Friday Reads: A Surprise DNF and Women's Prize Shortlist Predictions

Lots to discuss this week! I finished one book, shockingly DNF'ed another, and am making good progress on two others. Plus: Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist predictions. Expand for more information. 👇
Further Viewing 🎥
Book Haul Revisit for April: • Book Haul Revisit for ...
Women’s Prize Longlist Reaction: • Women’s Prize for Fict...
Carol Shields Prize Shortlist Reaction: • The Carol Shields Priz...
My Pulitzer Prize Predictions: • Pulitzer Prize Predict...
Last Friday Reads: • Friday Reads: Bracing ...
Jump to the Friday Reads: 07:30
Titles Mentioned 📚
Biography of X, Catherine Lacey: bookshop.org/a/99775/97812503...
Restless Dolly Maunder, Kate Grenville: bookshop.org/a/99775/97818053...
Here We Go Again, Alison Cochrun: bookshop.org/a/99775/97816680...
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain: bookshop.org/a/99775/97801431...
James, Percival Everett: bookshop.org/a/99775/97803855...
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[@still-reading]

I'm happy to see you DNF a book. Sometimes serious lit fic readers imply that we should be open minded and read anything. As someone who struggled with serious depression, I can't just read everything that pops up. I don't think that makes me narrow minded, just someone who recognizes my boundaries. Good for you for recognizing yours! I feel a little validated, if that makes sense. And I appreciate your honesty.

[@kitcat6352]

Regarding North Woods, I interpreted the ghosts more as a metaphor of the impacts people have on the spaces around them and the energy they imbue. To me, it wasn't so much a ghost story, I don't classify it as one, as it was a story of time and place.

[@MJ-in-Canada]

Embrace the DNF!

[@user-yg6ft1iu1i]

I’m glad you gave Biography of X a chance. I never thought of possible triggers so you know you best and I’m glad you stopped. I still give Western Lane an outside chance at the Womens Prize but it seems like it’s been out a while now and is kind of forgotten. This week I read The Position by Meg Wolitzer and Simpatia by Rodrigo Blanco Calderon TR Noel Hernandez Gonzales and Daniel Hahn I thought it was interesting, enjoyable and very good. But to me it was a little different from what I expected from reading the jacket but still recommend.

[@myreadinglife8816]

More DNFs! Less angst about it! Dust jackets have to go before I can read a book.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I have another DNF coming this week! 💪

[@hollyb118]

I am also surprised North Woods isn’t recognized as a ghost story. The ghosts play such important roles.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Right? I agree!

[@jessicat6271]

I loved North Woods through page 80, then had to force myself to finish it. Didn’t DNF it because I bought a hardcopy of it. Was totally onboard for the format and stories of all the events and inhabitants of the property over time but, they lost me as a reader with the ghost stuff plonked in. And oddly, this was the first book that I felt there were parts that I felt it was obvious “this is a man writing [trying to portray] woman’s perspective” and it felt off. Completely aware that others may/will feel differently but, it was something that stood out for me. Also, completely relate to the dystopian points; when we are currently living in a “situation of traumatic proportions.” Gonna pass on piling more on in my happy reading leisure time. Adorable pup. 🥰

[@kompas29]

Kate Grenville's The Secret River is absolutely amazing, one of the best historical fiction. Really honest look at history of Australia after the Europeans reached it and all the tragedy of the aboriginal people. I believe it is also based on Kate Grenville's family history.

[@amandagarcia1419]

Love watching your Friday Reads while I clean my house on Saturday mornings! 👏🏼 thanks for sharing! ☺️

[@SupposedlyFun]

I’m glad they help pass the time on those mornings! 🥂

[@readandre-read]

A Teddy video! (And some guy talking about books 😊). I heartily support DNFs for any reason. Sometimes it just needs to happen. I'm still interested in Biography of X but I'm into dystopian stories. I just got a copy of Blackouts after seeing Justin Torres at the San Antonio Book Festival.

[@LibraryLizard]

The star of the show is back from vacation! Cutest ears on BookTube. I dnf’d “Tales of the Celestial Kingdom” this week. Luckily, it was a library book. Currently reading: Northwoods The Doctor Was A Woman Around the World in 80 Days

[@JustMeToday2]

Good on you for DNFing! I'm on the fence for Biography of X because of the reasons you DNF'd it. Maybe after November and if I'm in the right head space I'll finally read it 😅 I also am not much a dystopian reader which makes it even harder. Really appreciate your insights on your videos. It really helps me pick up or delay reading a book!

[@joangavrilik3009]

It feels like everyone is wrestling with the Huck/James dilemma. I recently read 1984 followed by Julia & I wasn’t happy with that reading experience. So this week I read James first & I'm glad I did. It felt very fresh, without constantly comparing 2 books on my mind. Now I’ll read Huck. I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to do it, but this worked for me.(And maybe I'll feel like rereading James when I finish Huck. It’s a fairly quick read.)

[@SupposedlyFun]

I agree that there isn’t really a right or wrong way to do it.

[@KurtAnderson812]

Hooray Teddy is back ❤ I’m currently in West Michigan visiting my family so I think a trip to Betty’s Pages in Lowell is going to happen for independent bookstore day

[@bookofdust]

Kurt, I hope you find a cherry orchard in bloom to run through and think of Tom Lake!

[@bookofdust]

Lol, I have absolutely no memory of the wall! I was really captivated at how well it explained Conceptual and Performance Art to a non art audience. It was very well done from that standpoint.

[@SupposedlyFun]

That’s interesting!

[@erinh7450]

I loved Biography of X, but I can also really enjoy alternate histories, so that was more of a positive than a negative for me. What speaks to one person can turn another off - or as you say, sometimes it isn't the right time for a particular book. I'm still not sure why so many people didn't like Demon Copperhead (which, Iike you, I absolutely loved), and I just finished The Bee Sting, which I know you've been iffy on but many have sung the praises of, and yeah, don't bother. It landed with a thud for me. I should've listened to you!

[@SupposedlyFun]

It’s always interesting how we can all have different reactions to the same book. I appreciate what everyone says about The Bee Sting, but I just don’t respond to Paul Murray’s writing at all. Oh well!

[@user-fz4sq2bn1l]

i don't do dystopian fiction in general because I've always felt like our real world is scary and dystopian enough. Thanks for your discussion, I'll read Biography of X if it wins the Pulitzer (I'm doing a Pulitzer project too!) but otherwise not.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I hope your project is going well! Mine has been super slow lately.

[@donreadsalot4932]

Many readers are saying you don't have to read Huckleberry Finn first before James. I didn't, and James was terrific.

[@emmavd]

Thanks, Greg and Teddy!🌷🐶I’m so glad you’ve picked up Dolly Maunder, Greg! It was one of the books on the WPF longlist I found most attractive (and not only because of the gorgeous endpapers😍), but everybody seems to be rather lukewarm about it. What you’ve told us is actually the type of story I expected and would love to read, so I’m looking forward to your final review. By the way, I find it difficult to make up my mind as to my personal selection this year (I’ve only read Enter Ghost so far, but it was long before it was longlisted). I have now Ordinary Human Failings, River East River West and Western Lane on my list of possibilities, but I’ll wait also for the shortlist announcement. If I decide to read James (I tend to avoid books dealing with the horrors of slavery) I think I’ll do what you and Joel are doing, and read Huck Finn first.

[@SupposedlyFun]

It’s going to be very interesting to see what ends up making the shortlist and winning. I’m only a little further into Dolly Maunder and still liking it.

[@AvAlanchian]

Reading and enjoying In Ascension by Martin MacInnes right now

[@SupposedlyFun]

I’ve heard good things about that one.

[@renee1292]

Great video. I totally believe in DNF. I share your stress and fear over the coming election. Let's hope for the best while reading good books!

[@SupposedlyFun]

I agree! Hope for the best and distract ourselves with good books.

[@Phillybookfairy]

Omg teddy is the cutest most handsome dude awww ❤❤

[@SupposedlyFun]

He is!

[@jordana99]

While on a 25 week library wait for James, I decided to listen to Huck Finn too! Only about 20% through. Alison Cochrun still on hold too. Nice to hear your commentary!

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Teddy ❤ Resting from squirrel hunting 🤩

[@Roscoethecat]

I would buy Restless Dolly Maunder just for the cover and endpapers. It looks like a beautiful book.

[@SupposedlyFun]

They’re really stunning!

[@FeelToBelieve]

I’d throw in Ordinary Human Failings for the Women’s Prize shortlist - it’s also Irish and really moving. I’ve read 7 so far, reading Brotherless Night and Defense of the Act this week while on vacation. I agree with you on Enter Ghost….wasn’t a fan at all of The Wren, The Wren.

[@SupposedlyFun]

It will be very interesting to see what makes the shortlist.

[@KierTheScrivener]

Dolly has got a lot of flack for being listed and 'not interesting enough' so it's good to hear your thoughts

[@SupposedlyFun]

I’ve only gotten a little further since I filmed this, but I would never call it an uninteresting book at all.

[@barbaraschmitt85]

My support for independent bookstore may be an audiobook from libro fm, not sure yet what though 😊

[@pancakeday4866]

Huckleberry Finn was very impactful for me when I read it. I was really struck by how a lot of whites viewed slaves as non-humans or animals. It was so shocking to me and made me want to learn more about African-American history.

[@Rosiemayj]

I listened to the audiobook read by Elijah Wood, which was wonderful (all the slurs are difficult tho, I agree) as I wanted to be familiar with the story and Mark Twain's writing style, and I'm so glad I did as although James is amazing as a novel in it's own right, Percival Everett read Huckleberry Finn 15 times in a row so that he knew the story and characters backwards and it is wonderful to be able to fully appreciate his mastery in the way he treats this story and his inventiveness with what he does with Jim's character and also the way he looks at the ways the slave's had to adapt to white people to survive. This background reading adds layers and depth to reading James I believe.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I’m glad that I’m doing Huckleberry Finn first!

[@alexsarchives]

I loved Biography of X but I have had a very hard time wanting to recommend it to anyone because I do think it’s a very strange book. I happen to love both genre fiction and domestic literary dramas so I felt like the target audience, but I think the Venn diagram here is narrow. I think if the alternate history is a turn off it likely won’t be for you, though the focus does turn back to X (and I do think the book is ultimately about X, although it is “about America” too). There’s also considerable detail about how the art and pop culture worlds would’ve developed, and that’s the part I had the most difficulty with. What Denis Johnson’s writing career looked like in a split America is ultimately not that interesting of a question to me haha.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Yeah, I’m not sure I would find that part interesting either. Thank you for the considered feedback on the book! I appreciate it.

[@inarticulable]

I just finished Restless Dolly Maunder. I found it became more of a slog and repetitive in the middle and the 'telling not showing' you mentioned got quite grating, but the ending redeemed it a bit.

[@sarahdaneke3674]

I give a book 100 pages before I DNF it. Don't feel guilty about it either.

[@SupposedlyFun]

My reasoning is that if a book hasn’t grabbed my attention by fifty pages, I shouldn’t try to drag myself any further. But I’ve considered requiring 100 pages for books that are over 400 pages.

[@alldbooks9165]

Another DNF! You’re on fire!

[@SupposedlyFun]

And I realized after I edited the video that I’ve actually DNF’ed THREE books in 2024! 🔥🤗

[@jackwalter5970]

Cuddles to Teddy!

[@annegibson6072]

Good morning. I am suggesting that you try Pew by Catherine Lacey. I finished Wandering Souls by Celine Pinn. That was an emotionally devastating novel. Almost finished Prophet Song by Paul Lynch. I can see a lot of this country in this novel. It is a difficult book to read. It has paragraphs that are two or three pages long. Happy reading

[@LibraryLizard]

A 3-page paragraph? I hate when authors do stupid stuff like that. It feels gimicky at the cost of readability. IMHO.

[@annegibson6072]

​@@LibraryLizardI am trying hard not to DNF this book

[@janethansen9612]

My top picks for the Womens Prize are Soldier Sailor, Ordinary Human Failings, Enter Ghost and Brotherless Night. The Wren The Wren wasn't strong enough for me although Enright's writing is so good. I totally understand why you DNF'd Biography of X. I read a book a few years back that did no favours to my mental health, I wish I hadn't read it even though it ended up winning a prize. And Huckleberry Finn. I enjoyed it when I read it decades ago, but I'm sure I would have a different experience now. I think I will re read it before getting to James.

[@SupposedlyFun]

As I get older I’m learning to take care of my mental health, but also trying to be mindful of getting out of my comfort zone at times. It’s a balancing act! But it’s so important to take care of yourself.

[@janethansen9612]

@@SupposedlyFun It really is the most important thing we can do.

[@ariannefowler455]

I would have dnf'd The Biography of X too. I cannot read that stuff right now. I am about to read James and I'm on the fence if I want to read Huck Finn first.

[@nealwriter]

Shout-out to my three favorite independent bookstores in Chicago: Unabridged Books, Volumes Bookstore and Women and Children First!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Someday I would love to do an indie bookstore tour in Chicago.

[@taravincent9699]

Awe!…hello Teddy ❤

[@SupposedlyFun]

👋 🐶

[@cindyhaiken5644]

It’s hard to DNF a book but I am trying to do it more. There are just too many great books out there to spend time with one that isn’t working for you. The WP longlisted title I have heard the most love for is Soldier Sailor, which is not out yet in the US but which I ordered from Blackwell’s and read last week. It is my favorite of the longlisted titles. But overall I don’t think this is a strong list so I am not expecting to be wowed by the shortlist. I finished James today and it is pretty brilliant.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I wonder if the fact that it hasn’t been released in the U.S. means I just haven’t heard much about Soldier Sailor yet.

[@cindyhaiken5644]

@@SupposedlyFun Probably. Not sure it will be shortlisted but certainly it should be.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I really liked Restless Dolly Maunder but I don’t think it’s as high a quality of other Australian/NZ books that could have been long listed ( Pet, Greta & Valdin) I’ve really liked Brotherless Night Enter Ghost Solider Sailor Ordinary Human Failings The Wren The Wren My thinking was that since there are 3 Irish books, one has to be shortlisted. That’s why I prioritised those. I’m currently listening to And Then She Fell Night Bloom The Maiden I don’t think I’ll be finished before the shortlist.

[@pocketfullofponder]

It does get back to X though!

[@colleenjacobs8210]

Hi Greg! Teddy is adorable! I agree with you that the 24 election is bringing so much anxiety! I just reread Huckleberry Finn and James. Loved James and Percival Everett. I think you would really enjoy the audible of James……I read the book and listened to the audio version at the same time. The audio is really great! ❤

[@SupposedlyFun]

Teddy is super cute! Thanks for the feedback on James-I may do the audio.

[@tyghe_bright]

It's not on you if a book sets up a certain set of expectations and then changes the goals. Even if the blurb makes it clear, the text did not. But also, you don't need any justification to DNF other than you don't want to read it anymore.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Too many books out there to try to read without trying to force one to work!

[@jorgem71962]

I am not surprised with the DNF. I read it and find many problems with the book. I found that there was too much “Handmaid’sTale” and “A Brave New World.” I felt that it lacked originality. I read it for the BookTube Prize.

[@SupposedlyFun]

It does feel like it takes a sharp turn into Handmaid’s Tale territory.

[@TheLeniverse]

There are three Irish writers on the longlist, and they are all really strong but I hope (and think) that the shortlist won't be 50% Irish books. The Wren The Wren is the one I connected with the least of them. The other two I would love to see shortlisted, either one of them. Dolly will not be on the shortlist, that I am sure of. (I didn't dislike it, but it was just fine and nothing more.) If Brotherless Night and Enter Ghost don't make it I'll be as upset as I was about Wandering Souls last year 😅 (Yeah, I hear you on Biography of X, the alternate history part was weird. I didn't DNF it, but I really thought the book was overrated.)

[@TheLeniverse]

Aaand now I feel like I magicked Dolly onto the shortlist by being so sure she wasn't a contender 😂 They also managed to pick one of the two books I haven't read. I'm very happy with the other three though.

[@SupposedlyFun]

But you got Brotherless Night and Enter Ghost! That's something.

[@TheLeniverse]

@@SupposedlyFun Yes, I am thrilled about that! Happy about Soldier Sailor too.

[@teneshaanderson4761]

I’ve finished biography of x and you’re not missing out it’s not good at all, this book is not winning the Pulitzer

[@RovingReader]

Bummer about X 😢

[@bobbykeniston7240]

I thought Biography of X was brilliant, and kinda hope it wins he Pulitzer. But of course, everybody is allowed their opinions and feelings about a book. For example, I began to think there was something wrong with me last year when Demon Copperhead" was winning eveerything--- for me, it feels like the most overrated book in the last 15 years or so. But that doesn't mean people shouldn't love it if they love it.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I always find the differences in opinion on the same book interesting!

[@VirginiaCorley]

Teddy hello. Your cute

[@SupposedlyFun]

He is!

[@user-ld7po9tg4x]

“The Wren, etc” I tried, I tried I really tried to enjoy the story but it’s a big DNF HATE the story from me. Week women tropes bother me! Quit blaming poor parenting on your week life!

[@LibraryLizard]

As a Christian, a Christian theocracy is just a scare tactic (don’t waste emotional energy on worrying about it). By its very nature, Christianity is a personal voluntary choice and cannot be legislated or coercive. Look at the countries that actually are theocracies and you will know which religion to worry about in this regard. Blessings to all and may we always live in a free country! ❤️

[@ag4444]

the people who want to take away abortion rights are doing this in the name of christianity, therefore everyone suffers under that religion. the US is certainly a country to worry about.

[@user-fz4sq2bn1l]

I'm sorry, I grew up in the evangelical Christian church and can't share your mild sentiments about Christianity.

[@LibraryLizard]

@@user-fz4sq2bn1l Mild sentiments…what do you mean? I’m not following.

[@the_snicklefritz]

@@LibraryLizard”Christianity is a personal voluntary choice and cannot be legislated or coercive”. I’m sorry but Christians are quite literally making policy decisions that impact those who have NOT chosen it as a religion…

[@user-fz4sq2bn1l]

The teachings of Jesus may be voluntary and non coercive but the institutional Christian church has not been either historically or currently. The evangelical church can be very manipulative and as an institution would like nothing more than to impose its beliefs on everyone else in the country. Through legislation if necessary