Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
#BookerLonglist
review
rmaclean4
Universality: A Novel | Natasha Brown
post image
Pickpick

#bookerlonglist
This novel made me so sad about the state of the world, yet I want to reread it! Was interesting reading this right after the nonfiction book White Trash. Some of the same world views were expressed in both works.
I'm not sure it would be on my short list, but it is the first Booker read for me this year.
@BookishTrish @JenP @AnneCecilie @TheKidUpstairs @Leniverse @charl08 @Chelsea.Poole @JamieArc @BarbaraBB @Graywacke

squirrelbrain I just didn‘t ‘get‘ this one - I wasn‘t sure what it was trying to say. Maybe I should read White Trash?! 11h
ChaoticMissAdventures Glad you enjoyed it. I am with @squirrelbrain here, I just didn't get it. But I read it as an ARC before it came out so maybe editing was done. People seem to really love this one, but I kept comparing it to this one that I thought was better 11h
See All 6 Comments
squirrelbrain Yes, I read the ARC too @ChaoticMissAdventures and, like you, I loved Birnam Wood! 👯 11h
Leniverse @ChaoticMissAdventures @squirrelbrain I didn't care much for Birnam Wood ? Curious now to discover if that means I'll really dislike this one or if I'll go, "this was a much better version of Birnam Wood!" ? 8h
Graywacke I‘m glad it was a pick for you. I‘m seeing mixed responses. @Leniverse that‘s funny! (Although i haven‘t read BW) 2h
21 likes6 comments
review
Jas16
Misinterpretation | Ledia Xhoga
post image
Mehso-so

The first of my #bookerlonglist library holds to come in and not an especially auspicious start. In the beginning I was hooked but then things went off the rails. There was too much going on and.then nothing was resolved leaving me wondering what I was going to take away from it all.

BarbaraBB I‘m in no hurry to read this one - unless it makes the shortlist! 12h
squirrelbrain Pretty much my thoughts too! 11h
Reggie I just got this on Libby. Not too excited now. lol 2h
34 likes3 comments
review
yourfavouritemixtape
post image
Mehso-so

Saw this on the #bookerlonglist and got a kind of feeling. So I had to read it immediately. I think it‘s the cover‘s fault, but I expected something more poetic? I liked the character and the story but the writing was too little atmospheric for me.

blurb
squirrelbrain
Untitled | Untitled
post image

Of course I still needed to borrow more books from the library, even though I‘m reading the #bookerlonglist.

And of course I‘m still waiting for another 6 holds to come in - these are all books that I reserved ‘just in case‘ they made the longlist and that I still want to read anyhow! 🤦‍♀️😜

Jas16 It is good that I did not make any public Booker predictions because none of the ones I put on hold anticipating their inclusion made the list. I am also still going to read them so my library holds are out of control. 1d
squirrelbrain I made my first ever ‘public‘ prediction @jas16 and it was rubbish! 😜 I‘m sure I‘ll find many more books I will think *should* have been included. 1d
Jas16 @squirrelbrain complaining about what *should* have been included is half the fun. 1d
See All 6 Comments
LeeRHarry Expectation by Anna Hope is my next read! 😊 (edited) 20h
squirrelbrain Is that an older one than Albion? @LeeRHarry I don‘t *think* I‘ve ready any from this author before. 11h
LeeRHarry @squirrelbrain it is - it was a recommendation by someone, I don‘t remember who, as is often the case. 😄 7h
58 likes6 comments
review
squirrelbrain
Misinterpretation | Ledia Xhoga
post image
Pickpick

#bookerlonglist book 7

Another one that I wasn‘t overly enthusiastic about but I really liked the first part. The narrator is an Albanian translator in NYC who gets too involved with her clients, leading to misunderstandings with her husband, and even danger to herself.

I thought this would likely make my shortlist but then the final third got really confusing, with no loose ends tied up and too many unanswered questions.

A soft pick.

Jas16 I am about a third of way through this now. 1d
Hooked_on_books I read this several months ago and it hasn‘t stuck at all 🤷🏼‍♀️ 1d
ChaoticMissAdventures Too bad. This year's list has been rough! 1d
59 likes3 comments
blurb
merelybookish
Love Forms | Claire Adam
post image

Sweet Potato is getting bigger! (This is a rare photo of him asleep!)
Started tagged audiobook on a whim and went in without any foreknowledge, a selection from the #bookerlonglist. About a Trinadadian woman who gave a baby up for adoption at 16. So far, so good.

Ruthiella 😻😻😻 3d
Amor4Libros What a cutie!! Reading this one soon. Will be on the lookout for your review 😊 3d
Tamra Fuzzy Wuzzy Wuz a Kitten 😍 3d
See All 20 Comments
squirrelbrain So cute! ❤️ 3d
merelybookish @Ruthiella @Tamra @squirrelbrain He's pretty much cuteness overload! 3d
merelybookish @Amor4Libros Based on how quickly it was available at my library, I'm getting the sense it's an outlier on the list. 3d
Cathythoughts Sweet Potato , well there‘s a beautiful name 🥰 3d
TheLudicReader Stop! I would never leave my house. 2d
LeahBergen He‘s a darling! 2d
ShelleyBooksie He is adorable ♡♡♡♡ 2d
merelybookish @Cathythoughts lol, yes my son's pick. 2d
merelybookish @TheLudicReader His other setting is little terror so he's not always this peaceful. 2d
robinb He‘s gorgeous! 😻 2d
DinoMom So stinking cute!! 2d
Chelsea.Poole Adorable! 2d
Suet624 So sweet!!! 10h
59 likes20 comments
blurb
Chelsea.Poole
Flesh: A Novel | David Szalay
post image

Reading this #bookerlonglist book at an 8u baseball tournament and feeling suppper awkward next to a bunch of kids, my mother in law, husband, and mom. 😳

ChaoticMissAdventures I am buying a car and the guy kept leaving to print things and I just sat there reading this 3d
squirrelbrain At least you weren‘t listening to it on audio! I was cringing and embarrassed listening in the car on my own…. 😳 3d
AnnCrystal I always carry a book cover with me 😉📚💝...just in case I suddenly realize that I'm reading something that I'd rather not be reading in public. (edited) 3d
See All 8 Comments
Chelsea.Poole @ChaoticMissAdventures I read that and remember some scenes! 3d
Chelsea.Poole @squirrelbrain how is the audio? There‘s so much dialog in this (so far), I wonder if I‘d be confused about who‘s speaking if I were listening. 3d
Chelsea.Poole @AnnCrystal I did take the book jacket off so as not to damage it but it‘s a very inconspicuous cover anyway. 3d
AnnCrystal I do that with book jackets too, especially if I like the cover art...I meant a book sleeve cover. It's kinda an old fashioned accessory. Kinda like an e-reader cover but for books. 2d
squirrelbrain It seems fine on audio - I hadn‘t even noticed the amount of dialogue until you mentioned it, so it clearly wasn‘t an issue! 🤪 The narrator gives Istvan an accent as well, although he doesn‘t say much does he?! Other than OK…. 19h
74 likes8 comments
blurb
squirrelbrain
The Booker Prize | Booker Prize
post image

The (UK) Times newspaper has published its thought on the #bookerlonglist, including 2 word summaries at the end of each review. They think the overall theme this year is ‘quietness‘ and their winner is Flesh.

My thoughts on these:

1. Everyone else but me seems to adore Love Forms.

2. I‘m not sure we should trust a reviewer that hasn‘t got an ARC of Sonia & Sunny and therefore hasn‘t read it! 🤣

What do you think of these 2 word synopses?

ChaoticMissAdventures How did the Times person not get an ARC of S&S? Even I have one over here across the pond! 4d
BarbaraBB It is kind of funny yet one dimensional. I still have no clue which books to read except for the ones you recommended! 4d
Cathythoughts What !?! I started a sample of Flesh … but I wasn‘t ready or in the mood to continue… Very interesting 🤔 4d
See All 18 Comments
TheKidUpstairs Hard to know, because I haven't ready many as of yet. But "probably divisive" is definitely in line with our #CampLitsy25 reviews. And I'm about halfway through The South, it is definitely a quiet book, and so far I agree with "yes please" - I'm loving this one! 4d
Cathythoughts I‘m drawn to The Land in Winter. 4d
AnneCecilie I find them interesting. And Audition is probably true, which has me believing the other two words reviews (edited) 4d
squirrelbrain I have one too! @ChaoticMissAdventures Clearly they are not ahead of the game when it comes to books - I requested mine ages ago! 4d
squirrelbrain Yes, Flesh is, um, interesting at the start @Cathythoughts - there‘s a LOT of sex! I think you‘ll like The Land in Winter though. 3d
squirrelbrain Yes, the Audition comment is definitely true, isn‘t it?! @thekidupstairs @annececilie 3d
squirrelbrain I‘m glad you‘re enjoying The South @thekidupstairs - I have it lined up on audio when I‘ve finished Flesh. 3d
Chelsea.Poole I actually like these two words—helps me keep them separate in my mind like “oh that‘s the masculine mystery one” lol 3d
TheKidUpstairs @Cathythoughts @squirrelbrain I don't know what it is about Flesh that just doesn't appeal to me at this point 🙃 I had it out from the library, but with so many others I'd rather read on the pile I brought it back. I may try again if it's shortlisted! 3d
squirrelbrain Yes, it‘s not a ‘pleasant‘ read / listen @TheKidUpstairs @Cathythoughts - I can see the value in it but can‘t say I‘m enjoying it. 3d
squirrelbrain That‘s the only one that‘s descriptive though @Chelsea.Poole - the others are opinions,one of which doesn‘t agree with me so they must be wrong! 🤣 3d
Leniverse I thought the "who knows" comment was really funny. Whether or not they could get a review copy, it's a nice dig at how late in the game it's being published 3d
CarolynM I‘m intrigued by the response to Universality. I‘m planning to read it very soon because I liked her first book a lot. The rest of them are not really on my radar yet. 3d
sarahbarnes Like @CarolynM I‘m intrigued by the review of Universality. Just got a copy of that one from the library. I‘m not interested in all the books on the longlist but a few are catching my eye - Misinterpretation, Endling, The Land in Winter, One Boat. And I did really like Audition so happy to see it on the list. 16h
squirrelbrain @sarahbarnes - you might have seen from my reviews that I liked One Boat and Misinterpretation started well but fizzled out. I read Winter some time ago and liked it. Just started Endling. 😊 11h
43 likes18 comments
review
squirrelbrain
One Boat | Jonathan Buckley
post image
Pickpick

#bookerlonglist book 6

I chose this one first from the hard copy Booker books that I have as it has the lowest GR score on the longlist, but I really liked it!

It reminded me very much of Deborah Levy‘s August Blue, not only for the Greek setting, but also for its introspective nature.

It did veer a little bit towards didacticism on occasion, around the subject of philosophy, but they‘re only short passages in an otherwise interesting book.

JamieArc I think I have this one arriving soon. It‘s one I keep seeing popping up with positive reviews. 4d
BarbaraBB Interesting! I purchased this one too, one of the few. I don‘t think I‘ll read the whole longlist. For now that is 😇 4d
youneverarrived Loved August Blue - stacking 🤍 4d
See All 9 Comments
ChaoticMissAdventures Good to know, I wasn't initially drawn to it, but Fitzcarraldo always does things that will make you think. So I might try it if I can get it from the library.
4d
TrishB I will use your reviews to decide which to read! 4d
Graywacke Yay. Fantastic 4d
AnneCecilie Interesting that you are comparing it to Deborah Levy which makes me want to read it more 4d
Chelsea.Poole I still need to read August Blue, thanks for the reminder and the review for this one! 4d
squirrelbrain Yes, I think you‘ll like it @youneverarrived 3d
70 likes6 stack adds9 comments
review
squirrelbrain
Love Forms | Claire Adam
post image
Pickpick

Book 5 of the #bookerlonglist

This is only just a pick - it felt clunky and basic to me.

Not sure how much of that was the ARC and it was improved in the final copy. In my version the MC has posters on her wall of A-ha, Bon Jovi and Duran Duran, in 1980. 🤔 I checked the Kindle sample and that had been changed since, but to ‘The posters showed music bands that were popular at the time‘. A bit awkward, no?

Definitely not a Booker book!

squirrelbrain I think it was meant to sound like the MC is chatting to a friend, but that included explaining what a terraced house is and how to pronounce Niall. (Nile) 🤷‍♀️ 4d
ChaoticMissAdventures Ohh that does sound really awkward, how bizarre they chose this! I know a lot of people were upset Nesting wasn't chosen so I feel like everything has to be better than that read 4d
Leniverse I wasn't feeling drawn to this one in the first place. Think I might wait and see if it makes the shortlist (I assume not). 4d
See All 18 Comments
squirrelbrain Oh, it‘s nowhere near in the same league as Nesting @ChaoticMissAdventures 🤷‍♀️ 4d
squirrelbrain You can read it on my Kindle at Gladstone‘s if you wish! @Leniverse 4d
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @ChaoticMissAdventures Nesting doesn‘t deserve to be Booker longlisted, nothing special about is. So this book must be extremely below average 😀 4d
ChaoticMissAdventures @BarbaraBB I was surprised with how many readers I saw mad it did not make it! I thought it was fine but agree with you it isn't Prize special. 4d
Leniverse @squirrelbrain Thanks. We'll see if I actually wish it 🤣 4d
LeeRHarry I‘ve ordered this one as the premise sounded interesting to me , oh well we will have to see how I get on with it - not gonna lie, it not being a Booker book has me more interested! 😏 4d
Graywacke Have you seen the controversy about this one? Bummer. Also bummer because i feel the need to read it anyway. 4d
BarbaraBB @Graywacke 😀😀 4d
squirrelbrain @barbarabb @ChaoticMissAdventures -I really liked Nesting but it wasn‘t Booker material and this one definitely isn‘t! 4d
squirrelbrain @LeeRHarry - I hope you like it more than I did! 4d
squirrelbrain @graywacke - I hadn‘t seen that until you said. Makes me think I should have given it a so-so rather than a light pick! 4d
Chelsea.Poole Oh no. Is the controversy the SJP connection to the author? @Graywacke 4d
ChaoticMissAdventures @Graywacke oh I have not seen anything what is the trouble with this? 4d
Graywacke @Chelsea.Poole @ChaoticMissAdventures Sarah Jessica Parker is a judge, published Adam‘s 1st and is involved in the movie. The Booker has said conflicts like this are common and they manage them. That is SJP essentially recused herself from this book. But there is still some controversy (edited) 4d
Chelsea.Poole @Graywacke thanks for filling me in! 3d
64 likes1 stack add18 comments