I loved In Old Gods Time and The House of Doors, I was saddened to see neither on the Booker shortlist. I have bought The Garden of Evening Mists to read over the Xmas/New Year period.
I felt like every single chapter of The Late Americans featured unpleasant, vaguely nonconsensual s3x described in the most vulgar, deliberately gross language. Like the author thought he was Doing Something by forcing the reader to confront this stuff. I can’t speak for gay men (which is everyone in this book) but as a woman, I just couldn’t get through chapter after chapter of borderline assault written by a man who thought he was being Brave and Edgy.
The House of Doors is my favorite book of this year followed closely by In Memoriam and Go As A River. As always thank you for bringing so many books to your followers attention and thank you for sharing your observations.
Thanks, Eric!🌷I’ve only read The House of Doors and In Ascension and they’re among my favourites of 2023. I still can’t believe neither made the Booker shortlist😢
Emma Cline's book is ace. You definitely need to read this. And yes, Sebastian Barry's book is one of my favourite books this year - this is a book about trauma and is so brilliantly executed that one is left thinking all of the story after the first few pages, may all be the product of a traumatised mind
Interviewing Zadie Smith must have been an awesome experience. I have briefly spoken with her a couple of times, while getting my book copy signed, and she was so nice and engaging.
I haven’t gotten around to In Ascension get, but can’t wait to! Soldier Sailor sounds like a bitta me I’m a horror reader by trade and one of my favourites this year is Monstrilio. It’s a literary horror and it’s gorgeous 🥰
I’m very keen on Teju Cole and have just started rereading Open City which I have held as a favourite for many years. I seem to have done a lot of rereading this year! I love these lists, as they reinforce those books we have enjoyed and those still to be read. In Ascension is still on the tottering pile by my bed. I must pick it up as I hear again and again how good it is.
Sorry but. Tan Twan Eng's surname is Tan. In Chinese names traditionally the family name goes first. Thanks for the video - I et really excited about these end of year lists too.
Except sometimes the publisher puts the name in Euro order, so it gets very confusing as many of us in the west don’t know what is a surname vs a given name. 😕
I really appreciate that you can say when there are books you don’t plan to read a brief reason why. Life is so short and there are so many fantastic ones out there that I don’t want to lose any time if possible on ones that I wouldn’t like. If someone says the word cringe in a review - it’s safe to say I’m not going to read the book.
I finally picked up The Fraud after hearing you cover it on a few lists. Looking forward to reading it!
I loved both "Old Gods Time" and "In Ascension." Both should have made the Booker shortlist and "In Ascension" should have won.
I loved In Old Gods Time and The House of Doors, I was saddened to see neither on the Booker shortlist. I have bought The Garden of Evening Mists to read over the Xmas/New Year period.
I felt like every single chapter of The Late Americans featured unpleasant, vaguely nonconsensual s3x described in the most vulgar, deliberately gross language. Like the author thought he was Doing Something by forcing the reader to confront this stuff. I can’t speak for gay men (which is everyone in this book) but as a woman, I just couldn’t get through chapter after chapter of borderline assault written by a man who thought he was being Brave and Edgy.
I love Coetzee and bought The Pole.
The House of Doors is my favorite book of this year followed closely by In Memoriam and Go As A River. As always thank you for bringing so many books to your followers attention and thank you for sharing your observations.
Great! 📚 Thanks so much
The House of Doors sounds so interesting, love historical, even if fictionalized accounts with authors. I’ll have to look more into it, thank you!
I think you'd really enjoy it!
Thanks, Eric!🌷I’ve only read The House of Doors and In Ascension and they’re among my favourites of 2023. I still can’t believe neither made the Booker shortlist😢
I know! They're so good!
Emma Cline's book is ace. You definitely need to read this. And yes, Sebastian Barry's book is one of my favourite books this year - this is a book about trauma and is so brilliantly executed that one is left thinking all of the story after the first few pages, may all be the product of a traumatised mind
I’ll have to get a copy of Cline’s novel. And that’s so interesting about Barry’s book.
Interviewing Zadie Smith must have been an awesome experience. I have briefly spoken with her a couple of times, while getting my book copy signed, and she was so nice and engaging.
Interesting list. I'd forgotten some of those. Oddly, House of Doors still doesn't appeal to me. 🤷♂ But I think I need that Lydia Davis book, pronto!
I haven’t gotten around to In Ascension get, but can’t wait to! Soldier Sailor sounds like a bitta me
I’m a horror reader by trade and one of my favourites this year is Monstrilio. It’s a literary horror and it’s gorgeous 🥰
I’m very keen on Teju Cole and have just started rereading Open City which I have held as a favourite for many years. I seem to have done a lot of rereading this year! I love these lists, as they reinforce those books we have enjoyed and those still to be read. In Ascension is still on the tottering pile by my bed. I must pick it up as I hear again and again how good it is.
Please check out this Book called Molokai Eric... it's a great read....
I live micro fiction so Lydia Davis sounds interesting as an author.
Tremor dounds intriguing as well
👍📚
What is your Booker Winner prediction? 😄
Sorry but. Tan Twan Eng's surname is Tan. In Chinese names traditionally the family name goes first.
Thanks for the video - I et really excited about these end of year lists too.
Except sometimes the publisher puts the name in Euro order, so it gets very confusing as many of us in the west don’t know what is a surname vs a given name. 😕
I thought “The Guest” was well paced & Emma Cline definitely has a distinct style.Also enjoyed “The Girls.”
Great! I hope to get to her new book.
Unbelievably, I have read 6 of the 📚 list
That’s great!
I really appreciate that you can say when there are books you don’t plan to read a brief reason why. Life is so short and there are so many fantastic ones out there that I don’t want to lose any time if possible on ones that I wouldn’t like. If someone says the word cringe in a review - it’s safe to say I’m not going to read the book.