Women’s Prize for Fiction 2023 Winner Reaction

[@thecinematicmind]

The first author to win the Women’s Prize for Fiction for two books and a Pulitzer Prize. Barbara is getting true success.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I'm so excited for her!

[@sellery6369]

Happy birthday, Greg! 💗 Demon Copperhead winning again! I'm also surprised, considering everything. Thank you for the video and have a lovely day 🙂

[@SupposedlyFun]

@@sellery6369 Thank you--have a lovely day as well!

[@alldbooks9165]

You said “y’all” like a natural born southerner! Yay, Barbara! ❤️🤩🎉

[@SupposedlyFun]

I love saying y'all so I'm glad I pulled it off!

[@starstuffpuff]

I honestly couldn’t see any other book winning, it’s just spectacular ❤️📚! I loved it so much!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Me too! I'm so glad it won. 🎉

[@felsiao]

The Bandit Queens is amazing on audio :)

[@SupposedlyFun]

That’s the way I’m hoping to get to it, so that’s good to know!

[@awebofstories]

I usually wish people the "Happiest of birthdays", but it looks like that already came true for you! Congrats to you and Demon!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! 🎉

[@cindyfreese254]

It was so exciting watching the announcement and so happy for Kingsolver. It’s truly her year! Happy belated birthday! 🥳

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much!

[@noteonthetext]

As soon as I saw the announcement, I thought of you! I am so happy (mostly knowing how happy it would make you). I’m glad they didn’t let her Pulitzer win interfere with a deserved win for the Women’s Prize.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Me too! Thanks for thinking of me.

[@katie.is.dreaming]

Aw, yay! Delighted for you, and for Barbara. The Poisonwood Bible is one of my all-time favourites. I think there was a lot of momentum behind Demon, and I think it was inevitable that someone would eventually become a double winner, especially when the author is so good. Glad you got your birthday wish. Hope you had a great day 😄

[@SupposedlyFun]

That's true--it was inevitable that someone would become the first double winner. I'm glad it was her! And thank you for the birthday wishes. ❤️

[@spexi513]

I gasped too!! Andddd started crying Also . I’m geeking stillll hours later ! Ps: happy birthdayyyyyyy book worm ! 📖🪱💚

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much! 🎉

[@janethansen9612]

Happy birthday!! I’m very pleased for Barbara Kingsolver. It was a strong shortlist this year.

[@SupposedlyFun]

It was a very strong shortlist, but I’m so happy for Kingsolver.

[@sarahrossin9992]

Happy birthday Greg! I haven't read Demon Copperhead yet, but I am a Barbara Kingsolver fan. Her non-fiction called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is also interesting.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is one that I need to catch up on. Thank you for the birthday wishes!

[@joangavrilik3009]

Happy Birthday 🎂 As a long-time Kingsolver fan, I’m glad the best book won!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! I'm so happy for Kingsolver.

[@sellery6369]

Happy birthday, Greg! 💗 Demon Copperhead winning again! I'm also surprised, considering everything. Thank you for the video and have a lovely day 🙂

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much! It was a lovely day.

[@vesnastihovic7014]

Happy birthday! 🎂 🥳🎈 🎁

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much!

[@marylt]

Very happy to see Barbara get another win - on to the Booker! Also, I was back in Lawrence, Kansas in February (I went to college there) and of course made a point to stop by the Raven. I hope you get to visit it at some point - it's a wonderful store and Lawrence is a wonderful place.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Joel is from Kansas so I've been there, but never to Lawrence yet!

[@Elizabeth-Reads]

I kept checking my Subs because I wanted to see your reaction and absorb/share the happiness. 🥰 Yay!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Haha I knew I had to get this up quickly once it happened! Thanks!

[@danicadabic9789]

I am happy that you are so happy. And I would love to see you screaming at the judges' decision :)). Too bad you didn't film it. One more thing - you so did add to the stars to be aligned so that this book won. Congratulations on the win and best wishes for your Birthday!!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much for all that! 🎊

[@seasheleyes]

I know that I am three months late watching this video…I think I got hooked on your channel a month or so ago. Now I am totally engrossed in your suggestions…I LOVE your way of being…your enthusiasm, your reaction to the feels…in fact, the more I watch of your picks, the more I rely on you to choose my next books. I wasn’t reading much in the last few years. I am wanting to read, but so many books disappoint me. I need some really good ones to keep me enthused. Now,in the last month because of you and Scribd , I am loving to read again. I haven’t read Demon Copperhead yet, but will soon. I’m looking forward to the time when I’m caught up and reading along with the award lists instead of after the awards are made. If my little brother were still alive he would be 68 now, which is quite a bit older than you are, but in my mind you remind me of him. By the way, I’m reading The Gifts of the Body now…I might finish it tonight. I am so thankful for your review of it. It is beautiful, relatable, and so touching. My heart breaks as I read it, but as I told a good friend, the grief I feel is either inside or outside at any time. It doesn’t go away ever. I don’t mind feeling sad and crying…I am so alive and happy sometimes that I just feel thankful that I have had such precious love even though he is gone 33 years. The book will be one that I keep the rest of my life.

[@ariannefowler455]

Yay! I thought of you as soon as it was announced. I knew you'd be so happy.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Definitely very happy!

[@Nina_DP]

Haven't read it yet. Immediately thought of you when I heard it won. 😁 Happy Birthday!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! 🎉

[@cindyhaiken5644]

I cried too! First I jumped up and did a happy dance around the bullpen in my office, and then I cried. I am so delighted that the judges picked the best book of the shortlist without paying attention to other prizes it has won! And happy birthday! 🎉

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! I’m very glad by the way things have turned out. Fingers crossed for the Booker!

[@toweringtbr]

Happy birthday! I too exclaimed when I saw the news. This was also my favorite book of 2022. I'm going to go check out your other faves so I know what to prioritize.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! I hope you find some good titles.

[@eliotopian]

lol saw the email and knew you'd have a video out, lol :D grats on yer pick winning! and grats to her for winning twice!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! 🎉

[@lesliepowell-mccarty7067]

I love when you have your "moments"! ❤️🤗 Congratulations to Barbara Kingsolver for such a great book. The honor is well deserved. Thanks for this reaction video. Your passion for books is contagious. Happy Birthday!! 🎂🎈📚❤️🏳️‍🌈

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much! 🎊

[@AmanCreatesArt]

Happy Birthday! Glad you got your wish! 👍🏽🎊

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you!! 😁

[@paulablazer5244]

WAHOOO! 🎉 your birthday wish came true! ❤

[@SupposedlyFun]

I didn't think it would! 🎊

[@alldbooks9165]

Happy Birthday! ❤️🥳

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much!

[@BookishTexan]

Glad for you!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thanks!

[@lauracorsi3309]

Happy Birthday!!!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! 🎊

[@ldillaway89]

The Poisonwood Bible has been my favorite book since high school and I loved Demon Copperhead as well. So glad to see it win!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Me too! Poisonwood Bible is such a great book!

[@readandre-read]

Happy Birthday! Your excitement is so fun to watch and I'm happy for this win, too.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! I'm so excited for Kingsolver and Demon Copperhead.

[@user-iu4ws6vh5s]

Happy Happy Birthday! 🎉 You are the reader every writer wishes for❣️

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@jamesholder13]

Happy birthday!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you!

[@FeelToBelieve]

Excited and happy about Demon Copperhead, which I loved….but will highly recommend Black Butterflies - I was blown away by this book. It’s stayed with me over time and think it was spectacular.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I definitely want to get to Black Butterflies. Thanks for the feedback on it.

[@StephanieJCohen]

Happy that your favorite book won! I haven’t read it, but it is on my TBR. And I feel you with crying and “screaming.” I do that too. :). And Happy Birthday.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! It was quite a day. 🎊

[@susanbybee1458]

Great news!

[@SupposedlyFun]

So happy for Kingsolver!

[@trishawood2997]

I just started reading this last night. 😊

[@SupposedlyFun]

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[@annegibson6072]

Happy Birthday. The minute I knew it was Demon Copperhead I was watching for your reaction video. I am excited to see if it is on the Booker Prize longlist. Wouldn't it be amazing if it was on the Booker Prize winner?

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you. It would be INCREDIBLE if Demon Copperhead won the Booker as well. I would probably faint! 😂

[@mickyboymick8219]

What kind of man lends a first edition copy of Demon Copperhead that won both The Pulitzer Prize and Womens’ Prize for Literature to friend in hospital “ because they needed it more than I did”? Greg, take a bow! What an honourable thing to do.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you. It feels like the least I could do!

[@sarahhepworth]

Yay! So great your favourite won! I was waiting for the paperback but I now have a copy. I want to read books for Pride this month but hope to read it in July. If you get to Bandit Queens I hope you like it. I really enjoyed that one.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I'm really looking forward to Bandit Queens. I hope you enjoy Demon Copperhead in July!

[@bookish-bedlam]

Shall we just give her the Booker too and be done with the prize season? 🙂 Thanks, Greg. P.S.I was one of the people who was disappointed that "Glory" did not make the shortlist.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I feel like a hat trick would be incredible. We'll see what happens.

[@Bessie-On-Wheels]

I am so glad you enjoyed Trespassers. I would’ve been happy to see it win because she is a debut author. However I am also delighted Barbara did the double!

[@SupposedlyFun]

I'm glad Kingsolver got the double as well! How great.

[@cosettie5913]

Recently finished Wandering Souls and I found it to be equally beautiful and heartbreaking💔

[@SupposedlyFun]

I'm so looking forward to reading it.

[@michele9159]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREG!!! Best present for you for sure!!!!🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much! It was a lovely surprise (and good use of a birthday wish). ❤️

[@michele9159]

@@SupposedlyFun You bet!! Enjoy the rest of your special day!!

[@SupposedlyFun]

@@michele9159 It will be fun! Thanks again!

[@dqan7372]

Happy b-day!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thanks so much!

[@EllenLury]

I loved “Demon Copperhead,” but my heart was into “Trespasses.” I thought the writing was beautiful and I fell in love with Cushla. I read the same 3 books from the shortlist as you did but I did read “Bandit Queen,” which I was somewhat disappointed didn’t make the shortlist. You have to read that. I just started “Wandering Souls” this morning and I do like it so far. Thank you for your videos, they are truly entertaining and informative. I have grown so much as a reader. I also enjoy your reactions to book prizes. Happy reads!!!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much for the kind words! And thank you for sharing your thoughts on the books you have read. I look forward to Bandit Queens and Wandering Souls. Happy reading!

[@johannaochbockerna]

Happy belated birthday!! 🎉🥳 Demon Copperhead is eligible for the Booker. It was released on October 18th and the period for The Booker 2023 is October 1 20222 to September 30 2023. So fingers crossed it will make the longlist. 🤞🏾

[@SupposedlyFun]

Fingers are so crossed! Thank you for the birthday wishes.

[@laurab2572]

Fire Rush is a fantastic book: the style of the author is powerful and the female character is brilliant

[@SupposedlyFun]

That's good to know--thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@andreluissoriano]

The only two books of Barbara Kingsolver that I’ve read so far are Poisonwood and Demon. Poisonwood immediately became my fave book of all time. Demon came close. I love these books so much. I already ordered more Barbara books to consume and love.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Poisonwood Bible is such a good book. I've really loved seeing people discover it since Demon Copperhead came out. I've only read The Poisonwood Bible, The Bean Trees, Unsheltered, and Demon Copperhead, so I have more work to do as well.

[@tinydancer1232]

You absolutely need to read The Lacuna like yesterday. It’s my personal favorite Kingsolver book. Interested to hear what you think.

[@marciajohansson769]

I am so happy that your favorite book won the prize! What a great birthday gift! I can feel your excitement! Happy Birthday to you! 🎂🎁💝🥳

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much! And thank you even more because I got a card from Montana Book Company today with your name on it. That was so nice! And what timing!

[@marciajohansson769]

@@SupposedlyFun You're very welcome. I am glad the card arrived on time and I got to support you and your favorite independent bookstore at the same time.

[@SupposedlyFun]

@@marciajohansson769 ❤ 📚

[@sandrazuks9017]

I'm glad your birthday wish came true. Happy birthday 🎉😂🎂🥳

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much! 🎉

[@kimswhims8435]

Happy Birthday, it's a great book, it deserved to win. She's a great author and deserves all the accolades. Yep, my favourite of hers is still The Poisonwood Bible, much as I liked Demon and The Lacuna.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! 🎉

[@rororeads]

After finishing demon copperhead and loving it so much, I decided to read at two more kingsolver novels this year. I’ve nearly finished poison wood bible and it is equally if not better than copperhead. Im so happy this book won, because it also reinstalled my faith in book awards. Much like yourself I was convinced this wouldn’t win the women’s prize as politically and aesthetically, it’s better to highlight another book / author apposed to just awarding the best book. From the three books I read from the short list this was on a different league…so well done womens prize, you made the right decision.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I'm so glad you are also loving Poisonwood Bible. I'm due for a reread since it's been about fifteen years since I first read it (😬), but I loved it so much. I agree that it's refreshing that it feels like two major prizes just picked their favorite book of the year. No games, no politics--just their favorite. I hope that continues for a while!

[@KierTheScrivener]

Wandering Souls is still the book I'm sad didn't win. I look forward to your thoughts

[@SupposedlyFun]

I hope to get to it in July!

[@michele9159]

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@SupposedlyFun]

🎉 🎊

[@mradcaqbdb]

Yay! You got your wish! She seems a lovely woman. When she mentioned people relating to Demon and her community in Appalachia, that was very moving. (When the head judge mentioned “personal and political”, I thought that could have applied to any of the other books on the shortlist except The Marriage Portrait.) Happy Birthday! Have fun celebrating tonight!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much! Maybe I just jumped to Demon Copperhead after the "personal and political" comment because I'm biased toward it. Kingsolver does seem like a lovely person.

[@mradcaqbdb]

@@SupposedlyFun And I agree with everything you said about Wandering Souls. Black Butterflies hit me just as hard. Recommend them both unreservedly.

[@SupposedlyFun]

@@mradcaqbdb Ahhh that makes me even more excited to get to Black Butterflies.

[@bobbykeniston7240]

Congratulations! I'm happy to see that a book you love so much won the award and made you very happy on your birthday! I have to confess that I don't share your feelings for the book, though Barbara Kingsolver is obviously a brilliant writer, but I won't go into the details about why I was disappointed in the book here. You deserve to celebrate! Happy birthday!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! Sorry you aren't as excited about Demon Copperhead, but I get it.

[@vesnastihovic7014]

I'm currently reading The Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver. 😊

[@SupposedlyFun]

I hope you're liking it! Some people weren't fans but I enjoyed it.

[@vesnastihovic7014]

@@SupposedlyFun It's excellent, I'm enjoying it! I fell in love with both families, she's really a mature writer. ♥

[@SupposedlyFun]

@@vesnastihovic7014 That's great!

[@laurab2572]

And congratulations for Barbara. Her book is great, although I wanted that fire rush won it. And finally, I toitally agree that trespasses is very predictable, however I enjoyed the book

[@SupposedlyFun]

I'm glad that Fire Rush at least got a solid platform for more readers to discover it.

[@alldbooks9165]

You know, Barbara has two books that are all time favorites for me (lacuna and Poisonwood). I need to get to Demon Copperhead to make it three.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I need to read Lacuna. I feel like I've massively overhyped Demon Copperhead for you 😬

[@athertonca]

Yes, this was the book that deserved to win! I need to reread The Poisonwood Bible to determine my favorite Kingsolver book. Demon Copperhead is a tour de force, but The Poisonwood Bible helped shape my world view. Happy Birthday! 🎉🎂

[@SupposedlyFun]

I need to reread The Poisonwood Bible again, too. I think it's still my favorite of her novels.

[@athertonca]

Demon Copperhead was published October 18, 2022, so it is eligible. We’ll find out on August 1 when the longlist is announced.

[@SupposedlyFun]

@@athertonca Perfect--thank you! I hope it makes the longlist.

[@jacksontalley]

I haven't read David Copperfield.... should I read that first before Demon Copperhead?

[@SupposedlyFun]

I don't think it's essential. I didn't read it before I jumped into Demon Copperhead. I've even had some people tell me they think doing David Copperfield first got in the way of their enjoyment.

[@ruthannbarkhimer188]

How many books in your library have you read and how many haven’t you read ye

[@SupposedlyFun]

It's been a long time since I did a library tour where I counted and tested how many I have read, so the numbers will have changed a great deal. But I do remember that back then it was just about a 50/50 split between read and 'aspirational.' 😉

[@peggynewman7159]

I had to stop this video for a moment when you said you haven't read Lacuna. It is so so so good. I love this book. The audio book is also fabulous. Please read this one. She is wonderful. So, back to your video, I love you enthusiasm and your emotion. Oh, perhaps I should mention that I couldn't finish Demon Copperhead. The abuse in the book was too much for me. That's my own issue and I don't doubt that the book is fabulous.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I recently found a copy of The Lacuna at my local used bookstore, so hopefully I will get to it soon. Thanks for the recommendation and for the kind words.

[@loriroemer1122]

I didn't like Demon Copperhead at all, but I'm so glad for your sake that it won!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Fair enough--thank you for the enthusiasm. 😊

[@TheLeniverse]

Happy Birthday (belated). I don't begrudge you your birthday wish. I thought at the announcement, "oh man, Greg at Supposedly Fun will be happy" 😆 For me Fire Rush and Black Butterflies affected me in a way that the other books didn't, but I'm not mad that DC won. It's definitely a masterful piece of literature and a worthy winner. So yes, it's a case of "best book for me." And I thought that the four books on the shortlist that I really liked all had a lot to offer, and I didn't have as clear a favourite as you did. I haven't read the Poisonwood Bible (yet), but The Hours was one of those books that hit me hard on a personal level. I thought it was tremendous. My advice is to save Bandit Queens for when you need a pick-me-up after something emotionally hard hitting (like Wandering Souls). Bandit Queens has serious topics (domestic violence, caste system etc) but it is also really funny and empowering.

[@SupposedlyFun]

It was a very solid list of books this year. That makes it even more fun to follow! 2024 has a tough act to follow. Thanks for the recommendations--I may definitely save Bandit Queens until right after Wandering Souls.

[@spexi513]

Unsheltered was the first kingsolver book I read and I liked it, but after reading DC what amazes me is her ability to write in different ways if that makes sense? Like, you could tell me 2 different authors wrote those and it would be believable. Took me reading DC to appreciate Unsheltered more than I initially did. Blahdiggityblah 📖🪱💚

[@deborahaguruso]

I felt this way about The Bean Trees and Pigs in Heaven. Loved them both, same characters but totally different feel when reading them.

[@SupposedlyFun]

She is definitely an author who has evolved a great deal in her career.

[@deborahaguruso]

Just watched Katie of Books and Things and she refers to this as the Narrative Voice.

[@SupposedlyFun]

@@deborahaguruso That's interesting.