The Women’s Prize Book Club is Coming…

[@judybrown1624]

Next step for Louise is judging The Women's Prize.

[@SavidgeReads]

Wouldn’t that be lovely!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Aww. Thank you ❤

[@chloetimms960]

I couldn't think of better hosts! Congratulations you two!

[@beautylover3503]

I just love you two...a smile is plastered on my face all the while I watch your videos. Both of your channels and reviews are my go-to for book suggestions. Thank you!

[@karenbrouard697]

Congratulations on the new book club. I loved Sussanah Clarks books

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you 🥳📚

[@LorraineTaylor-Tams]

Jonathan Strange is my FAVOURITE book of all time....I LOVED it.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m intrigued for a reread.

[@carolrayner4189]

Hurrah! This brilliant. Loved the first one which I joined online. Love the women’s prize. Currently enjoying reading all the previous shortlist winners, which is 174 in total, I’m 122 in. Read some smashers. Can’t wait to see who you will interview next.

[@SavidgeReads]

I would have thought it was more shortlistees than that… but I am very bad at maths haha. What a fab project to be doing. The next book club guest has been announced, it’s Sarah Waters (which I can’t quite believe) at the end of January.

[@denisegwili8326]

Congratulations to you both! 🎉I’m so excited about this, you are genuinely the best two people to be hosting this book club. Between you both, you have raised the profile of the women’s prize and brought to the forefront how wonderful and important it is!! I loved Piranesi so much but have not read Jonathan Strange, maybe a perfect time to pick that up…once I’ve finished North Woods. Would love to see Elif Shafak, Louise Kennedy, Barbara Kingsolver, Bernadine Evaristo. The list is endless. Regardless of who you guests are, I’ll be streaming along!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Thanks so much 🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

That is very kind of you to say. I'm not sure we have raised the profile, ha, I do hope our genuine love for it has brought some people along with us for the reading ride though. The book club I still can't quite believe is happening.

[@cecilialau_]

This is just such a beautiful thing. I’m so, so happy for you both! It’s beyond exciting, and I hope you’ll have a really fab time, which I’m sure you will, and that you make sure to take it all in as you go 🫶 I could feel how emotional and proud you felt (understandably so), and I wish you all the best 🥹🥰 - I’d love to see Noreen Masud be your guest of honour at one point. Bernardine Evaristo and Elif Shafak as well. Really love the concept of reading recommendations going both ways. And I think it’s so poignant about men reading women’s stories, and I really think this book club will be significant in that regard and as a conversation starter as well.

[@SavidgeReads]

Three fabulous potential guests there. We shall see what we can do. It’s all very exciting and very lovely.

[@taneesewilson8844]

I think this is incredibly exciting! Like Louise said, there are not enough superlatives to employ about this project! I have both Piranesi and JSAMN ordered and look forward to this awesome start of reading from the Womens Prize bookclub! 📚 😃👏

[@yvonne3902]

oh my gosh?!!!! this is SO exciting, cannot wait!

[@LouiseReader]

Oh how fabulous. Congratulations!!

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you 🥳📚

[@lesleybradley9370]

Sounds absolutely brilliant. Can't wait. Love seeing you both on our screens ❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thanks. Hope you’ll join us live on the night!

[@lynnet1411]

What a brilliant format for the book club! I’d already bought online tickets for mum and I to watch you both interview Susanna without realising this is what it was! So pleased, loved Piranesi and The Goldfinch so very excited for the event 🙂

[@traceyedwards350]

Congratulations both. Very well deserved. I'm so excited for this, can't wait to watch the stream.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Well done Louise & Simon 🎉🤩💐🥳🍀Congratulations and good luck with a fabulous project ☘️

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you!!!

[@mariasmiles68]

Your smiles say it all! I have to admit I gasped when you said Susanna Clarke.❤ How lovely!

[@SavidgeReads]

Very very very excited 🥳📚

[@janepeacock3704]

Congratulations 🎉 to the Sensational Savidge Storytellers (or something like that 😘) Looking forward very much to being an online audience member 👍 I’ve read Piranesi - admittedly, it was my 2nd attempt at ‘getting into it’ that made me really appreciate its delightful & original quality as a Women’s Prize Winner 😌👏🏻 I’ve yet to read another by her, so must look into that! Also, I haven’t yet read my copy of The Goldfinch (really want to!) I would 💙 to see you both in conversation with Bernadine Evaristo 🤓 happy reading xx

[@wfitzpatrick75]

Congratulations!🎉 I am so excited about this. The Goldfinch has been on my TBR forever. Sounds like this is the perfect time to read it! I can't wait to listen to your discussions about books written by women!❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you, hope you enjoy the book clubs if you join in with us!

[@kduhy4379]

Congratulations and cannot wait to watch you both on stream. Loved Piranesi, Jonathan Strange and The Goldfinch excitingxxx

[@SavidgeReads]

Thrilled you’ll be joining us.

[@inkylabyrinth]

This is so exciting! Even my partner who doesn't read saw the thumbnail and said "Women's Prize Book Club, oh that's cool!" Looking forward to the interview with Susanna Clarke as I just read Piranesi last month.

[@jlmo3027]

What exciting news!! Piranesi was my favorite book I read last year. And I have had Strange & Norrell for TEN years, half as long as you, Simon. Just started reading it today and can't put it down. :)

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad to hear you’re enjoying it. I’m looking forward to a reread all these many moons (nearly two decades how did that happen?) later.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

That’s very promising 😊

[@emmavd]

This is brilliant!!! Congratulations, Simon and Louise!!!💐I found Piranesi mesmerizing and look forward to your interview with Susanna Clarke. I think all authors selected for the Women’s Prize longlists are worth interviewing. The first who come to mind and whose novels I loved are Priscilla Morris (Black Butterflies), Louise Erdrich (The Sentence), Megan Nolan (Ordinary Human Failings), Louise Kennedy (Trespasses) and Sheena Patel (I Am a Fan).

[@SavidgeReads]

I would be happy to interview all of those. I’m really keen it’s a selection of authors from all the last three decades to show the breadth but also highlight some books and authors that may have gone under the radar or not had the publicity they might have got now, especially in this digital and social media led day and age.

[@CosyMidlifeBookNook]

Oh my goodness this is so exciting! And over the moon for you both, you totally deserve it you are both amazing. You can feel your excitement through the screen 🎉🎉🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you!

[@mradcaqbdb]

Looking forward to this! I won’t be joining in with reading the super big books, but it’ll be fun to hear you all talking about them. Can’t wait to see who is next!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hope you enjoy it if you join us!

[@rebecca.reader]

Oh congrats you both!!! So exciting 🎉 My husband loves The Goldfinch. I haven't read it yet. But I do looove Pirenesi.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m intrigued for The Goldfinch, I’m looking forward to entering my rereading era with Suzanna’s books.

[@TheJellicle1]

Excellent choice for the kick off and I am so happy I have already read all the books except the midwinter story and including The Goldfinch. I would personally would love to see Ruth Ozeki, Elif Shafak, Anna Burns and Louise Kennedy but on the other hand I also hope the choices are diverse and delve into the back list so that we can catch up on books we might have missed in the past.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ve interviewed Ruth, she’s looooovely. Would we do a project that wasn’t diverse? Come on, you know us better than that.

[@TheJellicle1]

@@SavidgeReads Absolutely!!!

[@sbeale276]

I am so excited for you both to be doing this, can’t think of a better pair to do it! I have brought my online ticket which is brill for those that cant be there in person so thank you. I have had both of these books by Susanna Clarke for a long time on my shelves so this will be my umph to get reading, also i have her short story collection too. This is so wonderful for you both and i enjoy watching both of your channels such a joy.😊

[@ahotcupofteaandagoodbook]

This is amazing. So exciting!

[@SavidgeReads]

🥳📚

[@meganshrum1928]

This is wonderful, looking so forward to this. Barbara Kingsolver would be my ultimate pick!

[@Sarah-sw5sn]

I have just picked up ‘Piranesi’ & The Goldfinch … really looking forward to getting started on them! I love your channels as you share books I would not normally read!

[@rachelwoodisse]

So excited for you both! Love your vlogs xx

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you 🥳📚

[@tanyam6197]

So exciting. Well said Louise ❤

[@SavidgeReads]

🥳📚

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Thank you 🙏

[@janebowell3985]

Congratulations you two very exciting news 🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you 🥳📚

[@susprime7018]

That is exciting. I look forward to seeing the videos. I read Jonathan Strange when it was new and kept it, also the Goldfinch, loved Secret History. It was nice when you showed Susannah Clarke winning the prize.

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooh there won’t be any videos. It’ll be live or streamed both of which are ticketed. Though I guess streaming is a video… if there is an option to rewatch after which I am checking out if will be an option or not. Very exciting indeed.

[@susprime7018]

​@@SavidgeReads Then I look forward to hearing your reminiscence. 😎

[@grrrumpypanda]

Excellent! Well done, guys. I've been looking for an online book club to join, so this is perfect 😊

[@SavidgeReads]

Thrilled to hear you’ll be joining us. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun 🥳📚

[@Book_Hugger]

I am so very excited about this and you will both be excellent contributors to the prize.

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thank you, I still can’t believe we are hosting it.

[@alisonsarahcarroll6063]

I loved the goldfinch Louise. That is an excellent book to read

[@SavidgeReads]

🥳📚

[@p4chennorway]

Gratulerer 🎉 Congratulations Greetings from Norway! Will there be a way to purchase a ticket to watch after the live dates? So excited for you both!!! I would love to see you interview Maggie O’Farrell again!!!

[@SavidgeReads]

I need to check on this as I’ve had a few questions about that and I don’t know the answer. I’ll find out.

[@p4chennorway]

@@SavidgeReadsThank you! I work during this time! 🙃 I would love to purchase a ticket to watch after each session. 🎟️

[@EvieM1]

Congratulations to you both 🎉

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you sooooo much.

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you so much.

[@GeraldineRowe]

Exciting news! Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and Piranesi are two of my all time favourite books. I've pre-ordered The Wood at Midwinter as an e-book but having seen the hardback I might have to buy that too.

[@SavidgeReads]

It is a very beautiful little hardback. It would be rude not to.

[@pampam8584]

Got my ticket for the stream 🎉 I loved all the books mentioned - you’re in for a treat with goldfinch in my opinion. One I definitely need to re-read

[@SavidgeReads]

How lovely you’ll be joining us. 🥳📚

[@onourpath]

I'm so thrilled for you both! I'd be dying, so I totally get your excitement. 🎉 I've read The Goldfinch, as I love Tartt and am a sucker for books about art and artists. I really loved it. A couple of the characters wander in and out of the "unlikable" category, but that's my jam, so I was into it. There were times that I was talking outloud to the characters: What are you doing??? Stop it!!! So you know it was good, lol. I read it as an arc when there were very few opinions around; my advice is to try to have a blank slate -- as much as you can -- and let the book speak for itself. I've also read Mr. Norell and loved that as well. That one shocked me a bit because I normally don't like super long books, footnotes that go on forever, and fantasy books in general. The intricacy of the world she built is off the charts (for me, at least, who reads no fantasy.) I found it really amazing and was glad I read it.

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you’re excited. And thank you for not including any spoilers. Phew! I am always a fan of unlikeable characters, let’s not say anymore before we’ve read it though.

[@onourpath]

@@SavidgeReads no, no! No spoilers from me!

[@booksandbags]

How exciting! I loved Thunderclap, so it will be great to read The Goldfinch finally.

[@SavidgeReads]

I love that The Goldfinch is linked to the prize because of that too.

[@cynthibook]

Congratulations for that superb project. I really look foward to hear your thoughts on The Goldfinch. It's a special book in my heart. It's one of the rare books that while I was reading it I pictured everything perfectly.

[@SavidgeReads]

I’m really intrigued for The Goldfinch. It’ll be very interesting reading it outside of the hype it had when it was published, when I did try it but wasn’t in the right mood.

[@Mesa37122]

How exciting, congrats!

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you!!!

[@aiscahill]

This is such lovely news! Piranesi has been such an unmatched reading experience for me. I’m gearing myself up to read Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. I hope you both love The Goldfinch. I absolutely adored it - one of my all time favourites ☺️

[@SavidgeReads]

I haven't started The Goldfinch yet, am intrigued for it. I was a big fan of The Secret History so I have high hopes. I am looking forward to a reread of Pirenesi and Jonathan Strange, though wondering how I am going to find the time in the next week and a half, eek!

[@aiscahill]

@ No better man! Best of luck 😁

[@Ali-AvidReader]

This is very exciting news, am thrilled for both of you and us! Judges next😉

[@SavidgeReads]

I can’t be a judge, would love mum to be though.

[@Ali-AvidReader]

@@SavidgeReadsYeah I know but we can dream. Louise would make a wonderful judge!

[@janepetrie1654]

Congratulations to you both, how wonderful.

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you 🥳📚

[@jenisalwaysreading]

You are both in for a treat with The Goldfinch!!!

[@SavidgeReads]

I hope so!

[@CharlieBrookReads]

So so exciting!! I love the Women’s Prize as you know and this sounds like it’s going to be brilliant!! So many great people to choose from so sure I could narrow it down. People I would like to see hmmm maybe Bernadine Evaristo, Maggie Shipstead & from the non fiction Madhumita Murgia as I loved Code Dependant so much!! ❤️

[@SavidgeReads]

Mum lived Code Dependent a lot too! I would loooooove to get Bernardine on.

[@michelejuza4531]

Barbara Kingsolver please!!

[@nvl1814]

Such a great project! Would especially love to see conversations with Isabella Hammad, Priscilla Morris, Yaa Gyasi, Louise Erdrich, Claire Fuller, Ayobami Adebayo, Madeline Thien, Jhumpa Lahiri, Bernardine Evaristo, Eleanor Catton, and Maggie O’Farrell!

[@SavidgeReads]

That’s a fabulous selection.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Fabulous list 🎉

[@debrahills8148]

I just peeked at the Women's Prize Website and glanced at each year since the beginning of the prize, and --wow--such richness! I found many titles, including Praise Song for the Butterflies, which I had never heard of and want to read! And now I'm completely overwhelmed, LOL. So I'll endorse the above list and add Ali Smith and one of 2025's judges, Dr. Elizabeth-Jane Burnett.

[@taymosa]

OMG! That sounds so good ❣️❣️❣️❣️

[@SavidgeReads]

🥳📚🥳📚

[@ES_LA969]

Just FYI, the audiobook of The Goldfinch is excellent. It won awards. I actually went back and forth between the audiobook and the print edition. I'd listen to the audio on my walks, then come home and linger over the written passages.

[@SavidgeReads]

I wish wish wish I could do fiction on audio. I just can’t. My mind wanders too much and I realise I missed a chapter as I was putting the washing on or something.

[@carolewatson2113]

The Goldfinch is divine. I hope you both enjoy it.

[@SavidgeReads]

Me too. I loved The Secret History, albeit yeeeeeeeears ago.

[@katherinevdkirk]

I'm very excited for this! ❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Me too!

[@katiesikkes1527]

I would love to watch a book club with the two of you and Ruth Ozeki!

[@SavidgeReads]

I’ve interviewed Ruth a few times, she’s fabulous. Will have to see if she’s any plans to come to the UK.

[@katiesikkes1527]

@@SavidgeReads I forgot about the in person component! 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@cindyhaiken5644]

I’m so excited for this and have already booked my livestream ticket. You both will do an amazing job and you deserve this!! You are great fans and readers of the Women’s Prize! You DO have a lot of reading ahead of you before November 10th! But great stuff. I would love to see you have Ali Smith and Maggie O’Farrell on the Women’s Prize Book Club!

[@SavidgeReads]

They would be fabulous guests. Soooo pleased you’ll be joining us for the event. I actually am up early this morning because I had a stress dream about it. Ha!

[@ralphharris6374]

I totally agree Louise. As a man, I love the Women’s prize for fiction and read the shortlist every year. I seem to be drawn to female writing far more than male authors. Coincidentally, I have just finished Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell and thoroughly enjoyed it. I read Piranesi when it won the Women’s prize and loved it. I haven’t read the Goldfinch but I read Secret History in the summer which was superb. Guess I’d better order Goldfinch from the library. I have my ticket for the livestream booked, I just wish I could be in Chester with you all but it’s a long way from South Wales. Perhaps at the next event I can to wherever its held. Love your videos both. Big fan xxx

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Thanks so much for your encouragement and lovely to know that you will be with us across the ether 😊

[@SavidgeReads]

I hope we all enjoy The Goldfinch, imagine if we didn't that wouldn't be awkward at all. Hahaha. The Book Club will be at Storyhouse for the next few months, then... well who knows hehehe.

[@DustyBookSniffers]

So excited for this!!!🎉🎉🎉 l have my ticket 🎟 and now to get reading 📚

[@SavidgeReads]

So thrilled you’ll be joining in!

[@DustyBookSniffers]

@@SavidgeReads l am in Australia, so l am setting the alarm ⏰️ to attend ...l am so excited for you both to be hosting this ♥️

[@Georgesmomsu]

This is so exciting. I loved Piranesi and have wanted to read Jonathon Strange for so long. This is such a perfect for you and your mum. I really enjoyed The Goldfinch. Interested what you both think of it. People have big feelings about it. (And on the 10th I turn 57!)

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh happy birthday in advance!!!!

[@janethansen9612]

Loved these books and I was just talking to someone the other day about a re read of The Goldfinch. Perfect. Other authors I would like to hear from include Elif Shafak and Louise Erdrich because I have just finished Elif's new book and am currently reading Louise's.

[@Nesslong-g7z]

I wish I could attend! Loved the Goldfinch x

[@SavidgeReads]

You can attend, it’ll be streamed online as well as in real life.

[@Dottiemi]

Great news, I loved The Goldfinch but have never read any SC.

[@SavidgeReads]

You’ve some treats ahead if you join in.

[@shawkitty2524]

You will enjoy the storyline and wonderful characterizations in "The Goldfinch"--one of the characters is so funny! But I also thought, as many did, that the story went on too long and portions could have been edited. But frankly, this is my opinion for many chunksters.

[@MJ-in-Canada]

Oh my giddy aunt!😃

[@SavidgeReads]

🥳📚

[@judybrown1624]

Maggie O'Farrell!

[@SavidgeReads]

She’s on our wishlist!

[@angelawebb7676]

Take us to Story House for a pre book club behind the scenes vlog. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@SavidgeReads]

If I have time I most definitely will. Might be between the first book club and the second one in Jan.

[@starfishmeditation7983]

Natalie Haynes would be a great guest.

[@SavidgeReads]

She would indeed!

[@carolrayner4189]

Yes please

[@anneroy4560]

I know Susanna Clarke & her long time partner author Colin Greenland ... they have a place here in Cambridge where we live ...

[@SavidgeReads]

Oh lovely!