I experienced pretty deep depression hearing election results. It does help to know there are like-minded people out there and I thank you for sharing your thoughts and recommendations. I will find comfort in my personal library and visit my little local library for some cozy reads. I call them fluff. Hang in there everyone!
You are so right. Even though I am from Montreal, Quebec, most of us are still in a state of bewilderment. I am so grateful for books and booktube, especially your channel. Thank you!
Eric, Couldn't agree with you more about your reaction to Nov 5. It's now Day 2 since The Disaster, and I'm still in shock. And I thought, like you: I still have books for comfort.
Just received Stone Yard Devotional from London, the last book of the short list to read. There’s always one book not published in USA until after the awards! I loved James, so we’ll see. I appreciate your sentiments on our election. My heart is broken, and my fear is real. Pray for our country, please.
It’s been a rough few days here in the states and I am actually spending today at a Book Buzz event for librarians, which is helping considerably! I have absolutely no idea which of the six shortlisted books is going to win the Booker. I think I could make a case for almost all of them, but definitely I am with you that the top two are James and Stone Yard Devotional. So glad you will be attending the ceremony again this year!
America was a fun experiment. These next four years, God help us all. Really need the immediate distractions of the book prizes and the Grammy nods, so Booker winner it is! You have to pick one lol. Going with James, I guess.
Terrifying times, indeed, with so many unthinkably vulnerable people. I'm about to read more "fluff" and also books that remind me how humanity has managed to emerge from calamities. Thank you for always sharing your insight and empathy.
I’m hoping for Stone Yard Devotional. Personally, I enjoyed my reading journey with all of these - and may not have heard of them if the Booker prize never existed. I too am reading more now since the election. I’m in Canada, but unfortunately this news could affect many of us. Cheers Eric, and thanks for your reviews.
I never, ever miss one of your reviews because all your posts are so fantastic! Thank you again for posting great reviews. I wanted to mention that I finally got around to reading a book. You highly recommended a while back.THE BIRTHDAY PARTY. I absolutely loved it! I guess I’d say the first half was literary fiction and the last half was more of a thriller, but I can’t thank you enough for recommending it to me. I will be recommending that book to many people. Thanks again!
Grateful for our community, Eric. Grateful for all of you saying where you are on this grief journey. I am there too. Grateful for the vetting you do so I have a good book for comfort. I know we will not go quietly into the dark night (almost the Thomas quote 😉.) We can find ways to limit harm where we can and make progress until we can turn the curve again. Eager for Tuesday’s ceremony. Regardless of who wins, this is an election where no one loses. What a great concept. 🥰.
Very saddened and confused about the election results….Thank goodness for thoughtful and reflective people like you. Here’s how I rate the books: 6)Stone Yard Devotional 5)Orbital 4)Safekeep 3)James 2)Held 1)Creation Lake
So thrilled by this year's shortlist. I've fallen back in love with the Booker. Orbital for me I think, but the true prize is reading them all (longlist too).
THANK GAWD FOR BOOKS is right!!!! I cannot even imagine if all we had was television or internet. That would be abysmal. For all of us who are feeling despondent over recent events; I think its important to focus on the reality of what's ACTUALLY happening versus what we think will happen in the future, and also remember that this is temporary, like everything in life.
Great video Eric. I've just finished reading the shortlist. I see James and Orbital are the bookies' favourites. For me however Held is the best. Beautifully written, poetic and, llike all the best fiction, it dislocates your sense of time.
If the award is given to THeSE two it would make more sense than the last two 😂😂😂 I love SYD and am only one third thru it. I am floored by the way Ms Wood can express memories and poignancy without being overly dramatic about it? I mean her writing is very straightforward yet gives me the feels as it relates to feelings of guilt, sorrow, grief - which are universal emotions... it's just pretty amazing and I totally can relate to wanting to be in solitude but ironically she isn't in solitude she's with a community of women who are calm and quiet and she learns to give back and become part of their community in a way. I'm just getting to the Helen part 😮 whatever will she do when she comes face to face with her again? It's probably going to be my favorite for the win, even though before this was James as my favorite. And I still am trying to fit in The Safekeep before Tues bc who knows maybe that will become my fav? 😂 but this book. Highly relatable. Before my divorce I used to go to my dad's house and cry and say I was going to run away from my own life. Or that I wish I could. It wasn't just one thing that was stressing me either, I was so overwhelmed. It's probably a good thing I didn't read this book back then 😂
I have read James and Orbital - loved James and really liked Orbital. James was a magnificent and complete novel, with good writing, believable and great characters, a strong plot, literary connections with the past and important messages for our times. The only thing I worry about is how much it might keep giving after three readings - the judges have to read these 3 times and a novel that keep giving through that is going to win. I am also struck that quite a few of the other titles are more meditative in style so there is strong support for such books from the judges - if they like the kind of book that Held is, and it got shortlisted so they do, then such a book is in a strong position. I recently finished the White Book by Han Kang and some of your comments about Held sounded like they could apply to that! And some interesting news this week was Rachel Cusk finally won the Goldsmiths Prize after being shortlisted four times!
I can really understand the wish to crawl into the pages of a good book at the moment. To be somewhere else. So for me it has to be Orbital. I find myself using it as a secular book of hours, dipping in at random as an act of devotion to the planet.
If James doesnt win, I will be gobsmacked. Im still not prepared to forgive the judges for leaving My Friends off the list so if Orbital or Held win I might have to be restrained. 😅 Also sending love and good will to folks in the US.
Watching this a month after the election. Still shaking my head but every time I feel overwhelmed I pick up a book. My guess is next year I will read more books than in any other year. It definitely will save my sanity and so will everyone on here.
I really liked Orbital, James, The Safekeep, and Stone Yard devotional. The latter two are the only ones that I want to reread, and I think I'd get more out of re-reading.
I reckon James will win. It is an absolutely brilliant novel. If it doesn't, I hope Stone Yard Devotional wins. Charlotte Wood is an incredible author (check out 'The Weekend', 'The Natural Way of Things' and 'Animal People').
🎉🎉 I predict James to win. It was so unimaginable living like Jim did. It has everything the judges are looking for. Percival Everett has also been shottlisted before and it might be his time. Im going to the Shortlist night on Monday😊
I agree with your comments on Held. There are strokes of beautiful writing and sweeping life wisdoms, but for me it felt like the rest of the narrative was simply a canvas to deliver them.
Thanks for your thoughts Eric. It’s always good to hear your views. My order of preference is 6th Stone Yard Devotional, 5th Creation Lake, 4th Held, 3rd James, 2nd Orbital and my winner -- The Safekeep.
I haven't read all the books on the list--just SafeKeep and Stone Yard Devotional. I'm hoping for either James or SYD--not a great book but a really good and interesting read. I'm also taking refuge in fantasy--re-reading Lord of the Rings. A world where truth and justice prevail.
This is such a strong shortlist! I read all of them this year and could see any of them winning. If I absolutely had to choose, my vote probably would be for Orbital because it puts the widest possible lense on the humanity found in all the novels. However, I’d also be very happy to see Percival Everett win!
Interesting. I like how you compare Held and Orbital. There's a 1000 page story hiding behind the 100 pages actually written in both books. For me Held worked better than Orbital in that sense: I was challenged to fill in the gaps more. But - as you do - I acknowledge how that can be different for other readers. Held is no.1 on my list.
I’m still in shock and grieving here in the states. Your video was a welcome distraction. I find your presence even in just a video, comforting. Thank you. My shortlist ranking would be James Held Safekeep Orbital Stoneyard Devotional Creation Lake
I'm from America, and I cannot comprehend how he got those votes. I don't want James to win. It's great but American awards would be enough. I'm leaning toward Stone Yard Devotional. Hated Creation
Creation Lake has its moments but it needed serious editing and could easily have lost 100 pages. As aa Brit, I wish the Booker had kept to British and Commonwealth novels but the dollar has a loud voiice. However, James is the only novel which I would re read. I suspect it will win.
I’m still processing the results of the election but doubt that I will ever understand it. As to the novels, I read Creation Lake and James. I did not enjoy Creation Lake, and while I finished it, I found it a task to do so. I did enjoy James, but it was one of those books where there was so much hype about it that I felt a bit let down. At times, it seemed to me like it was a creative writing assignment and a bit gimmicky. I may need to re-read it at some point in time. But my next book is going to be the new Hollinghurst, and he has never let me down. Thanks for your great videos.
Hello from the UK! My top choices for winning would be James or Orbital - both wonderful. Stone Yard Devotional would be at the bottom of my list. I abandoned it halfway through out of sheer boredom - it's rare that I give up on a book. Would be cross if it won! Enjoyed Creation Lake a lot but a little too 'baggy'. Safekeep also excellent, mostly. Haven't yet read Held.
Hello Eric, I think I would like to join your book club. Unfortunately, I'm an almost complete novice when it comes to all things virtual. I don't know how patreon works. I can only get to you through it? If you have the time, can you hold my hand through this? (virtually) Thank you, Sheila
Thanks so much, Sheila! I think all you need to do is create a patreon account for free and then go to www.patreon.com/c/TheLonesomeReaderBookClub and sign up for one of the tiers on my book club. There's more information about joining a patreon account on their site here if you're having trouble: support.patreon.com/hc/en-gb/articles/203913709-Joining-a-creator-s-Patreon-as-a-paid-member
Thanks for your thoughts Eric. Feel similar about the election, but am thankful that things went the opposite way in the UK. Think I'm giving up news podcasts and concentrating on books for the rest of the year! I haven't read SYD or Held. Of the others, I'd put The Safe Keep, James and Creation Lake in that order, with Orbital which i really found quite dull a long way behind.
Most everyone who has commented is shocked and depressed about the election outcome and our future. These are indeed troubling times. I take refuge and escape in reading. James is the winner for me. I have to return to Safe Keep for another chance as I abandoned it because I found the main character so unlikable. Thanks for the insightful reviews.
I absolutely agree with your top three and would be happy to see any of them win. Held didn’t work for me either. There are some interesting characters but you never get to know them because of all the philosophising.
It’s been such a joy to read the shortlist this year - all so good! For me it’s Held alongside The Safekeep to win. Held because I had such a heart felt reading experience, I didn’t want it to end but then when it did I couldn’t remember a thing about it - for some reason I don’t mind this as the confusion feels like the meta point of it. I thinks it’s one you could go back to again and again. Safekeep felt very satisfying all round and the twist was brilliant. This would be followed in my ranking by Creation Lake, which I found to be the most ambitious and challenging and another one to get more out of on re-reading. Loved Stoneyard and James equally. Orbital was my least favourite because the reading experience was a bit of a slog but I see that it is the bookies favourite alongside James. My money’s on Held
Guilt and forgiveness are powerful themes in Stoneyard Devotional. Even the mice cause guilt because the nuns are reluctant to kill them at first and feel guilty for causing them harm. Eventually they just killed them in whatever way they can because they have no choice. I think the themes of guilt and forgiveness are portrayed very well in this novel.
Thank you for your thoughts, Eric. I'm a poet and a novelist, and I wanted to love Held so very much. I do love the non-linear structure, and I love the deep, beautiful moments, but I am so sad to say I couldn't form an emotional connection with any of the characters. I feel Michaels should have kept the emphasis on John and Helena and not watered her story down by making it multi-generational. I kind of felt the same about Orbital, gorgeous book, but difficult to make an emotional connection. I really disliked Creation Lake. The Safekeep comes in last for me because it was so very predictable and not at all creative.. The author had a very good story with the ownership of the house, but she let it dissolve into a love affair that wasn't believable. Like you, I love both Stone Yard Devotional and James, but unlike you, I can choose, and for me, the winner is James. I was so engrossed by their story, and I was definitely emotionally connected to the characters. Things are very frightening here in the US right now because the candidate that won is so unpredictable. It's been a devastating week. Thank you for the sympathy, but remember, it can happen over there, too. If it can happen in the US, it can happen anywhere.
Thanks so much and really interesting to read your thoughts on the books. Glad we agree about Held. It’d be fantastic if James won though if it doesn’t maybe it will win The National Book Award.
After reading all 6, my pick is for Safekeep. James was good, but I read it right after re-reading Huckleberry Finn and so couldn’t help but feel like it was lacking in comparison. The writing felt quite bland next to Twain! Stoneyard Devotional was also very good, but didn’t feel like enough of a fully fleshed story.
Hmm, that's interesting. I too read Huck Finn first and then James but arrived at the opposite conclusion. I felt HF was often childish and overly providential, and while making allowances for the comparison to Mark Twain James was much more an adult novel. I am unhappy though with the fear of criticizing it. It is not a perfect novel but it is very good. Anyway, I appreciate your opinion, especially as it helps to define my own. Thanks
@@jamesduggan7200 Well the first thing I noticed about James was how he changed things that felt important in HF. Jim's daughter is deaf in HF, and that led to maybe his most emotional moment in the HF book when he was sadly telling Huck about how he had hit his smiling daughter for not listening to him only to find she is in fact deaf. In James, his daughter is fine. I know Everett made various changes in James. The other thing I thought about when reading James was how much of the book was already laid out in HF, so I can't say it felt original. I mean, he's retelling Twain's book from a different perspective for nearly the first half, to me, that felt unoriginal, and then he added some things that didn't feel fitting. He is HF's real dad? Really? He teaches lessons to the other slaves? He speaks properly and can read? These things felt like they were playing into a woke culture that would eat it up more than being anywhere near living up to the original story. I'm in no ways anti-woke, quite the opposite, but reading some of this book had even me saying, "oh c'mon really?"
@@nottaller1993 Surely one steps carefully when using Twain or Dickens as a model. Possibly Everett could have written a novel about a man like Jim (or James) without modeling it directly on HF, so why did he do it? Well, IMHO it is meant as an implicit criticism of Twain's novel which is farcical in the way the events run into each other like a child with an overactive imagination, but also I think he builds on things actually in the earlier novel like the nature of the connection between the two main characters. Why is James so loyal to Huck? Or, if not loyalty then what is the bond between them? I think some of the choices made in the latter novel indicate deep thought and respect for the earlier one.
@@jamesduggan7200 great points. i think one other thing about James’ inevitable comparisons to HF, is the language difference in first person. HF is captivating, charming, clever with the way it uses the language of the time to tell the story, and from a child’s POV. I think the stark difference was so evident reading them back to back, but James felt a bit stiff, not so flowery, but obviously told in more modern language and I think it felt held back on account of that too. But I like the points you made.
Thanks for the video. I've just started listening to Held, so I've no opinion yet. As I mentioned it before, James is my least fav Everett novel, I only rated it 3*. It'll probably win, as am enthusiast of his work, I wont' mind. I guess my favs are the Safekeep and Stone Yard Devotional (neither got a 5*). Orbital bored me and it felt much longer than it was. (sorry). I still need to read Kushner's, I won't get to it before the winner is announced.
I am also grateful for books and my BookTube friends. However I am having abundant focus issues and I've rearranged my book choices quite a bit. For the Booker, I'd put Orbital lower and Safekeep higher, James in first place.
I am currently reading Creation Lake, enjoying it but not my top choice. I cannot get Stone Yard Devotional until Feb here in the US, so it’s the only one I haven’t read. I would agree with your prediction except I would flip Orbital and The Safe Keep, I really loved The Safe Keep. Since I haven’t read Stone Yard Devotional I would choose James since it was just excellent
I've been trying really hard to keep my mind off of everything I've been reading book 3 of his dark materials but some days I just don't want to do anything but I try
I finished the Kushner recently and have now read all of the six finalists. I think James will win, though I would vote for The Safe Keep. Overall a fairly weak group of 13 this year, I've read all except Playground, and I threw in the towel halfway through This Strange Eventful History and I doubt I'll finish it.
I've read the short list. I acknowledge that James is a great book and will probably win. However, The Safe Keep is one of the best books I've ever read and I loved Stoneyard Devotional. I did not like Creation Lake and really do not understand why it's on the list. Orbital is beautifully written and full of insights I will keep close for the rest of my life. Held is a challenge, but one worth taking. My ranking is: The Safekeep, Stoneyard Devotional, James, Orbital, Held, Creation Lake.
I also wonder if there could be joint winners this year. James is by far the standout but he is the only male on the shortlist so it might not look good to have him win ahead of the 5 females. The compromise would be to award joint awards, and Stone Yard Devotional or Orbital would be worthy co-winners in my view.
My original thought was that they were determined to give it to James, so left off some of the more readable favourites from the long list. Now I'm going with my--previously failed--methodology and predicting Held, thinking that James's appearance on other lists gives them an out to pick something else, something more divisive, like Held or Orbital, figuring that there must be some big fans on the committee. I forgot about SYD though; that would 'make up' for leaving Praiseworthy off the list.
I concur with your choices of James and Stone Yard Devotional as top 2. (I'd've been pleased to see Matar's "My Friends" joining them in a top triad. Sigh.) As always, I am grateful to hear your point of view. If you have access to The Atlantic mag, check out the interview with (former PEN America President, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, & excellent novelist) Ayad Ahktar, with director Bart Sher and actor Robert Downey, Jr. Please consider Ayad's comments about AI, about how we set limits or don't (was Shakespeare a plagiarist?) and about theater as a form that holds up a mirror to what is already here (in this case, AI). Smart counts. Art counts. Kindness counts. Thanks for yours.
I recently attended a swell Kinderhook Books event featuring Guy Trebay and Lucy Sante. Other fine writers (novelists & journalists) were in the house. Some of my hope hinges on readers reading writers whose prose harbor at least a soupçon of depth/truth/promise. Don't give up hope. Read. Pass it forward. Thanks, EKA.
We will probably lose freedom of speech as well, at some point in the next four years as well as TH-cam, etc. Our TV is likely to become state run TV, so we only see what he wants us to see. My passport has expired, but I'm getting an expedited new one. Ready to flee. Fighting didn't work. We fought, we lost across the board.
James is published here the next year, so i prefer other winner (someone with less probabilities of being translated if it doesn't win, so i suppose that exclude Rachel Kushner whose novels are all translated and published here). I really like Everett's writting but i think being a favourite could damage his chances (but i think he will win the National Book Award). The fact that the last winners are all men probably make the jury go for one of the five women
I DNF’d Stoneyard Devotional 🫣 I thought it was too mundane, I might revisit it if it wins I’m most looking forward to reading The Safekeep and James 😊 had to put my booker reading on pause for spooky season reads 😅
I think James is magnificent, but I found The Safekeep mundane and totally lacking in creativity. The author had a great story going, but I think she only used it to turn the book into an unbelievable romance. I hated it.
I experienced pretty deep depression hearing election results. It does help to know there are like-minded people out there and I thank you for sharing your thoughts and recommendations. I will find comfort in my personal library and visit my little local library for some cozy reads. I call them fluff. Hang in there everyone!
I’m sorry to hear that! 🤗📚
You are so right. Even though I am from Montreal, Quebec, most of us are still in a state of bewilderment. I am so grateful for books and booktube, especially your channel. Thank you!
Thank you! 😊📚
Eric, Couldn't agree with you more about your reaction to Nov 5. It's now Day 2 since The Disaster, and I'm still in shock. And I thought, like you: I still have books for comfort.
🥹📚
I immediately found comfort in my bookcases .
Oh Eric, watching your videos is like getting a hug. Things are pretty bleak here in New England . Thank you❤
Thank you!
Just received Stone Yard Devotional from London, the last book of the short list to read. There’s always one book not published in USA until after the awards! I loved James, so we’ll see.
I appreciate your sentiments on our election. My heart is broken, and my fear is real. Pray for our country, please.
You are in for a treat. Don't know if it will win, but it's a great novel.
Same here
It’s been a rough few days here in the states and I am actually spending today at a Book Buzz event for librarians, which is helping considerably! I have absolutely no idea which of the six shortlisted books is going to win the Booker. I think I could make a case for almost all of them, but definitely I am with you that the top two are James and Stone Yard Devotional. So glad you will be attending the ceremony again this year!
The event sounds great! I’m glad you agree with the top two. 😊📚
Been a delightful few days for the majority of Americans!
America was a fun experiment. These next four years, God help us all. Really need the immediate distractions of the book prizes and the Grammy nods, so Booker winner it is! You have to pick one lol. Going with James, I guess.
Terrifying times, indeed, with so many unthinkably vulnerable people. I'm about to read more "fluff" and also books that remind me how humanity has managed to emerge from calamities. Thank you for always sharing your insight and empathy.
11:30 I was enthralled by Stoneyard devotional. This book worked like a refuge for me. Cannot understand that some say it is no great literature.
I’m hoping for Stone Yard Devotional. Personally, I enjoyed my reading journey with all of these - and may not have heard of them if the Booker prize never existed. I too am reading more now since the election. I’m in Canada, but unfortunately this news could affect many of us. Cheers Eric, and thanks for your reviews.
Thanks! Fingers crossed for Wood!
My heart is in Orbital - I just loved how the language reflected the place and people, a perfect novel. Just some few days now.
I never, ever miss one of your reviews because all your posts are so fantastic! Thank you again for posting great reviews. I wanted to mention that I finally got around to reading a book. You highly recommended a while back.THE BIRTHDAY PARTY. I absolutely loved it! I guess I’d say the first half was literary fiction and the last half was more of a thriller, but I can’t thank you enough for recommending it to me. I will be recommending that book to many people. Thanks again!
I'm so glad you enjoyed The Birthday Party! And thanks so much!
Grateful for our community, Eric. Grateful for all of you saying where you are on this grief journey. I am there too. Grateful for the vetting you do so I have a good book for comfort. I know we will not go quietly into the dark night (almost the Thomas quote 😉.) We can find ways to limit harm where we can and make progress until we can turn the curve again. Eager for Tuesday’s ceremony. Regardless of who wins, this is an election where no one loses. What a great concept. 🥰.
Thank you, Sandra!
Very saddened and confused about the election results….Thank goodness for thoughtful and reflective people like you. Here’s how I rate the books:
6)Stone Yard Devotional
5)Orbital
4)Safekeep
3)James
2)Held
1)Creation Lake
So thrilled by this year's shortlist. I've fallen back in love with the Booker. Orbital for me I think, but the true prize is reading them all (longlist too).
My books are my security blanket and help me cope with my depression
🤗📚
Very depressing week and very troubling times. Yes, books are a necessity. I love your thoughts and comments about books.
Thank you! 😊📚
THANK GAWD FOR BOOKS is right!!!! I cannot even imagine if all we had was television or internet. That would be abysmal. For all of us who are feeling despondent over recent events; I think its important to focus on the reality of what's ACTUALLY happening versus what we think will happen in the future, and also remember that this is temporary, like everything in life.
very true!
Great video Eric. I've just finished reading the shortlist. I see James and Orbital are the bookies' favourites. For me however Held is the best. Beautifully written, poetic and, llike all the best fiction, it dislocates your sense of time.
I read ORBITAL the day of the announcement. Audible. And I’ve listened to it every day since. Stunning.
If the award is given to THeSE two it would make more sense than the last two 😂😂😂
I love SYD and am only one third thru it. I am floored by the way Ms Wood can express memories and poignancy without being overly dramatic about it? I mean her writing is very straightforward yet gives me the feels as it relates to feelings of guilt, sorrow, grief - which are universal emotions... it's just pretty amazing and I totally can relate to wanting to be in solitude but ironically she isn't in solitude she's with a community of women who are calm and quiet and she learns to give back and become part of their community in a way. I'm just getting to the Helen part 😮 whatever will she do when she comes face to face with her again? It's probably going to be my favorite for the win, even though before this was James as my favorite. And I still am trying to fit in The Safekeep before Tues bc who knows maybe that will become my fav? 😂 but this book. Highly relatable. Before my divorce I used to go to my dad's house and cry and say I was going to run away from my own life. Or that I wish I could. It wasn't just one thing that was stressing me either, I was so overwhelmed. It's probably a good thing I didn't read this book back then 😂
I have read James and Orbital - loved James and really liked Orbital. James was a magnificent and complete novel, with good writing, believable and great characters, a strong plot, literary connections with the past and important messages for our times. The only thing I worry about is how much it might keep giving after three readings - the judges have to read these 3 times and a novel that keep giving through that is going to win. I am also struck that quite a few of the other titles are more meditative in style so there is strong support for such books from the judges - if they like the kind of book that Held is, and it got shortlisted so they do, then such a book is in a strong position.
I recently finished the White Book by Han Kang and some of your comments about Held sounded like they could apply to that!
And some interesting news this week was Rachel Cusk finally won the Goldsmiths Prize after being shortlisted four times!
I can really understand the wish to crawl into the pages of a good book at the moment. To be somewhere else. So for me it has to be Orbital. I find myself using it as a secular book of hours, dipping in at random as an act of devotion to the planet.
📚❤
Safekeep is my favourite of the six. Powerful story.
If James doesnt win, I will be gobsmacked. Im still not prepared to forgive the judges for leaving My Friends off the list so if Orbital or Held win I might have to be restrained. 😅 Also sending love and good will to folks in the US.
Yeah, “My Friends” absence makes me really think the win could go any way.
I quit reading any nominee when FRIENDS was not included in the short list. Nothing else moved me. JAMES is clever but not wholly original.
Womp womp. Stay mad.
Watching this a month after the election. Still shaking my head but every time I feel overwhelmed I pick up a book. My guess is next year I will read more books than in any other year. It definitely will save my sanity and so will everyone on here.
I am absolutely rooting for Orbital
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy so happy!🎉
I loved Orbital and will certainly reread it, especially with it being so slim!
Stone Yard Devotional is my favourite! Adored it.
I really liked Orbital, James, The Safekeep, and Stone Yard devotional. The latter two are the only ones that I want to reread, and I think I'd get more out of re-reading.
I reckon James will win. It is an absolutely brilliant novel. If it doesn't, I hope Stone Yard Devotional wins. Charlotte Wood is an incredible author (check out 'The Weekend', 'The Natural Way of Things' and 'Animal People').
🎉🎉 I predict James to win. It was so unimaginable living like Jim did. It has everything the judges are looking for. Percival Everett has also been shottlisted before and it might be his time. Im going to the Shortlist night on Monday😊
I agree with your comments on Held. There are strokes of beautiful writing and sweeping life wisdoms, but for me it felt like the rest of the narrative was simply a canvas to deliver them.
Thanks for your thoughts Eric. It’s always good to hear your views. My order of preference is 6th Stone Yard Devotional, 5th Creation Lake, 4th Held, 3rd James, 2nd Orbital and my winner -- The Safekeep.
Interesting, thanks!
I’m hoping Stone Yard Devotional wins but won’t be upset if it’s pipped by James, both are excellent.
I haven't read all the books on the list--just SafeKeep and Stone Yard Devotional. I'm hoping for either James or SYD--not a great book but a really good and interesting read. I'm also taking refuge in fantasy--re-reading Lord of the Rings. A world where truth and justice prevail.
This is such a strong shortlist! I read all of them this year and could see any of them winning. If I absolutely had to choose, my vote probably would be for Orbital because it puts the widest possible lense on the humanity found in all the novels. However, I’d also be very happy to see Percival Everett win!
Great! 🌍
I did not know quite how to put it into words how I felt about Held, but you have read my mind exactly. I totally agree.
👍
Interesting. I like how you compare Held and Orbital. There's a 1000 page story hiding behind the 100 pages actually written in both books. For me Held worked better than Orbital in that sense: I was challenged to fill in the gaps more. But - as you do - I acknowledge how that can be different for other readers. Held is no.1 on my list.
Thank you. I see you and care.
I’m still in shock and grieving here in the states. Your video was a welcome distraction. I find your presence even in just a video, comforting. Thank you.
My shortlist ranking would be
James
Held
Safekeep
Orbital
Stoneyard Devotional
Creation Lake
I think James is the strongest contender but i also believe it will be winning the pulitzer
I do, too. Fantastic book.
I'm from America, and I cannot comprehend how he got those votes.
I don't want James to win. It's great but American awards would be enough.
I'm leaning toward Stone Yard Devotional.
Hated Creation
Creation Lake has its moments but it needed serious editing and could easily have lost 100 pages. As aa Brit, I wish the Booker had kept to British and Commonwealth novels but the dollar has a loud voiice. However, James is the only novel which I would re read. I suspect it will win.
I’m still processing the results of the election but doubt that I will ever understand it. As to the novels, I read Creation Lake and James. I did not enjoy Creation Lake, and while I finished it, I found it a task to do so. I did enjoy James, but it was one of those books where there was so much hype about it that I felt a bit let down. At times, it seemed to me like it was a creative writing assignment and a bit gimmicky. I may need to re-read it at some point in time. But my next book is going to be the new Hollinghurst, and he has never let me down. Thanks for your great videos.
My ranking:
1. Safekeep.
2. Stone Yard Devotional
3. James
4. Creation Lake
5. Orbital
6. Held
My choice for the winner: Held.
reading is political. reading is a gift. thank you for sharing your love of books
Thanks!
I bought James this past month as I’ve heard such good things about it. Can’t wait to read it 📚
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Hello from the UK! My top choices for winning would be James or Orbital - both wonderful. Stone Yard Devotional would be at the bottom of my list. I abandoned it halfway through out of sheer boredom - it's rare that I give up on a book. Would be cross if it won! Enjoyed Creation Lake a lot but a little too 'baggy'. Safekeep also excellent, mostly. Haven't yet read Held.
Hello Eric, I think I would like to join your book club. Unfortunately, I'm an almost complete novice when it comes to all things virtual. I don't know how patreon works. I can only get to you through it? If you have the time, can you hold my hand through this? (virtually)
Thank you,
Sheila
Thanks so much, Sheila! I think all you need to do is create a patreon account for free and then go to www.patreon.com/c/TheLonesomeReaderBookClub and sign up for one of the tiers on my book club. There's more information about joining a patreon account on their site here if you're having trouble: support.patreon.com/hc/en-gb/articles/203913709-Joining-a-creator-s-Patreon-as-a-paid-member
Thanks for your thoughts Eric. Feel similar about the election, but am thankful that things went the opposite way in the UK. Think I'm giving up news podcasts and concentrating on books for the rest of the year! I haven't read SYD or Held. Of the others, I'd put The Safe Keep, James and Creation Lake in that order, with Orbital which i really found quite dull a long way behind.
Definitely and that’s a good plan.
Most everyone who has commented is shocked and depressed about the election outcome and our future. These are indeed troubling times. I take refuge and escape in reading. James is the winner for me. I have to return to Safe Keep for another chance as I abandoned it because I found the main character so unlikable. Thanks for the insightful reviews.
I absolutely agree with your top three and would be happy to see any of them win. Held didn’t work for me either. There are some interesting characters but you never get to know them because of all the philosophising.
I enjoyed the safekeep
🧡
I have not read Held and Creation Lake.
I rate the others:
1. Orbital
2. Stone Yard Devotional
3. James
4. The Safekeep
It’s been such a joy to read the shortlist this year - all so good! For me it’s Held alongside The Safekeep to win. Held because I had such a heart felt reading experience, I didn’t want it to end but then when it did I couldn’t remember a thing about it - for some reason I don’t mind this as the confusion feels like the meta point of it. I thinks it’s one you could go back to again and again. Safekeep felt very satisfying all round and the twist was brilliant. This would be followed in my ranking by Creation Lake, which I found to be the most ambitious and challenging and another one to get more out of on re-reading. Loved Stoneyard and James equally. Orbital was my least favourite because the reading experience was a bit of a slog but I see that it is the bookies favourite alongside James. My money’s on Held
Interesting! Thanks
Guilt and forgiveness are powerful themes in Stoneyard Devotional. Even the mice cause guilt because the nuns are reluctant to kill them at first and feel guilty for causing them harm. Eventually they just killed them in whatever way they can because they have no choice. I think the themes of guilt and forgiveness are portrayed very well in this novel.
Thank you for your thoughts, Eric. I'm a poet and a novelist, and I wanted to love Held so very much. I do love the non-linear structure, and I love the deep, beautiful moments, but I am so sad to say I couldn't form an emotional connection with any of the characters. I feel Michaels should have kept the emphasis on John and Helena and not watered her story down by making it multi-generational. I kind of felt the same about Orbital, gorgeous book, but difficult to make an emotional connection. I really disliked Creation Lake. The Safekeep comes in last for me because it was so very predictable and not at all creative.. The author had a very good story with the ownership of the house, but she let it dissolve into a love affair that wasn't believable. Like you, I love both Stone Yard Devotional and James, but unlike you, I can choose, and for me, the winner is James. I was so engrossed by their story, and I was definitely emotionally connected to the characters. Things are very frightening here in the US right now because the candidate that won is so unpredictable. It's been a devastating week. Thank you for the sympathy, but remember, it can happen over there, too. If it can happen in the US, it can happen anywhere.
Thanks so much and really interesting to read your thoughts on the books. Glad we agree about Held. It’d be fantastic if James won though if it doesn’t maybe it will win The National Book Award.
After reading all 6, my pick is for Safekeep. James was good, but I read it right after re-reading Huckleberry Finn and so couldn’t help but feel like it was lacking in comparison. The writing felt quite bland next to Twain! Stoneyard Devotional was also very good, but didn’t feel like enough of a fully fleshed story.
Hmm, that's interesting. I too read Huck Finn first and then James but arrived at the opposite conclusion. I felt HF was often childish and overly providential, and while making allowances for the comparison to Mark Twain James was much more an adult novel. I am unhappy though with the fear of criticizing it. It is not a perfect novel but it is very good. Anyway, I appreciate your opinion, especially as it helps to define my own. Thanks
@@jamesduggan7200 Well the first thing I noticed about James was how he changed things that felt important in HF. Jim's daughter is deaf in HF, and that led to maybe his most emotional moment in the HF book when he was sadly telling Huck about how he had hit his smiling daughter for not listening to him only to find she is in fact deaf. In James, his daughter is fine. I know Everett made various changes in James. The other thing I thought about when reading James was how much of the book was already laid out in HF, so I can't say it felt original. I mean, he's retelling Twain's book from a different perspective for nearly the first half, to me, that felt unoriginal, and then he added some things that didn't feel fitting. He is HF's real dad? Really? He teaches lessons to the other slaves? He speaks properly and can read? These things felt like they were playing into a woke culture that would eat it up more than being anywhere near living up to the original story. I'm in no ways anti-woke, quite the opposite, but reading some of this book had even me saying, "oh c'mon really?"
@@nottaller1993 Surely one steps carefully when using Twain or Dickens as a model. Possibly Everett could have written a novel about a man like Jim (or James) without modeling it directly on HF, so why did he do it? Well, IMHO it is meant as an implicit criticism of Twain's novel which is farcical in the way the events run into each other like a child with an overactive imagination, but also I think he builds on things actually in the earlier novel like the nature of the connection between the two main characters. Why is James so loyal to Huck? Or, if not loyalty then what is the bond between them? I think some of the choices made in the latter novel indicate deep thought and respect for the earlier one.
@@jamesduggan7200 great points. i think one other thing about James’ inevitable comparisons to HF, is the language difference in first person. HF is captivating, charming, clever with the way it uses the language of the time to tell the story, and from a child’s POV. I think the stark difference was so evident reading them back to back, but James felt a bit stiff, not so flowery, but obviously told in more modern language and I think it felt held back on account of that too. But I like the points you made.
I also can not chose between James and SYD
Thanks for the video. I've just started listening to Held, so I've no opinion yet. As I mentioned it before, James is my least fav Everett novel, I only rated it 3*. It'll probably win, as am enthusiast of his work, I wont' mind. I guess my favs are the Safekeep and Stone Yard Devotional (neither got a 5*). Orbital bored me and it felt much longer than it was. (sorry). I still need to read Kushner's, I won't get to it before the winner is announced.
I am also grateful for books and my BookTube friends. However I am having abundant focus issues and I've rearranged my book choices quite a bit.
For the Booker, I'd put Orbital lower and Safekeep higher, James in first place.
My top 3 would be: James, Held and Orbital!
I am currently reading Creation Lake, enjoying it but not my top choice. I cannot get Stone Yard Devotional until Feb here in the US, so it’s the only one I haven’t read. I would agree with your prediction except I would flip Orbital and The Safe Keep, I really loved The Safe Keep. Since I haven’t read Stone Yard Devotional I would choose James since it was just excellent
I got it by ordering from England.
I haven't read Stoneyard Devotional, but the other five: Held, The Safekeep, James, Orbital, Creation Lake.
I've been trying really hard to keep my mind off of everything I've been reading book 3 of his dark materials but some days I just don't want to do anything but I try
Fabulous idea. I think I shall reread His Dark Materials as an antidote to my election sickness. Living through Lyra and Pan will be soul salve.
@mirandaryan3362 I'm reading through them for the first time and almost done with book 3
@@Realalbertcrowley The most wonderful books. You can look forward to the prequel about Lyra's origin story. Don't remember title off hand.
I finished the Kushner recently and have now read all of the six finalists. I think James will win, though I would vote for The Safe Keep. Overall a fairly weak group of 13 this year, I've read all except Playground, and I threw in the towel halfway through This Strange Eventful History and I doubt I'll finish it.
I've read the short list. I acknowledge that James is a great book and will probably win. However, The Safe Keep is one of the best books I've ever read and I loved Stoneyard Devotional. I did not like Creation Lake and really do not understand why it's on the list. Orbital is beautifully written and full of insights I will keep close for the rest of my life. Held is a challenge, but one worth taking. My ranking is: The Safekeep, Stoneyard Devotional, James, Orbital, Held, Creation Lake.
I also wonder if there could be joint winners this year. James is by far the standout but he is the only male on the shortlist so it might not look good to have him win ahead of the 5 females. The compromise would be to award joint awards, and Stone Yard Devotional or Orbital would be worthy co-winners in my view.
I think it’s between held and stone yard devotional didn’t love either but I have a sneaky feeling. My fav on the shortlist is the safekeep
My original thought was that they were determined to give it to James, so left off some of the more readable favourites from the long list. Now I'm going with my--previously failed--methodology and predicting Held, thinking that James's appearance on other lists gives them an out to pick something else, something more divisive, like Held or Orbital, figuring that there must be some big fans on the committee. I forgot about SYD though; that would 'make up' for leaving Praiseworthy off the list.
I concur with your choices of James and Stone Yard Devotional as top 2. (I'd've been pleased to see Matar's "My Friends" joining them in a top triad. Sigh.) As always, I am grateful to hear your point of view. If you have access to The Atlantic mag, check out the interview with (former PEN America President, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, & excellent novelist) Ayad Ahktar, with director Bart Sher and actor Robert Downey, Jr. Please consider Ayad's comments about AI, about how we set limits or don't (was Shakespeare a plagiarist?) and about theater as a form that holds up a mirror to what is already here (in this case, AI). Smart counts. Art counts. Kindness counts. Thanks for yours.
I recently attended a swell Kinderhook Books event featuring Guy Trebay and Lucy Sante. Other fine writers (novelists & journalists) were in the house. Some of my hope hinges on readers reading writers whose prose harbor at least a soupçon of depth/truth/promise. Don't give up hope. Read. Pass it forward. Thanks, EKA.
Thank you!
I'm grateful that we have Freedom Speech that we all can discuss our disappointment in this election 😢
We will probably lose freedom of speech as well, at some point in the next four years as well as TH-cam, etc. Our TV is likely to become state run TV, so we only see what he wants us to see. My passport has expired, but I'm getting an expedited new one. Ready to flee. Fighting didn't work. We fought, we lost across the board.
Stone Yard Devotional FTW
🩶
James is published here the next year, so i prefer other winner (someone with less probabilities of being translated if it doesn't win, so i suppose that exclude Rachel Kushner whose novels are all translated and published here).
I really like Everett's writting but i think being a favourite could damage his chances (but i think he will win the National Book Award).
The fact that the last winners are all men probably make the jury go for one of the five women
The news devastates me but good books, art, and poetry will save me.
Hello Eric. Could you do a review for my short stories collection as well? The name is "The Point of No Return" by Vatsla Singh.
Stoneyard devotional by Charlottes Wood is a profound book that deserves to win 😊
Gosh if Stone Yard won I'd be disappointed. It was sixth out of the six for me. And Held was fifth! Safe Keep all the way
I read stoneyard devotional and enjoyed it but I did not consider it a winner
Held should win.
James by percival everett
Orbital I didn't like enough to recommend sad to say
I'd like James to win, but I think it is too obvious. Guessing Held will get the nod.
Sometimes greatness should get the trophy though, right?
Im hoping Held doesnt win as I 've decided I'll only read it if it wins and it really doesn't sound like something I would enjoy.
I DNF’d Stoneyard Devotional 🫣 I thought it was too mundane, I might revisit it if it wins
I’m most looking forward to reading The Safekeep and James 😊 had to put my booker reading on pause for spooky season reads 😅
I think James is magnificent, but I found The Safekeep mundane and totally lacking in creativity. The author had a great story going, but I think she only used it to turn the book into an unbelievable romance. I hated it.