MY PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION BOOK COLLECTION | BRIEF REVIEWS OF PAST WINNERS | BOOKSHELF TOUR

[@AJDunnReads]

Pulitzer Prize winners are hit or miss for me. I loved _The Road._ It's sad, and so good. I read _All the Pretty Horses_ by Cormac McCarthy and loved it as well. I'll be reading _Blood Meridian_ in June with Kim from Middle of the Book March. _Olive Kitteredge_ is so good too. And _The Goldfinch._ I didn't care for _The Nickel Boys._ It wasn't as traumatic as I was led to believe. Also I wasn't blown away by the writing and didn't understand why it won. I LOVED _A Confederacy of Dunces._ _To Kill A Mockingbird_ was, of course, really good. As you know, I loved _Middlesex_ and _Gilead._

[@Shellyish]

I really need to revisit Confederacy of Dunces. And I completely agree about the hit or miss quality of the Pulitzer which is why I prefer to cherry pick from the best. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about these books! Cheers to great reading ahead!

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

Interesting how the Pulitzer does (or doesn’t) release the books. “Preferably” I’m sure a Cromwell character came up with that word. I’ve only read The Road by McCarthy. I’ve read several of these winners and I hope to read more. The Hours has been on my shelf FOREVER. I want to read it alongside Mrs. Dalloway. Middlesex and Gilead sit on my shelf waiting patiently too. 😊💙

[@Shellyish]

Our books wait so patiently for us. Aren’t they nice to do so. Ha! Your comment about the Cromwell character is fantastic. ☺️

[@MsReadsAlot]

The Pulitzer has always been a bit hit and miss for me. Love some and really dislike others (Updike 😳) I, of course, have a list that I am working through😍

[@Shellyish]

Ha! Of course you have a list!

[@manonskarsgard1444]

I’ve also been trying to read more Pulitzer book. I can’t believe you haven’t read The Goldfinch yet, I am so excited for you because it’s an AMAZING book. I loved The Age of Innocence too! Can’t wait to know what you think. Also THANK YOU for looking at us (the camera) when talking instead of looking at yourself, lots of people forget to do that, it makes the video way more pleasant!

[@Shellyish]

Manon, thank you for the kind words about The Goldfinch and my habit of looking at the camera. Both comments made me smile.

[@melrose718]

Ah, I love anything Pulitzer! I had 28 already under my belt from my 50 yrs of reading, and a few years ago decided I wanted to read them all so I read the rest in about 2.5 yrs. Now I only have to read the current year to keep up! While there are many I did not care for at all, there are many more that I loved so much and often think about. Among my favorites: The Known World, Years of Grace, The Grapes of Wrath, The Yearling, The Hours, The Town, The Store, One of Ours, Now in November, Lonesome Dove, The Keepers of the House, Journey in the Dark, In This Our Life, The Fixer, Early Autumn: The story of a Lady, A death in the Family, The Killer Angels, The Color Purple, Arrowsmith, All The King's Men, The Good Earth, The Overstory & the Rabbit books. My least favorite: The Confessions of Nat Turner, The Executioner's Song, the Reivers, A Fable, & Elbow Room. Whew! Can't wait to read this years (if I haven't already)! However, the only one I own is The Grapes of Wrath. Many of them I had to get by inter Library Loan from other States. It was fun, I highly recommend :)

[@Shellyish]

Melrose, you are the second or third person I’ve met that has read through the entire Pulitzer Prize for Fiction backlist. An impressive feat. A list like the Pulitzer intrigues me, but knowing me, I do best when I can cherry pick. Your list has alerted me up to titles I would’ve otherwise slept on.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

For me the interesting thing about the Pulitzer is that it is often awarded to what I would consider popular rather than literary fiction. I think that makes it far more accessible than many books prizes.

[@Shellyish]

Olly, that's an interesting take on the Pulitzer. I associate the prize with "political" messaging because often, I feel, the board uses the prize to make a statement. I'll definitely cover this in my predictions video.

[@CriminOllyBlog]

@@Shellyish I think the political side of things is probably a natural outcome of trying to be in tune with with contemporary American life.

[@anenthusiasticreader]

This was so fun. I love your characterization of DNF as ghosting. haha. I read LESS last year and it was one of the true joys of my reading in 2021.

[@Shellyish]

Awe, thank you! ‘Less’ is a really enjoyable read.

[@larajean1]

I inadvertently read a fair amount of the most recent Pulitzer Prize winners for fiction and loved many of them so I’ve recently started to really focus and read all the Pulitzer winners… I think I’ve read 34 so far… I’ve read Age of Innocence, So Big, The Hours, American Patiral and Now in November recently…

[@savagereads]

This was super fun! I have only read a few of these. I don't follow the awards lists very often so I love when you talk about them. So many interesting books!

[@Shellyish]

Thank you!! Much appreciated!

[@sonjadevenney2524]

I’m hoping Jolene and I can read Middlesex in the next few months. I need to read The Road as well.

[@Shellyish]

Middlesex is a good read. I wonder what you’ll make of it.

[@jorgem71962]

I loved Middlesex. Could not put it down. The Underground Railroad is phenomenal!

[@Shellyish]

You and me both, Jorge. Middlesex was my second favorite novel of 2020. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn beat it out by a hair.

[@kristenp6547]

Last year my goal was to read all the PP winning novels I own. Did not accomplish that goal so I'll try to get to them this year. Currently reading War and Peace (slowly) so it may take a while. Of the books you mentioned, I've read To Kill A Mockingbird (my all time favorite book), Less, The Hours, The Old Man and the Sea, The Road, Beloved, The Goldfinch. I've also read The Shipping News, A visit From the Goon Squad, and All the Light We Cannot See . I still have to get to Empire Falls, A Confederacy of Dunces The Nickel Boys, and The Color Purple

[@Shellyish]

Kristen, we are both slowly making our way through War and Peace! Did you like A Visit from the Goon Squad? It's one I'm thinking about.

[@TheKarinaChronicles]

It was so nice of you to first explain what the price is really about. I have a hard time keeping all those international prizes apart and this really helped. I have not read any of these yet though...

[@Shellyish]

Thanks! And I completely understand about prizes. There are so many. :)

[@GemofBooks]

I loved this video Shelley!! The Pulitzer is one that I haven’t paid much attention to before, but now I am 😂 Would you mind if I did a reaction video to this? You’ve got my brain going 😁

[@Shellyish]

Absolutely! Run with this idea! I'm glad to be some source of inspiration. :)

[@GemofBooks]

@@Shellyish 😘😘

[@espedidosgs]

You should add to your immediate TBR All the Light We Cannot See, it's my favorite.

[@Shellyish]

Will do!

[@gs547]

A couple of days ago, I was telling my wife & my daughter's mother-in-law that I wanted to buy "Jane Eyre" for my granddaughter. I didn't think the bookstore in Princeton had it, so they both suggested "The Good Earth" by Pearl Buck. They BOTH said it was their favorite (my wife is Chinese). So you need to read it. I also recommend it. I read it in high school.

[@Shellyish]

How wonderful! Thank you!! I’ll pick it up soon!! ☺️

[@RoadReads]

Wonderful video, Shelly!! Pulitzer winners are so hit and miss for me, but some of my favorite books of all time are still on your TBR so you have a lot to look forward too!!

[@Shellyish]

Thank you, Susan! Yes! So many good reads ahead. I just watched your "quarter year crisis tag" and noticed "The Secret History" made it into your favorites - this made me all the more enthusiastic to read Donna Tartt!

[@RoadReads]

@@Shellyish I just finished The Goldfinch a few days ago. It was a very different reading experience than reading The Secret History.

[@lindysmagpiereads]

Shelly, if you want to read The Road, don’t let anyone’s “should” deter you. I read McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses way back when it won a National Book Award, but not The Road. As you went through your TBR and read titles, I realized that I had read all but a few of them. I guess my reading is quite influenced by literary awards.

[@Shellyish]

Thank you, Lindy. Someone once told me, "stop should-ing on yourself" and that stuck. I'm always grateful for a good reminder.

[@novellenovels]

I’m surprised at how many of these books I’ve read.. My brain has died on which ones I loved lol 😂 Need to get to gone with the wind 🌬 x

[@Shellyish]

HAHA! I wonder what you'd make of GWTW. I argued with Mitchell throughout.

[@BookTalksWithMrsThomas]

To Kill a Mockingbird is why I became a teacher. I loved when my teacher would read to us from that book.❤

[@SpringboardThought]

Old people really like themselves some Old Man and the Sea. They don’t shut up about it lol I have The Road and haven’t read it yet either. I’m curious to Confederacy of Dunces but usually don’t agree with comedies… so I dunno. I’ve heard The Hours is really great. Of them all I bet I’ll probably pick up the Road first. But Middlesex has been calling out to be lately. I am pretty sure I have Oscar Wao around too… I feel like I forget about it until I shelve stuff around it. Poor little guy. I’ve read Goldfinch and Kitteridge, Nickel Boys. Age of Innocence, To Kill A Mockingbird, Beloved, Gilead, The Underground Railroad, Less. Guess I have read way more than I expected to have. I think Goldfinch reigns supreme of them all for me. But they’re all worthy reads.

[@Shellyish]

You'd pick up The Road, really?! Why? Middlesex is a great read! Oh wow! Super high praise for The Goldfinch! Very interesting, Fraser. VERY interesting!

[@SpringboardThought]

@@Shellyish I like sad things sad things are my home ! It’s literary as heck, unconcerned with typical pacing or tropes. But I think undeniably her most complex and best craft.

[@SpringboardThought]

@@Shellyish also the goldfinch is real sad…

[@AnneEWilliamson]

I guess I've never paid attention to the Pulitzer prize, or any book awards, to be honest. I would be curious to see how they exactly pick who wins the award though. Saying that, a lot of these are great. The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck is amazing, so is To Kill a Mockingbird.

[@Shellyish]

In my early 20s, I started paying attention to the Pulitzer, but I haven't kept up very closely. Being on Booktube I feel like I have a good excuse to keep up. Plus, it's fun!

[@jobuckley2999]

Cormac McCarthy's appeal, I think, is to men. Rugged Westerns usually. No Country for Old Men is fantastic and is a good crossover read but still rugged. The Road is bleak and I don't think you personally would enjoy it. Didn't like Olive K. The Nickle Boys Meh. The Yearling 5 stars. Great video and happy reading.

[@Shellyish]

Jo, thanks! I’m glad you’ve picked up on my reading tastes. Knowing me, I don’t think I’d like most of his works, but The Road lingers as a possible read.

[@LaurieInTexas]

I made a choice a few years ago to read all of the winners by female authors and I haven't made the progress I would like, but I read Olive Kitteridge last year and absolutely loved it. This was a complete surprise to me since I'm not a fan of short stories and it is described as interlinked stories. I would agree with that but I still loved it. I'm not sure I would if I had read it when I was younger since I understand Olive better now that I am closer to her age at the beginning. I hope you love Angle of Repose as much as I did. I need to reread it as I've forgotten many of the details. Another really good winner is So Big by Edna Ferber. I don't know anyone I've recommended it to who did not like it I have one Pulitzer winner on my tbr this year which is Now in November which I plan to read in November.

[@Shellyish]

Laurie, thank you for sharing about your project and journey with the Pulitzers. Like you, I'd be very interested in reading all of the female winners but haven't dedicated myself to such a project. Olive seems to be a very polarizing character, but those who love her seem to do so with gusto! I've added So Big by Edna Ferber to my TBR list. Very charming reading 'Now in November' in November.

[@christinacampbellbooks]

Really enjoyed this. It isn't a prize that I actively follow. There are just so many book prizes! I'm mainly following the women's prize for fiction this year ☺

[@Shellyish]

Christina, I’ve been following your reviews of The Women’s Prize! They are great!

[@christinacampbellbooks]

@@Shellyish Thanks!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

I loved this video!! I recently read The Road and then another few books and it dawned on me that they were all Pulitzer winners! Plus I own a few others I haven't read yet. I was thinking "Wow these are some good books!" and the common denominator was Pulitzer! Since then I looked at the list and can tell that there will definitely be many that are not my taste (many in the 2000s era) but I'll have fun following the upcoming award and reading from the list. I just read No Country for Old Men by McCarthy and it was great also. I did like The Road better and I hear his fans love Suttree best. I'll be reading that one in a few months from now.

[@Shellyish]

Penny!! Thank you! The Pulitzer does have a knack for picking out fascinating reads! I love that they highlight a variety of different authors. I must read 'The Road" soon!

[@CestKevvie]

In high school we read Confederacy of Dunces. I remember enjoying it, but I barely remember it. Definitely want to reread it at some point. Beloved is one of my favorite books of all time!

[@Shellyish]

Beloved is BRILLIANT! I absolutely adored that book.

[@RKStumblingbear]

The only one that you mentioned that I have read is To Kill a Mockingbird. I read it in high school. The book itself was okay. I did not like the class assignments surrounding it. Nor how my teacher (who I loved) thought there was only one interpretation for events.

[@Shellyish]

What a bummer! One interpretation is fairly narrow minded. I read the book as an adult and truly loved it.

[@eralonuva]

The Old Man and the Sea is both good and short. No reason not to read it.

[@Shellyish]

Thank you, Ericka. I’ll have to rethink my attitude toward it.

[@trishbovell9042]

I read Olive Kittridge years ago and didn’t ‘get it’ until I saw the miniseries starring Frances McDormand. Now I want to reread it as I understand the character much better.

[@Shellyish]

Trish, such interesting feedback about Olive. From what I've heard, she's polarizing. Some love her and some don't.

[@trishbovell9042]

I hated her then loved her. I think the author wants the reader to do the same.

[@susanbybee1458]

There are so many Pulitzer fiction books I love. Two that I despise are American Pastoral and In This Our Life.

[@melissahouse1296]

🤗Ive noticed last couple years i really get on PP winners or finalists the last being TGoldfinch 🥰 A surprisingly divisive novel but fingers crossed you love it too! Just acquired Red Comet (finalist). Im reading my first Wharton- a short called 'Roman Fever' (Persephone S Stories) I've *absolutely* fallen in love gah 😍 Goddess.. ill second that lol! I have TAOI & am super excited 🤩 if you feel so inclined to either book club or buddy id be delighted. Great list *many* id love to get to. McCarthy for whatever reason though intimidates me 😶‍🌫 😊👍

[@Shellyish]

My fuss with McCarthy is his violence. I’m never inclined to read overtly violent books so I’ve always avoided his work. I’m reading TAOI with someone else, but I have House of Mirth and would love a buddy reader with that one. ☺️

[@melissahouse1296]

@@Shellyish Wonderful! consider it done🤗 I have a gorgeous Oxford Classics edition for later in the year (ill get to TAOI beforehand so i can check in with your review)! 🙂

[@gs547]

I listened to the audiobook for short story "Roman Fever" by Edith Wharton, who was already my favorite writer. I was blown away. Highly recommend it.

[@krc5210]

Nice collection of books, Wharton, Buck, Lee. I think if you like Faulkner you will prob like McCarthy. Not sure I would begin with The Road either. I began with All the Pretty Horses but I can understand wanting to read the book you are most excited about too. I've started Beloved twice, the last time with the audio and Ms. Morrison reading but I just cannot get into the writing for some reason. I know it is my failure/loss.

[@Shellyish]

KR, thank you. I’ve only read one Faulkner and really didn’t care for it. Totally understandable about Beloved. The language is tricky.

[@mediumjohnsilver]

I have read _To Kill a Mockingbird_ by Harper Lee, of course, but not since high school, so it has been decades. Of the other Pulitzer Prize winners, I have _The Shipping News_ by E. Annie Proulx and _The Hours_ by Michael Cunningham on my shelves, both of which I received as gifts. I have not read either, though I tried a couple chapters of _The Hours_ and did not follow through, as I had other books I wanted to get to.

[@Shellyish]

John, yes! I get so distracted, but I also know that some good reads sit on my shelves. The Hours is calling to me and I’m keeping my eyes peeled for The Shipping News.

[@karengullickson4290]

Just read "Beloved". A must read.

[@Shellyish]

I’ve since read it. It’s great.

[@keself]

I have Gilead on my TBR still...

[@Shellyish]

It’s a good one!

[@BookTalksWithMrsThomas]

Did you know that TKM was based on the Scottsboro trials?

[@Shellyish]

I feel like I may I have known that, but I cannot be too sure! TKM is absolutely brilliant! ❤️

[@nmmk9134]

I live in nyc. I meet couple of pulitzer writers.

[@Shellyish]

That’s awesome!

[@booksimnotreading]

I do have quite the relationship with the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. There are a lot of people on Booktube who are attempting to read all of them. Are you going to be one of them?

[@Shellyish]

You do! I will not be one of those people. I prefer to cherry pick from the best.

[@booksimnotreading]

@@Shellyish You have some excellent books there! I also love your copy of The Old Man and the Sea!