I read all 13 books on The 2024 Booker Prize longlist. Here are my thoughts.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I still can’t get my head around the fact that My Friends has not been shortlisted. It was my favourite of the 7 books I read from the long list.

[@RoisinsReading]

I've heard some people say it felt too insular, and that although it's called My Friends, they felt it was too cold and did not connect with the friends. Not my feelings, but perhaps why

[@mirandaryan3362]

Glad I found your channel 🎉

[@RoisinsReading]

Thank you

[@mariyamak]

Really enjoyed this video, very eloquent reviews, gave me such a good insight into the books and the writing - very helpful :)

[@RoisinsReading]

Thank you so much

[@rebareads]

Wow! I’m impressed! Your explanations were fantastic, I’ve added a few to the list that sound like they’d be right for me!

[@RoisinsReading]

Thank you 😊

[@EllenFelicity]

I really enjoyed your reviews, have just subscribed. I've read roughly half and Stone Yard is my favourite but My Friends is also up there (I haven't read James yet, and think The Safekeep will also be up my street). Everyone's already said it but, the omission of my friends surprised me a lot. I expected one of the floaty ruminating books to make the shortlist, but not two

[@RoisinsReading]

Thank you so much and welcome!

[@adamheskeylow9465]

The only book I read from the list was Headshot and after I finished, i felt there were parts I loved and parts I didn't know how to enjoy; but every review I watched was either extremely positive or didn't talk on the parts I wasn't sure about. you're review really helped me articulate what those things were, I love how you point out both positive and negative parts of a book! very well-articulated and introspective

[@RoisinsReading]

Thank you so much

[@foxedfolios]

Brilliant summary and thoughts - probably because I concur to a shockingly similar degree! I have not finished the list, but we share a top 4 (same books and placements). I DNF the Messud and the Harvey. Life’s too short. 😴😴 Currently reading the Michaels and the Kushner. I despised Kusher’s Mars Room and Flamethrowers, but this one has me intrigued to keep reading at least. How My Friends didn’t at least make the shortlist is mind-blowing. Thanks for sharing yours thoughts. 👍

[@RoisinsReading]

Thank you! So interesting pur thoughts align so well

[@therandomfriend]

I DNFed Enlightenment in the spring, which tracks because I have a long history of not enjoying Booker titles to the point where if I know a title has been listed, I don't even bother with it. But I read My Friends when it was released back in January because I love exile themes in literature. It's my favourite book I've read all year. I was thrilled to see it had been longlisted just because it meant it would get much deserved eyes on it.

[@RoisinsReading]

Interesting the Booker really doesn't work for you. I'm glad My Friends has got more readers too

[@markhnk]

I enjoyed this video. Thank you! Three of your top four books were my top three (My Friends, James, and Stone Yard Devotional), and I really appreciate that you mentioned some of the problems with The Safekeep. I think it's the most overrated book on the longlist, and I was quite surprised to see it on the shortlist. I hate to say this, but it feels like a book an AI could have written.

[@RoisinsReading]

Thank you

[@spexi513]

I read There There shortly after its publication and given my memory, may as well not have read it - i agree, it stands on its own , and i think its an excellent, important book and one of my favorite reads of the year thus far

[@spexi513]

Wandering Stars I mean ; I always comment like ppl can tell at one point during the video I commented 🤦🏼‍♀️ 😂

[@RoisinsReading]

Haha I got what you meant

[@lyramidsummer5508]

I really get what you say about working class voices. A whole video on what you recommend would be fantastic. Sometimes I can't connect to the middle class world.

[@RoisinsReading]

Ooo I'll have a think!

[@HappyKnitter2020]

My Friends was my winner too

[@RoisinsReading]

Seems to be the people’s favourite (or the people who don’t agree aren’t commenting on my video)

[@TheEcowriter]

In Percival Everett’s "James," the interplay of identity and history prompts us to question: Slave, or Slav? Is it slave language, or Yiddish? Jim, or Me? James, or I am? The satire and psychology are sophisticated, showcasing why Everett is regarded as both dark and masterful. In his "retelling" of Huckleberry Finn, Everett suggests that Jim serves as the alter ego of Samuel Clemens, who adopted the pen name Mark Twain-paralleling Jim’s transformation into James. Here, Jim emerges as the true "Slav," as his family’s lineage traces back to colonial immigration from England to America, arriving not as free men but as indentured servants, bound by "slave-like" conditions. Interestingly, Clemens’ mother, Jane de Lampton, may have Slavic (possibly Jewish) roots, further complicating our understanding of identity in the text. This nuanced exploration highlights Everett’s genius, inviting readers to reevaluate the intersections of race, history, and self.

[@artsbooksplaces]

I don’t mean this as a criticism but do you read from a script? I love your videos but sometimes I feel like they lack like a natural flow. Potentially it’s just I’m used to listening to a different rhythm of speaking!

[@RoisinsReading]

I did in this video but it's very rare I do! Most of my videos are unscripted. The reviews of Stone Yard Devotional and My friends in this are not scripted either.