Happy Anniversary - you've got a way to go to catch up with me - 42 years this year! Was disappointed not to see 8 Lives on the list but really pleased Soldier, Sailor, Brotherless Night and Enter Ghost get their place.
Happy anniversary to you both! I’m disappointed In Defence of the Act isn’t on the shortlist but happy that Enter Ghost is there. I’m reading some of the non-fiction long list too and saw Madhumita Murgia speak about Code Dependent at the Cambridge Literary festival last weekend and it blew my mind so excited to get to that one!
Congratulations - 25 years??? That's far more than either of my marriages/relationships lasted. Love to see your enthusiasm and cheering for the titles you'd hoped for!
Hello to you and Kate. Congratulations on 25 years, that's an amazing achievement. I haven't read any of the books on the short list yet, definitely wanting to read 'Soldier Sailor' and 'Enter Ghost'. Your enthusiasm and excitement is so refreshing and contagious, you made my day Eric xx
Hello from Maine! Love the colored envelope method and your pure joy at finding out the books on the shortlist! 25 years! Congratulations!! That is quite an accomplishment (30 years here 😅😊)! Your husband sounds lovely! Not surprised, as you seem utterly lovely yourself.
I always love the coloured envelopes method! Happy anniversary! I am surprised with the shortlist but I did predict 4/6 correctly. 😊 Sadly I’m not doing so well on reading them. I’ve read one, DNFed 2 (but will go back to them), halfway through one and have two still to read.
Congratulations on your anniversary! I'm on my 7th book from the list, Enter Ghost, and it is stunning. Wow. The one that I'm sad didn't make it is Ordinary Human Failings. That book takes you on. a. journey. I hope it gains a wider audience. Thanks for your delightful videos!
Nothing, dear Eric, beats your genuine happiness at finding the revealed short-list titles to fit your hopes and preferences! Undiluted childish joy, thank you for that!!🎉
I'm quite happy with the shortlist -- my favorite (River East, River West) and the two I'm currently reading and liking (The Wren, The Wrren and Enter Ghost) all made the cut. I'm excited to give the other three a go, but I love River East so much I think I'll be cheering for it no matter what! I love that your partner wrote the shortlist on individual cards; your excitement for the reveals was so contagious. What a great time to be a reader. And congrats for 25 years!!
Happy 25th, Eric! ❤ A couple of surprises here, but I’m so happy to see Brotherless Night, Soldier Sailor and Enter Ghost. Sad not to see Ordinary Human Failings, which I just finished and was so impressed by. It’s been a great year for the prize. (I’m going to predict Enter Ghost as the winner, for multiple reasons.)
A very Happy Anniversary to you and your husband Eric ❤🩷 Love the T- shirt. I always love watching your reaction videos. It's a great list, excited to get to the titles I haven't read yet!
Happy Anniversary! Congrats to you both! I am happy about the shortlist. Loved the Anne Enright, and chuffed that Grenville is on the list in such good company.
Happy Anniversary! Such a shame that In Defence of the Act didn’t make it - such a wonderful book. Pleased about Soldier, Sailor and the rest I have yet to read. Hoping I can see why they were picked over the favourites I have already read.
25th!!! Congrats times a thousand! : D I was a bit confused that certain books didn't make it, but it sounds like these 6 are really strong. I'm looking forward to reading the ones I haven't read yet! I was hoping one book didn't make it, but I don't want to spoil anyone else's experience of watching this video if they're finding out through you. : )
Thank you so much for your reviews. I really enjoy your concise descriptions. I have not read any of these ( I have been concentrating on classic literature during the past year……lots of Victorian literature and Tolstoy). I have chosen 3 of these as MUST READS for the summer….Brotherless Night, River East, River West, and Enter Ghost. Thank you! And happy anniversary to you and your husband 🎉🎉👏👏⭐️⭐️
That’s so good to hear, thank you! And I’m thrilled you’ve picked those three as they are all really impactful. I always want to read more classics so it’s great you’ve been reading those. 📚
Happy Anniversary 25 years such a milestone. I was hoping to see Western Lane on the short list. I’ll eventually get around some of these and the non fiction. And Then She Fell still intrigues me but I haven’t heard others as excited as me
Happy anniversary! 25 years, what a wonderful milestone. Congratulations and enjoy! 🎉 I hope Enter Ghost wins, what a great story, and very relevant at the moment of course.
I admire your self-restraint enormously! I don’t think I could have resisted peeking! Three of the six shortlisted novels were among my favorites of the longlist and three were more meh reads for me. 50-50 isn’t bad. A very happy anniversary!
Congratulations on your anniversary Eric! 💕 loving the Aussie rep on the shortlist, also how it’s caught everyone by surprise! I’m hoping either Enter Ghost or Brotherless Night wins.
Happy Anniversary!!! 🍾🍾 I'm a little sad that Ordinary Human Failings wasn't shortlisted. I'm currently reading Soldier, Sailor- it's a very intense read, but I'm enjoying it. ☺
A huge virtual hug for your silver anniversary. Dolly Maunder is a surprise. I am delighted about Enter Ghost and Soldier Sailor. I'd like Western Lane to have been there. Brotherless Night is the one I most want to read now.
Happy 25th Anniversary to you both! 🥂 I didn't know anything about 'Brotherless Night', until just 3 days ago. I'm new to Storygraph, and it came up under the Reading Challenge list for 'Storygraph Reads The World'. I want to know more about the historical conflict there, of which my interest was sparked by the singer M.I.A., and just received my copy today. Really looking forward to getting stuck into this one! 😊
I love your husband’s handwriting! Congratulations to you both on your silver anniversary! (I am also sad that In Defence of the Act, Ordinary Human Failings, and Western Lane didn’t make the shortlist. I’ve only read Enter Ghost on the shortlist!)
I was sad not to see And then She Fell which was so ambitious and original. I only managed to read Soldier, Sailor from the rest of the shortlist but am looking forward particularly to Enter Ghost and Brotherless Night. I'm not sure about the Anne Enright as i didn't love the last book i read by her Actress. Congratulations on your anniversary, my now husband and I also got together in 1999 ❤
Happy Anniversary! I’m still reading some novels from the long list but I’m so happy that Brotherless Night is there. I have heard amazing things about Enter Ghost. I’m not so sure why The Wren The Wren is in the short list. Beautifully written but in my opinion not well integrated specially in those first parts. I was lost in what the author wanted to address. I’m reading River East and River West but I still think Brotherless Night is more comprehensive novel, powerful one inspired by true events. So good!. I’m in that small group that think Hangman was amazing. Unique, creative novel. Love that sarcastic tone, with almost surrealist way to express so many topics.
So fun! A little disappointed about Ordinary Human Failings and In Defence of the Act not having made it on the list. Pleased to see The Wren, The Wren and Enter Ghost there. Have not read Brotherless Night, Restless Dolly Mauder and Soldier Sailor. Will get to these before final announcement. Thank you so much for this timely video! Happy silver anniversary.
I have also accidently called it Restlessly 😅 I am really excited to see Brotherless Night and Enter Ghost on this list. And gutted about In Defence of The Act and Ordinary Human Failings.
It’s so easy to do! 😅 Yes, those two are SO strong and really interesting to consider the similar and contrasting ways they portray wide scale conflict. I’ll be discussing In Defence of the Act with my physical book club tomorrow and I’m so curious what others make of it.
I also had 3 right on the shortlist. I’m sad that In defence of the act and ordinary human failings weren’t on it. I’m surprised Restless Dolly Maunder is on the list. I enjoyed it but thought it lasted depth that some of the others had. I dnf’d the wren the wren so will need to have another go at it
I picked 3, however I haven't read River East River West as it's not available here until the end of May, though I'll keep an eye out in case the date is brought forward now it's shortlisted. Disappointed to see Ordinary Human Failings not shortlisted.
I need to finish Brotherless Night, then read Soldier, Sailor and River East, River West. If I had to predict the winner now, it would be The Wren, the Wren.
Happy anniversary Eric. I cannot believe Dolly got there. Good story but nothing new. Ordinary Human Failings was soooo good. Just bought Brotherless Night and gave in and bought The Wren the wren, the library queue in Cornwall is huge. I think Soldier Sailor will win. I am reading The Maiden at the moment.
Great video as always. I have to admit I’m a bit disappointed in the shortlist. Really feel like In Defence of the Act and Ordinary Human Failings should have been on there. I haven’t read Restless Dolly Maunder yet but it isn’t really inspiring me and most booktubers I follow seem underwhelmed by it. Overall I don’t feel like there’s anything there that matches up to last years winner or The Marriage Portrait. Think I’m very much in the minority in not enjoying Brotherless Night so much, but I’m wondering if that’s influenced by the fact I’m listening to the audiobook and not really enjoying the narration? I’m really looking forward to reading River East, River West though, especially after your reviews of it. And Happy Anniversary🎉too
Congratulations! You don't look old enough to have been in a relationship for 25 y. :-) I started listening to Enter Ghost, it wasn't bad, but I found the narrator extremely flat, so I returned it. I read Soldier Sailor, not bad. I'm keen to read The Wren, the Wren.
So gutted Megan Nolan is not on the shortlist… most people seem to dislike Restless Dolly Maunder, so I wish Ordinary Human Failings was swapped instead
Happy Anniversary - you've got a way to go to catch up with me - 42 years this year! Was disappointed not to see 8 Lives on the list but really pleased Soldier, Sailor, Brotherless Night and Enter Ghost get their place.
Happy anniversary to you both! I’m disappointed In Defence of the Act isn’t on the shortlist but happy that Enter Ghost is there. I’m reading some of the non-fiction long list too and saw Madhumita Murgia speak about Code Dependent at the Cambridge Literary festival last weekend and it blew my mind so excited to get to that one!
Happy Anniversary!!! I wish you 50 more years 😊.
25 years??? Wait ✋️ What? Were you like 10 when you met?? Shut-the -front-door!! Congrats ❤ 😊🎉
Congratulations - 25 years??? That's far more than either of my marriages/relationships lasted. Love to see your enthusiasm and cheering for the titles you'd hoped for!
Thank you, I got very lucky! 😊
Happy anniversary ❤ 25 years! thank you for this amazing video.
Hello to you and Kate. Congratulations on 25 years, that's an amazing achievement.
I haven't read any of the books on the short list yet, definitely wanting to read 'Soldier Sailor' and 'Enter Ghost'.
Your enthusiasm and excitement is so refreshing and contagious, you made my day Eric xx
Hello from Maine! Love the colored envelope method and your pure joy at finding out the books on the shortlist! 25 years! Congratulations!! That is quite an accomplishment (30 years here 😅😊)! Your husband sounds lovely! Not surprised, as you seem utterly lovely yourself.
Thanks so much! Very kind of you to say. And great to hear from a fellow Maine-iac. 😊
I always love the coloured envelopes method! Happy anniversary! I am surprised with the shortlist but I did predict 4/6 correctly. 😊
Sadly I’m not doing so well on reading them. I’ve read one, DNFed 2 (but will go back to them), halfway through one and have two still to read.
Thank you, Alice! Well done predicting so many and hope you’re able to get back into them. Looking forward to discussing more with you! 📚
Happy anniversary - And looking forward to your choice for the finalist
Thank you! ☺️
Congrats on your anniversary! 🎉
Happy anniversary to you both!
Congratulations! Have a wonderful anniversary and May the years ahead be filled with joy, health, and laughter….and many good books!
CONGRATULATIONS. All the best for the coming years. HEALTH, HAPPINESS AND GOOD FORTUNE.
Thanks so much! 😊
Happy anniversary Eric 🥳🎉! wish you and your partner many more!❤
Thank you! 😊
Congratulations on your anniversary! I'm on my 7th book from the list, Enter Ghost, and it is stunning. Wow. The one that I'm sad didn't make it is Ordinary Human Failings. That book takes you on. a. journey. I hope it gains a wider audience. Thanks for your delightful videos!
Happy Anniversary to you and your husband! So happy that I discovered your channel. I’ve gotten so many great recommendations from you.
Nothing, dear Eric, beats your genuine happiness at finding the revealed short-list titles to fit your hopes and preferences!
Undiluted childish joy, thank you for that!!🎉
Thank you! Can’t help my excitement. ☺️📚
Happy Happy Anniversary !!!🎉
Thank you!
Happy anniversary! ❤
I'm quite happy with the shortlist -- my favorite (River East, River West) and the two I'm currently reading and liking (The Wren, The Wrren and Enter Ghost) all made the cut. I'm excited to give the other three a go, but I love River East so much I think I'll be cheering for it no matter what! I love that your partner wrote the shortlist on individual cards; your excitement for the reveals was so contagious. What a great time to be a reader. And congrats for 25 years!!
Happy 25th, Eric! ❤ A couple of surprises here, but I’m so happy to see Brotherless Night, Soldier Sailor and Enter Ghost. Sad not to see Ordinary Human Failings, which I just finished and was so impressed by. It’s been a great year for the prize. (I’m going to predict Enter Ghost as the winner, for multiple reasons.)
Congrats on your long love and relationship Eric! And thanks for the video!
Happy Anniversary! Wishing you many years with love and health🎉 My husband and I celebrated 34 years on Sunday April 21🎉
Happy Anniversary!
Happy anniversary! Wish you many more happy years together! 🎉 (I am gutted about Nolan’s book, I enjoyed it)
Thanks so much! 😊
Happy Anniversary 🎉
Woot! Happy Anniversary! 🎉🎉🎉
Happy Anniversary! 25 years! What a wonderful milestone. Wishing you and your husband continued joy!
Thanks so much! The time has flown by.
A very Happy Anniversary to you and your husband Eric ❤🩷 Love the T- shirt. I always love watching your reaction videos. It's a great list, excited to get to the titles I haven't read yet!
Thanks so much, Selina! 😊 I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of the rest of the shortlist.
Happy Anniversary. ❤
Happy Anniversary! Congrats to you both! I am happy about the shortlist. Loved the Anne Enright, and chuffed that Grenville is on the list in such good company.
Happy Anniversary Eric🎉❤
Thank you!
Congratulations to both of you!
Happy Anniversary! Such a shame that In Defence of the Act didn’t make it - such a wonderful book. Pleased about Soldier, Sailor and the rest I have yet to read. Hoping I can see why they were picked over the favourites I have already read.
Happy Anniversary!!!
Thank you!
Happy anniversary 🎉 🥳🍾🥂
Thank you!☺️
Happy Anniversary! ❤ Also, I love your prize reaction videos.
Thanks so much! 😊
25th!!! Congrats times a thousand! : D
I was a bit confused that certain books didn't make it, but it sounds like these 6 are really strong. I'm looking forward to reading the ones I haven't read yet! I was hoping one book didn't make it, but I don't want to spoil anyone else's experience of watching this video if they're finding out through you. : )
Thanks so much and hope you enjoy the rest of the shortlist as much as I do.
Love the exciting introduction using the cards!
Happy anniversary💕
Those cards were written with so much love for what you love.
Happy Anniversary ❤
Yes! And thank you! 😊
Thank you so much for your reviews. I really enjoy your concise descriptions. I have not read any of these ( I have been concentrating on classic literature during the past year……lots of Victorian literature and Tolstoy). I have chosen 3 of these as MUST READS for the summer….Brotherless Night, River East, River West, and Enter Ghost. Thank you! And happy anniversary to you and your husband 🎉🎉👏👏⭐️⭐️
That’s so good to hear, thank you! And I’m thrilled you’ve picked those three as they are all really impactful. I always want to read more classics so it’s great you’ve been reading those. 📚
Happy Anniversary 25 years such a milestone. I was hoping to see Western Lane on the short list. I’ll eventually get around some of these and the non fiction. And Then She Fell still intrigues me but I haven’t heard others as excited as me
Happy anniversary! 25 years, what a wonderful milestone. Congratulations and enjoy! 🎉 I hope Enter Ghost wins, what a great story, and very relevant at the moment of course.
Happy Anniversary! 🥂
Thank you!
I admire your self-restraint enormously! I don’t think I could have resisted peeking! Three of the six shortlisted novels were among my favorites of the longlist and three were more meh reads for me. 50-50 isn’t bad. A very happy anniversary!
It was very hard not to peek! ☺️ Glad you’re happy with some of the shortlist.
Congratulations on your anniversary Eric! 💕 loving the Aussie rep on the shortlist, also how it’s caught everyone by surprise! I’m hoping either Enter Ghost or Brotherless Night wins.
Thanks so much! Yeah I’m loving the regional diversity of the list. 📚
Congrats on 20 years! Thx for more books to add to my TBR. 😃
Thank you!
Oops sorry 25 years!
Happy Anniversary!!! 🍾🍾 I'm a little sad that Ordinary Human Failings wasn't shortlisted. I'm currently reading Soldier, Sailor- it's a very intense read, but I'm enjoying it. ☺
Congratulations Eric, to you and your husband - many happy returns! For me, 25 years seems like at least three lifetimes ago.
Thanks so much!
A huge virtual hug for your silver anniversary. Dolly Maunder is a surprise. I am delighted about Enter Ghost and Soldier Sailor. I'd like Western Lane to have been there. Brotherless Night is the one I most want to read now.
Thanks so much! Yeah, I wish Western Lane had been there too. I’m so eager to hear what you make of Brotherless Night.
Happy anniversary!! I just uploaded my reaction video too, I think we have very similar views on the longlist!💚
Happy Anniversary!!!! So happy Enter Ghost made it, and I’m rooting for it to win (though I still need to read all but The Wren The Wren).
Congratulations on your anniversary! Your husband writing the titles for book prizes is always fun for me 😅
Thank you! ☺️
Congratulations on your anniversary! I am sure your husband loves your bookishness! ❤
Thanks so much! 😊 He’s very tolerant but he also gets read to. 📚
Happy 25th Anniversary to you both! 🥂
I didn't know anything about 'Brotherless Night', until just 3 days ago. I'm new to Storygraph, and it came up under the Reading Challenge list for 'Storygraph Reads The World'. I want to know more about the historical conflict there, of which my interest was sparked by the singer M.I.A., and just received my copy today. Really looking forward to getting stuck into this one! 😊
Happy 25th Anniversary !
Thank you!
Enter Ghost, yayyyy. I just finished. So timely and good
I love your husband’s handwriting! Congratulations to you both on your silver anniversary! (I am also sad that In Defence of the Act, Ordinary Human Failings, and Western Lane didn’t make the shortlist. I’ve only read Enter Ghost on the shortlist!)
I was sad not to see And then She Fell which was so ambitious and original. I only managed to read Soldier, Sailor from the rest of the shortlist but am looking forward particularly to Enter Ghost and Brotherless Night. I'm not sure about the Anne Enright as i didn't love the last book i read by her Actress. Congratulations on your anniversary, my now husband and I also got together in 1999 ❤
Happy Anniversary!
I’m still reading some novels from the long list but I’m so happy that Brotherless Night is there. I have heard amazing things about Enter Ghost. I’m not so sure why The Wren The Wren is in the short list. Beautifully written but in my opinion not well integrated specially in those first parts. I was lost in what the author wanted to address.
I’m reading River East and River West but I still think Brotherless Night is more comprehensive novel, powerful one inspired by true events. So good!. I’m in that small group that think Hangman was amazing. Unique, creative novel. Love that sarcastic tone, with almost surrealist way to express so many topics.
New viewer here but had to wish you Happy Anniversary 🎉🎉🎉
Thanks so much! 😊
River East River West sounds brilliant. RDM doesn't seem as popular as the other books, but I'm intrigued.thanks for the overview 💛
Please do read Aube Rey Lescure’s novel - it’s really special.
Great t shirt!!!!! 🤟🏽🤟🏽🤟🏽🤟🏽
Happy Anniversary
So fun! A little disappointed about Ordinary Human Failings and In Defence of the Act not having made it on the list. Pleased to see The Wren, The Wren and Enter Ghost there. Have not read Brotherless Night, Restless Dolly Mauder and Soldier Sailor. Will get to these before final announcement. Thank you so much for this timely video! Happy silver anniversary.
Happy anniversary, we will be 39 this year. Time has just gone by so fast
Happy anniversary May you go on to a golden anniversary I am gutted Where is Ordinary Human Failings
Thanks so much! ❤️ Yeah, I was a big fan of Nolan’s novel too. Its story was so unique.
I have also accidently called it Restlessly 😅 I am really excited to see Brotherless Night and Enter Ghost on this list. And gutted about In Defence of The Act and Ordinary Human Failings.
It’s so easy to do! 😅 Yes, those two are SO strong and really interesting to consider the similar and contrasting ways they portray wide scale conflict. I’ll be discussing In Defence of the Act with my physical book club tomorrow and I’m so curious what others make of it.
I also had 3 right on the shortlist. I’m sad that In defence of the act and ordinary human failings weren’t on it. I’m surprised Restless Dolly Maunder is on the list. I enjoyed it but thought it lasted depth that some of the others had. I dnf’d the wren the wren so will need to have another go at it
I picked 3, however I haven't read River East River West as it's not available here until the end of May, though I'll keep an eye out in case the date is brought forward now it's shortlisted. Disappointed to see Ordinary Human Failings not shortlisted.
This list is pretty interesting. I'm more keen on reading enter ghost, soldier sailor and river east, river west
Definitely read those! 📚
I need to finish Brotherless Night, then read Soldier, Sailor and River East, River West. If I had to predict the winner now, it would be The Wren, the Wren.
Happy anniversary Eric. I cannot believe Dolly got there. Good story but nothing new. Ordinary Human Failings was soooo good. Just bought Brotherless Night and gave in and bought The Wren the wren, the library queue in Cornwall is huge. I think Soldier Sailor will win. I am reading The Maiden at the moment.
Great video as always. I have to admit I’m a bit disappointed in the shortlist. Really feel like In Defence of the Act and Ordinary Human Failings should have been on there. I haven’t read Restless Dolly Maunder yet but it isn’t really inspiring me and most booktubers I follow seem underwhelmed by it. Overall I don’t feel like there’s anything there that matches up to last years winner or The Marriage Portrait. Think I’m very much in the minority in not enjoying Brotherless Night so much, but I’m wondering if that’s influenced by the fact I’m listening to the audiobook and not really enjoying the narration? I’m really looking forward to reading River East, River West though, especially after your reviews of it. And Happy Anniversary🎉too
Congratulations! You don't look old enough to have been in a relationship for 25 y. :-) I started listening to Enter Ghost, it wasn't bad, but I found the narrator extremely flat, so I returned it. I read Soldier Sailor, not bad. I'm keen to read The Wren, the Wren.
So gutted Megan Nolan is not on the shortlist… most people seem to dislike Restless Dolly Maunder, so I wish Ordinary Human Failings was swapped instead
Not sure.how Kate Grenville.book got in there
Just started Ordinary Human Failings and that is so much better
Happy anniversary ❤
Happy Anniversary! 🎉
Thank you!
Happy anniversary!!
Thank you!
Happy Anniversary!