Booker Prize 2023 longlist reaction (honestly... wow)

[@JentheLibrarianreads]

Everyone's predictions were so wrong this year, and I LOVE that. I think it would be awful if the judges only picked books we've all heard of and been hyping.I think the book I'm most interested in is Pearl, not that I'm going to read any of them this year though 😅

[@benreadsgood]

I think there would have been lots of people happy about their predictions, but it would have ended up a bit of an anticlimax. New voices making the list is so exciting!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hooray for Ayobami. I’m so so so thrilled for her. It’s an interesting list. The more the dust settles the more excited I am for Sarah Bernstein. The Paul Murray intrigues me. Of the ones I actually have Tan Twan Eng calls to me most.

[@benreadsgood]

You called it! 👏 It's definitely an interesting list. I know you were thinking it was quite safe, but I am so excited to have so many new voices in the mix. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts - will you be doing any Booker vids in the coming months?

[@audreyapproved]

I'm not the biggest Booker follower, but I love watching these reaction videos! I think I'll probably read This Other Eden (I like books set in Maine) and In Ascension (I've enjoyed literary sci-fi before)!

[@benreadsgood]

This Other Eden is beautifully written, so I hope you enjoy it. Just took me a while to get into the lyrical prose. And definitely with you on enjoying literary sci-fi, so I am very excited for In Ascension!

[@charlottemolloy]

Thinking I'll head to Pearl and Elaine Feeney first, more my thing. Interesting point about Riambel and Pearl being same publisher so great spotlight for both of them and the indie press 😍

[@benreadsgood]

Yeah I am so thrilled for Indigo. I can only imagine how much difference it makes to their ability to put out more amazing titles. And for the next 5 years they get 2 submissions!

[@RovingReader]

Thanks so much for talking us through the longlist!

[@benreadsgood]

The pleasure is all mine. Thank YOU for watching! 🙌

[@denisethegood]

I haven’t been able to afford any physical English language books these past 4 years (economy in Turkey is in horrific state) and that put me of reading for a while (well, that and being poor, disabled and unemployed messed with my head). By chance, your video popped up on my KZbin and I was like ‘oh yeah there were the Booker awards’ and the way you explained each book, your enthusiasm, weirdly you holding the physical copies of the books - well, I’m now like how can I start reading again! I’m grateful that I have a big library of English books from the time I worked and traveled the world, so I’ll go back to those, and be on the look out for cheap copies of current books/winners. Thanks for this great video!!!

[@benreadsgood]

I am so sorry to hear that you've had so many setbacks. Really hope things are looking up, and that you can find a way to find some solace and enjoyment in reading ❤️ Very lovely to hear you enjoyed the video - thank you for taking the time to watch it! 🙌

[@PeachyKeeners]

I love it here! I’ve added all your other videos to my watch queue and my tbr is about to get so much bigger 🤣I’m definitely going to start picking my reads from these lists - I’d be interested to see just how wide the range of literature I can enjoy is. Thank you for this!

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks so much, that is so kind of you to say and it's lovely to have you here. Hopefully you find some good picks from my channel!

[@YourTrueShelf]

Fab work as always Ben 😊 I'm really happy with the list! My frustration is that I've spent a lot of time listening to audible samples and making absolutely no decision on what to listen to first!! 🤯 Indecision stalls me lol.

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you so much! Hahaha I get the same way sometimes when I'm choosing a new book - Matt even made a joke about it at my expense in his wedding speech 😂 Did you end up deciding?

[@YourTrueShelf]

@@benreadsgood haha I can imagine Sam doing that joke too!! Yes in the end I went for how to build a boat. I was so indecisive that Kieran picked for me 😂

[@toddwonders4054]

Avid audiobooker here and I will say the trick is to slowly speed up the narration. If you notch it up gradually your brain will adjust (there is some scientific phenomenon that happens) and then you can listen to longer books more quickly. I try to move the speed up to my natural reading speed -- usually around 1.7 or so. ALSO: I loved In Ascension. I'm thrilled to see it on this list.

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks for the tip. I always feel a bit icky speeding up the audiobook, as I feel a bit like I'm dampening the work the narrator has done in the recording booth. But better fast than not at all, I suppose! I think what I might try is to do an audio+physical combo, and then I can calibrate the reading speed to how quickly I would read with my eyes. Very excited for In Ascension!

[@toddwonders4054]

@@benreadsgood I 100% get that! I have found that most of the apps do a good job of not pitching or distorting the narration, it just brings it up to a speed that, at least for me, is more in line with my brainwaves. There are definitely narrators that do such a remarkable job that sped up on not, you will relish the time spent. Definitely interested in your thoughts on In Ascension. It's a slow burn, but really made existence feel incredibly expansive for me.

[@radiantchristina]

2023- The year of the Pauls 😂 Great video. I didn't guess one this year. They all sound pretty fabulous though!

[@benreadsgood]

I hear next year they're taking over the Paulitzer as well! Thanks for watching 🙏

[@radiantchristina]

@@benreadsgood

[@BexLouise07]

I've started listening to Pearl. I was surprised that my library had added it to Libby a few weeks ago. The librarians must be better guessers of the Booker prize long list than Booktube is 😂 Looking forward to all your reviews!

[@benreadsgood]

Oh wow - next year you need to get the intel from your library and base your predictions on what they add! Thanks for watching 🙏

[@BexLouise07]

@@benreadsgood Haha I'll keep my eyes peeled 👀

[@thelefthandedreader6632]

I got stuck in the middle of reading Framley Parsonage, within the Barsetshire Trollope series so I finally got the audiobook & used it to keep me moving along…even just a little. Then when I went bk to the book, it was satisfying to move my bookmark forward. And now I’ve gained momentum and I’m reading the last bit and really enjoying it.

[@benreadsgood]

Maybe an audio-physical combo is the way to go!

[@madeubook]

Love your take on why Riambel didn't make it and that the Booker prediction exposure was still a positive for it. I thought for sure that would be on the list, but your logic makes sense and I agree that it's great for The Indigo Press, too!

[@benreadsgood]

I am so incredibly pleased for them. I recently read an article about the finances of running a small press (I think it was from Weatherglass Books) and honestly the exposure that Riambel has had will likely give Indigo such a boost.

[@Thebookerharlot]

It’s my favourite time of the year too! I only had one prediction, Ayobami, make the longlist, so you beat me! I am disappointed that Demon didn’t make the list. It’s a very original, obscure and exciting list. I love that the Booker brings “new to me” authors into my life. Happy Booker season! 😊 📚

[@benreadsgood]

Yes I totally agree - it's so fun to have a list that's introducing us to new and exciting voices. Happy Booker to you too - hope you enjoy the ride 🚗

[@christelvanzyl5246]

If I could (joyfully) listen to over 35 hours of David Copperfield, you can do this audiobook too!😂 (I listen at normal speed, but I can listen while I do menial tasks, so I fly through the book by just listening for a few hours every day.) Ben, I was waiting for your response to the Booker list. I was disappointed at first because it came later than some of the others, but it was worth the wait! Your video is so informative and well researched! You share valid points, facts and factual gems, while other Booktubers share their opinions only. Your presentation is professional and you don't talk nonsense - you get to the point. Thank you for the video and insights. I have read House of Doors (to me it is not the winner) and will listen to In Ascension as soon as I am done listening to Covenant of Water. I respect your views and appreciate this post. Oh, and I forgot to say that I find that you are not biased. Sometimes reviewers have certain tropes that they favour (which is human I suppose), but I think you are objective enough while still sharing your views. Happy reading. ❤ Thank you!

[@benreadsgood]

Christel this is such a kind message - you have really made me smile! You're right some people got their videos out so fast. I was itching to finish work and research the books so I could film mine, and it all took so long I didn't get it published until 1am my time 😴 Really loved watching everyone's take on the longlist after getting mine out the door. Hope you enjoy In Ascension - I think it's the one I'm most excited about on the list. Happy reading to you too!

[@cecilialau_]

Will be exciting to see which ones make it on to the shortlist. Great that you’re tackling all 13 of them! It’s always fun to watch the predictions and reactions “in real time”. There are defo a few that I’d like to read but my tbr is already quite bonkers so I’ll see how they do for the booker, but I’m sure I’ll read them - and potentially more from the list - at some point. - Am finding your background of the growing book-stack oddly endearing and comforting btw, lol. Happy reading!

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you for watching. It's my intention to tackle them all, but let's see if I actually manage it... I think I'm already behind schedule 😂 I really enjoyed watching people's proper real time reactions as they watched the reveal video. I spoiled it for myself too quickly to do that! Which are the ones that most pique your interest?

[@cecilialau_]

@@benreadsgood I did that too, watching a reaction to the longlist as it was announced. But I also just meant getting your take on the books before knowing the winner and sort of taking part in the build-up (even if we have no say in the outcome, lol) 😊 Also, reading the entire list is a big ask, so whichever and however many you get to, hopefully it’s an enjoyable experience rather than a “task”! But yeah, since it’s been a few days I’ve had time to mull it over a bit, but top three would probably be How to Build a Boat, A Spell of Good Things and An Ascension. Right now I’d reckon half the books would be ones I would choose to read but that’s why I’m lucky enough to get some great reviews here to help make those decisions 🤪😎

[@CharlieBrookReads]

All very exciting. So happy for Tan Twang Eng. It’s just such a solid read and I hope this year is finally the year he wins 🤞 Loved hearing your thoughts on them so thank you for sharing Ben 🤩📚❤️

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks for watching Charlie! I am raring to go with Tan but might save him for after getting through some of the shorties on the list ❤️

[@bibliosophie]

I've been wanting to read this Sarah Bernstein for months already bc I really liked The Coming Bad Days, and this longlist has only got me foaming at the mouth more

[@benreadsgood]

Yessss I've had that one my shelves for ages and somehow not gotten around to reading it. Maybe I'm about to become a Bernstein fanboy 👀

[@mosescodes]

i also share your very specific and minor gripe about the Adébáyọ̀ hahaha. For me, the audio definitely helps the reading experience, and also fills in the linguistic gaps. There is a lot of non-English embedded into the dialogue and it's just easier to understand when heard aloud than to try to read it myself (kind of like the "Tholokuthi" from Glory)

[@benreadsgood]

I definitely considered the audio for A Spell of Good Things, but for some reason the male narrator's recording is such poor quality. It's like they recorded it on an old mobile phone from across the room. Such a strange mishap! And definitely agree on the tholukuthi point for Glory - Chipo Chung absolutely brought LIFE to that word throughout the novel 👏

[@isam.2653]

In Ascension??? Ok, I can die happy now 😮 I did not expect that at all.

[@benreadsgood]

Yesssss rise up literary sci-fi! Hopefully it inspires more people to write in that genre because I love it.

[@GemofBooks]

The more of these reaction videos I watch the more excited I’m getting for this list 🤩 I think the one I’m most excited for is In Ascension too. Think I’m going to start Pearl today.

[@benreadsgood]

Yessss Gem dive into the hype!!!! Definitely with you on In Ascension. Hearing good things about Pearl so I hope you enjoy it!

[@janethansen9612]

I'm excited to try some new authors. This is what I love about the Booker. Disappointed no Aussie or NZ authors were longlisted (again).

[@benreadsgood]

Yeah I was really hoping for some Aussie or Kiwi fiction (my Grimmish prediction was wishful thinking, as I'd love to prioritise reading it!) but sadly it wasn't to be. With you on the new author excitement though! 🎉

[@yashovathi]

Happy to see Tan Twan Eng, Sebastian Barry on the list! Also Paul Murray!

[@benreadsgood]

And what's exciting is... the list is such a random smorgasbord that it feels like any of them could win. Tan or Barry or Murray could finally be back to claim the prize after their previous nominations!

[@kiranreader]

it was def a surprising longlist! i haven't read any of these books but just started western lane

[@benreadsgood]

Yeah it's wild!!! I'm so intrigued by Western Lane... would never have guessed in a million years to see a book about squash in the dozen.

[@ameliabarlowbooks]

so much Irish fiction and yet no Kala! ah well - there’s loads of potential in this list. I definitely fancy my chances of finding a new favourite 💖

[@benreadsgood]

I guess Kala is a little on the side of literary thriller (as far as I know!), which sadly rarely gets a look-in for the Booker. But it's been nominated for the Waterstone's Debut Fiction Prize and is getting a massive push, so seems like it's finding its audience. I can't wait to read it!

[@marjoriedybec3450]

so intriguing. If I finish the 54 hours of The Count of Monte Cristo, yes I will pick and choose from this list until the winner is announced. Thanks for your lively introductions.

[@benreadsgood]

54 hours!!! That puts my complaints about 26 hours of The Bee Sting into perspective 😂 Any from the list that are particularly calling to you? Thank you for watching 🙏

[@KierTheScrivener]

I wasn't particularly hyped about any of the books that were very hyped to be on it so I am okay with them not making. I would have been not so quietly angry if Demon Copperhead had of made it. I just felt it was very middle of the road book. Maybe as I have affection for the original and have a background in social work so the content is not suprising. I just wish it had of been more fully dealt with. I guess there's an argument for the 'best' book of the year, but it would be just taking up space on a prize it was never going to win. I am glad to have more diversity. (But not in the name Paul) There's nothing that particularly captured me like last year but Pearl seems interesting amd a couple of the others feel like they could draw me in. Glad to have you in on the fun this year!

[@benreadsgood]

Very glad to be here! I love how much Demon is THE major talking point of the longlist. It's so fascinating! Personally I loved it and would have loved to see it here, but I don't know that it would have made tonnes of sense in the context of the list. Its reputation kind of precedes it at this point. Very, very pleased with the range of books on this list. It's so exciting!

[@mackenzielika]

I’m definitely going to go for the whole list this year! I only predicted In Ascension correctly, but I’m very pleased it made the list. It’s too soon to say I hope it wins… but I hope it wins.

[@benreadsgood]

It's never too soon to call it 😂 Let the games begin. I so desperately want to love In Ascension - it seems like a really *me* book. Hope I'm not putting too much pressure on it!

[@abookhug]

I am happy Copperhead and Birnam Wood didn't make it as I DNFd them both 😅 I really enjoyed The House of Doors, very happy it made the list, haven't read his previous books. I am planning to read Old God's Time, Pearl, Bird-Hearts and Prophet Song. The maybe category: how to build a boat, in ascension, study for disobedience.

[@benreadsgood]

Haha that's lucky for you! Glad you have been able to find some titles here that are of interest 🙏

[@jaredellingsen]

Just came across your channel at the start of the Booker season and I'm really enjoying it! Looking forward to following along until the winner is announced! Really disappointed not to see In Memoriam or Demon Copperhead on the list (and to a lesser extend The New Life and Wandering Souls). It feels like the judges really went out of their way to avoid books that have been on other lists. I've read the shortlisted books the last few years, but I'm not sure the trend will continue as a lot of these aren't grabbing me. I've read The House of Doors and just started A Spell of Good Things, but beyond those and Prophet Song, I'm not overly interested in the rest. Eager to see what people make of these books once they actually start reading them; maybe I'll be inspired haha

[@benreadsgood]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting - pleased to have you along for the ride! I'm definitely a bit gutted for Demon, or at least I was at first - now that the dust has settled a bit I am super excited to get into all these new-to-me books. I think it's great that although some of the hotly-tipped debuts like In Memoriam didn't make the Booker, they are getting an enormous push from Waterstone's in the UK as part of the Debut Fiction Prize. And I fully expect Alice Winn to be in the mix for next year's Women's Prize!

[@jaredellingsen]

@@benreadsgood Thanks for the reply! Yeah I actually was unaware of the Debut Fiction Prize (I'm from the US) until recently and I found it because of In Memoriam, and I'm very excited to read that shortlist now; I just finished ordering the remaining books haha. Fingers crossed on my end for next year's Women's Prize I guess!

[@purplecrayon7281]

I'm gonna tackle 3 to 4 from the list before the shortlist announcement. I will start with Sebastian Barry since my local library has tons of copies, and I love his previous works. Escoffery's If l Survive You will be next on my list, but I wonder if it's along the lines of Egan's Visit from the Goon Squad or Diaz's This is How You Lose Her.

[@benreadsgood]

I'm starting with Old God's Time as well! 👯

[@jenniferlovesbooks]

I think this is a really exciting list. Well done to the judges. I haven't read any. My library has six, which i have joined the queue for. The one i am probably most intrigued by is Study For Obedience but my library doesn't have it, I'm hoping this will prompt them to get a few more from the list 🤞

[@benreadsgood]

It is exciting, isn't it! And well done to your library for having that many - it's so left field I suppose lots of libraries (and bookshops) have been taken by surprise.

[@nadiadixon5805]

I decided that I would buy two of the booker longlist and the first one I have ordered is A little bird Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd Barlow...It will be a wonderful read I can feel it....when I have finished this book I will choose number two...

[@benreadsgood]

That’s a nice approach! I’m definitely intrigued by that one. Sounds like a great premise and love to see Own Voices represented on the list ❤️

[@StephanieP1901]

The only book I’m sad about is In Memoriam, which should have been at least longlisted for the way it made me cringe with its descriptions of trench warfare. I haven’t read Demon Copperhead (yet!) so I can’t assess why it’s not there. Watching all these Booker prediction BookTubers made me want to read In Ascension by MacInnes and Soldier Sailor by Kilroy. They’re not available so I ordered them from the UK. And House of Doors will be out here soon but I added it to my order just because I can’t risk the US version not having those gorgeous endpapers! For the 2024 prize, I’m looking for Loot by Tania James. I was hoping for it this year, but then I saw it’s not published there until January. Read it! I loved it!

[@StephanieP1901]

Also, I feel like I’m among the few who enjoyed Birnam Wood. It should have made the cut for our friends in NZ.

[@benreadsgood]

I'm with you on the trench warfare - I thought that was In Memoriam's superpower, and I think we'll see it rewarded in the Women's Prize next year. So the future is bright despite not making it for the Booker! To be honest, while I think the subject matter is incredibly powerful, I didn't think the prose was *that* beautiful. So I wasn't convinced it was a sure thing for the Booker, which tends to reward style and form over subject matter. I did enjoy it though! Soldier Sailor is absolutely fantastic - I hope you enjoy. And thank you for the advance tip for 2024! 🙏

[@StephanieP1901]

@@benreadsgood agree regarding the prose. But it was so sweet and I was rooting for Gaunt and Ellwood so much. It was disappointing to realize they weren’t real. Alice Winn had a feature in the New York Times. She said she based Preshute on Marlborough and the newspaper clippings were based on real ones she found in archives. I think her prose skills will grow - she’s pretty young and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

[@emmawoodhead7642]

murray does something with the grammar in the bee sting which might not translate well into the audio. me and owen smashed out the ebook in 5 days but both hated it lol

[@benreadsgood]

Thank you for the heads up! 5 days to read that door-stopper is impressive but I'm sorry you hated it 😂

[@seamusgaelic6447]

Excited to see Paul Murray's The Bee Sting make the list. Read Skippy Dies and found it one of the best books I've read in recent years. Go Paul Go!

[@benreadsgood]

I am glad you specified which Paul - it's hard to know with this list 😂

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

Once longlisted, once shortlisted, there's only one place left for Eng to finish this year.

[@benreadsgood]

He's calling it now!!! 👀

[@benreadsgood]

I also suppose as he's judged the International Booker this year, he's completed the full set!

[@maartjedegroot9598]

I’m gonna pick and choose

[@benreadsgood]

Definitely a good approach. No need to put too much pressure on it all, especially at this stage!

[@SupposedlyFun]

It feels like the jury this year pretty deliberately decided to discard the heaviest hitters from consideration. And while I like a longlist that has a lot of discoveries, it feels odd that they wouldn't at least invite one of the major authors in (Kingsolver, Smith, Catton, or Rushdie). I almost wonder if they're clearing the decks for Sebastian Barry. 🤔

[@benreadsgood]

It's definitely an interesting one, and it must be so hard to separate the books themselves from the hype, speculation and reputation of them. It would feel like a crowning moment for Barry, but if they were of that mindset I wouldn't rule out Tan either. I'm just happy to be here, whoever wins!

[@SupposedlyFun]

@@benreadsgood That's true--Eng is three for three with nominations!

[@benreadsgood]

@@SupposedlyFun An amazing achievement for him! FYI I just updated my comment as I mistakenly referred to him as 'Eng', but as a commenter pointed out to me his surname is actually 'Tan' 🤦‍♂ I'm learning, but clearly slowly!

[@SupposedlyFun]

@@benreadsgood Well I'm clearly with you, so let the learning continue.

[@benreadsgood]

@@SupposedlyFun Every day's a school day! Just thought I would mention it as I led you into the same trap 😅

[@Rainierbooks]

They exchanged the word "novel" by the term "long-form fiction" a bunch of years ago which I think definiteiy opened for interconnected short-story collections.

[@benreadsgood]

Good spot - guess that goes some way to explaining why we’ve seen some collections, and that graphic novel!

[@yashovathi]

I also thought not bringing some of the obvious successful authors in is a good move. The Booker now goes on to bring many not known excellent books across the seas, to me.

[@benreadsgood]

Yeah I think it's super interesting, but I don't feel massively strongly about it either way. Prizes are always going to be subjective and I like that the judges have the freedom to give us an unusual and unexpected list like this. I'm just excited it's happening, and the more great books that readers are able to discover, the better!

[@lynnjohnson100]

I'm very disappointed that Victory City isn't on the list. I will read a few but not push myself to finish. Reading In Ascension now. Suggestions for what should be the next one?

[@benreadsgood]

Oooh In Ascension is one of the longer ones, and seems like it has a huge scope... so maybe one of the shorter, smaller stories? It depends what you're into really, but perhaps Pearl would be a nice one to move to next!

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

There’s no chance all 13 of these are better than Demon! 😂 I’m still not going to be reading them, but I’m interested in All The Little Bird-Hearts and mildly interested in A Study for Obedience and Pearl. It really was like Book Christmas with your Booker shopping spree! 😊

[@annegibson6072]

I miss Wandering Souls and The Covenant of Water

[@benreadsgood]

Haha you may be right Alice - Demon is a rare gem. But I do think it would have overshadowed this list a little. I will let you know how I get on with the ones I read, which might help you decide if you're going to like them!

[@AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

@@benreadsgood you are right that it would have overshadowed the others. I can’t wait to hear how you get on with the others. Also, the covers are so good this year!

[@TheLeniverse]

A year or two ago someone (somewhere on the internet, sorry, don't remember who or where) wrote an article about the typical Booker book, and stated that statistically the average Booker winner is set in London in the 1980s, published by Bloomsbury, has an introspective protagonist and multiple viewpoints, and is written by a British white male aged 51. I don't remember the rest of the typical traits, but I think there had to be blue on the cover. So, I don't know if there are any books this year that fit those criteria, but I feel like "typically named Paul" is on its way to become a longlist trait. 😆

[@benreadsgood]

Haha that's so funny, I'd love to track that article down and read it. I wonder how many authors will start writing under 'Paul' pen names to get an advantage 😂

[@TheLeniverse]

@@benreadsgood Found it. It was written last year by Naomi Adam from Liverpool University. Called "How to Win the Booker Price". (And she correctly predicted the winner.) I tried to post the link here, but I guess maybe KZbin doesn't like that?

[@benreadsgood]

@@TheLeniverse legend, thank you. I’ll have a look!

[@bstephens44]

As one of the seven people who did not like D.C. I am pleased it will not mar my Booker experience. I tried to read Ascension and set it aside about a quarter of the way through. I found it plodding and unfocused. I am going to try again because I would like to read the whole list this year. The only book I have read is House of Doors which I loved - if even one or two on the list reach the same level of quality I will be happy.

[@benreadsgood]

"One of the seven people" 😂 It does seem to have had near-universal praise, and I think the book community is in mourning. But I'm glad to hear someone is happy about the omission! Thanks for House of Doors positivity - I'm looking forward to that one. Although who I am kidding, I'm looking forward to them all 👀

[@kimswhims8435]

I love The House of Doors, it's one of my favourite reads so far this year. This Other Eden was good, In ascension was humourless crap, might be ok in a different Universe but so much of it is just awfully bad for SciFi, couldn't suspend disbelief. Listening to A Spell of Good things at the moment and it's holding my interest. I'm still going to read A Story of the forest (one of my picks) then Old God's Time and the audiobooks of Pearl and Western Lane. Have to wait for a few orders at the library to come in before I can read the others.

[@benreadsgood]

Sounds like you are all set for this longlist - great work 👏 I'm so fascinated by how In Ascension divides opinion. People seem to either find it incredible, life-changing, etc. or boring as hell. I think I'm more likely than not to love it, but it's so interesting to see how people are responding to it!

[@kimswhims8435]

@@benreadsgood I think I'm in a 3rd category about In Ascension, it's not just boring it's badly done. I have a Science and technical background and the Science would be ok if set in a different Universe but it doesn't work in ours. It's like he did no research and I'm finding the lack of Science education amongst people who love it, disheartening. Especially when it comes to Climate Change.

[@benreadsgood]

Ah, that's a shame. I can often be a stickler for things being accurate, but I can be okay with things as long as it plays by the rules of its own world... so who knows how I'll get on with it 👀

[@dqan7372]

The absence of Copperhead bugs me; makes me question the legitimacy of the list a bit, but the list is growing on me. Certainly nothing comes across as a book that I'll give up on after two paragraphs. (❤ the 🐬). Currently cheering for This Other Eden and Prophet Song. Haven't read them; they just seem like books that the world needs right now. The rest sound ok or better, but I'm not rushing to pick one up. Old Man's God seems like a me book for whatever reason. That might be my first read.

[@benreadsgood]

I do think Demon would be very deserving of a place, but by the same token it would be such a dominating force on this list, and I can see how it doesn't need it. It's a good reminder that these lists are just the opinions of five people - five others would have likely chosen completely different books! Old God's Time is also the one I'm starting with 😊

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

What are the odds that one of the authors called Paul wins the Booker? Although I’m delighted that there are four Irish books on the list; I’m sad Birnam Wood is not on the list. An Post awards in Ireland will be interesting this year. I’m interested in all the books I hadn’t heard of before. What book do you want to read first? ☘️📕🍀📕📖📚☕️🇮🇪

[@benreadsgood]

Haha I think Paul has a good chance of winning. At least a 3 in 13 chance 😂 And actually 2 of those are the 'bigger' names on the list so maybe even better odds. Definitely with you on being interested in the books I haven't heard before. I've started with Old God's Time! Are you dipping into the list?

[@KDbooks]

BKR SZN BBY

[@emmawoodhead7642]

PLECPLECPLEC

[@beemini3374]

The only book I've read that you mentioned was Demon Copperhead and I loved it. Hard to imagine why it wasn't nominated but maybe it's just too American for the panel.

[@thecinematicmind]

One answer: The moment it won the Pulitzer it had absolutely no chance getting a Booker nomination.

[@benreadsgood]

I loved Demon too, but I just think it always comes down to book prizes being the decision of some judges, and book tastes being so variable. It disappoints people sometimes, but I think it’s wonderful that taste can vary so much!

[@mradcaqbdb]

There’s nothing funny about a 650 page book. 😤😮‍💨😂 I’ve only read This Other Eden, which was fantastic. I haven’t read Demon Copperhead and have no plans to and I can guarantee it’s better than This Other Eden, which again, is fantastic. So there was definitely room for Demon on this list. No reason for excluding it if this is supposed to be a list of the “best.” Dismounts horse. I picked up Old God’s Time today and will be reading it soon. I definitely want to read Prophet Song. Maybe are The House of Doors and All the Little Bird-Hearts. Double maybe is Pearl, but YAY for Indigo! I’ll read Adebayo’s book at some point, but I still have her debut to read first. The Booker and I don’t get along. This list is, for me, a smidge more meh than usual. 🤷‍♀️

[@wheredoducksgo]

😂 Yeah, if you can't wrap it up at least under 400pgs, what are doing?!

[@benreadsgood]

We love the Indigo love 👏 And I'm a hell YES for Prophet Song. It sounds great and you must be pleased it's only 240 pages 😅 I do actually love a long book... just not under time pressure!

[@mradcaqbdb]

@@benreadsgood Thrilled that the books I’m interested in from the LL are short. I used to read lots of long books when I was younger. Now, I can’t sustain the momentum to read them. I have to really like an author’s work in order to pick up a long book now. And congrats on 2000 subscribers!!

[@benreadsgood]

@@mradcaqbdb thanks so much - it feels so weird! 😂

[@rebecca.reader]

' More books on the list withe name Paul'😂😂😂

[@benreadsgood]

It's true!!! Pauls are taking over, and we all need to watch out 👀

[@rebecca.reader]

@@benreadsgood this is actually true!! In my husbands family everyone is either called Paul or Dave...apart from my husband who incidentally is called Ben 😆

[@benreadsgood]

@@rebecca.reader The Booker judges are clearly trying to warn us!

[@rebecca.reader]

@@benreadsgood yes indeed!

[@ht6743]

Is there any sort of precedent for If I Survive You making the longlist? Wasn't short-story collections against the rules or something? Is Girl, Woman, Other the closest example with a series of interconnected narratives that connect by the end? As for the longlist, meh. No Demon Copperhead was such a glaring and deliberate omission ... makes the list incomplete to the point of irrelevance.

[@benreadsgood]

So short story collections aren't explicitly banned, but the rules say a work needs to be 'substantial and unified'. There have been a few interconnected short story collections included in previous years, such as Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge, and Sophie Ward's Love and Other Thought Experiments. More controversial was David Szalay's All That Man Is, which apparently is much closer to a regular collection. I think If I Survive You does tell a fairly complete narrative, it's just told from different character's perspectives, and has just been billed as a short story collection in the marketing.

[@rhyst124]

Happy that the judges haven't favoured the elitist favourites that are Crewe, Catton, Cuddy, Kingsolver, Rushdie...

[@benreadsgood]

I maintain that Benjamin Myers deserves more recognition! His work is amazing representation of masculinity, working class lives, and northern England!

[@rhyst124]

@@benreadsgoodand he has garnered a lot of recognition, he has won many awards... would you know, is Myers working class or does he just write about such?

[@benreadsgood]

He went to a comprehensive in Durham but I don’t know much beyond that.

[@bobthecat-rh5dy]

And the prize goes to….me!!! :-)

[@benreadsgood]

I’m sorry but you must be called Paul 😂

[@SaraMGreads]

I don’t like the Western Lane cover at all. It turns me right off. The rest of the covers are all pretty nice.

[@benreadsgood]

I feel like I would usually agree, and when I saw pictures I didn't like it... but there's something about it that's appealing to me for some reason. It's a mystery 😅

[@girlsaint]

The snub of Demon reinvigorates my dislike of prizes. If any of these books could beat Kingsolver, let them! I would read any book touted as better than DC, but if its not even in the running, why bother. I may read If I Survive This, and The Bee Sting sounds interesting but both can wait for the second hand market.

[@benreadsgood]

That’s a shame, but I understand! I really loved Demon too, definitely among my favourite reads of the year, but I’ve made peace with it by just accepting that this list is just the opinions of 5 people. Different judges would likely have put together a completely different list. I’m excited by all these new voices, and looking forward to finding out if I agree 👀

[@harryturnbull1884]

Its now just an exercise in inclusivity

[@benreadsgood]

I think it's really exciting to have so many new voices in the mix!

[@shawnlee220]

It's not a bad thing but at the same time, I thought this award was supposed to be about the best published book in English. I like that I usually find someone new on these awards but this year, nothing really grabs my attention. 😒

[@benreadsgood]

Well hopefully I can be of service! I’ll be looking for the gems in this list, and I’ll let you know the best we’ve got on offer here 🤞