I really think Safekeep is going to take the prize, however , Stone Devotional has stronger writing and moved me more.
Orbital was another favorite, but I feel it is too meditative to take the prize. However, according to the Booker judges, a Booker Book is a book someone will want to re read over time, and that would be all 3 of those 🤷🏻♀️ I haven’t read Held or Creation Lake, they are on my stack in my reading room. I am predicting James to win a the National Book Prize, as it was just longlisted there along with My Friends. However, I am currently reading Yr Dead by Sam Sax, also longlisted for the National Book Award in that same category and really being moved by it so far. Have fun reading these with your Mum!
I loooooooved Yr Dead, well if loved is the right term. Was sad not to see it shortlisted. I’m currently still hoping Stone Yard Devotional wins, it’ll be interesting to see how a reread of that goes and if the final two I’ve not yet read change my ranking. We shall see!
I'm in with the schedule
Have you read Held yet? The video is up lol!
Interesting to see what made the short list. "James" was already on my TBR and I know my library has it. I might borrow it next month if I manage to get through what I have already borrowed from the library in time. I read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer a good twenty years ago so I don't know how much of the book I remember.
James should be able to be read as a standalone to be up for the prize I feel. It’ll be interesting to see how mum and I get on with it, her having read Huckleberry Finn and me not. Time will tell.
My Friends was my favourite but I also loved Stoneyard Devotional
That’s the one I’m hoping is going to win. It’ll take quite the book to make me change my mind.
I am reading the Western Wind by Samatha Harvey because I liked Orbital. So far its good. The other books intrigue me as well.
I really love Samantha Harvey’s writing. Hope you enjoy The Western Wind as much as I did.
Ooh I’ve been in a bit of a fiction slump, so hopefully reading along w you two will help get me out of the non fiction tunnel I’ve fallen into!!
I hope it does too. Lovely to have you reading along with us. Though don’t put any pressure on yourself with it (I mean both reading and joining in) it’s meant to be fun.
I'm really intrigued by Creation Lake as I also love Slow Horses. I'm resisting watching the new season episodes so I can binge them all in one go - I'm feeling better about that decision now 🙂
I should have sticked to my guns and saved all the episodes for a binge. Drats. I really want to read the books actually.
Held for the win! Loved it, it's the only one I'd consider buying too. I might pick up a secondhand copy of Charlotte Wood's too. I would not be disappointed if Wood Wins. I'm reading Creation Lake at the moment and enjoying it. Overall a strong shortlist. I'll have a go at Orbital again from the page only because the audiobook didn't do it for me. I've still got Headshot and Wandering Stars to go and then I'll have completed the longlist. Happy Reading, I'm interested to see what you and Louise think about these ones. Cherio
Oooh mum and my thoughts on Held are now up. Will we concur? Will we disagree? You’ll have to watch. Ha.
@@SavidgeReads Hahaha... you tease... I will be watching....love to watch either agree or disagree Ha! :D
@@kimswhims8435ooh I know 😉
I really want to read the shortlist with you, I have never read any prize list in one go so it is a new challenge for me 😊
Hooray! Hope you enjoying reading along!
The three I have to read
James
Held
Creation Lake
Oooh snap!!!
On a non-Booker note I have just started ‘Still Life’ by Sarah Winman which I remember being a favourite of yours.
No I’m sorry I can’t talk about anything that’s not Booker related until further notice. Hahahaha. Joking obviously. Still Life, and indeed all Sarah’s books, are favourites of mine. I hope you enjoy it!
Hi Simon, FYI…there is an old film of Huckleberry Finn with Micky Rooney if you want a speedy introduction?
See, I don’t know why but I feel that’s cheating. Both watching the movie and indeed knowing Huckleberry before reading James. As it’s been shortlisted it surely must stand on its own, so that’s what I wanna find out. Thank you for the tip off though.
I believe it does stand on its own but we have such a long history with Twain(required reading in school) and honestly it doesn’t travel into the future well…you might find Huck Finn and Twain’s writing more impactful after reading James? I appreciate your recommendation for The Safekeep. I enjoyed it! I also want to pick up my friends. I’m intrigued. As homage to your mom right now I’m reading Hera by Jennifer Saint.
I wish I could read all of them, but I only got Orbital on my Kindle. Maybe if I see the others on sale I could read them before November, if not I'll wait like before until I get them all when they're on sale eventualy :))) (I'm poor and in a non-English-speaking country :(((( lol)
Where did you get that nice cardigan?? Spill, please :)
The cardigan is from Boohoo Men. I’ve wanted something leopard print for ages and the insta ads got me in the end 🤣 We will be talking about Orbital next week. Hope you’ll join in with the chat on mums channel then.
I’m guessing your cats love that cardi.😸
I’ll be honest. They’ve been quite ambivalent to it unless I am wearing it when i am feeding them. Hahaha.
I think one can appreciate Demon Copperhead, for example, without having read David Copperfield, but I think you lose so much by reading James without having read Huck Finn. The contrast is the whole point.
I totally get that, though I read Demon Copperhead without having read David Copperfield and loved it regardless. So think I will do the same with this as the Booker books should all stand alone on their own two feet, well their own spine anyway. Hahaha.
I didn't read Huckleberry Finn before James, though I did look up the plot summary beforehand, which I found helpful! I don't feel as though my enjoyment of James was impacted by not having actually read it :)
Really recommend reading My Friends at some point! I'm gutted it didn't make the shortlist.
I think you join many, many folk who feel that way about My Friends. Good to know how you got on with James without reading Huck Finn, I don’t think I’m even going to read the summary. Just go in rogue lol