I love a Jen “waffle”. Your videos always have the most cosy vibe, and I look forward to them every time I see them pop up in my feed (and on Instagram).
I'm really enjoying this "stripped down Jen" vibe - feels more like sitting down with a friend or like "oldschool" YT. I'm sad about the books with too small text. I currently work in accessibility, where my job is to assess online learning material early on in the creation process and advise on ways to make them accessible, for example enlarging text on images and rewriting questions so that they don't require a person to be able to draw or circle something in order to be able to answer the question. Before this I spent about 5 years in the publishing industry, and I think often about how during that time I never once I hear anyone say anything about ensuring that the books we publish are accessible. Even when we produced ebooks, as far as I know, those books were not made to be accessible the way ebooks should be. Perhaps it is different in other countries, but either way I would love to see more open discussion and actual action around accessibility in the publishing industry.
I'm not sure that I'll ever recover from hearing that a book set in the 90s is historical fiction 💀 Definitely want to read a few of these after watching this 💜
This is, by far, the BEST video I've ever seen form you, Jen. Just a side note here. I always love your videos :) but this one was amazing. The cuts, the "rambling" - I loved it all 😌❤🔥
I love your ‘1 hour rule’ and I think I will adopt it for all of my future reading. Not because I am pressed for time (I’m retired) but because there are just too many books on my TBR list to waste time on ones which do not grab me as I am reading. I have started 11 of the books - my book group each buy one and we swap them around. I DNFed 3. James, Wandering Stars, and My Friends (Oh dear - I might have to revisit it if your prediction is true) Wild Houses teetered on the brink for a while. My favourite was Enlightenment (but I am a scientist who was brought up Baptist so it is hardly surprising that I enjoyed this), the most strange was Held (why did Marie Curie get a chapter?)and the others were OKish. I still have Creation Lake and Playground to read. Wish me luck.
It's so lovely to hear your thoughts on the books! I really loved some of those little descriptions you read (the bee trapped in a room and the abandoned building comparisons are so evocative).
So great to hear your thoughts on this year’s Booker. I always look forward to your prize season thoughts, thank you! I also love that you know your taste so well & respect your time & a book enough to DNF, I am trying to do this more! ✨📚
1:04:53 as a booktube watcher and not book prize follower: I personally care more about the opinions, and reading experiences of the booktubers I follow and take the time to watch videos of about these prizes. So please do share what you would personally put on a short list, and which one you consider the best of the list. I care more about this than the opinions of the official judges. Specifically you, Jen, who have recommended me some great books, and our tastes overlap quite a lot. I care more about what you thought than who will officially win.
After watching, I think I’d like to read Stone Yard Devotional, The Safe Keep, Headshot, The Orbital, and Enlightenment :) I hope you’re doing well Jen! I loved hearing about your stories about overdressing. That’s so relatable and why I get so stressed out about what to wear to things lol
Loved this and very excited to read a couple of these. We live near a park, so watching most of this at home I didn't notice the peals of joy in the background, but I have just finished it at work and it put a huge smile on my face.
I didn't realise you'd had a baby daughter Jen that's wonderful to hear:) She's lucky to have such an intelligent and compassionate mother. Love your vids and always look forward to them (I thought I'd have to read Huckleberry Finn too before I start on James which has put it right to the back of my list unfortunately - I think a lot of people probably have done the same.)
Ah, the Booker Prize. I am generally not a fan. This year is really no different for me. Very few books I’m interested in reading. You did manage to convince about My Friends, which I will look for on audio. I can’t be convinced about the mouse plague book. Sorry, but I don’t need those images in my head and I do appreciate the heads up on that. I was thinking the religious aspect would be the biggest thing that put me off about that book. I still have Orbital here to read. It was half cover buy half author buy on my trip to London last year. I did start it but didn’t get far. I’ll definitely go back and read it though. As a lover of short fiction, I can’t pass up that opportunity. I recently bought There There in PB to read before Wandering Stars, so at some point I do want to get to both of them. James. Sigh. Let me start by saying how much I adored The Trees and I have several other of his books here waiting for me. I tried reading the physical book of James and got stuck very early on by the language. I tried listening to the audiobook and got stuck on… the language. It’s absolutely a me problem. I will not let this book defeat me though. I think it just has to be the right time and the right format. Huck Finn was never part of my curriculum in school and I suspect I will have the same type of problem with it that I’m having with James, so I doubt I’ll be reading it. (I’m ashamed to say I even had a problem with Sissy Spacek reading To Kill A Mockingbird! I won’t let this book defeat me either!) I certainly didn’t grow up rich, but hearing that sort of grammar and much more importantly that sort of cultural ignorance puts me off completely. I wasn’t interested in any of the other books on this year’s list. Thanks for the great reviews! Edit: Ruh-Roh. Totally forgot about The Safe Keep. I listened to it and overall enjoyed it quite a lot. But that’s largely because of the enormous payoff of part 3. I found part 1 a bit of a snooze and part 2, well, just 😮💨!
This was a lovely chatty video, no editing needed! The anecdotes were great, and could see how much joy they gave you to retell. I have taken v little interest in the booker this year!! So I'm living it vicariously through other booktubers 😊 Sleep regressions omg they are brutal!!! But luckily they do go away again. Wishing you some good nights! X
Stone Yard Devotional sounds really interesting. I was not a fan of The Overstory by Richard Powers - really didn't like the messaging. Not surprised something felt off in his new book too.
I’m very intrigued by The Safe Keep after hearing your thoughts. Otherwise my ears had only really perked up at Orbital when hearing about these books before, I always love a sci-fi but I’m sure this one is more on the literary side of genres.
I loved hearing about your insights as a judge and your other experiences with book awards! I look forward to checking out some of these books myself! Stone Yard Devotional and My Friends call to me in that intuitive way where my gut tells me i gotta read them.
This was such a great video. I loved hearing you discuss them all 😊 and all the chat was lovely too! I felt exactly the same about Enlightenment. I was so excited at the start and had that snuggling into it feel. I forced myself to finish it and wish I hadn't. There's a tie in to The Essex Serpent at the end that I thought was a bit lame. I loved The Safekeep too. I hated The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood but I'm so tempted to read her new one. Especially after hearing you say you didnt enjoy her previous books I'm even more tempted!
So interesting to hear your thoughts! I also really loved The Safe Keep and I'm thrilled it's made it onto the short list. Felt very similarly about Headshot. Totally understand what you were saying about Enlightenment although the language got me through and I actually really loved it by the end. Held is one I haven't got to but I'm not overly looking forward to it after hearing you talk about it. FULLY agree about the Messud, I tried the audio and it totally turned me off and I'm not fussed about getting to it now. And BIG same about flunking a Cambridge interview - I still can't read e e cummings. Did they make you wait in a tiny corridor on a tiny chair like a little Dickensian child? Hated it hated it hated it 😅
I loved the minimal editing, it was great. Almost like we were having a conversation. Of the books listed I own wild houses and also wish to read the safekeep and the messud. But I want to say a huge thank you. I have been desperately trying to remember a book but all I could recall was the basic plot and that it had orange in the title. You mentioned it and I could kiss you. That particular book will be my next read.
I enjoy the rambling! Thanks for this video, Jen. I was underwhelmed by the longlist this year in terms of my own tastes, but you've made me more inclined to pick a couple of them up and give them a go.
Awesome overview of the long list and I always so much appreciate your reviews and general thoughts! Excited to hear more about your future books that you are publishing 😊
Thanks for a great video Jen! - you're always wonderful at talking about books not being to your taste but enjoyed by others - would you consider doing a video/section of a video about navigating bookish chats with friends where you don't agree on whether a book is good or not? I feel like the pressure with prizes and social media to read and think a certain way about a book has seeped a little into IRL life!
I’ve only read Orbital and The Safekeep. Really enjoyed both, although I don’t know if either could/ would/ should win. Am intrigued to also read Headshot and Stoneyard Devotional.
I haven't read any of these yet, but you've got me intrigued by many of them. Jumped in the library queue for Headshot and My Friends! Lovely video as always, so nice to hear you chat ☺️
Rambling is always ok 😊 I have only read headshot so far. Structure was repetitive but I devoured it, so because I read it very quickly I got through it. I really loved the style of it and the jumping around their lives, I particularly like the bout where they are both thinking of hand clapping games. I didn't really think of the narrator as being in any way nasty or jabbing at them. I actually felt the narrator was more passive, detached, think of the ghost of Christmas past in a Muppets Christmas Carol 'they are what they are do not blame me'. But I did like how it explored the reasons for doing it and the different levels of support and help and ease at which to get to that point and show there may be many more amazing girl boxers not there because of lack of support, expectation of them based on their looks and societal pressures, lack of money, how they were all so different but all so focused on this one thing. I played a guessing game with who would win based on the revels through the books.its something I do with thriller and crime books too, spot the patterns, but stopped at the 2nd round. Addition - forgot to say, you mentioned that itcs stayed with you, and you keep thinking of it. Oddly enough for me, not stayed with me, I remember it fondly but it more because other people are talking about it in their booker long list review videos. I want to read safe keep and orbital, I also want to read wandering stars and jeans, but had already decided, only after reading huckleberry finn and there there. I hope that the sleep regression was over quickly and you are all getting to enjoy the leaves changing colour and your first autumn as a family of three.
Jen I had such a good time with this video!! Thank you :) Our predictions for the shortlist are almost identical! Off by one book - I have _Playground_ instead of your _This Strange Eventful History_ pick. Anyway, can't wait to see you again!
Love these videos to show me new books, new releases aren’t really on my radar! Thank you for explaining where the orange prize went because I never connected it with the women’s prize!! Also on the Cambridge thing, it’s sad to me how they didn’t think/care about these application aspects until recently, but I’m glad by the time I went for interview the fact there’s no dress code was everywhere otherwise I might’ve been an extra nervous overdressed teenager too 😅
I'm kinda shocked Tommy Orange is the first Native American author to be nominated! Not even Louise Erdrich?! But in my eyes, his nom is totally deserved. Wandering Stars is the only one from the longlist I've read so far, but I love how you spoke of Stone Yard Devotional (and thank you for the reassurance it's not a 'covid book').
i look forward to this video every year, thank you so much for it! was already interested in the safekeep, headshot, and my friends but now very much looking forward to getting around to stone yard devotional too!
Insightful and informative as usual - thanks Jen. I love the Booker and Women’s prizes, but I live in South Africa which means (a) that books are really expensive and (b) none of my local libraries offer audiobooks - or indeed the full prize lists in paper books, so I have to be really discerning about what I buy. Vlogs like these are a great help in choosing the books I order.
Your videos are always a treat, Jen! I miss the b-rolls, but i don't mind hearing you ramble on too!💗 Safe Keep is the only one on this list that interests me, but I've added Stoneyard Devotional too because you loved it.
Insightful video! First-time viewer here and craving Booker predictions. Disappointed with all the DNFs, but at least you explained your reasons and what you're going through. Loved Headshot, so major disagreement there. Adored James as well, but Huck Finn is so huge here and such a part of the cultural fabric. I can't really parse out what the reading experience would be like for those who haven't read the latter. I see the prize as being a two-horse race between James and My Friends. I have Headshot and Playground included too in an American-centric season. But isn't there an unspoken Booker rule that an Irish writer has to be cited every year lol? I don't think Wild Houses will go the distance though. The Safekeep and Stone Yard Devotional round off my final six.
I can definitely recommend The Return by Hisham Matar. It's a fantastic book. Unfortunately I dnf'd The Safekeep. I could see the twist coming from afar and if I for once read a plot driven novel, that ruins things for me somehow. I don't want to give away any spoilers here, but let's say being German might have helped in guessing what is going to be revealed. I didn't like The Natural Way of Things either, so you're not alone in your opinion. And I thought Charlotte Wood wouldn't be an author for me, but now I might give her new one a go.
I read and enjoyed "Orbital" but also found it a bit much. I've added "My Friends" and "The Safe Keep" to my TBR. Appreciate your thoughtful critique, as always.
Based on your recs, so far I read Safe Keep which I wasn't loving at first but as I read on, I began to enjoy it. By the end I really like it! The two female protags grew on me and I was intrigued. The end was nicely surprising. Orbital, I found quite boring tbh. There were some nice sentences, but not enough to hold my attention. But I didn't DNF it and regretted it--the end did not pay off at all for me. I also read The Harpy, which I Iiked as well. I didn't love any of them so far though.
Hi Jen, I’m a new subscriber here and loved this video. Our short list is very similar other than I think Richard Powers will be on it and not Clare Messud. I loved Stone Yard Devotional too and is my favourite from what I’ve read so far. Only a week to go now😊
This was a really helpful video - thanks so much. I've not made a start yet but have had James, The Safekeep, and My Friends, on order as physical books at the library for some time - the queue is long(!), Orbital is sitting waiting to be read on my Kindle and I'm thinking that Stone Yard Devotional might work very well on audio - I like the narrator's voice on the sample.
I read Stoneyard a few months ago, and loved it. My Friends is the book I'd recommend the most widely, which is why I also think it might win (though I haven't read James, which is a fave for many). Though the book I've *actually* recommended the most is Wild Houses, for people looking for something ' easy' to read but with a bit of bite
Caveat is that I think The Safekeep is going to be very up my street but I haven't got it yet. Loved your thoughts on the list and the snapshot of book prize gossip!
Love a long vlog I’ve read eight so far I think my favourite is headshot and am starting the safe keep next. Didn’t really get in with my friends or orbital I though it was a bit of a slog to get through them.
Thank you Jen, it's a good long chat. I think Hisham will be on the short list (potential winner) they've been around for a long time and if they don't get on I'll be surprised. The Safe Keep would be my next choice and Stone Yard Devotional as the dark horse.
Lovely to see you Jen. I didn’t like The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood either but have enjoyed some of her previous books. Just happy to have an Aussie in the mix! 😊 oh yes plagues of mice - yikes!
Before the long list was announced, I’d read Stone Yard Devotional. I then went on to read Wild Houses Orbital Enlightenment My Friends Now my memory fails me! I read 6 and then lost enthusiasm. My Friends is my favourite of those I’ve read. I’m waiting for the shortlist and hoping my enthusiasm to return. The Safekeep was another one I’ve now remembered. Why can I not remember the 6th?
Books are for people or lighthouses are for ships.///Books are the most peaceful and constant of friends, and the most patient of teachers.//Louisa May Alcott: She is accustomed to putting up books like curtains against the world.
I am getting more and more interested in The Safe Keep. And I have read There, There years before, but want to reread it now before I get to Wandering Stars. James also sounds interesting, but there as well, I think I will read Huck Finn before. I did read that one (at least in part) a really-really long time ago. We had it as mandatory reading in school. Even though I was not in the USA. Made me dislike it for that reason alone but hey, maybe enough time has passed. The rest don't seem interesting, or from what I've sampled during a recent bookshop crawl, my type of writing.
I always think I understood the Booker long list and short list please do a full video explaining the Booker Longlist and Short List earlier this year i read the short list
I'm commenting 45 minutes in at this point because I have a lot of thoughts and I'll probably reply to myself or edit in the rest later. I haven't read any book from the list so far. Only a couple sound appealing. My initial reaction to the longlist was that it sounded underbaked but also that it wasn't diverse with authors, themes, countries, publishing houses. There are a couple of books I just knew would turn out not good because they sound like they take on too much - specifically Enlightenment and I'm guessing Richard Powers could feel that way too but to a lesser degree because The Overstory felt a little like that to me personally. I'm thinking Stone Yard Devotional might fall into that category, too, but I'm not sure and I haven't heard a lot about that book so far. I also had a feeling Held would be a miss and that Headshot will either be great or mediocre. I do wonder what your thoughts would've been on Held and disability representation; maybe it's just the blurb that sounds iffy and not the book itself? I read There, There and I really enjoyed it and I'm eager to read his next book and to see if it's really that great but to me There, There was amazing, heartfelt, pacey but not a book I would necessarily think of for a reward so maybe Wandering Stars is that kind of book? Just by the sound of things I'm guessing My Friends or James will win, both are books I'll probably give a shot to but I'm not eager to read at this moment. I'm interested in Orbital because of the themes but I have a feeling the writing style might be too much for me. I thought Safekeep would be nothing special but so far the reviews I've heard sound really good so that's probably a book I will pick up even though I initially thought I wouldn't. I think I also predicted which books you'll like pretty accurately so far although I thought you'll enjoy Headshot more.
I think my reply comment is not showing. But I do have parts of it copied because youtube comment section is so glitchy for me for some reason so I was a bit more prepared this time. Lately I've also had issue with tiny text, probably just my dioptre changing and I'm guessing I need to get glasses soon but I've always been really squeamish around eyes so I've been putting it off... I vaguely remember you mentioning the murder trial story, I think from your patreon, that was kind of a funny story but so unfortunate. If I recall correctly it really affected your life plans somehow? But your story about going to the award ceremony and interview was interesting to hear. The award ceremonies sound a little elitist to me and I'm basing this on a couple of other youtubers who talked about going to those as well but who am I to say. Lola is a very cute and precious dog but that video they shot sounds absurd and kind of disrespectful. Although I might be too sensitive or not lighthearted enough. Now that I know you love Stone Yard Devotional, I'm definitely more excited about it. "Can a person be truly good? What is forgiveness? Is loss of hope a moral failure? And can the business of grief ever really be finished?" That part of the blurb really speaks to me especially this year due to world events but in general too. 🍉 I am however wary of reading a book that might depress me or unsettle me too much because of my mental health and it especially gets bad over the colder months (a relatively new development for me - the cold months part, not my mental health being s**t) but I do plan to read it at some point. I've only been following the Booker for a couple of years now due to watching booktube but I'm less and less of a fan of the prize, to be honest. I also commented how great it's been to have a video from you because your videos have been part of my Sunday routine for almost 4 years now. Obviously, I mean this as a positive thing and I'm really happy for you and Mr. M. and the little one :)) I'm interested to see what your next video will be!
Thanks for posting this video. Very impressed you managed it with a 5 month old going through sleep regression! I've read 4 so far - Enlightenment, Orbital, The Safe Keep & My Friends. The last two were hits for me and the first 2 misses. Agree that My Friends looks like a winner but The Safe Keep was probably my favourite. Just started Creation Lake and will read Wandering Stars as have read There There but not sure anything else really appeals to me so may wait till the shortlist. Also haven't read Huck Finn & have no real desire to.
I loved the Overstory. Rachel Kushner’s Creation Lake is on order. I hate to see you so frazzled but a 5 month old can do that I guess. Is your dog accepting the new addition in an acceptable way?
I actually *loved* Held; I really like that use of vignettes and short chapters. I'm still trying to write a review for it -- it's turning out to be a difficult one to review. So far, that is my only Booker. I found the list this year extremely off-putting. I'm excited to read Stoneyard Devotional (yes, I remember the video of the farm overrun by the mice!) James, The Safekeep, and maybe Enlightenment, so it's been a pretty *meh* Booker year for me -- I'll probably read the winner, though. Maybe.
I don't think you need to read Huck Finn to enjoy James. Though I would recommend Huckleberry Finn as well, as it is at the top of most people's list of greatest American novels. But James is quite good and subversive in a different way than Huck Finn is subversive.
I’ve only read Orbital from the longlist and I found it a bit disappointing… the writing was so beautiful, but I found the dream-like, untethered nature of the prose made it… hard for me to immerse myself? I think I need more character development when a book lacks in plot. If the characters had started off more three-dimensional and then bled into each other the longer we’re with them, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
Not heard one good review of Held. I read Fugitive Pieces years ago and struggled with it. Not even going to bother. I have read James and yes it is enjoyable. Will read Playground next.
and reading Mohamed Mbougar Sarr the most secret memory of men, which isn't like the description and is very good readable fun novel, i kind of have some background in the african francophone literature which might add to it but i don't think so, it's really good, honest, it's not like the description
Thoroughly enjoyable to listen to whatever you have to say! I've only read three: James, My Friends and Stoneyard Devotional and I'm sure the winner is one of those!
I regret finishing Enlightenment and This Strange Eventful History. (Listened to both on audiobook.) Waste of time for me. Really, really disliked the first, and the second was so boring. The first book I read wasJames, which was good, but not really my thing. Have been struggling with motivation to read any of the others. I am interested in reading Wandering Stars (read There, there earlier this month), My Friends, Creation Lake, Stoneyard Devotional, and The Safekeep (and maybe Orbital and Wild Houses), but I'm not rushing to any of them.
The Overstory: starts off great, lots of facts about trees; next it's a novel about being part of the protest movement: great, never even heard of a novel about that kind of lifestyle despite knowing huge numbers of people who live it. Spoiler: predictably turns violent, though the level of cruelty by the police is informative. Finally, to spite the very obvious plot lines he's set up for each character, he just spoils them so as not to be predictable. And ends by saying 1) the generation of bits of computer code is another life form (not in any way, scientifically speaking) and the apotheosis for a native american is to use nature to spell out words in the language of the invader to make the kind of 'art' sold in tat shops everywhere (i live in wales, so you can't move for heart-shaped slates with 'cariad' written on them). tl;dr = pretentious twaddle and needlessly sadistic plotting lead to more dissatisfaction than satisfaction, but i enjoyed all the facts about trees
stone yard devotional was so boring, the sample - 'woman goes to nunnery' written like 'a fat chatty nun in a fleece' the kind of bad writing that's so popular now. Matar i read one sample, beautiful sentences boring subject and went slow, will be interesting. I think you say khaled like haled but with a hint of german ch
Loved Orbital, think James has potential to be a new American classic, am currently reading Wandering Stars ( and personally read There There , but don’t remember character’s names so may as well had t and don’t feel I’m missing a significant component of WS) and look so forward to Playground 📖🪱💚
Anne Michaels: the first third of her first book, the famous one, is brilliant: it's about an archaeologist and attempts to write in layers too. It's like the glass house by simon mawer, you have to read the first chapter, it's amazing, brilliant. the rest, less important. Tommy orange 'there there' is really good. Plot description might put you off but ignore it. I'm sick to death of 'immigrant/ethnic' etc type stories (read the same one too often) and it held me, interested me and was very original. It's not the greatest book in the world nor does it pretend to be, but it is really good. A good test is, not if it has great reviews, but if everyone likes it, it has no bad ones, and i read it because of that. I dipped into the martyr and messud and couldn't stand them, but that doesn't mean i'm right. Orbital is good. It is slight, war and peace is still the best novel ever and i'm currently on the second volume of the chinese classic Monkey/journey west (only another 4000 pages to go). But she can really write. I'm also reading Vulcana, which i heartily recommend, perfectly treads that rarely achieved line between literature and popular novel, but probably too lowbrow for you. It's about being a Victorian strongwoman
I love a Jen “waffle”. Your videos always have the most cosy vibe, and I look forward to them every time I see them pop up in my feed (and on Instagram).
♥️
I'm really enjoying this "stripped down Jen" vibe - feels more like sitting down with a friend or like "oldschool" YT. I'm sad about the books with too small text. I currently work in accessibility, where my job is to assess online learning material early on in the creation process and advise on ways to make them accessible, for example enlarging text on images and rewriting questions so that they don't require a person to be able to draw or circle something in order to be able to answer the question. Before this I spent about 5 years in the publishing industry, and I think often about how during that time I never once I hear anyone say anything about ensuring that the books we publish are accessible. Even when we produced ebooks, as far as I know, those books were not made to be accessible the way ebooks should be. Perhaps it is different in other countries, but either way I would love to see more open discussion and actual action around accessibility in the publishing industry.
I'm not sure that I'll ever recover from hearing that a book set in the 90s is historical fiction 💀 Definitely want to read a few of these after watching this 💜
This is, by far, the BEST video I've ever seen form you, Jen. Just a side note here. I always love your videos :) but this one was amazing. The cuts, the "rambling" - I loved it all 😌❤🔥
"I have thought and not all of them are happy" - you said everything, here
I love your ‘1 hour rule’ and I think I will adopt it for all of my future reading. Not because I am pressed for time (I’m retired) but because there are just too many books on my TBR list to waste time on ones which do not grab me as I am reading. I have started 11 of the books - my book group each buy one and we swap them around. I DNFed 3. James, Wandering Stars, and My Friends (Oh dear - I might have to revisit it if your prediction is true) Wild Houses teetered on the brink for a while. My favourite was Enlightenment (but I am a scientist who was brought up Baptist so it is hardly surprising that I enjoyed this), the most strange was Held (why did Marie Curie get a chapter?)and the others were OKish. I still have Creation Lake and Playground to read. Wish me luck.
My rule is 100 pages minus my age. That takes about an hour now but when I’m 70 it’ll only be 30 pages
Your vlogs are always extremely cozy, Jen. I love watching them even if I'm not interested in the books you're talking about
It's so lovely to hear your thoughts on the books! I really loved some of those little descriptions you read (the bee trapped in a room and the abandoned building comparisons are so evocative).
So great to hear your thoughts on this year’s Booker. I always look forward to your prize season thoughts, thank you! I also love that you know your taste so well & respect your time & a book enough to DNF, I am trying to do this more! ✨📚
1:04:53 as a booktube watcher and not book prize follower: I personally care more about the opinions, and reading experiences of the booktubers I follow and take the time to watch videos of about these prizes. So please do share what you would personally put on a short list, and which one you consider the best of the list. I care more about this than the opinions of the official judges.
Specifically you, Jen, who have recommended me some great books, and our tastes overlap quite a lot. I care more about what you thought than who will officially win.
After watching, I think I’d like to read Stone Yard Devotional, The Safe Keep, Headshot, The Orbital, and Enlightenment :)
I hope you’re doing well Jen! I loved hearing about your stories about overdressing. That’s so relatable and why I get so stressed out about what to wear to things lol
Loved this and very excited to read a couple of these. We live near a park, so watching most of this at home I didn't notice the peals of joy in the background, but I have just finished it at work and it put a huge smile on my face.
I didn't realise you'd had a baby daughter Jen that's wonderful to hear:) She's lucky to have such an intelligent and compassionate mother. Love your vids and always look forward to them (I thought I'd have to read Huckleberry Finn too before I start on James which has put it right to the back of my list unfortunately - I think a lot of people probably have done the same.)
Ah, the Booker Prize. I am generally not a fan. This year is really no different for me. Very few books I’m interested in reading. You did manage to convince about My Friends, which I will look for on audio. I can’t be convinced about the mouse plague book. Sorry, but I don’t need those images in my head and I do appreciate the heads up on that. I was thinking the religious aspect would be the biggest thing that put me off about that book. I still have Orbital here to read. It was half cover buy half author buy on my trip to London last year. I did start it but didn’t get far. I’ll definitely go back and read it though. As a lover of short fiction, I can’t pass up that opportunity. I recently bought There There in PB to read before Wandering Stars, so at some point I do want to get to both of them. James. Sigh. Let me start by saying how much I adored The Trees and I have several other of his books here waiting for me. I tried reading the physical book of James and got stuck very early on by the language. I tried listening to the audiobook and got stuck on… the language. It’s absolutely a me problem. I will not let this book defeat me though. I think it just has to be the right time and the right format. Huck Finn was never part of my curriculum in school and I suspect I will have the same type of problem with it that I’m having with James, so I doubt I’ll be reading it. (I’m ashamed to say I even had a problem with Sissy Spacek reading To Kill A Mockingbird! I won’t let this book defeat me either!) I certainly didn’t grow up rich, but hearing that sort of grammar and much more importantly that sort of cultural ignorance puts me off completely. I wasn’t interested in any of the other books on this year’s list. Thanks for the great reviews!
Edit: Ruh-Roh. Totally forgot about The Safe Keep. I listened to it and overall enjoyed it quite a lot. But that’s largely because of the enormous payoff of part 3. I found part 1 a bit of a snooze and part 2, well, just 😮💨!
This was a lovely chatty video, no editing needed! The anecdotes were great, and could see how much joy they gave you to retell.
I have taken v little interest in the booker this year!! So I'm living it vicariously through other booktubers 😊
Sleep regressions omg they are brutal!!! But luckily they do go away again. Wishing you some good nights! X
Stone Yard Devotional sounds really interesting. I was not a fan of The Overstory by Richard Powers - really didn't like the messaging. Not surprised something felt off in his new book too.
I’m very intrigued by The Safe Keep after hearing your thoughts. Otherwise my ears had only really perked up at Orbital when hearing about these books before, I always love a sci-fi but I’m sure this one is more on the literary side of genres.
The only one I read was James, loved it. But you've given me lots to put on my TBR list.
Shocked that Martyr wasn’t on it. Adored that book
It was a terrible book.
video notifications that make you immediately go put the kettle on
can we collectively decide we have already written all the WWI and WWII books needed? there's so many topics and time periods...
I loved hearing about your insights as a judge and your other experiences with book awards! I look forward to checking out some of these books myself! Stone Yard Devotional and My Friends call to me in that intuitive way where my gut tells me i gotta read them.
How lovely to see you Jen 💓Thanks for helping to keep me up to date with the Booker Prize :)
I hope you and your family are doing well!
Xxx
This was such a great video. I loved hearing you discuss them all 😊 and all the chat was lovely too!
I felt exactly the same about Enlightenment. I was so excited at the start and had that snuggling into it feel. I forced myself to finish it and wish I hadn't. There's a tie in to The Essex Serpent at the end that I thought was a bit lame.
I loved The Safekeep too. I hated The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood but I'm so tempted to read her new one. Especially after hearing you say you didnt enjoy her previous books I'm even more tempted!
You really sold me on stone yard devotional! So far My Friends is my pick to win but I have a lot left to read
So interesting to hear your thoughts! I also really loved The Safe Keep and I'm thrilled it's made it onto the short list. Felt very similarly about Headshot. Totally understand what you were saying about Enlightenment although the language got me through and I actually really loved it by the end.
Held is one I haven't got to but I'm not overly looking forward to it after hearing you talk about it. FULLY agree about the Messud, I tried the audio and it totally turned me off and I'm not fussed about getting to it now.
And BIG same about flunking a Cambridge interview - I still can't read e e cummings. Did they make you wait in a tiny corridor on a tiny chair like a little Dickensian child? Hated it hated it hated it 😅
I loved the minimal editing, it was great. Almost like we were having a conversation. Of the books listed I own wild houses and also wish to read the safekeep and the messud. But I want to say a huge thank you. I have been desperately trying to remember a book but all I could recall was the basic plot and that it had orange in the title. You mentioned it and I could kiss you. That particular book will be my next read.
I enjoy the rambling! Thanks for this video, Jen. I was underwhelmed by the longlist this year in terms of my own tastes, but you've made me more inclined to pick a couple of them up and give them a go.
Yessssssssssss - your book award list reads are my favorite 🤩 📖 🪱 💚
Awesome overview of the long list and I always so much appreciate your reviews and general thoughts! Excited to hear more about your future books that you are publishing 😊
Enlightenment is intriguing me. Might have to see whether my local library has it.
Thanks for a great video Jen! - you're always wonderful at talking about books not being to your taste but enjoyed by others - would you consider doing a video/section of a video about navigating bookish chats with friends where you don't agree on whether a book is good or not? I feel like the pressure with prizes and social media to read and think a certain way about a book has seeped a little into IRL life!
If ever there was a video for queueing up with a nice cup of tea, this is it
I’ve only read Orbital and The Safekeep. Really enjoyed both, although I don’t know if either could/ would/ should win. Am intrigued to also read Headshot and Stoneyard Devotional.
I strongly recommend There There. Please read it and let us know what you think!
I haven't read any of these yet, but you've got me intrigued by many of them. Jumped in the library queue for Headshot and My Friends! Lovely video as always, so nice to hear you chat ☺️
Great video, thank you.
Rambling is always ok 😊
I have only read headshot so far.
Structure was repetitive but I devoured it, so because I read it very quickly I got through it. I really loved the style of it and the jumping around their lives, I particularly like the bout where they are both thinking of hand clapping games. I didn't really think of the narrator as being in any way nasty or jabbing at them. I actually felt the narrator was more passive, detached, think of the ghost of Christmas past in a Muppets Christmas Carol 'they are what they are do not blame me'. But I did like how it explored the reasons for doing it and the different levels of support and help and ease at which to get to that point and show there may be many more amazing girl boxers not there because of lack of support, expectation of them based on their looks and societal pressures, lack of money, how they were all so different but all so focused on this one thing.
I played a guessing game with who would win based on the revels through the books.its something I do with thriller and crime books too, spot the patterns, but stopped at the 2nd round.
Addition - forgot to say, you mentioned that itcs stayed with you, and you keep thinking of it. Oddly enough for me, not stayed with me, I remember it fondly but it more because other people are talking about it in their booker long list review videos.
I want to read safe keep and orbital, I also want to read wandering stars and jeans, but had already decided, only after reading huckleberry finn and there there.
I hope that the sleep regression was over quickly and you are all getting to enjoy the leaves changing colour and your first autumn as a family of three.
Jen I had such a good time with this video!! Thank you :) Our predictions for the shortlist are almost identical! Off by one book - I have _Playground_ instead of your _This Strange Eventful History_ pick. Anyway, can't wait to see you again!
Love these videos to show me new books, new releases aren’t really on my radar! Thank you for explaining where the orange prize went because I never connected it with the women’s prize!!
Also on the Cambridge thing, it’s sad to me how they didn’t think/care about these application aspects until recently, but I’m glad by the time I went for interview the fact there’s no dress code was everywhere otherwise I might’ve been an extra nervous overdressed teenager too 😅
I'm kinda shocked Tommy Orange is the first Native American author to be nominated! Not even Louise Erdrich?! But in my eyes, his nom is totally deserved. Wandering Stars is the only one from the longlist I've read so far, but I love how you spoke of Stone Yard Devotional (and thank you for the reassurance it's not a 'covid book').
i look forward to this video every year, thank you so much for it! was already interested in the safekeep, headshot, and my friends but now very much looking forward to getting around to stone yard devotional too!
Listened to Orbital on a long journey , really enjoyed it.
Insightful and informative as usual - thanks Jen. I love the Booker and Women’s prizes, but I live in South Africa which means (a) that books are really expensive and (b) none of my local libraries offer audiobooks - or indeed the full prize lists in paper books, so I have to be really discerning about what I buy. Vlogs like these are a great help in choosing the books I order.
I felt the same about Held, Wild Houses, Orbital. And I LOVED STONE YARD DEVOTIONAL as well. Thanks for this video, Jen❤
I have only read 8 of the nominees, but my top 3 are also on your prediction: 1. My Friends, 2. James, 3. Stone Yard Devotional.
oh Jen! What a treat to see your video! 🧡
Your videos are always a treat, Jen! I miss the b-rolls, but i don't mind hearing you ramble on too!💗 Safe Keep is the only one on this list that interests me, but I've added Stoneyard Devotional too because you loved it.
Insightful video! First-time viewer here and craving Booker predictions. Disappointed with all the DNFs, but at least you explained your reasons and what you're going through. Loved Headshot, so major disagreement there. Adored James as well, but Huck Finn is so huge here and such a part of the cultural fabric. I can't really parse out what the reading experience would be like for those who haven't read the latter. I see the prize as being a two-horse race between James and My Friends. I have Headshot and Playground included too in an American-centric season. But isn't there an unspoken Booker rule that an Irish writer has to be cited every year lol? I don't think Wild Houses will go the distance though. The Safekeep and Stone Yard Devotional round off my final six.
I can definitely recommend The Return by Hisham Matar. It's a fantastic book.
Unfortunately I dnf'd The Safekeep. I could see the twist coming from afar and if I for once read a plot driven novel, that ruins things for me somehow. I don't want to give away any spoilers here, but let's say being German might have helped in guessing what is going to be revealed.
I didn't like The Natural Way of Things either, so you're not alone in your opinion. And I thought Charlotte Wood wouldn't be an author for me, but now I might give her new one a go.
I just finished the safekeep today. Loved it. The dutch version has a pear on the cover.
🍐
I read and enjoyed "Orbital" but also found it a bit much. I've added "My Friends" and "The Safe Keep" to my TBR. Appreciate your thoughtful critique, as always.
Based on your recs, so far I read Safe Keep which I wasn't loving at first but as I read on, I began to enjoy it. By the end I really like it! The two female protags grew on me and I was intrigued. The end was nicely surprising. Orbital, I found quite boring tbh. There were some nice sentences, but not enough to hold my attention. But I didn't DNF it and regretted it--the end did not pay off at all for me. I also read The Harpy, which I Iiked as well. I didn't love any of them so far though.
Hi Jen, I’m a new subscriber here and loved this video. Our short list is very similar other than I think Richard Powers will be on it and not Clare Messud. I loved Stone Yard Devotional too and is my favourite from what I’ve read so far. Only a week to go now😊
Enjoyed hearing your thoughts on these 😊
This was a really helpful video - thanks so much. I've not made a start yet but have had James, The Safekeep, and My Friends, on order as physical books at the library for some time - the queue is long(!), Orbital is sitting waiting to be read on my Kindle and I'm thinking that Stone Yard Devotional might work very well on audio - I like the narrator's voice on the sample.
Love a rambling Jen ❤
100% appreciate the rambling!
I read Stoneyard a few months ago, and loved it. My Friends is the book I'd recommend the most widely, which is why I also think it might win (though I haven't read James, which is a fave for many). Though the book I've *actually* recommended the most is Wild Houses, for people looking for something ' easy' to read but with a bit of bite
Caveat is that I think The Safekeep is going to be very up my street but I haven't got it yet. Loved your thoughts on the list and the snapshot of book prize gossip!
Love a long vlog
I’ve read eight so far I think my favourite is headshot and am starting the safe keep next. Didn’t really get in with my friends or orbital I though it was a bit of a slog to get through them.
Thank you for sharing ☺️ x
Thank you Jen, it's a good long chat. I think Hisham will be on the short list (potential winner) they've been around for a long time and if they don't get on I'll be surprised. The Safe Keep would be my next choice and Stone Yard Devotional as the dark horse.
Lovely to see you Jen. I didn’t like The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood either but have enjoyed some of her previous books. Just happy to have an Aussie in the mix! 😊 oh yes plagues of mice - yikes!
Hey Jen hope your well. 💙
Before the long list was announced, I’d read Stone Yard Devotional. I then went on to read
Wild Houses
Orbital
Enlightenment
My Friends
Now my memory fails me! I read 6 and then lost enthusiasm. My Friends is my favourite of those I’ve read. I’m waiting for the shortlist and hoping my enthusiasm to return.
The Safekeep was another one I’ve now remembered. Why can I not remember the 6th?
Books are for people or lighthouses are for ships.///Books are the most peaceful and constant of friends, and the most patient of teachers.//Louisa May Alcott: She is accustomed to putting up books like curtains against the world.
I am getting more and more interested in The Safe Keep. And I have read There, There years before, but want to reread it now before I get to Wandering Stars. James also sounds interesting, but there as well, I think I will read Huck Finn before. I did read that one (at least in part) a really-really long time ago. We had it as mandatory reading in school. Even though I was not in the USA. Made me dislike it for that reason alone but hey, maybe enough time has passed. The rest don't seem interesting, or from what I've sampled during a recent bookshop crawl, my type of writing.
Orbital was just too much. Thought I would love it, but just couldn’t focus properly to enjoy it.
I always think I understood the Booker long list and short list please do a full video explaining the Booker Longlist and Short List earlier this year i read the short list
I'm commenting 45 minutes in at this point because I have a lot of thoughts and I'll probably reply to myself or edit in the rest later. I haven't read any book from the list so far. Only a couple sound appealing. My initial reaction to the longlist was that it sounded underbaked but also that it wasn't diverse with authors, themes, countries, publishing houses. There are a couple of books I just knew would turn out not good because they sound like they take on too much - specifically Enlightenment and I'm guessing Richard Powers could feel that way too but to a lesser degree because The Overstory felt a little like that to me personally. I'm thinking Stone Yard Devotional might fall into that category, too, but I'm not sure and I haven't heard a lot about that book so far. I also had a feeling Held would be a miss and that Headshot will either be great or mediocre. I do wonder what your thoughts would've been on Held and disability representation; maybe it's just the blurb that sounds iffy and not the book itself? I read There, There and I really enjoyed it and I'm eager to read his next book and to see if it's really that great but to me There, There was amazing, heartfelt, pacey but not a book I would necessarily think of for a reward so maybe Wandering Stars is that kind of book? Just by the sound of things I'm guessing My Friends or James will win, both are books I'll probably give a shot to but I'm not eager to read at this moment. I'm interested in Orbital because of the themes but I have a feeling the writing style might be too much for me. I thought Safekeep would be nothing special but so far the reviews I've heard sound really good so that's probably a book I will pick up even though I initially thought I wouldn't. I think I also predicted which books you'll like pretty accurately so far although I thought you'll enjoy Headshot more.
I think my reply comment is not showing. But I do have parts of it copied because youtube comment section is so glitchy for me for some reason so I was a bit more prepared this time.
Lately I've also had issue with tiny text, probably just my dioptre changing and I'm guessing I need to get glasses soon but I've always been really squeamish around eyes so I've been putting it off...
I vaguely remember you mentioning the murder trial story, I think from your patreon, that was kind of a funny story but so unfortunate. If I recall correctly it really affected your life plans somehow?
But your story about going to the award ceremony and interview was interesting to hear. The award ceremonies sound a little elitist to me and I'm basing this on a couple of other youtubers who talked about going to those as well but who am I to say.
Lola is a very cute and precious dog but that video they shot sounds absurd and kind of disrespectful. Although I might be too sensitive or not lighthearted enough.
Now that I know you love Stone Yard Devotional, I'm definitely more excited about it. "Can a person be truly good? What is forgiveness? Is loss of hope a moral failure? And can the business of grief ever really be finished?" That part of the blurb really speaks to me especially this year due to world events but in general too. 🍉 I am however wary of reading a book that might depress me or unsettle me too much because of my mental health and it especially gets bad over the colder months (a relatively new development for me - the cold months part, not my mental health being s**t) but I do plan to read it at some point.
I've only been following the Booker for a couple of years now due to watching booktube but I'm less and less of a fan of the prize, to be honest.
I also commented how great it's been to have a video from you because your videos have been part of my Sunday routine for almost 4 years now. Obviously, I mean this as a positive thing and I'm really happy for you and Mr. M. and the little one :)) I'm interested to see what your next video will be!
Thanks for posting this video. Very impressed you managed it with a 5 month old going through sleep regression! I've read 4 so far - Enlightenment, Orbital, The Safe Keep & My Friends. The last two were hits for me and the first 2 misses. Agree that My Friends looks like a winner but The Safe Keep was probably my favourite. Just started Creation Lake and will read Wandering Stars as have read There There but not sure anything else really appeals to me so may wait till the shortlist. Also haven't read Huck Finn & have no real desire to.
I loved the Overstory. Rachel Kushner’s Creation Lake is on order. I hate to see you so frazzled but a 5 month old can do that I guess. Is your dog accepting the new addition in an acceptable way?
I actually *loved* Held; I really like that use of vignettes and short chapters. I'm still trying to write a review for it -- it's turning out to be a difficult one to review. So far, that is my only Booker. I found the list this year extremely off-putting. I'm excited to read Stoneyard Devotional (yes, I remember the video of the farm overrun by the mice!) James, The Safekeep, and maybe Enlightenment, so it's been a pretty *meh* Booker year for me -- I'll probably read the winner, though. Maybe.
I don't think you need to read Huck Finn to enjoy James. Though I would recommend Huckleberry Finn as well, as it is at the top of most people's list of greatest American novels. But James is quite good and subversive in a different way than Huck Finn is subversive.
Did you end up reading the Martyr? If so, what did you think of it? ☺️
Navigating class rules in the UK is hard work! As a middle class Australian working at uk universities I very much did not pass!
sad about the sarah perry, sounded so interesting
Huck Finn is a very fast read. Stone yard sounds good Take care and get some rest nite.
💚🖤🍂
Honestly the booker long list this year was a dud in general compared to last
❤
♥️
I’ve only read Orbital from the longlist and I found it a bit disappointing… the writing was so beautiful, but I found the dream-like, untethered nature of the prose made it… hard for me to immerse myself? I think I need more character development when a book lacks in plot. If the characters had started off more three-dimensional and then bled into each other the longer we’re with them, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
I think you’d like
The Weekend by Charolette Wood
Not heard one good review of Held. I read Fugitive Pieces years ago and struggled with it. Not even going to bother.
I have read James and yes it is enjoyable. Will read Playground next.
and reading Mohamed Mbougar Sarr the most secret memory of men, which isn't like the description and is very good readable fun novel, i kind of have some background in the african francophone literature which might add to it but i don't think so, it's really good, honest, it's not like the description
my vibe is this list isn't as good as last year's list? just from watching people's reactions and whatnot
Thoroughly enjoyable to listen to whatever you have to say! I've only read three: James, My Friends and Stoneyard Devotional and I'm sure the winner is one of those!
I regret finishing Enlightenment and This Strange Eventful History. (Listened to both on audiobook.) Waste of time for me. Really, really disliked the first, and the second was so boring. The first book I read wasJames, which was good, but not really my thing. Have been struggling with motivation to read any of the others. I am interested in reading Wandering Stars (read There, there earlier this month), My Friends, Creation Lake, Stoneyard Devotional, and The Safekeep (and maybe Orbital and Wild Houses), but I'm not rushing to any of them.
The Overstory: starts off great, lots of facts about trees; next it's a novel about being part of the protest movement: great, never even heard of a novel about that kind of lifestyle despite knowing huge numbers of people who live it. Spoiler: predictably turns violent, though the level of cruelty by the police is informative. Finally, to spite the very obvious plot lines he's set up for each character, he just spoils them so as not to be predictable. And ends by saying 1) the generation of bits of computer code is another life form (not in any way, scientifically speaking) and the apotheosis for a native american is to use nature to spell out words in the language of the invader to make the kind of 'art' sold in tat shops everywhere (i live in wales, so you can't move for heart-shaped slates with 'cariad' written on them). tl;dr = pretentious twaddle and needlessly sadistic plotting lead to more dissatisfaction than satisfaction, but i enjoyed all the facts about trees
i don't care what you cut but you better carry on doing poetry or i zhall cry
stone yard devotional was so boring, the sample - 'woman goes to nunnery' written like 'a fat chatty nun in a fleece' the kind of bad writing that's so popular now. Matar i read one sample, beautiful sentences boring subject and went slow, will be interesting. I think you say khaled like haled but with a hint of german ch
Loved Orbital, think James has potential to be a new American classic, am currently reading Wandering Stars ( and personally read There There , but don’t remember character’s names so may as well had t and don’t feel I’m missing a significant component of WS) and look so forward to Playground 📖🪱💚
Anne Michaels: the first third of her first book, the famous one, is brilliant: it's about an archaeologist and attempts to write in layers too. It's like the glass house by simon mawer, you have to read the first chapter, it's amazing, brilliant. the rest, less important. Tommy orange 'there there' is really good. Plot description might put you off but ignore it. I'm sick to death of 'immigrant/ethnic' etc type stories (read the same one too often) and it held me, interested me and was very original. It's not the greatest book in the world nor does it pretend to be, but it is really good. A good test is, not if it has great reviews, but if everyone likes it, it has no bad ones, and i read it because of that. I dipped into the martyr and messud and couldn't stand them, but that doesn't mean i'm right. Orbital is good. It is slight, war and peace is still the best novel ever and i'm currently on the second volume of the chinese classic Monkey/journey west (only another 4000 pages to go). But she can really write. I'm also reading Vulcana, which i heartily recommend, perfectly treads that rarely achieved line between literature and popular novel, but probably too lowbrow for you. It's about being a Victorian strongwoman