I failed mightily at making my point! I, too, love a good list and appreciate discovering books I otherwise wouldn't have known about. What I don't like is how books on these lists then come to dominate so many conversations.
I always enjoy a good rant. The BookTube Prize is probably the most democratic book prize.🤓 I enjoy the prize lists because they introduce me to books I would t have heard of. I rarely end up reading the winner.
I agree the lists open us up to new titles and authors. It just feels like once the big three (Women's, Booker, Booker International) are announced, those are the books everyone talks about.
It's so interesting to hear a different take on book prizes. It's no secret that I love championing the Women's Prize and the Carol Shields Prize, but that's because I recognize the importance of those prizes and the role they play in correcting a long history of women's writing going unrecognized. I've also noticed that these prizes don't claim to be putting forth the "best" books (though part of me thinks the WPs might have made that claim in years past), so we all need to retire that expectation. These days, we're seeing more lesser-known books as well as books from small publishers get longlisted, which is wonderful! These prizes can make an author's career or give an up-and-coming writer the financial security they need to write another book. [Note: The WP is 16 longlisted, 6 shortlisted. The CSP is 15 longlisted, 5 shortlisted. Given that the average person reads less than 13 books a year, 15 or 16 books is a "long" list. Hah!] I get why book prizes don't appeal to everyone, but I love how they cultivate conversation and the exchange of views on specific books. For a while, it feels like being part of the world's biggest book club. Really loved hearing your thoughts on this, Priscilla. Thanks for sharing!
Hannah, thank you for this thoughtful response! I was curious (and worried) what your reaction might be because I know you put a lot of effort into reading and reviewing those prize lists (and also, it's how I found your channel!). You make an excellent point about correcting the history of women's writing going unrecognized. To your second point--about the prizes not claiming to be putting forth the "best" books--while that may be true in some cases, I do think that's how people perceive them. After all, that's how awards and prizes work. To your third point--I mentioned in the video that prizes offer much-needed financial support and recognition. And I think that's wonderful. But so many authors out there get almost no marketing budget at all, so if they don't make a long list that can help them get their name out there, trying to get readers' attention gets that much harder--especially when readers with a platform decide to focus on those lists, which get a lot of publicity on their own. And finally, I agree they do cultivate conversation and exchange of views on books. It's fun especially to hear dissenting positions or shortlist predictions. I'm not immune to it! But I also can get a bit weary of hearing about the same books again and again (looking at you, Demon Copperhead).
Lovely rant. You are sceptical about alternative prizes but I have found some great books through The Republic of Consciousness (small presses), Portico (North of England), Barbellion (disabled authors), Caine (African writers) and so on. There are so many books published, prizes are one way to find a way through the multitude.
I loved hearing your ideas on the prize lists and I agree with a lot of it. It is also really dependent on which books a publisher promotes and submits to the prizes, so of course there are tons of great books that aren't even considered. Personally, I wish they would wait longer after the long list to move on to short lists and winners so we had more time to read a few.
My hope is that at the end of the year I have a best of 2024 list that has 10 books that no one was really talking about! I'm half in jest. I do agree with you there are so many great books out there and at any moment in time the book tube community seems to be reading the same 10 - 20 books.
I know I can be guilty of some of that myself, though, with authors like Elizabeth Strout and Ann Patchett. I love the idea of having a 2024 top 10 that's books nobody was talking about. I think I'm going to do that! I mean, Strout has a new book coming out this year, there's only a tiny chance I won't love it, so do I really need to SAY it was a favorite/top read? Why not focus on the lesser known stuff--what really shines?
I actually agree with most of what you say here. I actually find more value in long lists and "best of" lists, especially if more than one person contributes to it.
I really like prize lists, long lists, all kinds of lists, etc. just to hear about books I might want to read. I always end up loving something that doesn't win but I feel like the winner if I find a couple of great books. That homecoming queen scandal actually did occur at my high school and it was a drama for the ages. I might mention James in my video today and you'll have to wade past it to get to the AMPS part. Deal with it! 😄
Ha, when you said James in your Friday Reads, I cracked up. I believe you that it's that good, but my gosh it's everywhere. I also love lists for hearing about books, but I also feel like things get hyper-focused on those three lists (Women's, Booker, Booker International) and then for months everyone talks about those endlessly. I am SO tired of Demon Copperhead. Homecoming queen and cheerleading scandals are the modern Greek tragedies.
I really enjoyed your rant. I used to get excited about prizes but always came away disappointed so I don’t care for them at all anymore. Enough people end up paying attention to those books that get picked, I don’t make a difference. I feel I’d rather make more time for lesser known books and backlist titles. That art tax really should at least contribute back to the arts, that’s a high percentage.
Welcome, Karla! I had the same experience. I felt like I kept getting burned by prize lists--and really, that's no fault of the authors, either. I think sometimes authors (debut authors, especially) aren't given a chance to let their books "breathe," so to speak, before all these expectations are placed on them.
@@EveningReader Right, and unfortunately that immediate kind of success and buzz is really important for debut authors. But as a reader, I’m finding I get a lot more interested in certain books a few years after the hype has calmed down around them.
A timely topic for me, as I just finished Percival Everett's Erasure. Reading is so personal and subjective. I listen to thoughts on some of the prizes, but don't really follow. As with reviews, if a book sounds interesting to me, I may note it, but often wait until the hype dies down to read it, and often don't read. The only book of Jayne Anne Phillips' that I have read is Lark and Termite, which I enjoyed. At some point, I will likely read Night Watch, the premise sounds interesting to me. Machine Dreams has been on my tbr for a while; thanks for the reminder.
Machine Dreams is excellent. I'm very much the same about adding books to my list and often never picking them up. It's easy to get caught up in the hype. And sometimes when I do get around to reading one of those books--Station Eleven, for example--I'm relieved and happy that the hype machine wasn't wrong...because it so often is.
I don't know if I would say five years to give it a think but I do think there should be some time between voting for winners. Sometimes I will watch a movie or read a book very quickly and I'm like I love it! But then a few days later I question things that made no sense in the book or movie and I'm questioning my initial opinion. Like awhile back I saw the movie everyone was talking about Past Lives and while it did hit me in the feels and I shed a tear or two which I NEVER do I think it played on my own personal nostalgia/unrequited love stories. But the following day I thought... sort of spoiler spoiler spoiler . . . . . I don't think they would have ever made it as a couple!! Under different circumstances maybe but in the long run they were just too different.
I don’t read brand new books or recent prize winners because I get all my books used! I’m going to restart my channel now that I’ve organized what I want to do in the next few months, so more irrelevant books to come!
Hi Priscilla, I am a writer(ok I had one book published) and I have read books without buzz that are as good or better than a prize winning book. I have never won a prize.😊 aloha friend
I’m not a competitive person so book prizes fall flat on me with the concept of one book being superior to all the others on a list. Frankly, I don’t care which book wins. However, I absolutely love that book prizes bring new titles and new authors to my attention, and for that reason, I follow numerous book prizes.
MJ, maybe that's why I also don't like prizes. I always think: is this really the BEST book? So often I'm disappointed. I also like that the prize lists bring new things to my attention, but I also like other non-prize-related lists like The Millions Most Anticipated. And I must say that The Carol Shields Prize is adding a nice mix.
I love book lists -- prize lists, best of the year, etc, because I'm always looking for something I may have missed. I do enjoy watching book tubers reviewing the same books & disagreeing. I think it's fun. I do agree that an arts tax is not a good idea -- probably one of the craziest ideas I've heard in a long time. Cheer up -- read what you like -- there's an endless supply of books out there!
Hey Evening Reader! Good to see you. I still need to watch your last video. agree with @BookishTexan I enjoy the rant. You are so thoughtful in your rant. Makes a lot of sense. I have not jumped on the James bandwagon. I was the same way with the movie Forrest Gump. I had heard so much about it I was sick of it. I did watch it about 10 years after it came up but.... ugh. I image you saw Eric Karl Anderson's rant on Night Watch! Be well!
Hi Marcia! I saw Forrest Gump in the theater and loved it, but not as much on subsequent viewings. That said, I do get the same way about movies. I'm leery about things that are too popular. I did see Eric's rant. I thought it was surprising for him to be so unkind.
Agree.... more time after a release to the public! WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? Pft... trying to tell us what's amazing before anyone we know has read the things🤔? I'm mood reading, too! Mine are big chunky mixes of fantasy and sci-fi!!! Epics... non of that romantasy... boring... YES, I want epic battles and a big bad that needs taking down... & a dragon or two would not be too much to ask for. But I'd settle for an animal companion or 3, a great cast, with young folk coming of age, and character growth, and multi-heros fighting for good, and honorable deeds, and side characters for comic relief, and a villainous villian who deserves a terrible end! There may be quests, there maybe journeys, through both beautiful and terrible lands... there may be may be laughter, and tears along the way... The nature of true fellowship in the face of a great foe! I may be planning to reread Lord of the Rings... 😂🤣😂 💙📖🥰📚☀️ Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Haha, let’s hope there’s a lot of angel wing flapping going on. Enjoyed the rant. I agree, winning a Pulitzer or Booker, etc. is no guarantee that each individual reader will enjoy the that title. Often winning boils down to whether the publisher has experience and resources for submitting their favored titles to the parties that be. If a book from a small press is read by and truly enjoyed by a reader influential within the publishing sphere there is a greater chance of it being reviewed by the judges. I enjoy reviewing book lists for various prizes or sales figures because it brings to my attention books I may not have heard about elsewhere. That 20% culture tax is very high. It will be especially hard on students and seniors who are on tight budgets. Always nice to see one of your videos pop up in the YT feed.
So much flapping! Heh heh. I love lists of books--I probably should have said that my favorite lists are The Millions Most Anticipated and also their Year in Reading series. I like those better than prize lists, although they also don't capture everything.
I’ve decided against _James_ just for that reason, and I had been looking forward to it. But that amount of popularity is an automatic deal breaker for me. Bring on the personal essays rant! 😂
I failed mightily at making my point! I, too, love a good list and appreciate discovering books I otherwise wouldn't have known about. What I don't like is how books on these lists then come to dominate so many conversations.
I always enjoy a good rant. The BookTube Prize is probably the most democratic book prize.🤓 I enjoy the prize lists because they introduce me to books I would t have heard of. I rarely end up reading the winner.
I agree the lists open us up to new titles and authors. It just feels like once the big three (Women's, Booker, Booker International) are announced, those are the books everyone talks about.
@@EveningReader That is fair. They do generate a lot of content on BookTube.
It's so interesting to hear a different take on book prizes. It's no secret that I love championing the Women's Prize and the Carol Shields Prize, but that's because I recognize the importance of those prizes and the role they play in correcting a long history of women's writing going unrecognized.
I've also noticed that these prizes don't claim to be putting forth the "best" books (though part of me thinks the WPs might have made that claim in years past), so we all need to retire that expectation.
These days, we're seeing more lesser-known books as well as books from small publishers get longlisted, which is wonderful! These prizes can make an author's career or give an up-and-coming writer the financial security they need to write another book.
[Note: The WP is 16 longlisted, 6 shortlisted. The CSP is 15 longlisted, 5 shortlisted. Given that the average person reads less than 13 books a year, 15 or 16 books is a "long" list. Hah!]
I get why book prizes don't appeal to everyone, but I love how they cultivate conversation and the exchange of views on specific books. For a while, it feels like being part of the world's biggest book club.
Really loved hearing your thoughts on this, Priscilla. Thanks for sharing!
Hannah, thank you for this thoughtful response! I was curious (and worried) what your reaction might be because I know you put a lot of effort into reading and reviewing those prize lists (and also, it's how I found your channel!). You make an excellent point about correcting the history of women's writing going unrecognized.
To your second point--about the prizes not claiming to be putting forth the "best" books--while that may be true in some cases, I do think that's how people perceive them. After all, that's how awards and prizes work.
To your third point--I mentioned in the video that prizes offer much-needed financial support and recognition. And I think that's wonderful. But so many authors out there get almost no marketing budget at all, so if they don't make a long list that can help them get their name out there, trying to get readers' attention gets that much harder--especially when readers with a platform decide to focus on those lists, which get a lot of publicity on their own.
And finally, I agree they do cultivate conversation and exchange of views on books. It's fun especially to hear dissenting positions or shortlist predictions. I'm not immune to it! But I also can get a bit weary of hearing about the same books again and again (looking at you, Demon Copperhead).
Lovely rant. You are sceptical about alternative prizes but I have found some great books through The Republic of Consciousness (small presses), Portico (North of England), Barbellion (disabled authors), Caine (African writers) and so on. There are so many books published, prizes are one way to find a way through the multitude.
Excellent point, Ros, and thank you for these suggestions. I was really thinking about the big prizes. They do take up a bit of the air!
I loved hearing your ideas on the prize lists and I agree with a lot of it. It is also really dependent on which books a publisher promotes and submits to the prizes, so of course there are tons of great books that aren't even considered. Personally, I wish they would wait longer after the long list to move on to short lists and winners so we had more time to read a few.
Yes, it would be nice to have longer lead times between the lists as well, I agree!
Loved the rant! The only prize I really follow is the Booktube Prize which I love.
Heidi, I enjoy the Booktube Nonfiction prize the most!
My hope is that at the end of the year I have a best of 2024 list that has 10 books that no one was really talking about! I'm half in jest. I do agree with you there are so many great books out there and at any moment in time the book tube community seems to be reading the same 10 - 20 books.
I know I can be guilty of some of that myself, though, with authors like Elizabeth Strout and Ann Patchett. I love the idea of having a 2024 top 10 that's books nobody was talking about. I think I'm going to do that! I mean, Strout has a new book coming out this year, there's only a tiny chance I won't love it, so do I really need to SAY it was a favorite/top read? Why not focus on the lesser known stuff--what really shines?
I actually agree with most of what you say here. I actually find more value in long lists and "best of" lists, especially if more than one person contributes to it.
Yes, Melinda--I also enjoy year-end favorite/best of lists, especially if they include backlist books.
I really like prize lists, long lists, all kinds of lists, etc. just to hear about books I might want to read. I always end up loving something that doesn't win but I feel like the winner if I find a couple of great books.
That homecoming queen scandal actually did occur at my high school and it was a drama for the ages.
I might mention James in my video today and you'll have to wade past it to get to the AMPS part. Deal with it! 😄
Ha, when you said James in your Friday Reads, I cracked up. I believe you that it's that good, but my gosh it's everywhere.
I also love lists for hearing about books, but I also feel like things get hyper-focused on those three lists (Women's, Booker, Booker International) and then for months everyone talks about those endlessly. I am SO tired of Demon Copperhead.
Homecoming queen and cheerleading scandals are the modern Greek tragedies.
I really enjoyed your rant. I used to get excited about prizes but always came away disappointed so I don’t care for them at all anymore. Enough people end up paying attention to those books that get picked, I don’t make a difference. I feel I’d rather make more time for lesser known books and backlist titles. That art tax really should at least contribute back to the arts, that’s a high percentage.
Welcome, Karla! I had the same experience. I felt like I kept getting burned by prize lists--and really, that's no fault of the authors, either. I think sometimes authors (debut authors, especially) aren't given a chance to let their books "breathe," so to speak, before all these expectations are placed on them.
@@EveningReader Right, and unfortunately that immediate kind of success and buzz is really important for debut authors. But as a reader, I’m finding I get a lot more interested in certain books a few years after the hype has calmed down around them.
A timely topic for me, as I just finished Percival Everett's Erasure. Reading is so personal and subjective. I listen to thoughts on some of the prizes, but don't really follow. As with reviews, if a book sounds interesting to me, I may note it, but often wait until the hype dies down to read it, and often don't read. The only book of Jayne Anne Phillips' that I have read is Lark and Termite, which I enjoyed. At some point, I will likely read Night Watch, the premise sounds interesting to me. Machine Dreams has been on my tbr for a while; thanks for the reminder.
Machine Dreams is excellent. I'm very much the same about adding books to my list and often never picking them up. It's easy to get caught up in the hype. And sometimes when I do get around to reading one of those books--Station Eleven, for example--I'm relieved and happy that the hype machine wasn't wrong...because it so often is.
I'm so worried about the arts, and libraries and everything that connects with this government we have. It makes me so sad.
Marcella, me too. I hope it doesn't last!
I don't know if I would say five years to give it a think but I do think there should be some time between voting for winners. Sometimes I will watch a movie or read a book very quickly and I'm like I love it! But then a few days later I question things that made no sense in the book or movie and I'm questioning my initial opinion.
Like awhile back I saw the movie everyone was talking about Past Lives and while it did hit me in the feels and I shed a tear or two which I NEVER do I think it played on my own personal nostalgia/unrequited love stories. But the following day I thought...
sort of spoiler spoiler spoiler
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I don't think they would have ever made it as a couple!! Under different circumstances maybe but in the long run they were just too different.
Yes, this! Just a little time for things to shake out would be great.
I don’t read brand new books or recent prize winners because I get all my books used! I’m going to restart my channel now that I’ve organized what I want to do in the next few months, so more irrelevant books to come!
Subscribed and looking forward to more of your videos!
Hi Priscilla, I am a writer(ok I had one book published) and I have read books without buzz that are as good or better than a prize winning book. I have never won a prize.😊 aloha friend
Hi Maya! That's exactly what I mean--so many good books out there that don't get the buzz!
I’m not a competitive person so book prizes fall flat on me with the concept of one book being superior to all the others on a list. Frankly, I don’t care which book wins. However, I absolutely love that book prizes bring new titles and new authors to my attention, and for that reason, I follow numerous book prizes.
MJ, maybe that's why I also don't like prizes. I always think: is this really the BEST book? So often I'm disappointed. I also like that the prize lists bring new things to my attention, but I also like other non-prize-related lists like The Millions Most Anticipated. And I must say that The Carol Shields Prize is adding a nice mix.
@@EveningReader Thumbs up to non-prize related lists.
A thought-provoking discussion topic and I enjoyed hearing your thoughts!
Thank you! My thoughts are clearly all over the place, but I wanted to put it out there.
I love book lists -- prize lists, best of the year, etc, because I'm always looking for something I may have missed. I do enjoy watching book tubers reviewing the same books & disagreeing. I think it's fun.
I do agree that an arts tax is not a good idea -- probably one of the craziest ideas I've heard in a long time.
Cheer up -- read what you like -- there's an endless supply of books out there!
I also love lists! I love yearly round-ups most of all. As for watching booktubers review and disagree...I almost wish it would happen more!
Hey Evening Reader! Good to see you. I still need to watch your last video. agree with @BookishTexan I enjoy the rant. You are so thoughtful in your rant. Makes a lot of sense. I have not jumped on the James bandwagon. I was the same way with the movie Forrest Gump. I had heard so much about it I was sick of it. I did watch it about 10 years after it came up but.... ugh. I image you saw Eric Karl Anderson's rant on Night Watch! Be well!
Hi Marcia! I saw Forrest Gump in the theater and loved it, but not as much on subsequent viewings. That said, I do get the same way about movies. I'm leery about things that are too popular. I did see Eric's rant. I thought it was surprising for him to be so unkind.
Agree.... more time after a release to the public! WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? Pft... trying to tell us what's amazing before anyone we know has read the things🤔?
I'm mood reading, too! Mine are big chunky mixes of fantasy and sci-fi!!! Epics... non of that romantasy... boring... YES, I want epic battles and a big bad that needs taking down... & a dragon or two would not be too much to ask for. But I'd settle for an animal companion or 3, a great cast, with young folk coming of age, and character growth, and multi-heros fighting for good, and honorable deeds, and side characters for comic relief, and a villainous villian who deserves a terrible end! There may be quests, there maybe journeys, through both beautiful and terrible lands... there may be may be laughter, and tears along the way... The nature of true fellowship in the face of a great foe!
I may be planning to reread Lord of the Rings... 😂🤣😂
💙📖🥰📚☀️
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Amy, you need some Robin Hobb in your life!
@EveningReader I recently gobbled up the Farseer Trilogy! So now, of course, I must read everything Elderling!!!
✨️✨️✨️🐲🐲🐲✨️✨️✨️
Haha, let’s hope there’s a lot of angel wing flapping going on. Enjoyed the rant. I agree, winning a Pulitzer or Booker, etc. is no guarantee that each individual reader will enjoy the that title. Often winning boils down to whether the publisher has experience and resources for submitting their favored titles to the parties that be. If a book from a small press is read by and truly enjoyed by a reader influential within the publishing sphere there is a greater chance of it being reviewed by the judges.
I enjoy reviewing book lists for various prizes or sales figures because it brings to my attention books I may not have heard about elsewhere.
That 20% culture tax is very high. It will be especially hard on students and seniors who are on tight budgets.
Always nice to see one of your videos pop up in the YT feed.
So much flapping! Heh heh. I love lists of books--I probably should have said that my favorite lists are The Millions Most Anticipated and also their Year in Reading series. I like those better than prize lists, although they also don't capture everything.
I’ve decided against _James_ just for that reason, and I had been looking forward to it. But that amount of popularity is an automatic deal breaker for me.
Bring on the personal essays rant! 😂
I'll see what I can do!
I only trust Steve.
😅😜🤓#allinforabrattlebookhaul
This is a solid approach.
The only person who has read them all. 🙂
I am laughing because there are many Steve's out there but we all know who this Steve is 😉