Litsy

pick

#booker #booker2024 #longlist

My last longlist book. This is an interesting narrative style, a series of snapshots from each fighter‘s past, future, and rather violent present. The 8 girls fighting for the u-18 boxing championship in-front of 12 fans in a neglected arena. But the narrative is doing a lot more than just following our neglected lady gladiators.

My full longlist summary will go in the comments.

Graywacke Some thoughts: 2024 was not my favorite Booker list. Four terrific books. And three others that I found rewarding reading. But that leaves six of thirteen that didn't really work for me. Seems like a lot. What was unique this year is that last September I joined the Booker Prize Book Club on Facebook and got really involved. So I had a different and much higher level of excitement around the list than ever before. That was rewarding. 2d

Graywacke Here's my breakdown, a personal list

My top two:
- Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
- James by Percival Everett

Other books I really took to and that are really well done:
- Orbital by Samantha Harvey
- Held by Anne Michaels

The book that was just too cautious to be great
-My Friends by Hisham Matar

The imperfect but with terrific elements
-Wild Houses by Colin Barrett
-Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel 2d

Graywacke The interesting ones that didn't quite work for me
-Playground by Richard Powers
-Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner

The book that never quite took off and overcame itself
-This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud

The ones that I didn't like (although I can talk about some of their strengths)
-The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
-Enlightenment by Sarah Perry
-Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange 2d

See All 12 Comments

Graywacke I enjoyed my reading of the list with other Booker peeps here: @rmaclean4 @squirrelbrain @Leniverse @JamieArc @BarbaraBB @jlhammar @AnnaCecilie @JenP @TheKidUpstairs @charl08 @BookishTrish @Suet624 2d

BkClubCare Just wanted to say…. Cool post. I am not a Booker follower other than being interested in which book wins. So with all the overlap of lists I *do* follow, I like to see other opinions. I appreciated Safekeep but didn‘t enjoy it; will look for the Charlotte Wood (the only one I don‘t recognize). 🌟 2d

Suet624 I never think that facebook is consistent enough to include me in a reading group. I‘m glad you got a lot out of it. I primarily agree with how you‘ve rated the books, but I liked My Friends more than you apparently. It‘s true that Booker was a bit disappointing this year. 2d

BarbaraBB Very interesting post! It‘s been great following your progression. Overall I was a bit more positive about the list although I haven‘t read all of them. I am looking forward to Playground and will skip Creation Lake. 1d

squirrelbrain I love the way you rated the books, although I disagree with some of them. ☺️ Actually, only one - The Safekeep. I‘ve enjoyed seeing all of your reviews and opinions. 1d

Graywacke @BkClubCare thanks. I have found the Booker winner often less interesting than the Booker longlist over all. But that‘s 13 books instead of one. SYD is terrific. 22h

Graywacke @BarbaraBB thanks. Creation Lake has its fans. Playground is much more universal, though 22h

Graywacke @Suet624 That FB group is the only thing l like on fb. ☺️ I joined last year and found it unexpectedly kind and encouraging. 22h

Graywacke @squirrelbrain i‘m probably too hard on The Safekeep. It‘s not the 🍐 🍐 so much as the clean wrap-up that left me feeling down on it. Thanks. I enjoyed all your posts too! 22h

41 likes12 comments

snapsnarlgrowl

Fence: Rise | C. S. Pacat

“Don‘t talk in my sleep either.”

1 like

TheSpineView

Pucking Around: Jacksonville Rays Hockey #1 | Emily Rath

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#WinterGames #HolidayBookDragons @liseworks

After reading the prequel, I had to know what happened between Rachel and Jake. Though the plot was unrealistic, I liked the characters, especially Mars, so I was able to get past that. I liked the idea of a found family and once all the secrets were out how everyone was on team Rachel. Total fluff and enjoyed every steamy moment.

TheSpineView #SeriesLove2024 @Andrew65 Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Currently at 292/300. 3d

Andrew65 8 to go, woohoo! 🎄🎅🏼☃️🥳🎯 3d

54 likes2 comments

sdbruening

Run to Daylight | Vince Jr. Lombardi, W C Heinz

pan

Well, most of that book went over my head. I don‘t understand play calls and formations at all. I was hoping maybe for more general leadership/coaching wisdom. Some of the more interesting things to me were how different the NFL was in the 60s. Players had real jobs outside of football in the off-season. They referred to teams as clubs. The Packers used to share their field with high school teams. And “How to go!” was a supportive thing to say.

4 likes

MatchlessMarie

Chunky | Yehudi Mercado

As we start making plans for 2025, check out this #AllergicToChunksters challenge @julieclair will be hosting next year. See her original post for the StoryGraph link if you‘re into that! 💚

43 likes

lil1inblue

Winter Games | Melissa J. Morgan

I went to a wreath-making event with some friends from work last night. Mine turned out a little wonky, and there isn't a discernable hole, but it still looks ok above the fireplace!

#holidaycraft #wintergames2024 #xmaschacha

+15 for the craft, +5 for the post