I haven't yet read 2023 books. I'm just enjoying my book list, but I'm posting just to ask if people really love Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow? It reads like YA (maybe it improves after a chapter?) And the writer doesn't come across as being a gamer, just slings in names of popular games like Donkey Kong.
I didn't like tomorrow x 3, but I do know a lot of people who did like it. Personally I thought it started okay and got worse. As for the gamer thing, I don't think that's the reason to read the book. I don't think Zevin did a bad job, but it could have been swapped for books, board games or movies.
I think people think the switch from fiction to short stories is easy but it really isn't. I was so disappointed by 19 claws as a well 😭 Since the vegetarian I have had no interest in han kang's books. I guess Pod and the dog and the north means you're not a big fan of animal povs / animal lead roles in fiction? I have had the power by naomi alderman on my shelf forever but unhauled it last year because I realised I had no interest 💀 Zadie Smith 😭 I love her concepts and she as an author is admire when she speaks and talks on subjects... but I have not gotten on with a single book of hers. And I have tried three of them. Three strikes and you're out in my book, so I didn't consider the fraud for a second >.>
I am unsurprised Zadie Smith is a fantastic public speaker. Um, that's an interesting question about the animal narrative. I don't think I have an issue with it, but I can't think of a book with it in that I like and I can think of several I don't. Such an interesting observation.
I know myself well enough to know that I should, and did, avoid reading In Ascension, Prophet Song, The Fraud, and Pod. Should have skipped The Dog of the North, which I was prepared to love, and is now in a pile waiting to be delivered to Goodwill. Reading Study for Obedience was torture. Thanks for validating my reading disappointments, and Happy New Year!
i should have listened to you about "The Fraud" instead of the majority.... I can't get that time today back. was so hoping I would as well be against your point. it was a worthy subject, and an important one in parts, but it felt SO muddled and just all over the place and somehow managed to be incredibly tedious despite some actually really lovely thoughts and prose from time to time. i feel like a good book was tied into a tangled knot that gets to the point where a brush has to be replaced with scissors.
@@GunpowderFictionPlot gloat away. i walk the walk of shame for that one. I can't remember what other book you weighed in on that it was a minority opinion that I was totally on board with....but I think I should now have the motto: what would gfp think?
It's a well done to Pod from me for being the book I DNF'ed the fastest this year. Think I was about 15 pages in 😂 And, I should have DNF'ed Study for Obedience. Ended up finishing it and giving it 2 stars. Probably the most boring book I read this year.
I love this video so much, although I vigorously disagree about Greek Lessons and think you are a bit unfair on Pod. You nail the weird imbalance of Fraud though.
I am always impressed how you manage to take joy and pleasure out of so many books, I feel like if there's something to enjoy in a novel you're there for it.
Oh man, Scott. You were BRUTAL!!! 😂😂. So funny. I actually really enjoyed Pod. It was interesting… and different, at least in my opinion. Thanks for reminding me it exists! 😂😂
I am obviously pretentious enough to love Study for Obedience. 🤔 So it also makes sense that usually I don't like the books nominated for the Women's Prize. 😂 Which I think it's a shame, because I 100% support the idea behind it. Looking forward to the nonfiction category next year.
Idk why but the whole "aha did you know dolphins are actually super intelligent sociopaths and do evil things" fact is such an annoying drawn out edgy "fun fact" and while i haven't read pod everything I've seen about it so far is just so absurd and that Paull probably does have good writing just that Pod isn't one of them
Soo funny - have only read one of yr disappointments but know of quite a few others mentioned, 😂which I won’t be touching w a barge pole ( as they say)😂
Haha - loved In Ascension but agree that Study for Obedience is (as a friend described) literary wank. Pod was just awful- thanks for the reminder!. ETA: I've just read The Fraud - gosh, it was dull. No storytelling - just they did this, then they did this for 400 pages.
You must be tired out after that, but you at least were able to crack some good jokes. :) It's good that you said why you didn't like the books. I like in-depth criticism, especially about how books on prize lists are crap, for example. But I realise in this video you wanted it keep it concise though. So it's understandable you didn't go into so much detail. Thanks for the video!
Thank you. I try and do more in depth discussions of book prizes when I read their lists but this worst of the year video is definitely a bit lighter. Hope you got something good out of it.
"I'm not going to spend the countless pages self-congratulating myself for understanding James Joyce." Priceless! 😄
Thank you. 😁
I haven't yet read 2023 books. I'm just enjoying my book list, but I'm posting just to ask if people really love Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow? It reads like YA (maybe it improves after a chapter?) And the writer doesn't come across as being a gamer, just slings in names of popular games like Donkey Kong.
I didn't like tomorrow x 3, but I do know a lot of people who did like it. Personally I thought it started okay and got worse.
As for the gamer thing, I don't think that's the reason to read the book. I don't think Zevin did a bad job, but it could have been swapped for books, board games or movies.
“The hardest genre to pull off: humour without humour” 😂😂😂
Well, you gave them a chance, lol. "Even a bad book shouldn't make you self-harm ." So true.
I give more books a chance because I know I am happy to DNF them if they aren't working for me.
All I think about when someone brings up this year's women's prize is the fact that they nominated a weird dolphin book
"weird dolphin book" ..gold
Having just posted my top 10 I held my breath all the way through yours and was relieved to find that your list o Lu contains one book from my list.😅
must be losing my touch.
I think people think the switch from fiction to short stories is easy but it really isn't. I was so disappointed by 19 claws as a well 😭 Since the vegetarian I have had no interest in han kang's books. I guess Pod and the dog and the north means you're not a big fan of animal povs / animal lead roles in fiction? I have had the power by naomi alderman on my shelf forever but unhauled it last year because I realised I had no interest 💀 Zadie Smith 😭 I love her concepts and she as an author is admire when she speaks and talks on subjects... but I have not gotten on with a single book of hers. And I have tried three of them. Three strikes and you're out in my book, so I didn't consider the fraud for a second >.>
I am unsurprised Zadie Smith is a fantastic public speaker.
Um, that's an interesting question about the animal narrative. I don't think I have an issue with it, but I can't think of a book with it in that I like and I can think of several I don't. Such an interesting observation.
I know myself well enough to know that I should, and did, avoid reading In Ascension, Prophet Song, The Fraud, and Pod. Should have skipped The Dog of the North, which I was prepared to love, and is now in a pile waiting to be delivered to Goodwill. Reading Study for Obedience was torture. Thanks for validating my reading disappointments, and Happy New Year!
I wish I had your foresight and commitment. A few of those books I had major doubts about, but thought, what if.
This was amazing, Scott! My eyes were wide and my eyebrows were raised at the sheer heat of some of these burns - loved it!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
The booker and I tend to not align. Formatting can really throw me off as well. At least it was forgettable 😂😂😂
It’s frustrating to feel excluded by a creative choice made by the author. But I don’t feel like I missed out on much.
Omg haha yes! These include the worst books I also read this year!! I had almost forgotten about Pod... 😂
I apologise for reminding you of it.
i should have listened to you about "The Fraud" instead of the majority.... I can't get that time today back. was so hoping I would as well be against your point. it was a worthy subject, and an important one in parts, but it felt SO muddled and just all over the place and somehow managed to be incredibly tedious despite some actually really lovely thoughts and prose from time to time. i feel like a good book was tied into a tangled knot that gets to the point where a brush has to be replaced with scissors.
resisting the urge to gloat about being right.... just.
@@GunpowderFictionPlot gloat away. i walk the walk of shame for that one. I can't remember what other book you weighed in on that it was a minority opinion that I was totally on board with....but I think I should now have the motto: what would gfp think?
You’re making me SO glad I skipped the Booker books this year. And Pod. I’m so glad I skipped Pod.
You are making me jealous.
Excellent! Every time I watch one of these worst of the years I am sorry to have been reminded of Pod. I’ve never wanted to forget a book more! 😂
I should have put a trigger warning at the start of this video!
@@GunpowderFictionPlot 😂🐬
Glad to hear my struggles with 19 Claws weren’t just mine lol
You’re never alone when you read the same bad books 📚
It's a well done to Pod from me for being the book I DNF'ed the fastest this year. Think I was about 15 pages in 😂 And, I should have DNF'ed Study for Obedience. Ended up finishing it and giving it 2 stars. Probably the most boring book I read this year.
Sounds like you've got great book taste.
I love this video so much, although I vigorously disagree about Greek Lessons and think you are a bit unfair on Pod. You nail the weird imbalance of Fraud though.
I am always impressed how you manage to take joy and pleasure out of so many books, I feel like if there's something to enjoy in a novel you're there for it.
@@GunpowderFictionPlot I am a born optimist I think.
Oh man, Scott. You were BRUTAL!!! 😂😂. So funny. I actually really enjoyed Pod. It was interesting… and different, at least in my opinion. Thanks for reminding me it exists! 😂😂
Haha, I'm glad you got something out of Pod and that I reminded you of it.
I’m here for the tea. The most wonderful time of the year!
it is fun to see what everyone thinks! I love end of year book lists.
I am obviously pretentious enough to love Study for Obedience. 🤔 So it also makes sense that usually I don't like the books nominated for the Women's Prize. 😂 Which I think it's a shame, because I 100% support the idea behind it. Looking forward to the nonfiction category next year.
I think the Women's prize expanding is a big win!
This is such witty and concise content i love it!
Idk why but the whole "aha did you know dolphins are actually super intelligent sociopaths and do evil things" fact is such an annoying drawn out edgy "fun fact" and while i haven't read pod everything I've seen about it so far is just so absurd and that Paull probably does have good writing just that Pod isn't one of them
LMAOOO THE ENDING
That was my wife’s favourite bit too. 😂
😂 that disclaimer at the end 📖🪱💚
Wouldn’t like anyone to be upset by reviews of fictional fiction. 😂
Soo funny - have only read one of yr disappointments but know of quite a few others mentioned, 😂which I won’t be touching w a barge pole ( as they say)😂
Glad to help you avoid some stinkers! 😊
Haha - loved In Ascension but agree that Study for Obedience is (as a friend described) literary wank. Pod was just awful- thanks for the reminder!. ETA: I've just read The Fraud - gosh, it was dull. No storytelling - just they did this, then they did this for 400 pages.
“Literary wank” may be my favourite description ever.
You know I disagree with you on Pod but I still laughed at your takedown!
That’s why I love this community!
Finely, some gives an honest and well thought out review. So glad you are out there.🎉
Thank you so much.
Nineteen Claws very nearly made it into my worst of the year too.
I love salty Scott so much 😆
Nelle says “you should hear salty Scott on the phone to the internet company”
@@GunpowderFictionPlot 😂😂 - ask Nelle to record and upload 🤣🤣
You must be tired out after that, but you at least were able to crack some good jokes. :) It's good that you said why you didn't like the books. I like in-depth criticism, especially about how books on prize lists are crap, for example. But I realise in this video you wanted it keep it concise though. So it's understandable you didn't go into so much detail. Thanks for the video!
Thank you. I try and do more in depth discussions of book prizes when I read their lists but this worst of the year video is definitely a bit lighter. Hope you got something good out of it.
@@GunpowderFictionPlot It was fun!
Nineteen Claws was such a disappointment.
Huge disappointment. Tender is the flesh set the bar SO HIGH
Thought I was the only one who shuns the Booker prize for being boring.
especially when they deserve it haha.
Thanks for reading these so I don't have to....
I would like to say pleasure, but that would be a lie. 😜
The book covers!! 🤣🔥
I'm so glad you noticed. 😁
Omg this was a hilarious as well as informative video. I had a good chuckle, thank you.🤣💖
😁
First time I’ve seen one of your videos. I’m in lol.
I can't stop laughing 😂
😂
😂😂
lol
🔥 😂