Reading the Women's Prize Shortlist! 📚 | Reading Vlog

[@jenvcampbell]

Thanks for being here, everyone ♥️ I hope you enjoy the video x

[@leenanorms]

Well this was abit lovely and cosy wasn't it? Lovely to see you in my sub feed again and as someone who very much hasn't had time to read the shortlist for the first time in a while I very my appreciated this run down so I can sound like I somewhat know what I'm on about at the party this week. I've read Soldier Sailor and it was so immersive I started worrying that I would leave my child in the woods and I had to keep reminding myself I did not have a child and I was not the character lol, but the heart palpitations were REAL! I wasn't looking forward to River East but NOW I AM, thank you. Now off to finish Enter Ghost... Can't wait to see u in person soon but this was a lovely digital hit of your face xxx

[@leenanorms]

p.s. I'm making this my video of the week on my community tab! ;)

[@paulwinchell6904]

The best part of a Sunday afternoon. Jen is the best bookseller who doesnt work in a bookstore. Magic

[@gamewrit0058]

Sitting on the floor, and going solo to an appointment! Big milestones. Congrats and well done, Jen! 🌈❤️💕

[@julieatherton3217]

I’ve read all the shortlist and my favourite is definitely River East River West. I was so invested in this book I didn’t want it to end . So this is my winner 😊

[@gamewrit0058]

23:50 Me, too, I like the "blank spaces" outside of novels.

[@CarinaZacharias]

11:09 I knew what story you were gonna tell right at the second when you started with „sometimes things like that do happen“ just from having read „Please Do Not Touch this Exhibit“. ❤ Such a touching, heartfelt poem. But I actually learned that birds don’t just abandon their nests just because they have been touched by humans. Usually they do come back and care for the eggs nevertheless ☺️

[@katiejlumsden]

Lovely to see you back! Interested to read so many of these books. What you were saying about books that focus on one small section of someone’s life vs zoomed out books looking at someone’s entire life really resonated with me; I feel the same a lot of the time.

[@wordsofclover]

Definitely agree on your review of Soldier, Sailor - it was sos raw at times (and I also felt anger at my partner and all men haha) but it was definitely a lot at times in terms of writing style. I'm hoping to pick up Brotherless Night soon, it's one of the Women's Prize list I'm most excited for. Lovely to see you back, and hope you and all the family are doing well x

[@kellymcfarlane6120]

You’ve been such a staple part of my Sunday evening routine, I’m so happy to see this video! 95% of what I read now is in audiobook form… I’m glad to see it’s a natural part of parenthood 😂

[@minaermelyn]

Gosh, Jen, how much I love the way you analyse books and especially the way you put it into words. Especially impressive when you're running on little sleep and time! Thank you so much for this gorgeous reading vlog, it's so nice to have your videos x

[@MilenaReads]

I hadn’t made the connection between Brotherless Night and Transcendent Kingdom, but it’s a great connection. I loved both books. Really great to hear your reviews on these books.

[@hannahlosttheplot]

So lovely to see you back! The more I see people talking about the short list the more I want to read them all. I think Brotherless Night and Enter Ghost are at the top of my list at the moment. The articulation struggle you spoke about regarding River East River West is exactly how I feel every time I read Ali Smith 😅

[@YouTube]

another great video jen ❤

[@coordinacion-flashesandsou3736]

So glad to watch you again. Enter Ghost sounds fantastic :)

[@the_snicklefritz]

“😮” My reaction seeing another Jen video posted. And of the women’s shortlist no less! Hope you and the family are well and healthy!

[@newbooksmell9221]

to be fair, sometimes all I really need to know is if a book is huggable by the end. this was lovely! ❤

[@karlalikestoread]

Welcome back Jen! Really enjoyed the way you expressed your thoughts on Soldier Sailor and all the other books too. The Wren, The Wren sounds so up my alley. Your focaccia dough looked perfect! And you quick scones looked delicious, I need to make some now too.

[@Michelelynnreads]

Of the shortlist, I had only read Brotherless Night (really enjoyed) and The Wren, The Wren (didn't enjoy). I appreciate your reviews and will probably check out River East, River West next. Hope you and your family are doing well!

[@sharoninnes941]

I really enjoyed Soldier Sailor A very moving story of motherhood. I have just finished Long Island from Colm Tobin which was amazing, thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend. Great to see you back Jen ❤️🥰💕

[@philnasmith9755]

Hi Jen, congratulations on baby and good luck with the missing schedule. Loved this video - really appreciated your sense of humour. As you were saying that you were getting progressively more dishevelled as the video progressed, I was thinking to myself how gorgeous your skin was looking ☺️. All POV, my dear … I listened to Enter Ghost on audio; I loved it and was totally absorbed by it. I haven’t read River East, River West but it had gathered such brilliant reviews from everybody, I think I had better get to it soon .

[@NadineTouzet]

I listened to River East, River West and loved it. Glad to see you back. ❤

[@adoras.1752]

I'm in the middle of Soldier Sailor now and it's so claustrophobic. Really enjoying it! I've watched a couple of Women's Prize vlogs/reviews and I think you're the first one to match my feelings on River East, River West. It's not my very favorite, but I really loved it and it's really stuck with me when I read it towards the beginning of the list. I think the winner, though, is between Brotherless Night and Enter Ghost.

[@LesleyClarke]

So great to see you back, Jen! And a Women’s Prize video no less! I actually didn’t read River East, River West bc Lauren read it and didn’t vibe with it, but I’ll have to give it a shot now

[@makemyday8197]

I'm so glad you could squeeze this one in between naps, I so admire you! Thanks for your thoughts on these

[@juliehughes1258]

So lovely to see you again, Jen. Hoping baby is thriving, and you as well.

[@sheilahartley7955]

Great to see you back. 🎉Life gets busy with little ones. I have not read any on the list yet. Will wait to hear who won.

[@EvieM1]

Good to see you, Jen. ❤

[@jenvcampbell]

♥️

[@TripleRoux]

This was so much fun! Thank you for taking the time to talk to us! ❤

[@devonmitchell5319]

First vlog back and it's one of my favorites ever!! I loved your energy, I love your present state (though I obviously wish you rest and to be in whatever state feels great for you).

[@anneroy4560]

I have read and liked (but not with any passion) The Wren, The Wren and Claire Kilroy's Soldier, Sailor ... Restless Dolly Maunder has been purchased & is in one of my tbr piles. I am sure your darling child will not be wrenching their socks off!

[@gailgilchrist5421]

Good to see you back again.

[@Juultje11111]

I'm currently listening to Enter Ghost and have been struggling a little with the play-like parts, but I am really intrigued by the family relationships. I have a physical copy too, so I'll read along from now I think :) I've also read RERW, SS and BN, and Brotherless Night was for sure my favourite, but the other two were really good as well! Can't wait to find out who's won! I've read half of the books on the non-fiction shortlist too, but I'm excited to continue reading if one I have not read wins! Loved the video!!

[@EllenFelicity]

Lovely video

[@joelharris4399]

Back from maternity leave? Sending my warm regards your way. It is great to see you again, Jen

[@joelharris4399]

And may John Burnside rest in peace. I heard of him through the Alpine Fellowship when I was a contestant🙏

[@theresepazell7875]

So glad to see you.Take care of yourself and family. Little at a time we will be here..

[@jodieyeakel40]

Recently read Station Eleven, so Enter Ghost has my attention now. Have been missing your Sunday videos... It''s wonderful to see/hear you again. Thank you, Jen!

[@nymeria941]

So lovely to see a vlog from you ❤ I’m in the middle of moving across the US and unpacking our house after a month since we departed our old home, and watching this video while I get things set up is very comforting.

[@MmllePertiwi]

I loved Enter Ghost! I have a 5 month old and so Sailor Soldier sounds like something to check out. Have you read The Long Form by Kate Briggs? It's about a 24 hours with a six weeks old and about the novel form and time and I read 9 months pregnant and it was great! Also if you're interested in more fiction about the Sri Lankan civil war have you read any Shankari Chandran? Love Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens and I'm currently reading Song of the Sun God (though trigger warning for death of a child in Cinnamon Gardens) So lovely to come along on your reading vlog again as always more to add to my reading list. Thank you!

[@rebecca.reader]

Hi Jen 👋 So lovely to see your video. My favourite womans prize book that I have read so far is The Wren The Wren . But I haven't read River East River West or Brotherless Night yet.

[@Larissa_KD]

Lovely to see you on here again Jen

[@Rosiemayj]

Thank you for this lovely video Jen 😊I have read the shortlist and most of the longlist, I was sad that Ordinary Human Failings didn't't make the shortlist, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on that one. I haven't read Restless Dolly Maunder, and probably won't now. My favourites are also River East, River West and Enter Ghost, I found your impressions really resonated with me and really interesting to hear, as always. Reading my way through the non-fiction shortlist has also been so rewarding this year.

[@LouiseReader]

How lovely to see you pop up in my feed again. I'm impressed that you got all 6 read. I actually gasped out loud when you started with the audio of Soldier Sailor. I found it claustrophobic and my baby is 23!! I haven't read any of the other finalists but I would love to see Soldier Sailor win.

[@KyWill-ji8sg]

Yay so glad I’ve got a reading blog on a Sunday again. I read the long list this year and my favourites were soldier, sailor and Brotherless night. Didn’t get on with river east unfortunately and liked but didn’t love enter ghost but would like to read it again sometime

[@paulamarieart]

I'm delighted to see you again 😊 Favourite part of the vlog is definitely the laptop camera drop in, you can't beat keeping it real. You look amazing too Jen xx

[@ann-marieodonnell6102]

Welcome back. All the more credit to you for reading these, let alone for work. When I had my twins I couldn't read for almost 6 months until I started to come back to short stories.. I think I sometimes read and may not have told you what happened a few pages later. It was just the act of reading was needed. Its no joke with new babba!

[@daysleeper1989]

Loving your review of Soldier Sailor, so far I was only keen to pick up The wren, the wren but I think I may read a couple more

[@nolawernicke9078]

Hello Jen, it's wonderful to see your bespectacled self again, River East River West sounds interesting. 🥰

[@lya0portia]

Glad to see you, Jen!! Lovely video! Also, random sidenote, but I've really enjoyed your article on reading in early motherhood for Toast, I've reread it multiple times! ❤

[@lauracorsi3309]

It was a brilliant list this year. Although I am skipping Soldier, Sailor for my mental health. But I have read all of the others. I am rooting for River East, River West but would be okay with any of them winning.

[@nicolastawiarski7958]

This is such a fabulous video, Jen.! Thank you for finding the time to make it. River East, River West is my winner 💗

[@aatmaa85]

Having visited Sri Lanka this year, I couldn't wait to read Brotherless Night, and I absolutely loved it. You get to learn so much about the civil war but without being overwhelmed by a plethora of political details. I also loved her style of writing. A brilliant book.

[@KierTheScrivener]

Love seeing your face and hearing your thoughts

[@mariluzgil-cervantes1030]

Lovely to see you Jen! I totally know what you mean about when you get so sucked into a book it’s hard to give an informative recommendation! Interesting to see how your opinions differ from Lauren over at Lauren and the books!

[@hollyexley]

I really enjoyed this! Thanks Jen, lots of love

[@sandyreadsbooks]

Glad to see you, Jen! 🙂

[@meretriciousinsolent]

We really do tie books to life times. I read Life of Pi when I had horrific hyperemesis and I'll never be able to disconnect it from that.

[@isabelab6851]

Need to get these! Not a big audio person. Have only listened to a couple of but I prefer my inner voice and imagination. Definitely look forward to your reviews to help me decide what to read next. Great to see you back…and adore the breaks!

[@healthiqmedicalconsultancy]

Welcome back Jen. Oh I so miss you greatly. It’s selfish but please don’t go away too long. Xoxo

[@courtneydaniel2196]

Thanks for your lovely vlog. I've read your top 4 choices and am really glad to hear your love for River East, River West. I thought it was brilliant but have heard lots of people saying that all the characters were dislikable - i just found them flawed but was still rooting for them. Have you read any of the non-fiction list? That sounds interesting but I haven't got round to it.

[@BarbaraBoholm]

Have you read "The house in the cerulian sea" by TJ Klune? Books by Shion Miura? "The Dallergut dream department store" by Miye Lee? Satoshi Yagisawa "Days at the Morisaki bookshop"? Glad you are back💖🙏🫂🫖☕🥧🍵🕯📓🖋📚Warm hugs from Sweden

[@tracys.mitnaul-xv7te]

Yay!!!! So good to see you😊

[@loulelou]

Glad to see you Jen! ❤ A welcome addition to my Monday ü

[@Sarahsreadingjournal]

This brightened up my Sunday evening! Loved hearing your thoughts on the Women's Prize ☺️

[@theresehaywood2521]

I am interested in your comments about the Kate Grenville book as I generally love her books. I haven't read this one yet though.

[@reedmorebooks]

Yay! It's Jen! Glad to see a new video, and I hope the new addition is good!

[@Gigi-nc4vc]

I just finished the Midwich Cuckoos because of you... just in time for a new reading vlog! Ready for more recommendations

[@emmavd]

Thank you, Jen!🌷I’ve only read two of the finalists (Enter Ghost and Restless Dolly Maunder) and am half-way through River East River West. I also read Ordinary Human Failings from the longlist and am actually wondering how on earth Dolly could be shortlisted instead. Anyway, not having read the whole shortlist, I don’t think I can say much about a possible winner. What I can say though is that I totally share your views on the books that I have read / am reading.

[@j.burnello781]

Really enjoyed hearing from you again!

[@paolacantore3243]

Jen, I am so happy you're back 💝

[@danasadek2555]

so happy to see you 💗

[@jenvcampbell]

☺️♥️

[@YourTrueShelf]

Hats off to you for managing all 6 (especially soldier sailor in the post partum period!!) Very impressive that you've managed to guess the winner each year 😊 The only one I haven't read it Enter Ghost, which I think will probably win. I also absolutely loved River East, River West and it's so nice to find someone else that loves it too! That one, brotherless night and soldier sailor were all my faves. Lovely to see you 🥰🥰

[@onourpath]

Ah, good to see you again, Jen! Hope the family is well. 💚

[@milisuarez-al-nashy4314]

You are amazing, I could barely function after having my first child. Thanks for the video . 🤗

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

I've not stayed up to date with the women's prize this year, so this will be interesting!

[@jenvcampbell]

☺️ happy to help! x

[@karenmoore4430]

Hi Jen, I really thought Soldier Sailor would win until I read Brotherless Night last and I got so invested in that one. So Brotherless Night would be my winner🎉

[@bianquita1]

Great wrap up. I'll have to get Enter Ghost in print as I just couldn't bear the narrator, she was extremely flat, I suffered through it for 3 hrs. Very keen to read River East, River West. The Wren, The Wren was forgettable, I didn't quite get what the point of it was. I appreciated Soldier Sailor, but it's already subdued in my consciousness (read it last year). I don't care to read the Australian representative, thanks for reinforcing my choice.

[@booksgurrsandpurrs]

Welcome back ❤

[@jenvcampbell]

☺️

[@myepictbr6968]

I gave Enter Ghost 5 stars and for me another book that that makes an interesting pairing with it is Girl, Woman, Other.

[@booksandbags]

I have two more books from the shortlist to finish before Thursday’s announcement (Enter Ghost & River East, River West). Brotherless Night and Soldier Sailor are on top of the ones I’ve read. I enjoyed the writing in The Wren, The Wren more than the actual story, but I didn’t dislike it. I did not care for Restless Dolly Maunder. It was not up to the same level as the others I’ve read. I’d be happy with any of the others winning.

[@spexi513]

Congratulations on baby !!!! 💚💚💚

[@MelissaMoore-bm9uf]

My favourite book of Kate Grenville's is one of her older ones, Lillian's Story. Really raw (sorry to use that word), heartbreaking story with a main character that really drew me in.

[@joana_jj_8]

I've DNFed 3 books on the shortlist - Sailor Soldier (I just did not enjoy the sentimental tone - in my opinion, Ordinary Human Failings should have made the shortlist instead but unfortunately I think Sailor Soldier might win), The Wren, the Wren (couldn't get into the 'roomba of thoughts' style), Restless Dolly Maunder (might get back to it but wasn't in the mood for a folksy story). I appreciated Enter Ghost but would have wished for multiple POVs. Really enjoyed River East, River West and Brotherless Night for the stories they told.

[@Makreads]

Congratulations on your baby ❤

[@Diaryofabooklover]

Hey Jen 👋 welcome back! ☺️

[@barbarahelgaker390]

Have read all but River East River West, and so far I am hoping for Brotherless Night as the winner.

[@mradcaqbdb]

Lovely to see you, Jen! ❤ I have to say that I found this year’s shortlist completely uninspiring. I honestly don’t want to read any of them at this point. Even your input didn’t help me with wanting to read them. This was a throwaway year for me, sadly. But I did enjoy hearing your thoughts and seeing your vlog-y stuff again!

[@keiichifuruya]

WE MISSED YOU ❤ Saying that, hope all is well and please don't overdo anything, just do things at your own pace.

[@eronika9]

love you queenn

[@jenvcampbell]

♥️

[@nompilo8281]

Lovely to see you!

[@judybrown1624]

River East, River West was my favorite. I think because they do all have to agree, they might give it to Anne Enright for her body of work.

[@wronggeometry]

Watch The David Tennant Hamlet

[@curioushmm9027]

I,ve only read the wren from the short list and didn’t like. Couldn’t tell mother and daughter apart and found the poet trite.

[@ameliareads589]

I have to say that I had some difficulties with the comments the mother in Soldier Sailor made on some people's appearances. I think they were quite unnecessary, because they didn't add anything for me to the understanding of her character or the state she was in.

[@wendyvilla2904]

🖤💚

[@RoseArnoldd]

Of the shortlist I’ve read Brotherless Night so far and loved it! But I do hope Enter Ghost wins because I think what it’s saying is important for the world to hear right now 😊