Revealing the Women’s Prize Fiction 2024 long list (i'm surprised!)

I reveal the long list!
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[@leenanorms]

As I can't reveal the long list until tomorrow, I thought I'd build the tension with a scheduled premier 👀 Any one got any guesses on which books they think will be up there? x

[@cebbi1313]

"I'm already bored" while reading a blurb is so real 😂

[@juliak1615]

I felt that deeply hahahaha that blurb was so unoriginal in my opinion lol

[@kissmelicia81]

It's so funny because that is the book I'm most excited to read 😅 Apparently it's based on a real case and reimagines with a feminist twist the story of The White Lady of Costorphine (a ghost)

[@smallcatalogue]

@@kissmelicia81 It is all of these things. I don't think it will win, but it does a good job of what it set out to do. I enjoyed it.

[@matteachadwick989]

For And Then She Fell, I feel like the context is v. obvious to Canadians, but less so to non-Canadians: the title plus the back blurb about it being a creation story and the Mohawk MC are all references to Sky Woman who is the central character of the Mohawk creation narrative. She falls through a hole made by the roots of a tree in heaven and is saved by various animals, including a turtle who lets her make a home on its shell. This is the reason that indigenous and decolonising folks call North America Turtle Island.

[@macylightfoot]

I only recently learned about this story from the book Braiding Sweetgrass. Unrelated to this video but it was really eye opening to think about how different cultures' relationships with nature are rooted in their different creation stories.

[@orladdin]

Thank you so much for this context, It definitely makes me even more convinced that I gotta read this book!

[@lauragibbons1951]

Thanks for the context, this book did intrigue me but as I'm in the UK I was very confused because I thought it meant mohawk as in the hairstyle, and it wasn't until Leena said indigenous Canada the penny dropped! I'm definitely going to put this on my reading list! Sounds very interesting

[@emmavd]

Thank you so much from the Netherlands!🌷

[@dobetterwithchristian4472]

When she read the blurb I got some creation/Eve vibes, but I didn't know about this creation story.

[@joelharris4399]

You unboxing the women's prize for fiction is an unboxing of the self. Subjectivity is the heart of art

[@paperboundprotagonist]

Have you never seen The Golden Girls? The reason blurbs start with the place and year is that is how Sophia taught us to tell a story. “Picture it. Sicily, 1922.”

[@TheBookBully]

I have to diverge from your opinion here - I absolutely love when a book tells me the date and location as the opener. Often a setting or a time period will be the hook that draws me to a book so I want to know where and when this book takes place to tell me if I even want to know more about the blurb.

[@drawyourbook876]

Agree, otherwise I would be reading the blurb trying to find those details instead on focusing on what the blurb is actually saying

[@ivonaivona668]

Yes!!! I'm lost without those details

[@Orli815]

Women's prize books are my favorite leena videos!! Vote for Leena to be a judge!!!

[@koruscott6514]

I know not everyone wants to watch an hour long video so a lot of people would not be into it but I almost wish we could get a reading of the first page of each book - there were so many descriptions too vague for me to know if I'm interested; usually I can tell pretty quick from a writing style though.

[@hellobookworm]

I'm the same way. The cover and blurb mean little to me. It's all about the writing on the first page.

[@janebeyondtheacademy_]

Would definitely encourage you (and everyone) to read And Then She Fell. It was one of my favourite books of last year. Alicia Elliot also has an incredible essay collection called A Mind Spread Out on the Ground about Indigeneity and mental health (among other things).

[@orladdin]

I have heard only amazing things about A Mind Spread Out on the Ground so now I'm even more excited to read And Then She Fell! Thanks for letting us know!

[@r.l.3316]

I second A Mind Spread Out on the Ground. Very nice essay collection, I'm excited to read Elliot's novel too.

[@toliphant95]

I didn't know how much I needed Leena roasting cover art in my life. I've laughed so hard. Thank you for making his

[@samantharose1001]

I didn’t recognize most of the books this year, so it’s nice to be introduced to more titles !!

[@elizabysmal]

Enter Ghost is one of the best and most important books i read last year, I'm so delighted to see it on the long list!

[@ambermayer7851]

I'm glad your guesses about what would be on the list were wrong. I like when the attention of this prize goes to books\authors who aren't already being talked about.

[@leenanorms]

Absolutely!

[@thesalalmon]

Watching Leena in real-time debate how far to go with the womb joke literally one minute in knowing she won’t be cutting it was hilarious 😂💖

[@sarahwatts7152]

I actually like it when the date is provided - but then, I read a lot of historical romance novels, and knowing what date it is helps figure out how Jane Austen-y they might try to be, plus I know what the stakes might be re marriage laws and the relative legal personhood of married women

[@dobetterwithchristian4472]

8 Lived of a Century Old Trickster is the main one i want to read. And Then She Fell is second

[@wordstowordlessthings]

trying to read a book from the women's prize, booker, and international booker lists this year and not gonna lie, these blurbs just remind me how much I struggle with litfic! the only one that jumped out at me was In Defence of the Act

[@heididewhirst]

Yass, can't wait for this. Currently reading Black Butterflies and loving it.

[@iSharShar]

Just borrowed the audiobook of Enter Ghost so I can listen to it while I knit 🙂

[@EllenFelicity]

Omggggg the tension

[@kellyandthreequarters4664]

This video is really interesting in being about contemporary anglophone publishing paratexts. It's not about the author's words - yet. As a blurb writer it is also very helpful!

[@raevynwoods9403]

Very excited to see which books you like most! I'm not a huge contemporary fiction-reader, but these videos always make me read one or two each year. Also, would that jumpsuit you're wearing happen to be a follow-up on the Lucy&Yak video you made recently??

[@CupcakeReturns]

I did a two month internship in Qingdao with British Council when I graduated so really keen to read River East River West... always love your WPFF reveals!

[@hannah_liebt_frosche3343]

The countdown is beautiful Leena, such cute animation 😊

[@gabbymullins2654]

omg when u plugged ur nose and said “alright let’s dive in!” 😂 this is why i love your videos without much editing because we get to see your silly goofy self! ❤ love as always

[@Katherine-jz2zo]

I genuinely get so excited for all your womens prize for fiction videos!! Very happy it tis the season

[@marianaluppe9126]

I missed your book content Leena 😌 The last book got me so hooked!

[@ninsiana0]

THE BLUE, BEAUTIFUL WORLD is actually part of an amazing series by Dr. Karen Lord! Highly recommended. The Cygnus Beta series is scifi, but it's very much focused on the characters, and not heavy on the science. Think of it like Caribbean culture in space. Amazing.

[@saffodils]

so excited to see how this year's books are! some of them def sound promising to me, esp "brotherless night" and "hangman." my library doesn't have all of the books on the longlist, but fingers crossed they get them in due to requests after the announcement. i'm doing my part!

[@anoukdenktmee]

Hahaha love this! The swing between endless enthusiasm and fierce criticism kept me very entertained

[@jennywren7435]

❤Wish I got a massive book delivery like that, especially with surprise books in, so that, even if the blurb or cover wouldn't make me pick it up, I'd still give them a go and maybe be surprised. (e.g. Pod!) Last year's list sounded much more varied, surprised by how many on this list sounded like they were on the same theme: estranged family members try to find common ground, or at least that's how it sounded listening to the blurbs, not fussed about that as a premise, whatever country they're set in, unless there's something else to draw me in. Some pretty usual sounding historical fiction too. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts about them 👀

[@emilyyellen]

I look forward to this every year ❤️❤️

[@anne-marie339]

I’ve had And Then She Fell (and Elliott’s nonfiction) on my TBR since it released here in Canada so I’m excited it’s on the prize! The Karen Lord surprised me since it’s the third in a (companion?) series, of which the first in currently reading. Enter Ghost sounds very good too.

[@stephanielundquist1675]

Honestly was just watching for content, and now here I am, rushing to my library app to see if "And Then She Fell" was available. Borrowed! Starting ASAP.

[@easilystartled2203]

*me, feverishly looking up books in a separate window that's signed into my library account and placing holds left, right, and center*

[@p3fanaticorb]

my FAVOURITE thing to do is have my wish list open while watching these videos

[@ez3748]

is it just me or has it been a slow year for books? i feel like the book with the biggest hype recently was yellowface and that had very mixed reviews yk? also it's very bold of you to roast covers in a post-pod world hahah

[@drawyourbook876]

I have already read soldier sailor and so so happy it is in the list! For me, in defense of the act sounds the most intriguing 😊

[@SeriouslyPlanning]

Enter Ghost is one of the best books I’ve read in a long long time! Highly recommend it - it’s a triumph of a book and I loved the Shakespeare context.

[@lauracorsi3309]

I cannot wait to read And Then She Fell. Enter Ghost also looks so good.

[@jenniferarrr]

A) related hard to being a late and reluctant swiftie B) that sweater / background / lipstick match was perfection 😍

[@BecklesKuzmickey]

So excited to see what you think of them!

[@dariab2558]

SO EXCITING!

[@evrichardson6995]

Oh my gosh this is honestly my favorite time of year. I watched and rewatched this video and sent it to book-obsessed friends so we could all take notes on what we think of each book. I've divided up my opinions into three categories; Would Buy, Would Borrow, and No Thank You. Here's my Would Buy: "And Then She Fell", "Enter Ghost", "Hangman", "Blue Beautiful World", and "In Defense of the Act". I love Alicia Elliott- her memoir, "A Mind Spread Out on the Ground" was one of my favorite books of 2019. I found it interesting that your mind went to a "fallen woman" like Eve, when my mind goes to Sky Woman, who is part of the Haudenosaunee origin story. I recommend anyone interested do some research and read about her! It's a really beautiful teaching. Look forward to more videos about these books!! And to see if you can convince me to change any of my categories.

[@charlottemorrison5317]

My favourite tradition!!!! Opening StoryGraph to add to the To Read

[@madi32]

I'm very happy to hear your opinion on the books before reading them myself, thankyouverymuch indeed (while I am gonna devour the ones from the non-fiction long list). PS: I love how the books on your shelf are different sizes. The booktubing internet does give off an impression that all books are neatly printed in the same standard size whereas my own bookcase is all chaos in this regard.

[@lilymarie428]

Ngl I'm a bit underwhelmed by the long list this year, i think particularly compared to last year's, which maybe isn’t fair. I've been a big fan of people's predictions tho, that's always such a great way to find new reads

[@katiemcgraw4751]

Woo am so excited!

[@gracebates_]

Favourite video of the year!

[@LittleMissTotoro]

I adore the unboxing!! ❤ but ooh I am not so sure here... Will be excited to see which ones you like 😏😍 And I can't believe I had read a book on the list! Western Lane.

[@steph1102]

I already had my eye on Enter Ghost - nice to see it on this list! I recently read Isabella Hammad's first book, The Parisian, and her writing is stunning.

[@scubacat22]

I added Western Lane and In Defence of the Act to my TBR. But I've had to request that my local library purchase In Defence as it is the only one they don't already have on order. I think you're right that it's a smaller/indie publisher. I added 4 of the nonfiction long list, so that list is winning right now. Seems like there weren't that many books in the fiction longlist that really caught my interest, unlike last year.

[@juliar2416]

River East River West is amazing, I highly recommend it!

[@carinen8119]

Fun. But also: excellent top ! Love the print and colour scheme

[@Pieinyofacefoo]

Enter Ghost is the only one that really intrigued me, looking forward to hearing what you think of these all as you read them though!

[@MoominAlanna]

Yey! I read one of the books - western lane - actually I may have audiobooked it- I think it’s on the libby app.

[@LinnieCat]

These videos are such a highlight ❤

[@hasteyebooks]

I love your honest opinions! I think a lot of these covers/blurbs aren't doing these books justice, but it's great to dive in! Your 6 are also my 6 I think, including the 3 that I predicted haha, but might try to read them all if I can!

[@zoeziebee]

I thing Hangman sounds interesting. I’m really enjoying reading books set in different cultures these days

[@narnia66]

Brotherless Night was one of my fave books of the year!

[@lyndi_wi]

I really loved Western Lane. It explores family dynamics after loss as well es the topic of immersing yourself in a sport. So even if reading about sport normally doesn't interest you, I would recommend it.

[@racheld7913]

the font😅😅 i need to get the audiobook👏👏

[@ivonaivona668]

I love location and date facts! I actually need them to know first so I can get my bearings, mentally locate everyone and understand better what's the book about.

[@SavidgeReads]

I loved being in the womb with you talking books. Hahaha. ‘I’m already bored…’ how I lol’d. Hahaha. As I did ‘it looks like a shit postcard’ hahaha. She’s iconic. This is why we said we loved you (well one of the many reasons) in mum and my reaction video. I like old people too! Think Hangman, Enter Ghost and Brotherless Night are the ones I’m most excited for.

[@amberrousse7280]

I love unedited Leena :)

[@ghostpipe888]

Ugh, total heart sink moment when Skywoman was referred to as Eve. I'm happy though to see an Indigenous author on the long list, Alicia Elliot.... or for that matter mentioned at all on social media in these predominantly white circles.

[@DillyBlue]

I'm learning we have very similar tastes in blurbs and cover design!

[@katiewass339]

No blurb has come close to that of The Wall by Marlen Haushoffer 😮‍💨

[@ContemporaryMeepsie]

I'm glad you decided to give the last one a go. It's literally the only one from that list that sounded at all intriguing to me. So I'd love to hear your thoughts once you've read it.

[@nicoleglennon2995]

That blurb for Megan Nolan's Ordinary Human Failings has really done the book a disservice. It's worth a read!

[@kittynekocat]

The video's just started but I can't get over how beautiful the video is! Like the colour grading?? I don't know the right terms haha. But visually very pleasing video!

[@sanaarora3986]

I'm really intrigued by In Defense of the Act and And Then She Fell. I started listening to the Western Lane audiobook but didn't really vibe with the narrator so I might just pick up a physical copy at a library.

[@user-lq3rs6rc4w]

i’ll definitely be reading enter ghost!

[@southpaw612]

Oh man I studied abroad in China years ago, I really miss it, I'm so IN to read River East River West!

[@hucklebucklin]

Omg your zip up shirt is so cool Lena!

[@Keava_r]

I just read The Wren, The Wren and Ordinary Human Failings one after the other and really enjoyed both of them - my two best books of the year so far. It was a bit confusing that they both have a single mother called Carmel in them! The Wren The Wren is gorgeously written, and Ordinary Human Failings is engrossing and well-plotted. Looking forward to reading the others :)

[@robynhab]

I haven't finished Ordinary Human Failings yet, but i absoluty devoured her first book Acts of Desperation. Highly recommend!

[@Keava_r]

@@robynhab ooh thank you, I'll reserve it at the library! :)

[@evilqueenliv]

8 lives of a century-old trickster is one of the best books i read last year! curious to hear your thoughts leena :)

[@KyWill-ji8sg]

I was really surprised that no previous winners were on the list but that makes this list quite exciting have no idea who I’ll get to first maybe names out of a hat

[@marion.taylor-skinner]

My niece is called Gopi, short for Gopikaa. Never have I ever seen her name anywhere apart from her lovely self. So I've got to read Western Lane now. ❤ 🎾

[@anyapearce6113]

In hoping the Kate Grenville novel surprises you! I'm not that big on historical fic always either, but I really enjoyed her novel Secret River about colonisation in Australia - it was a great character novel explaining poor English Colonists desperate wish for a sense of place, and the horrors colonisation had on First Nations Australians. Some really good descriptive language too 😊

[@judithrussell9162]

The Maiden is not bad, the blurb is awful. It's actually about the commodification of women of different classes.

[@kellyandthreequarters4664]

do read Enter Ghost I loved it - I listened to the audiobook and the voice actress is incredible, her voices, her Arabic is completely transcendental

[@smittenforfiction]

And Then She Fell is incredible. My favourite read last year. The blurb doesn't do it justice. And Then She Fell is a story within a story. It's a paranoid fever dream that reminded me of Mona Awad. Alice falls down the rabbit hole, struggling with her demons, trying to be a good mom and supportive wife, and writing a modern retelling of The Haudenosaunee Creation Story. The unpredictable ending left me sobbing. Incredible character development and superb world-building. I didn't want to put this book down and I didn't want it to end. And Then She Fell is an unforgettable, dark, emotional, smart, mysterious, surreal yet sometimes funny story-within-a-story about mental illness, grief, racism, tradition, motherhood, free will, trust and resilience that you MUST read to the very end.

[@daniellea1044]

It's the most wonderful tiiiiiime of the YEARRRRRR

[@andreeadumitrache4180]

I hadn't realised until you said it, but I don't buy books that start with the location and year exactly for the reason you described. It kinda tells me it's not for me

[@debrabros2650]

I always wonder about the place and date as the first thing in the blurb as well. I don't generally read historical fiction so when I see a date eg 1600, I immediately opt out. However, some of my most favourite books have been historical fiction but it was the story that was the most interesting not the place or date.

[@toweringtbr]

I'm most excited for Enter Ghost and Ordinary human failings.

[@ashpitash2360]

The glee I felt from this video! Whether you change your mind matters not to me; the raw and honest reactions are perfect 🙌 I have to agree that the blurbs (or lack thereof) felt rather bland as a whole.

[@rowdyyates4630]

I would have gladly watched a one hour long version of this and spent a bit more time on each book. This must have been so stressful for you Leena 😮

[@snobook]

Would there be a follow up video where you predict which book will make it to the short list?

[@emmaclark9080]

I need to know where to find the Pod video 😅

[@kaybraywarriner7431]

Obsessed with that shirt/jumpsuit/garment!! Where is it from please??

[@TheCowbiscuit]

I really loved listening to the audiobook of the Maiden, it was so well narrated in my opinion. Curious to know what you think

[@julied.545]

As an illustrator, I think that book covers sole purpose in life is to be judged 😌

[@rachelny5209]

The Karen Lord book as well as And Then She Fell sound interesting to me

[@prrari22]

I'm sooo intrigued by And Then She Fell

[@jennimurray4980]

reading it now and so far it’s brilliant!

[@samantharose1001]

do we expect a *lot* of plot from literary fiction? Personally I’m not too bothered about it as long as there’s good characters and writing ✨

[@judithrussell9162]

The Kate Grenville book is about rural New South Wales, Australia, not Wales. Kate has won the Orange Prize and was shortlisted for the Booker. She's a very good writer. What have you got against the Kates today?

[@caitlinquinn79]

The Megan Nolan blurb reads like it's never heard how journalism works, but I think it's just a bad blurb? Because Megan Nolan has written for newspapers? I hope it's that! Feel like we're hitting some familiar beats with motherhood themes, I'd like to see different takes.

[@silliepixie]

I never read blurbs. I just open to the first page and start reading, and if I like it I keep reading.