The Jhalak Prize Longlist: Discussion & Reaction

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[@OliviasCatastrophe]

YAY JHALAK PRIZE! I have looked through both the YA/children's and adult prize of course. As soon as I saw self portrait as othello on the list it immediately went on my to read list. I was wondering that about azucar as well in terms of lack of plot but concept sounding good. But I did add it to my shelf anyway. Small worlds deserves to be on there (she says, not having read it. But caleb azumah nelson deserves all the praise). Elsewhere and fire rush are both waiting for me on my shelf as well. Sounds like my kind of short story collection.

[@eyesonindie]

What an incredible list! Thank you for sharing! I'm ok with plotless novels but I need a break from them right now!!

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

They're not something I can read a lot of either.

[@StephanieP1901]

That Moss book might make me so so happy. I’m glad it’s in the world. Now that’s it’s springtime in the northern hemisphere, everything about the natural world as I experience it here in the Pacific Northwest brings me intense sensory pleasure. I’m pretty much in a 24/7 state of giddiness. And moss is one of the aspects of nature I notice most of all. Since I moved to Washington after a decade in Texas (which nearly killed me) I spend every spare minute in the forest. Moss grows everywhere here (very wet place) and it’s so lovely. There’s a section of Olympic National Park called the Hoh Rainforest, and within that is the hall of mosses. Best place on earth.

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

I know about 5 people who love moss, all are excellent humans. Makes me think I need to get on the moss band wagon. Sounds so beautiful where you live, I'm very jealous.

[@curioushmm9027]

may the list of lists keep expanding! and on another note i wish i was a woman with a favorite species of moss! well at least i can read the book.

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

I never knew that was a life ambition of mine too, but that actually sounds wonderful. I need to study up on moss quick smart.

[@curioushmm9027]

@@GunpowderFictionPlot in that case you might want to check out the novel by elizabeth gilbert..the signature of all things and the small non-fiction work by robin wall kimmerer gathering moss: a natural and cultural history. p.s. do you have moss in australia????😁

[@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711]

I loved both Bright Fear and Self-portrait As Othello. Neither was overly experimental despite the florid descriptions. Fire Rush was a 2023 favourite for me. So all this bodes well for the rest of this list.

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

That is very useful information to know, regarding the poetry. It does look good for you.

[@cynthiamurphy2610]

Regarding the unnamed major prize, I want to put forth my pitch for Undiscovered: it’s available on Everand, it’s only four hours at normal speed on audiobook, and no magical realism. It’s an easy read, but it’s packed to the gills with things to talk about. I got to the last chapter and my mind kept imagining Gemmas face reacting as the scene unfolded, but based on her reaction video I don’t think she’s going to read this one. From this video, Elsewhere and A Flat Place look excellent, and I look forward to picking them up.

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

Do you mean Undiscovered by Gabriela Wiener? I will add it to my TBR - is it a good pick for misery May or just a good book? Imagining Gemma's face will add an extra layer of entertainment.
Also, I just want to say thank to you for your generous kofi tip the other day. :)

[@TheLeniverse]

Another list! Why are they all at the same time! 😩 I'm intrigued that they mix fiction and non-fiction. The Moss book blows my mind by simply existing. Do I want to read it? I don't know 😂 A flat place I already have on hold at the library. And I clearly have to track down Anansi Gold asap.
Fire Rush was my favourite from the Women's Prize last year, so I'm very glad to see it on another longlist and I agree completely with everything you said about Caleb Azumah Nelson. Boundary Road sounds intriguing, but... strangers on a bus in London talking to each other? I'm not sure I can suspend disbelief to that extent.

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

I know, really should be spaced out. I think the reasoning is Black History month and international women's day... Not sure why the Booker International is here, surely it could be moved a month later. Doesn't do any good having these prizes against each other.

[@TheLeniverse]

@@GunpowderFictionPlot Not to be a conspiracy theorist or anything, but it's almost like the Booker Foundation is purposefully going up against the Women's Prize. "Alright so you've got women authors, but we can do diversity too!" 🤪

[@reflectiverambling1148]

I won't lie I IMMEDIATELY hit pause and ran to look up Azucar as I have a very strong interest over the past oh year and a half on the Caribbean and that sounds like it is a really great way to approach some of the prickly issues that persist as a result of some of the ways *cough* colonization *cough* those islands developed both socially, economically, and culturally. For what it's worth it looks like it's not readily available in the US yet either. Would also have to import from the looks. So I'm just going to sit here and try to talk myself into not feeling guilty if I press this add to cart button and contemplate if I take the plunge if I should continue browsing publisher if it's going to hurt the bank anyway.
Edit: huge props to publisher website. They have a 'sort by country' option. Can more sellers adopt this, please?

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

I love a publisher that get's things like that! Country of origin is so important to how I like to browse. I can't find myself a copy of Azucar either, so hopefully this prize will push it enough for a more international release, because it sounds brilliant.

[@BookishTexan]

Glad to see Fire Rush getting more recognition. A Flat Place is intriguing and I’m going to try to get to it next month. Anansi’s Gokd does sound great.

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

Nice to see it on this list too, agree. I wasn't expecting it, because there's only a small window for books from last year's women's prize to be longlisted for this year's Jhalak, but it was a pleasant surprise.

[@juditkovacs1205]

I have been aware of this prize for the past few years, and have read a few of them randomly, and they were all great. So maybe I should pay more attention to the nominees. I have been very disappointed in the past few years by various prizes, so I was ignoring them. But this seems a lot more interesting. And I already had 2 of the books on my radar.

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

I find it difficult to know what is the identity of the prize and what is the judges. I didn't like last year's women's prize as much as this year's or 2022, but I seem to always find good books on the Jhalak Prize, hopefully you do too.

[@TKTalksBooks]

A Flat Place … Twelve Words for Moss.. .. Elsewhere . I’m all in on these.

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

A bit of. Non fiction! 😊

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

Interested in a few of these. Loving the longlists this year. 😊💙

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

There's already some great ones aren't there.

[@BandysBooks]

What a fantastic list! I’m only familiar with a handful of these books, but I’ll have to add quite a few of these to the TBR. Looking forward to your thoughts as you read them!

[@GunpowderFictionPlot]

It looks really good doesn't it?

[@寿司食べたいな]