International Booker & Women's Prize Longlists (Reaction)

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#bookprizes #womensprize #bookerprize

[@jack_edwards]

i've been waiting for this one!!!!!!! grateful for your insights as always!!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Aw thanks, Jack! I saw that the Booker folks sent you the longlist so let me know what your faves are!

[@user-ny1wo1vp9r]

The books all look interesting, but im a little disappointed at how Europe-heavy the international booker list is. Like, people are talking about how many Latin American books there are when there are like, 4 of them, and everything else but one are from Europe. Seriously, they could only find one longlist-worthy book from the whole of Asia?

[@victoriatangk]

This was such a good way of discussing a longlist where you're unfamiliar with the books. I watched some other booktubers who just read off blurbs and felt it was uninspiring. But after watching your video about the same books, I'm actually adding them to my TBR. I love Chinese fiction too, so I am hyped to add Aftershock to my tbr.

[@SM-vr8dz]

I just read Western Lane on the Women’s Longlist. I am not a sports girlie, but I found this to be such a subtle book that really captures a young girl’s emotions and a family’s attempt to recuperate and find “normal” after a death. International Booker is my fave prize. Im looking forward to Selva Almada’s book, the interconnected short stories one, and The Crooked Plow.

[@peaseblossom4252]

I just finished Western Lane last night (audio), and had the same experience. So subtle and gentle, and truly beautiful. The narrator is excellent.

[@tyghe_bright]

Most people reacting to the Women's Prize longlist have been surprised by how many they've never heard of. I think that's exciting. I'm most interested in In Defence of the Act, 8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster, and Enter Ghost.

[@StephanieP1901]

I'm reading Enter Ghost right now and it's AMAZING. It's not only by a Palestinian author and take place between Haifa and the West Bank, but when the actors have their first table reading of Hamlet, their conversation becomes very political. It's fascinating in light of current events. I'm enjoying this book so much I took it to work with me today and I have never had a spare moment to read at work in my life.

[@marianafirmo5877]

Crooked Plow is one of my favorite books, highly recommend it! It's very famous here in Brazil

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Oh nice, thank you!

[@angiescott6046]

I have found some of my favorite books of all time from the Women’s Prize list in the past. I love hearing these lists every year.

[@Shaegeeksout]

Funny story. I first found your channel because of a booker prize long list years ago! I love seeing you come back to this part of your channel roots. Can't wait to see what you end up loving from the ones that you are excited for!

[@saly4762]

I read River East River West , Not a river and What i'd rather not think about. Can't wait to read Mater 2-10 very soon.

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

I read Enter Ghost in January and it is a rich and complex novel. Both lists are really exciting this year. I think Undiscovered is the one that is calling to me most from the International Booker.

[@user-yg6ft1iu1i]

Great video and enjoyed you just cut to the chase in what your interested in. I’m going The Details, Crooked Plow , Simpatia Kairos Mater 2-10 The House on Via Gemito (I thought Mild Vertigo or The Delivery would make it). Womens prize Then She Fell 8 Lives of. Century Old Trickster Western Lane. And River East River West Whew Excited by both prizes this year.

[@FeelToBelieve]

I’m trying to read most of the long list (at least those we can get in the US). My first was Nightbloom and currently reading The Wren, The Wren. I went into Nightbloom with similar feelings…but left feeling a bit “meh”. The characters felt a bit like caricatures and I really didn’t connect with either of the cousins. Not mad I read it. But hoping for some better ones as I continue.

[@TheLeniverse]

I had only read Western Lane in advance, but I'm reading the whole WP longlist now. I love the International Booker too, and I'm really frustrated that they run at the same time. I'll catch up with some of the Int.Booker books later in the year.

[@droooooo]

Incredibly grateful for this breakdown & looking forward to future thoughts on these!! I was similarly gagged (and a tad ashamed) to not recognize any of the books

[@tortoasa5]

You mentioned you wanted to read more Scottish fiction! Some I loved recently are The trick is to keep breathing (super heavy, very much from a woman's perspective. Plus Garbage have a great song called the same!) , Hex ( very good historical fiction). Shuggie Bain which you have probably heard of. (Not really experimental but very atmospheric in the most heartbreaking way). I also have Duck Feet on my TBR but I don't know if I'm ready for the trauma yet😅

[@tirarosaurioreads]

I have heard amazing things of "Lost on me" by Veronica Raimo. I really wanna read "Aftershock" too!

[@containutil]

I was very happy to see Crooked Plow, by Itamar Vieira Junior on the International Booker Prize list. It is the most talked about book and one of the best sellers here in Brazil since it was published in 2019. And thank you for reviewing Not a River. I read it because of your video and I loved it.

[@rachel1021]

In Defence of the Act has me pretty intrigued :)

[@simonesantamaria680]

I'm always excited to see the longlist for the International Booker Prize and am very excited by this year's longlist. I'm eager to read many (if not all), including Mater 2-10, A Dictator Calls, Undiscovered and Crooked Plow. I only read What I'd Rather Not Think About last year and was so impressed by it

[@pennywood5388]

Great video! I bought In defence of the act yesterday. So excited! I was so sure you would have been eyeing up crooked plow too. The blurb got me running to my library app. Aftershock is now also straight in my tbr!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Yeah I think I kind of overlooked Crooked Plow in my research but reading the blurb again has got me very intrigued!

[@christinacampbellbooks]

I also hadn't read any of the books on the women's prize for fiction longlist or even heard of many of them. I'm really excited to read lots of them. Just deciding which one to read first! So many wonderful sounding books on the International Booker prize too. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the ones you pick up ☺

[@heyjulianahey]

If you love Yaa Gyasi, I think you’d really like Crooked Plow by Itamar Vieira Junior from the International Booker list!

[@ReinReads]

I’m go into to be listening to both The Details by Ia Genberg & Lost On Me by Veronica Raimo this weekend while preparing the garden. They both sound intriguing and are available on audiobook through my library.

[@AnnNovella]

I’ve read 5 of the Intl Booker and they were all “meh”. I’m currently reading Kairos and I love it.

[@AnnNovella]

Enter Ghost is brilliant btw

[@meganmadkour9328]

I just read The 8 Lives of a Century Old Trickster and really enjoyed it. (Korean historical fiction) and I read 1/2 of Hangman… not for me! I am 1/2 way through Enter Ghost and enjoying it as well.

[@nanimaonovi2528]

I noped out of Hangman too, experimental and surreal just felt disrespectful for the subject matter.

[@MiruMSO]

I am intrigued by '8 Lives of a Century-Old Trickster' by Mirinae Lee 😊

[@alexandrahope8814]

I had heard of just the Chetna Maroo one before but because I get pulled into the hype and I have no impulse control I bought a few - I highly recommend River East River West... I am yet to spend my money on the Booker longlist - but we'll get there.

[@FMsukina]

I was underwhelmed by both of these long lists. I'm only interested in "Enter Ghost" from the WP for Fiction and "Crooked Plow" (which was already on my TBR) and "Not a River" from the International Booker. This year, I feel more interested in the books on the long lists for the WP for Nonfiction, the Stella, and the Carol Shields Prizes which I wasn't expecting. Now I'm just waiting for the PEN results :)

[@CULTYOGA]

Bullshit Rodeo by Misti Rainwater-Lites…the greatest obscure novel ever. Maybe.

[@alekwithlove]

I am currently reading The Maiden and it's really good.

[@laurab2572]

Other books that I read are: Crooked Plow that gives us an interesting depiction of slavery and the violence against women at that time. Another interesting point is how tha author empowered his female protagonists. It's a book to rethink about colonialism and its impact on women. I read also The house on via Gemito that revolves around toxic masculinity and how the violence has an impact on children and about art. Anf finaly I finished today Undiscovered but I have miex feeling about the book. One one han, I consider very important some issues such as racism. On the other hand, the style of the book didn't like a lot

[@katrinamuritala3207]

I’ve read 5 on the woman’s list so far

[@amysmith1044]

Just when I thought I couldn’t adore you more as a content creator you come out in support of Palestine❤❤❤ thank you so much Willow, you are an inspiration ❤

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Of course! 💜🇵🇸

[@amysmith1044]

@@WillowTalksBooks you are absolutely top tier🌺🎉 Free Palestine🇵🇸 thank you so much for raising awareness and for putting humanity above everything 💐 also I love your taste in books

[@littlejohnuk]

Try Simpatia I loved it

[@badfaith4u]

I am glad the Women's Prize exists and highlights stories written by women.

[@laurab2572]

I read Kairos, is one of the books that everybody was sure to be in the long-list, this books has a very interesting beginning and is very well-fone. I read The details, and is by far my most beloved book of the five books that I read it.

[@BritneyT.]

I love seeing people review award einning book lists bc they often have some truly interesting choices.

[@panikiczcock2891]

I mostly use books by women from East Asia so these lists are pretty meh for me 😅

[@nanimaonovi2528]

I just picked up Karen Lord's first book 'The Best of All Possible Worlds'. If you like sci fi with subversive themes and social commentary in the style of Ursula K LeGuin this is for you. And I never would have picked it up. The cover looks like the poster for a white supremacy group. Ballantine missed the whole audience on this one.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Oh yes, I forgot to mention how Lord’s book sounded good! Thanks for the reminder!

[@LaughingStockfarm1]

Oh, now I’m so confused…you talked about the lack of Japanese translations and then talked about Aftershock as a Chinese novel? Repeatedly? Now I have to go find out which it is. 😏

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I talked about the lack of Japanese books. Then, in the next paragraph, I talked about a Chinese novel which I wished had been on the list. They were separate topics. Aftershock is a Chinese novel. At no point did I say otherwise.

[@HangryGoddess]

Have you seen the non fiction prize for women? Some cool stuff on the long list!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I haven’t but I shall!

[@goaskellice]

The only two books I’m interested in with the International Booker are the “whole 2” (lol) that you’ve read 🥲