Held has my vote. A stunning book which I immediately started again. It’s very subtle what it’s doing and very clever how it’s doing it. It’s not given to you on a plate. In fact you have to bring your own plate. I am in awe!
Re: Enlightenment and Orbital... when I see a genre-leaning book on a literary prize list, they're almost always nicely written but do a poorer job at exploring their themes than many other books more firmly in the genre. It's like the judges are unfamiliar with the genre, and don't know what's out there.
I loved "The Safekeep." I too was smitten by the character development. At the beginning the novel, I didn't care at all about Isabel nor Eva. But I loved both of them by the end. I gave it 4.5 stars out of 5. Thanks for this wonderful set of reviews. P.S. I did watch all the way through. Thank you for the round of applause.
I'm reading Held at the moment but not got far enough to know whether I'll love it or loathe it! Your video made me smile ALL the way through. You're quite the best reviewer on book tube - always look forward to your videos. Fantastic. Thankyou 😊
Thank you for the thoughtful reviews! I always appreciate your analysis - even in the abbreviated format. I’m with you on Orbital - I couldn’t finish it.
Always appreciate yours and other’s reviews on these Prize lists knowing everyone’s reading tastes vary. I’m not reading the entire list but hope the ones I’m interested in still reading ‘SYD’ …’SK’ …’James’ and as well Enlightenment, which I have read and gave four out of five stars ( absolutely love SP’s pros and wish she would write poetry) make the short list. Thank goodness for judges, who are challenged to vote on these novels to win this prestigious prize, from the masses. You never know how they’re going to vote. 📚
I'm not planning to read the whole longlist (or even the shortlist), so I really appreciate reviews that help me winnow it down! I've read James and really enjoyed it. I'm currently listening to My Friends on audio, read by the author, which hopefully will help me get through the slow bits (the author does a great job with the narration) - I'm still only about 25% in. I have wanted to read Orbital, I've heard such mixed reviews! Definitely going in with 'all vibes, no plot' expectations. I'm waffling on The Safekeep and Held, but am leaning towards yes on the former and no on the latter but we'll see! Going to skip Strange Eventful History; you're not the only one that's had that reaction to it, and also going to skip Enlightenment, which is mostly because I seem to be the only one who couldn't stand The Essex Serpent. The cover was the best part.
I've only just finished reading Enlightenment, and my sentiments fit those of The Disco King. I enjoyed the timelessness of the writing, which was endorsed by Grace's old worldly dress sense but other than that some of the characters were too similar and predictable and the book felt at least 100 pages too long to the point where I didn't really care any more.
You give me so many laughs! Even though, I enjoyed Orbital 🌎🌍🌏, you still made me laugh with your passionate displeasure in reading it. As always, I always enjoy your reviews and passion.
Booker season, babeee...I've read 7 so far and James remains the best by far. I enjoyed Held until about half way when it lost me with the jumping around of time periods and characters. I also saw the theme of creating something out of light which included the photography, the supernatural hints and I guess memory and love and all that. I also enjoyed Orbital. Think of it as demonstrating how boring it must be in space for months on end.
Oh my, how I hated Orbital. I couldn't stop highlighting passages that were p*****g me off, not usually what I look for in a book 🙄 I really loved both The Safe Keep and My Friends. I also read Stoner and it was every bit as brilliant as you said it was, thank you for sharing the love 😊
I agree about Orbital, its a disgrace that it is even on the list. It was like a Neil de Grasse Tyson book crossed with a creative writing blog post. It was so bad, I had to skim the last 50 pages because I just couldn't do it. I returned it to the book store the same day I finished because I didn't even want to look at it. I agree about Safekeep, great book, and I also liked Wild Houses so far. Headshot was another DNF for me, returned that one too.
I’ve read four so far - didn’t care much for Headshot, found Enlightenment readable but not hugely compelled by it, liked the Safekeep for most of it and then found the last bit and reflections on it have increased how much I enjoyed it (agree about the plot device element), loved Orbital (😂) - read it earlier this year before the prize buzz so had zero expectations, was just blown away by how beautiful the writing was, I was calmly swept along with it Had discounted reading Held but, based on your review, will give it a try next time I’ve had a few glasses of wine 🍷
I have only completed Headshot so far, but I REALLY enjoyed it! Headshot isn’t perfect, but it’s definitely a net-win in my book. I tried Wild Houses but man I have to skip it. Nothing standing out to me about that novel. Currently, I’m in the middle of My Friends. I was hyped for it at first, but it’s getting slower as I march on with it… not getting a great feeling about that. Thank you so much for this video, always love your Booker content!!
I’ve read 5 so far. The worst: the Claire Messud book. One star. My Friends … 4 to 4.5 stars (I thought it was beautiful throughout… contemplative.. gorgeous writing and not boring at all) James : 4 stars SAFEKEEP … 3,5 to 4 stars Yes, Praiseworthy is more worthy than Orbital, but I didn’t hate Orbital as you did. I listened to it at night on my dark screened porch and found it rather pleasant, indeed. I’m looking forward to Held and all the others. .
When the long list was announced,I’d read 3 Stone Yard Devotional was good Orbital was ok Enlightenment was very disappointing ( especially the ending) Since then I’ve listened to Wild Houses ( I really liked it but I wish it had been longer) Currently listening to The Safekeep
I'm on a hold list for Orbital at my local library so 😂😬😨 Fun video, even if in a tweaked format from your usual single reviews. And I had a similar experience with The Safekeep--I wasn't even sure I liked it for the first half because it felt very standard, and the ending made me like it a great deal. But you can't talk about the ending without spoiling it!
Interesting to see our different experiences of the list. My friends is my favorite so Far and I also enjoyed the safe keep quite a bit. I totally agree as far as orbital is concerned But I Thought Enlightenment was pretty terrible as well
James is up there with the great novels about slavery imo - Beloved, Underground Railroad. Cannot comment on the rest of the list but if Everett won it would be completely deserved.
You are a champ. And so am I, as I made it to the end 🥳 🏆 Having been “tricked” into reading The Essex Serpent by many rave reviews and then finding it to be gussied-up commercial fiction at best, I was deeply skeptical to see a Perry novel on the list. You have now confirmed my confirmation bias! She writes very nicely. But Booker material? No. Looking forward to skipping Orbital as it did not appeal to me to begin with. Thanks for your efforts! It was not a mess at all!!
I've only finished Orbital. Currently reading Head Shot. I'm glad to hear that Orbital is your worst so far. It's the fewest pages of any on LL and took me what felt like forever to finish it. Next up I'll be reading Stone Yard Devotional and Wild Houses.
How fitting that you were drunk while reading Held. I too wanted to drink myself into a coma every time I picked it up 😂. I know one of your dislikes was that it was short, but it was the longest 200 pages I’ve ever read. I also read My Friends and I fell asleep fewer times while reading it than I did while reading Held, so there’s that. I’m currently reading Wild Houses and really enjoying it so far. I doubt anything will be as good as James, but it has potential to be my second favourite book from the long list
Last comment got eaten up. Myself & Gem (Gem of Books) were wondering if you would like to join us for a Booker Plod? If you do let know and I will tell you my socials details.
I enjoyed the first part of The Safekeep, but the love story in the second part felt tacked on. It didn't really move the characterization or plot forward. The language became awkward and melodramatic. The topics introduced in the resolution were interesting and relevant, but the execution, including the plot device you mentioned, was so heavy-handed that it all ended up feeling clichéd and contrived.
I can't believe the publishers haven't given you proofs! That's ridiculous. But don't get so miffed that you stop. You and Discoking are my favourites on here
Oh no lol, I put orbital down at ~50 pages because I was getting viscerally angry about/at it but thought maybe the problem lay with me - hearing that you’d rather read this boring eventless non-history (can you tell I didn’t like that either?) again instead of orbital makes me think it might not be worth giving it another go 👀 I felt like it was the written equivalent of those bland instagram inspirational quotes stuck over a sunset - very “I’m 13 and this is deep” if you ask me.
I am just about to read This strange eventful history but have been totally put off with the one star...is it worth reading? so many other brilliant books out there to read.
@@rororeads I guess our reading tates are all different I didn't like the Safekeep so maybe I will like the strange eventful history...I will let you know...
I really wanted to like Orbital, but didn’t - I had to force myself to finish that short book. On the other hand, I didn’t expect to like My Friends, but really loved it. I think it would have been less effective had it been shorter. And it has stayed with me, which is also a good sign. It might have helped that I listened to it, narrated by the author. And, of course, James is in a league of its own.
I just finished Orbital and while I didn’t hate it it was really meh. Completely forgettable. Flat characters, endless run-on descriptions of Earth. I think the author is just really fascinated by the ISS and wanted a story to shovel factoids into. I really don’t understand why it’s on both the Booker and the LeGuin lists. It should have been spaced out the airlock.
@@jobuckley2999 been too long since I read Huck Finn, so I can’t say. But James doesn’t work without it…so… no (maybe ha). But I think I’d always pick James over hick finn if I had too :)
Held has my vote. A stunning book which I immediately started again. It’s very subtle what it’s doing and very clever how it’s doing it. It’s not given to you on a plate. In fact you have to bring your own plate. I am in awe!
Re: Enlightenment and Orbital... when I see a genre-leaning book on a literary prize list, they're almost always nicely written but do a poorer job at exploring their themes than many other books more firmly in the genre. It's like the judges are unfamiliar with the genre, and don't know what's out there.
Oh and BTW very entertaining video! Thanks for that! I always look forward to yours .
I did not drink enough wine while reading Held apparently 😂😂😂 Not my favorite, but with 🍷🤷🏻♀️
I loved "The Safekeep." I too was smitten by the character development. At the beginning the novel, I didn't care at all about Isabel nor Eva. But I loved both of them by the end. I gave it 4.5 stars out of 5. Thanks for this wonderful set of reviews.
P.S. I did watch all the way through. Thank you for the round of applause.
I'm reading Held at the moment but not got far enough to know whether I'll love it or loathe it! Your video made me smile ALL the way through. You're quite the best reviewer on book tube - always look forward to your videos. Fantastic. Thankyou 😊
Thank you for the thoughtful reviews! I always appreciate your analysis - even in the abbreviated format. I’m with you on Orbital - I couldn’t finish it.
The Safekeep and My Friends are so far my favorite reads of the long list
Highly entertaining video. Loved the honest reviews.
Always appreciate yours and other’s reviews on these Prize lists knowing everyone’s reading tastes vary. I’m not reading the entire list but hope the ones I’m interested in still reading ‘SYD’ …’SK’ …’James’ and as well Enlightenment, which I have read and gave four out of five stars ( absolutely love SP’s pros and wish she would write poetry) make the short list. Thank goodness for judges, who are challenged to vote on these novels to win this prestigious prize, from the masses. You never know how they’re going to vote. 📚
I'm not planning to read the whole longlist (or even the shortlist), so I really appreciate reviews that help me winnow it down! I've read James and really enjoyed it. I'm currently listening to My Friends on audio, read by the author, which hopefully will help me get through the slow bits (the author does a great job with the narration) - I'm still only about 25% in. I have wanted to read Orbital, I've heard such mixed reviews! Definitely going in with 'all vibes, no plot' expectations. I'm waffling on The Safekeep and Held, but am leaning towards yes on the former and no on the latter but we'll see!
Going to skip Strange Eventful History; you're not the only one that's had that reaction to it, and also going to skip Enlightenment, which is mostly because I seem to be the only one who couldn't stand The Essex Serpent. The cover was the best part.
I've only just finished reading Enlightenment, and my sentiments fit those of The Disco King. I enjoyed the timelessness of the writing, which was endorsed by Grace's old worldly dress sense but other than that some of the characters were too similar and predictable and the book felt at least 100 pages too long to the point where I didn't really care any more.
You give me so many laughs! Even though, I enjoyed Orbital 🌎🌍🌏, you still made me laugh with your passionate displeasure in reading it. As always, I always enjoy your reviews and passion.
Booker season, babeee...I've read 7 so far and James remains the best by far. I enjoyed Held until about half way when it lost me with the jumping around of time periods and characters. I also saw the theme of creating something out of light which included the photography, the supernatural hints and I guess memory and love and all that. I also enjoyed Orbital. Think of it as demonstrating how boring it must be in space for months on end.
Oh my, how I hated Orbital. I couldn't stop highlighting passages that were p*****g me off, not usually what I look for in a book 🙄 I really loved both The Safe Keep and My Friends. I also read Stoner and it was every bit as brilliant as you said it was, thank you for sharing the love 😊
I agree about Orbital, its a disgrace that it is even on the list. It was like a Neil de Grasse Tyson book crossed with a creative writing blog post. It was so bad, I had to skim the last 50 pages because I just couldn't do it. I returned it to the book store the same day I finished because I didn't even want to look at it. I agree about Safekeep, great book, and I also liked Wild Houses so far. Headshot was another DNF for me, returned that one too.
I’ve read four so far - didn’t care much for Headshot, found Enlightenment readable but not hugely compelled by it, liked the Safekeep for most of it and then found the last bit and reflections on it have increased how much I enjoyed it (agree about the plot device element), loved Orbital (😂) - read it earlier this year before the prize buzz so had zero expectations, was just blown away by how beautiful the writing was, I was calmly swept along with it
Had discounted reading Held but, based on your review, will give it a try next time I’ve had a few glasses of wine 🍷
It’s well & truly booker season BABY
I have only completed Headshot so far, but I REALLY enjoyed it! Headshot isn’t perfect, but it’s definitely a net-win in my book.
I tried Wild Houses but man I have to skip it. Nothing standing out to me about that novel.
Currently, I’m in the middle of My Friends. I was hyped for it at first, but it’s getting slower as I march on with it… not getting a great feeling about that.
Thank you so much for this video, always love your Booker content!!
I’ve read 5 so far.
The worst: the Claire Messud book. One star.
My Friends … 4 to 4.5
stars (I thought it was beautiful throughout… contemplative.. gorgeous writing and not boring at all)
James : 4 stars
SAFEKEEP … 3,5 to 4 stars
Yes, Praiseworthy is more worthy than Orbital, but I didn’t hate Orbital as you did. I listened to it at night on my dark screened porch and found it rather pleasant, indeed.
I’m looking forward to Held and all the others. .
When the long list was announced,I’d read 3
Stone Yard Devotional was good
Orbital was ok
Enlightenment was very disappointing ( especially the ending)
Since then I’ve listened to
Wild Houses ( I really liked it but I wish it had been longer)
Currently listening to
The Safekeep
I'm on a hold list for Orbital at my local library so 😂😬😨
Fun video, even if in a tweaked format from your usual single reviews. And I had a similar experience with The Safekeep--I wasn't even sure I liked it for the first half because it felt very standard, and the ending made me like it a great deal. But you can't talk about the ending without spoiling it!
Interesting to see our different experiences of the list. My friends is my favorite so Far and I also enjoyed the safe keep quite a bit. I totally agree as far as orbital is concerned But I Thought Enlightenment was pretty terrible as well
James is up there with the great novels about slavery imo - Beloved, Underground Railroad. Cannot comment on the rest of the list but if Everett won it would be completely deserved.
You are a champ. And so am I, as I made it to the end 🥳 🏆
Having been “tricked” into reading The Essex Serpent by many rave reviews and then finding it to be gussied-up commercial fiction at best, I was deeply skeptical to see a Perry novel on the list. You have now confirmed my confirmation bias! She writes very nicely. But Booker material? No.
Looking forward to skipping Orbital as it did not appeal to me to begin with.
Thanks for your efforts! It was not a mess at all!!
I've only finished Orbital. Currently reading Head Shot. I'm glad to hear that Orbital is your worst so far. It's the fewest pages of any on LL and took me what felt like forever to finish it. Next up I'll be reading Stone Yard Devotional and Wild Houses.
How fitting that you were drunk while reading Held. I too wanted to drink myself into a coma every time I picked it up 😂. I know one of your dislikes was that it was short, but it was the longest 200 pages I’ve ever read.
I also read My Friends and I fell asleep fewer times while reading it than I did while reading Held, so there’s that. I’m currently reading Wild Houses and really enjoying it so far. I doubt anything will be as good as James, but it has potential to be my second favourite book from the long list
hehe, totally agree on Orbital. The only book of the longlist I read and I hardly remember anything about it, only that I didn't enjoy it.
Last comment got eaten up. Myself & Gem (Gem of Books) were wondering if you would like to join us for a Booker Plod? If you do let know and I will tell you my socials details.
@@CharlieBrookReads 💯
After reading Orbital, Headshot and Enlightenment, I was about to give up on the long list, but I guess I'll give Held and Safekeep a go.
I enjoyed the first part of The Safekeep, but the love story in the second part felt tacked on. It didn't really move the characterization or plot forward. The language became awkward and melodramatic. The topics introduced in the resolution were interesting and relevant, but the execution, including the plot device you mentioned, was so heavy-handed that it all ended up feeling clichéd and contrived.
I can't believe the publishers haven't given you proofs! That's ridiculous. But don't get so miffed that you stop. You and Discoking are my favourites on here
So Orbital wasn’t for you then? I’m not entirely sure because you were a little subtle about it 😂
I'm right in the middle of Safekeep and the atmosphere is tense! I'm not sure what's going to happen but I have a theory.
Oh no lol, I put orbital down at ~50 pages because I was getting viscerally angry about/at it but thought maybe the problem lay with me - hearing that you’d rather read this boring eventless non-history (can you tell I didn’t like that either?) again instead of orbital makes me think it might not be worth giving it another go 👀 I felt like it was the written equivalent of those bland instagram inspirational quotes stuck over a sunset - very “I’m 13 and this is deep” if you ask me.
for a book that partly deals with the echoes of world war 2, please check out _The Remains of the Day_ by Kazuo Ishiguro
I am a really poor reader so I admire people who read novels.
I just bought orbital, so perfect timing
I am just about to read This strange eventful history but have been totally put off with the one star...is it worth reading? so many other brilliant books out there to read.
@@nadiadixon5805 I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. Awful book.
@@rororeads I guess our reading tates are all different I didn't like the Safekeep so maybe I will like the strange eventful history...I will let you know...
I really wanted to like Orbital, but didn’t - I had to force myself to finish that short book.
On the other hand, I didn’t expect to like My Friends, but really loved it. I think it would have been less effective had it been shorter. And it has stayed with me, which is also a good sign. It might have helped that I listened to it, narrated by the author.
And, of course, James is in a league of its own.
I dnf'ed This Strange eventful history because it was boring. Or did you already say it was boring?
@@user-qo6tz1oe1v 😂
🙏 great vid!!!!!!
I just finished Orbital and while I didn’t hate it it was really meh. Completely forgettable. Flat characters, endless run-on descriptions of Earth. I think the author is just really fascinated by the ISS and wanted a story to shovel factoids into. I really don’t understand why it’s on both the Booker and the LeGuin lists. It should have been spaced out the airlock.
Is James better than Huckleberry Finn?
@@jobuckley2999 been too long since I read Huck Finn, so I can’t say. But James doesn’t work without it…so… no (maybe ha). But I think I’d always pick James over hick finn if I had too :)
@@rororeads Thanks. I may give James a go then :)
Orbital's plot sounded boring and your review cements my intent to never reading it.
jbol.....three times??? o must be awful..
I just finished Orbital, so I returned to watch your video... I'm 1000% agree with you 🫠