Booker Shortlist Reads #1 | Held by Anne Michaels | October 2024

In the first of ​⁠‪@louisesavidgemuses4135‬ and my ‪@TheBookerPrizes‬ shortlist parallel reads videos, we head to Anne Michaels’ Held. Will we have similar thoughts? Will we get on with it? You’ll have to watch to find out #booktube #bookerprize #books
The schedule for the rest of the Booker 2024 shortlist is…
Orbital by Samantha Harvey - Wednesday October 9th on mums channel
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner - Thursday 17th October 2024 on this channel
The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden - Wednesday 23rd October on mums channel
James by Percival Everett - Thursday 31st October on this channel
Stoneyard Devotional - Wednesday 6th November on mums channel
Ranking and Predictions will probably be on this channel on Sunday the 10th of November or Monday the 11th of November.
Me Elsewhere…
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[@TKTalksBooks]

My favorite on the shortlist (and for that matter the longlist) I can’t wait for the rest of your joint reviews of the short list! You are both excellent reviewers! I never miss your videos. Thank you 🙏

[@CionMohler]

I just love you guys. You are wonderful readers.

[@michaelhoran5762]

I finished this today so it was a lovely coincidence to see your video pop up. Really enjoyed unpacking my thoughts and then reflecting on yours. Ethereal yet elemental, I was extremely moved by this novel. I love what Louise said “it’s making me physically ache”, I had similar moments. Thank you both!

[@dM-ij1we]

Held has my vote. A stunning book which I immediately started again. It’s very subtle what it’s doing and very clever how it’s doing it. It’s not given to you on a plate. In fact you have to bring your own plate. I am in awe!

[@cindyhaiken5644]

Held is such a beautiful book. It definitely requires careful, focused reading and some deep thought, and I think it gets richer and more satisfying on a reread. The writing is really gorgeous but I do understand people who are put off by the way she tells the story. It’s not for everyone but I really liked it.

[@lissarice1876]

Love this! Hearing both of you as you're reading was so much fun. Can't wait to read this.

[@enidlacob1157]

Yes Louise it does make me physically ache It is a beautiful book

[@MJ-in-Canada]

I’ve been on the fence as to whether or not I would read “Held” but if it’s good enough for Simon Savidge and the artist formerly known as his mother, then it’s good enough for me.😁

[@michelejuza4531]

This is such a special book. I loved it and I’m so very glad that you both loved it too.

[@spexi513]

Insert Mario stepping on a 🍄 here - these videos are a power up for me , i appreciate y’all big time 📚 🪱 💚

[@ralphharris6374]

I adored this novel and your video has made me want to reread it! I love the way you’ve formatted this video. Looking forward to the next one

[@aoifedriver9969]

I love this format ❤ I am reading along. Thank you

[@thefriendssister]

I haven’t read Held but you two have made it sound pretty interesting, I might check it out! I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed this style of video & am really looking forward to seeing you continue next week on your mom’s channel 🤍📚

[@smileycindy]

Hi Simon - It was very interesting to hear both your thoughts and your mom's at various points of the book and see how your impressions of it compared. Can't wait for more about the shortlisted books. 😃 I just started reading Razorblade Tears. I'm just 50 pages in, but after 7 pages, I was already crying and by page 23, it had become ugly crying, so needless to say, I am already very invested in the story. Hoping to have time this weekend to dive in more. I also just finished Annie Bot (Sierra Greer) and I really enjoyed the commentary on the place AI is taking into our lives, the concept of "ownership" and the weird unbalanced relationship between Doug and Annie. I had no idea where the story was going to end up, and I am also impressed with how the author concluded the story. I have a feeling this might make my favorites' list this year, as this is the kind of book that I will remember and still think about after finishing it.

[@neilturner2368]

I was surprised how much I loved this book and was totally bewildered by the end but that just made me want to read it again. The shortlist is excellent this year but I think Held is in a very different league

[@joangavrilik3009]

Thank you - beautifully done! (I really liked this book, but had to read to read it twice.)

[@susprime7018]

Glad you both liked it. I'll place it on my want to read list, but I have so many others to get through first, including Demon Copperhead. I enjoyed Horrorstor and enjoying The Final Girl Support Group both by Grady Hendrix and an old book, An Adventure, on Time Travel, which I think Louise mentioned long ago, also, Witch Wood by John Buchan. Thank you.

[@judybrown1624]

I thought you'd both like it.

[@suzanneunderhill6060]

I'm one of those that didn't get this book at all. I loved the first part and their decendents but the addition of Marie Curie lost me entirely and 3 or so weeks on I have to say I can't remember much about it.