What We Loved About Reading Prompts in 2023

In which ‪@SavidgeReads‬ and I muse about the experience of reading by prompt in 2023.
#booklover #booktube #readingrecommendations #prompts #readingplans #bookreview
Books discussed:
January
Simon: The New Life by Tim Crewe
Louise: Lanny by Max Porter
February
Simon: The Strays by Emily Bitto
Louise: The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld
March
Simon: Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions by Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi
Louise: Violets by Alex Hyde
April
Simon: Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
Louise: Two Women in Rome by Elizabeth Buchan
May
Simon: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Louise: Affinity by Sarah Waters
June
Simon: The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey
Louise: The City of Tears by Kate Mosse
July
Simon: Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang
Louise: Pet by Catherine Chidgey
August
Simon and Louise: Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson
September
Simon: So Late in the Day by Clare Keegan
Louise: The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri
October
Simon: Ginger Bread by Helen Oyeyemi
Louise: The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris
November
Simon: The Story of Persephone by Farmer and McCullum
Louise: The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham
December
Simon: The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan
Louise: The Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott
Bonus Prompt
Simon: Mother Nature by Jedidiah Jenkins
Louise: Cells by Gavin McCrae

[@YourTrueShelf]

Don't apologise for a one hour video, it's a massive treat!! I agree it's lovely to read by prompts like this as it make us pick up books we keep overlooking. I am also a massive fan of sicily!! Taormina is probably the best holiday I've ever had. I have some on my tbr that you've mentioned. Fab video 😊

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Thank you. We love Sicily. 👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚💜💜💜

[@cindyhaiken5644]

Can I just say how amazing it is that Louise’s hair matches Simon’s sweatshirt. Well done! And I was absolutely cackling at the end about the ghetto. You two!! Goodness, all 13 books from the 2023 prompts? Here goes, in order: Mother’s Boy by Patrick Gale, The Yield by Tara June Winch, Bournville by Jonathan Coe, Latchkey Ladies by Marjorie Grant, I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith, Radio Life by Derek Miller, Moonglow by Michael Chabon, South Riding by Winifred Holtby, Good Behaviour by Molly Keane, Kingdom of Olives and Ash edited by Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman, Dinosaurs on the Roof by David Rabe and Lady Sunshine by Amy Mason Doan. The bonus was A Death in the Parish by Richard Coles. Whew! Can’t wait to get going on 2024! Thanks to Simon for suggesting some snake on the cover books!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

What a fabulously eclectic mix of books. Hoorah for prompts! I survived the ghetto too! Happy reading, Cindy 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@jenny6904]

I love these videos. The two of you are so fun today. Simon's little "how dare you?" gets me

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Thanks. We love doing them 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@viviannewson8662]

So excited about this long video

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚💜💜💜

[@Evegalewitz]

Just added Lanny & The New Life to 2024 TBR. Excellent rundown of ‘23 prompts.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚💜💜💜

[@alexvann9124]

LOVE your hair Louise, you look absolutely gorgeous!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Thank you. So kind 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@anitahayne8621]

I love really long videos about books.😅 I am so thrilled that you both gave a recap of the books and their prompts. So happy to hear The Storm We Made is good because I just bought it.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

I’m really looking forward to reading it too 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@lissarice1876]

I love both of your channels, but especially love when you do a post together.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Us too! 💜💜💜🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚

[@spexi513]

Just read Bass Rock last week bc of Simon’s previous reviews of it and loved it

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Wonderful, so glad you enjoyed it 🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚💜💜💜

[@janepeacock3704]

Hi Both 👋🏻 some years ago I read/enjoyed a few books by Elizabeth Buchan 😌 & the one I would like to reread one day is “Consider the Lily” (keep your eye out for that one Louise 🤓📖) I’ve preordered the paperback of “The New Life” (think it’s due on 12-1 🤔) I was pleased to pick up in a charity shop recently a perfect copy of “Lanny” 👍 (yet to read) xx

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Hope you enjoy Lanny and thanks for the recommendation about Elizabeth Buchan 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@kduhy4379]

Love that you shared the books that you have read for the 2023 prompts. Thank you. Always enjoy doing these prompts and will be enjoying finding and reading books for the 2024 prompts

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

You are so welcome! We love it 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@inkylabyrinth]

Land of Milk and Honey was so good but indeed so tricky to talk about! I think it would make a wonderful film. Thanks for the long video to keep me company while I craft. :)

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Our pleasure. I’m looking forward to reading it 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@barbaracummings1389]

Video not too long - the hour flew by. Fab discussion and lots of brilliant feedback giving me a push to get to a number of books on my TBR list!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

So glad you enjoyed it 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@angelawebb7676]

Well now I have to read Pineapple St seeing as how I used to live on Clark Street, two streets over from Pineapple, in Brooklyn Heights. Ahhh, good times!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Oh wow! Yes, you must 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@JillianMatchett]

Simon, I had exactly the same issue with The Franchise Affair. I had previously really liked The Daughter of Time by her, but I loathed this with a passion.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@mandywendell1980]

Hi Louise, you never fail to tickle my pickle when i edge to your videos

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

😊🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@areadersalmanacwithceleste1366]

Thanks for this fun conversation and some great recommendations and insights! 😊

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Glad you enjoyed it! 🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚💜💜💜

[@clairethackraytarot]

I love it when you both get together and talk books ❤

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

She do we 👍😂😊

[@yvonne3902]

I fell off the 2023 prompt train early on, but I loved finding out what books you two picked - also your hair looks incredible!!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Thank you. Maybe they’ll work better for you this year 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@cecilialau_]

I’m sorry, a whole hour in both of your company?? What have we done to deserve this?! I thank you kindly 😁💕 What a joy that the prompts were mostly a success. (I agree with Simon on Claire Keegan but have only heard praise from others). - Congratulations on completing the challenge 🥳 Excited to do this year’s prompts with you both

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

So glad you’re joining us. I’m still deliberating about the snake prompt 🤔🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@cecilialau_]

It will be my first time dipping my toes into a monthly reading challenge and I couldn’t imagine better company to be in. Thank you for being so wonderfully excited about the prompts, I was so happy to be picked from the jar - haha, my first reaction was that I forgot that I’ll have to find a book myself to read! Bc I thought of it from reading a few last year😅 But we still have time; I believe in us 😄🍀🧡

[@kirstenlee7575]

Louise for the win! Let us know! I'm afraid I didn't do the prompts - I had them ready but my rebellion kicked in. I have no problem watching you both for an hour! Thanks so much for everything you both do 🥰

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

He beat me 😤. Great fun though. Maybe you’ll get the prompt bug this year 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@kirstenlee7575]

I’m sure you had great fun though. I think prompts are the way to go for me this year because I’m on a new book buying ban for 2024 (aside from the Women’s Prize) so I’m reading from my shelves, the library and charity shops. Well, that’s the intention! 😂

[@tanyam6197]

Robbie Arnott seems like a lovely human. I heard him speak at a writer’s festival. I’ve loved all his books. Yes Tasmania is an island off Australia that is part of Australia. 😊 I think you would both love it there if you ever have the chance. This was so fun to watch.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

So good to know that he’s lovely. Thank you 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@taylormacdowell]

What a fun video to watch… all 60+ minutes! I have so many new reading ideas. I can’t say that I was surprised about the religious aspect of your bonus book, Simon. Here in the US we are going through a very judgmental crisis in religion. At least the author’s mother didn’t disown him which is often the case in my state, the Gilead Republic of Texas. Again, thank you both; I so enjoy both of your channels. (Good luck with your fun golf game. Hoping you win, Simon.)

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

He did win 😤 Thanks for your reflections 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@readingbytheriver5752]

Extra brilliant way to start the New Year. Added a few of your reads to my round to it list. I always enjoy Sicily when I go. Been there in Summer and Winter - winter is quiet and calm Summers are hot and busy. Mt. Etna erupted a couple ties will I was there. I'd never seen a live volcano. I live in the US Pacific Northwest (moved after Mt St. Helen erupted)

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Sicily is a gift that keeps on giving! Love it 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Your great company, you too. I’ve been unwell, so you too really cheered me up. I think Tim will win at ghetto golf. I read 7 of the books you read but I’d have to go through my book journal to remember others I read for prompts.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Do hope you’re feeling better. Am afraid Simon won 🤦🏼‍♀️🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@miaarndt9501]

Happily watched this whole video (although I did have to break it into two parts). I loved joining in for the prompts last year and I’m very excited to do them again this year (although a couple are difficult 😅). For the 2023 prompts I had a few books in common with you! I read: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld The Stone Sky by N. K. Jemisin Rizzio by Denise Mina The City and the City by China Miéville Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli Shy by Max Porter Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf An Irish Country Girl by Patrick Taylor The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver The Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott The Fell by Sarah Moss

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Some great reads there. Glad you enjoyed the prompts 😊🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@marierichardson5918]

I've loved all the Inspector Montalbano books. When I visited Rome, I was reading the 'final' book. We visited a graveyard where many famous poets were buried and discovered Andrea Camilleri was also buried there. By his grave was a huge Mason jar filled with cigarette butts that fans had left in tribute. It was an unexpected highlight of the trip. Happy New year.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

OMG 😱 How fabulously quirky 😃

[@clairebanks1903]

Thoroughly enjoyed your video Louise and Simon Thanks so much I think you will win Louise Let us know, and enjoy

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

He won 😞🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@mollieanne]

I found you Simon through your moms channel lol This was great! Thanks you two.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Awesome! Thank you! 😂🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

I love you two together on New Year’s Day…..looking like you’ve never had a late night and as if no alcoholic beverages were partaken. ❤🥰🤩

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

😇🤣🤣🤣

[@lesleybradley9370]

Absolutely brilliant vlog. Just watching you two and your relationship is just lovely. You are obviously so very close. Thanks for all the amazing recommendations. I make a list of all your suggestions and will slowly go through them. I think Louise will win cos Simon will be laughing too much 😂❤❤

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

We both laughed a lot but I’m afraid he won 😤🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@lesleybradley9370]

@@louisesavidgemuses4135 ah well never mind. Laughter is the best medicine in the world I think . I have two kids, a son 40 and a daughter 30 and we all laugh all the time. They were dragged up kicking and screaming on music, that's our thing, they don't read at all which drives me mad, cos hubby and I are voracious readers, but we can talk about music for ever. Xxx

[@sbeale276]

Absolutely loved this video with you both and finding out what you read for the prompts. In regards Joanne Harris there are 2 more in that series and they are enjoyable reads. For simon who mentioned the one about the school the first one is called gentlemen and players in that series, her books are some of my favourites. The prompts were great to do as like you it made me read differently and see what i had on my groaning bookshelves 😊 looking forward to another year of interesting reading prompts. Happy new year to you both 😊

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Lovely that you embraced the prompts and glad that you’re going for them again this year 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@BookChatWithPat8668]

Such a lovely video. I love the chemistry you share. Such fun! Thank you for this video. Happy New Year to you both!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Thank you! You too! 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@giselaperez6746]

Interesting video, more books to add to my wish📚I love to watch Simon’s book shelves, the colors and arrangement, they are so pretty👌Mine are not like that😳I have tried to read Oyeyemi but apparently is not for me. I didn’t participate in the prompts last year. I will watch the video for 2024 prompts and see how they work for me. Great video, love to watch you together 🤗and Happy New Year to both of you🎉

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Thanks for your comments. Hope you manage to join some of the prompts 😊🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@gailgilchrist5421]

Happy New Year! I have to say that today I visited Topping and Company Edinburgh. They had every single book I was looking for, one of which, Thread Ripper, was previously recommended by Louise. Several years ago I saw a play about Ada Lovelace, so I am very eager to read this. Looking forward to hearing the 2024 prompts. Also, your hair with those highlights looks fantastic, Louise.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Do hope you enjoy Thread Ripper. I thought it was ingenious 🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@allisonryder4781]

Well, well, well! Wasn’t that a treat! I have read a few books from Louise’s reviews and enjoyed them! I’ll be looking forward to seeing what you both read for the snake prompt. One of my goals this year is to re-read some of my childhood books. I’ve finished Wind in the Willows that I started on Dec, and now I’m going to read The Secret Garden. I’m not sure if I’ve become nostalgic or what but I want to see what I feel about them as an adult. My other goal is to not worry about quantity and to languish more on the books I choose. Oh, also to get a library card! Hope ghetto golf (please explain what that is for us in other countries😂) was fun! ❤🇨🇦

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Oh… The Secret Garden. Such a beautiful novel. I reread it to my kids and we also loved the film. Enjoy 😊 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@NatalieFligel]

I actually wanted more 😂

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

😱🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@kitthereader]

Really enjoyed this, i do love listening to you two chat. I'm joining in with the reading prompt challenge this year and very excited about it! My first pick is Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Wonderful! Really hope you enjoy the challenge 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@MJ-in-Canada]

Congratulations on completing all those prompts! Having never submitted a prompt to you previously, I feel tempted to do so at the end of 2024. Will there be ghetto golf footage?⛳

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Think there was some footage on Simon’s insta 😂🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@carolewatson2113]

Thanks for the lovely long vlog, both. Enjoy the golf! About to start Any Human Heart. any good?

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Not read it. Sorry. 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@karenmiddlebrook5069]

Interestingly, I DNF'd Two Women in Rome and keep wondering about picking it back up. You've sold me on Shrines of Gaiety. Absolutely love Claire Keegan, her writing is perfection. I do love a stream of consciousness, so perhaps that's why. So Late in the Day was astoundingly amazing, I listened to it on audio which I recommend. Not a word is wasted. Have you read the St Oswald School series of books by Joanne Harris? The Narrow Door is the first one I think. My favourite series of all her books, with no magical realism. Very keen for recommendations of historical non-fiction, particularly creative non-fiction (however, I had to abandon Wolf Hall twice as too many people were called Thomas and I got very confused 😕).

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Thanks for the info re Joanne Harris. If you look through the videos on my channel you’ll find one on historical fiction 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@stuartreynolds4915]

I read The Bass Rock a while ago, enjoyed it, but I didn’t get the ending 🤷‍♀️ very frustrating 😫Lynn

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

So annoying when that happens 😤🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚💜💜💜

[@janepeacock3704]

Yet to read “Affinity” but “Fingersmith” is one of my favourite books; I was rather underwhelmed by “The Little Stranger” 😬

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚💜💜💜

[@lynniepie52]

What the heck is ghetto golf? I just discovered you guys, so I didn’t get to participate in the 2023 prompts but might get a few in this year😉

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Like mini golf but indoors 🫣 Hope you get to some of the prompts 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@lynniepie52]

@@louisesavidgemuses4135 you should try frisbee golf? It’s a thing here in Texas! Welcome to retirement! It’s great!

[@susprime7018]

I loved The Bass Rock, but agree the magical witchy stuff was not my favorite except I suppose it was integral to the other two plot lines, the creepy vicar was irritating as well since no resolution to the creepy vibes, the hippie chick and realtor were fun. Louise, you spoke about a bio of John Buchan by Elizabeth Buchan and I enjoyed reading a WWII set novel by Elizabeth Buchan, it was a very long book, but the ending seemed a bit rushed, titled Light of the Moon. I love books set betweennthe wars and WWII set books, a horrible time but people who lived through it tried to pack a lot of living in a few years. In November I read a bio by O. Douglas (Anne Buchan) that featured John and his siblings.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Thanks so much for your thoughts 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@kduhy4379]

My 2023 prompt books: Jan Small things like these by Claire Keegan, Feb The natural way of things by Charlotte Wood, Mar Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller, April The elegance of the hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, May The Vanishing act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell. June Early morning riser by Katherine Heiny, July Lily by Rose Tremain, Aug After the party by Cressida Connolly and Long ago in France by MFK Fisher, Sept The discomfort of evening by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld and trans by Michelle Hutchinson, Oct The garlic ballads by Mo Yan, Nov The wall creeper by Nell Zink, Dec Fifteen wild Decembers by Karen Powell and still reading A spell of winter by Helen Dunmore, Bonus was About a boy by Patrick Gale.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Some cracking reads there - the prompts seem to have fallen well for you 🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@camillodimaria3288]

I kinda wish my mom read so I could bond more with her…she’s a great animated person, nevertheless…😊

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

💜💜💜🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚

[@rebecca.reader]

I think Louise's husband, Tim will win at ghetto golf as it sounds like he is keen! Out of you two??🤔.....I'm going to be diplomatic and say you will draw 😂. Do let us know, please!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

Tim not so good. Simon won 😤🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@graceannreads]

A video the length of a feature film? Eeeeek!

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

🤣🤣🤣🤦🏼‍♀️

[@kduhy4379]

🐍🐍🐍

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

A tough one! 😃🙏🙏🙏💜💜💜📚📚📚

[@ryanand154]

You look younger than your son who looks even younger than you. Faulkner fans, I guess. I can’t listen to book reviews. I loathe stories.

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

🤔

[@KirstyPritchard-n2l]

I agree with the little stranger I found it boring 🥱 loved Fingersmith and affinity. Also Bass rock 🪨 five stars 🌟

[@louisesavidgemuses4135]

🙏🙏🙏📚📚📚💜💜📚