Reading The Women’s Prize for Fiction Part Two | A Reader’s Journal
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ส.ค. 2024
- For the second in my, relaunched once again, Reader’s Journal reading vlogs, I am returning to the @Womens_Prize Fiction 2024 longlist. Which books do I head to first and how do I get on with them? You’ll have to watch to find out. #readingvlog #womensprizeforfiction #vlog #readingjournal
You can support me on my Patreon here / savidgereads
And follow me on my Instagram here / savidgereads
My Wishlist www.amazon.co....
Ukraine Mobile Library Crowdfunding www.crowdfunde...
Previous Women’s Prize for Fiction vlog • Reading the Women’s Pr...
Reader’s Journal in Edinburgh • A Readers Journal | A ...
Reader’s Journal in Hull with Sharks & More • A Readers Journal | St...
Women’s Prize Plodalong with Mum and I www.youtube.co...
Me Elsewhere…
Instagram: / savidgereads
Patreon: / savidgereads
Threads: www.threads.ne...
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/savidgereads
Wishlist: www.amazon.co....
Spotify: open.spotify.c...
Twitter: / savidgereads
Thank you for supporting Ukraine! ❤ One of my friends recently confessed, that books are the only thing that keeps her (mentally, physically) afloat these days, it’s been terrible 2+ years already.
It has indeed. Let’s hope this crowdfunder can happen and help lots and lots and lots and lots of people.
I am really enjoying these Vlogs. I envy you your trips to the book shops. I don't get the opportunity very much and I do love a good browse. Mind - I envy you the food as well, you really do find the best places to eat it seems to me. 📖🔖🍲
Food is almost as important to me as books. So anywhere I go it’s the bookshops and the restaurants I look up first. Ha.
The Maiden sounds good. Loved the birds of prey and all things bookish. Great project for Ukraine, good luck with it.
Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed the vlog 📚🦅
This was lovely! How amazing to spend time with those amazing birds! I have a very soft spot for the owl. 🥰
It was wonderful. Which owl the tiny cute one of the big beast? Both were wonderful. 🦉
The big beasty Great Horned one! We have them here in Southern California. I hear them when I’m walking the dog at 5am. If we’re really lucky we’ll see one fly but it’s dark at that hour so it’s just a blur. Have never seen in broad daylight. Argh!
Ooo. Quite the mix here. You’ve really whet my appetite for The Maiden. You know I love historical fiction ❤
I think with your love of historical fiction you’ll like The Maiden. I think it’d be interesting to see how you think it compares to other works. Her next book is about your favourite I think… Mary QoS. I’ll definitely read that!
I LOVE when you weekly Vlog. Loving this video series ❤
I’m soooooo pleased. The next one will be here VERY soon. Work and being social threw me out of whack and editing time this week.
You have me excited to read In Defense of the Act and The Maiden. I’m so glad you loved Western Lane-I think it’s such a gentle lovely book. One I’ll definitely revisit.
When you first introduced Hangman and said you didn’t know anything about it , I said out loud, that you still won’t when you get to the end. 😉. It’s a curious book, to be sure. I listened to it and the narration is really well done, so I was able to complete it, though I felt as you did, confused by the point of it. Pieces do start falling into place towards the end, and it may be a book that once you know the ending, it would be good to reread. I may revisit it if it gets shortlisted.
📚📚📚Thank you for whisking me to England for an hour spent with books, kitties, majestic raptors, a night fox, bums! 🍑, bookstores, and lovely bookish chats. 📚📚📚
Edited to add: What a wonderful way to support the people in Ukraine-I’ll watch for the crowdfunding and do what I can. I hope it’s a huge success.
So pleased you enjoyed the video. Gentle is just the right word for Western Lane, as is curious for Hangman, that’s exactly what it is. A curious quirky book I think I’ll get at another point. Oh and thank you for your support, whatever people can do, with the Ukraine mobile library.
What a fab bookie vlog, thanks Simon. The Maiden was a surprise as it was far more enjoyable than the cover suggests. So far have read River East River West, The Maiden, Enter Ghosts, Brotherless Night, and Nightbloom so far and have Ordinary Human Feelings sitting on my shelf. So now waiting for the short list before I buy any more but will be getting -In Defence of the Act even if it is not shortlisted as you have got me hooked.🛀📕📖📚
Oooh not long to go till we find out… just over 12 hours. And very excitingly I’ll be at the party in 24 hours. Eek!
Love the vlog. Wow, Biscuit was playing it really close to the vest with his long-list picks. Ha!
I know. He’s so secretive. Though the silence could speak volumes 😬
Well what a treat that was! I had to postpone my morning tasks until I'd watched the whole thing! Aren't birds of prey just so majestic? I always feel very humbled and emotional in their presence. And I've wanted to swim with a dolphin for years! I'm afraid I might want to stay with them forever if I do! 🐬❤
Hahahaha the smell of the water might put you off that… not to shatter your illusions hahaha 🐬 Glad you enjoyed the vlog 🦅
@@SavidgeReads 😬 I think I'd only do it in open water. I had a colleague who swam with Freddie in the North Sea and said it was amazing. He died years ago, and I think I'd prefer somewhere a bit warmer!
Ooh yay! I really enjoyed The Maiden and Western Lane too. Agree that the Maiden was a super enjoyable romp, not anything new but a good read. I loved Western Lane. Such a thoughtful, quiet novel. And has left me very contemplative. X
Fully concur on your thoughts on both of these. Very different, very good reads.
Thank you for giving our Plodalong a shout out. We loved our natter ❤ Haha re the bit that I blinked then missed 👀😂😂
In Defence Of The Act was just so well done. I really hope it gets shortlisted.
I felt the exact same with TBBW. I felt bad for the book that we were left out the world. 🌎
Anyhoos great reading vlog as always. 📚📗
Honestly that moment was so funny. Hahaha. I’m hoping that In Defence of the Act gets shortlist too… that said… I’ve read some absolute corkers since I filmed all this so things got trickier.
I agree with everything you said about In Defence of the Act. I loved it.
Awww thanks Kathy. It’s a tough book to say you loved… but I loved everything it was doing too.
My cat Milo growls at the window cleaner
Fabulous vlog! I loved seeing all the places you traveled to and the wildlife (outdoor and indoor)! I still haven’t read any of the fiction longlist, but I’m planning on reading The Maiden, Ordinary Human Feelings, and you’ve convinced me about Western Lane!
They are three good’uns. I am down to the final four and I think I’ve still yet to read the winner. Oooooh. What a tease!!!!
📚📚📚 I enjoyed your vlog! Depending on your take, I buy them on kindle or not (I live in a country that is not English speaking, so it's the cheapest way to get new releases 😊), so thanks a million 📚
I’m glad you enjoyed the vlog and hope you enjoy some of the books.
Those Charlotte Vassell books sound fantastic. I have added the first to my summer TBR, as it sounds perfect for reading out in the garden in a day off :-)
That spa break looked heavenly.
The spa was such a treat and such a nice thing for Pan MacMillan to do! Hope you enjoy The Other Half when you get to it.
📚❤ Agree about series on book prize lists. It is quite an investment in time and money to read a whole list. Shouldn’t have entries that require you to read multiple books.
Well technically you should be able to read them standalone and without the previous ones… it very rare book in a series does that 100%.
Hi Simon so well summed up. Talking of falconry, remembering that I loved H is for Hawk.
I thought of that book a lot when I was doing the falconry. That was a gem of a book.
Love the sound of your Ukraine project!
I felt a bit ambivalent about the women's prize long list this year and I have to say, I'm not sure how much more I fancy them after watching this 😅 I liked Western Lane when I really it last heart of the Booker but I didn't love it and I do think it belongs more on the women's prize list. I definitely want to get to In Defence of the Act though,that sounds amazing! (And never apologise for a long vlog!)
Hahahaha. Sorry I didn’t sell them to you better 😉 Maybe it’s just not a list for you this year and that’s fine. We don’t have to be reading all the lists… I say this as someone who made the decision not to read the Carol Shields Prize shortlist, even though I’m super excited about that list. I just want to read what I fancy for a bit.
Loved this vlog and just became a Patron for even more content! 🤗 📚
Awwww thank you so much. That’s very kind of you.
Ooohh an hour long reading vlog, what a treat! Loved seeing you get on with the longlist and can’t wait for the third installment. I’ve read 10 of the longlisted books, and the other six don’t really appeal much to me so I think I might call it a day haha. But you never know what the judges are up to with the shortlist.. 👀
All shall be revealed shortlist wise in mere days. Hope you have been enjoying the longer vlogs, it’s all I seem to be making at the moment but going to have a little vlogging break… well not filming them but putting them on the channel. Change and mixing it up can be for the best.
Hi Simon I have just reserved The Other Half from the library. Thanks Simon.
Oooh fabulous, I hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
Now I want a Falconry experience! Especially because of the owl..🦉
Can’t recommend enough.
The experience with the birds of prey seems very interesting and certainly unique. Hats off to you and your partner for holding still when the falcon flew right between your faces. I don't know that I would have been able to hold still. That was crazy! 📙
That wasn’t my partner. I’d never met that man before in my life. Hahaha. Talk about how to get to know someone fast. Lol.
@@SavidgeReads If high-stress situations bond people, you guys are now officially bonded! LOL!
Hi Simon! Thoroughly enjoyed the entire presentation! 📕 📚 📖 🎉🎉🎉
Hahaha thank you, though hopefully it’s a bit more fun than a presentation hahaha.
@@SavidgeReads oh dear, Simon! I’m so sorry! Does “presentation.” have a negative connotation? I thought it was fun as heck! 🩵🩵🩵
@@TKTalksBookshahaha. I was joking. Though presentations here tend to be quite boring business things. And I would never want to be that 😉
Wonderful Simon ❤📚
📚🦅
I looove these vlogs, Simon, they - and you - are always absolutely fab company 💕
Feels a very interesting longlist this year. It seems to generate less enthusiasm but I also think it’s very valid that book prize fatigue is a thing atm (for the readers rather than us viewers I think). Very intrigued to read Effie Black and to hear your shortlist predictions 📚
Also, the purple walls, the bubblegum lady and the sofa in the office are looking stunning 🤌
I tried to make the office as fun and welcoming as possible. We all need that in a working space. It’s a bomb site too though. Needs an absolute sorting. Highly recommend the Effie Black. My shortlist predictions will be live tomorrow.
📕 📖 📚
📚🦅📚
Love this style of vlog, it was great to see the falconry (and all of the cats, I appreciate Biscuit’s meows in the background 😆) Still waiting on library holds for most of my women’s prize reading, but this has made me particularly excited for Western Lane. So far I’ve only read River East, River West which I enjoyed, and just started on Soldier Sailor. Looking forward to seeing your thoughts on the rest of the long list 📚
I got quite grumpy with the start of Soldier Sailor. It felt a bit saccharine. Will see if that continues. I enjoyed River East, River West a lot too.
Simon vlogs are my favourite vlogs ❤️
Awwww thanks so much!
I DNf’d hangman only because I was confused - probably me not the book. So will see if I should pick up again. I have to get river east river west for my book group
I DNF’d Hangman too, it wasn’t the book really, I think it was more me. So I’m going to head back to it when the mood strikes. Maybe.
The Ukraine project is such a good idea. Best of luck with it.
Thank you very much!
So enjoyed this vlog! You need to read the last chapter of Hangman and it might make sense. So fun with the falcons what a great experience! Thanks Simon ❤
Thing is I need to want to get to that last chapter. Hahaha. And I half do and half really don’t. Ha! The raptors were amazing.
📖
(Also, new subscriber here looking forward for Vlog #3 and specially your take on 'Enter Ghost') Thanks!
Awwww welcome to the channel. I’m thrilled you’ve subscribed.
Great channel! I have read In Defence of the Act, Western Lane, Brotherless Night, The Maiden, Enter Ghost and Soldier Sailor in that order. My favourite so far is In Defence of the Act but I've enjoyed them all in different ways. I DNFd The Blue, Beautiful World and Hangman but will return to them if shortlisted. Currently reading The Wren, The Wren and 8 Lives of a Century Old Trickster and enjoying both.
Thank you very much. Sounds like we have some crossover on thoughts with the books we’ve both read so far. I’m now on Soldier Sailor. Didn’t love the start.
📚📚
🦅📚
📚🍤🐈🦅😀thanks for the vlog!
Thanks for watching 📚🦅
Just pre-ordered Kate Foster's new book, The King's Witches.
Thanks for the heads up. 👍❤️
I’m really looking forward to that one too!
Biscuit and the bin collection was amazing! He is really something. You have convinced me to read In Defense of the Act whether or not it is shortlisted. Completely agree about Hangman and Nightbloom. Loved the falconry and the book/spa trip. Eager to learn how you get on with the remaining 7 and quite curious to see what your personal shortlist will be!! So many books, so little time! 📚📖
Ha. I have almost done it. Though one of the longlist I’ll be reading after the final Women’s Prize vlog as it’ll be in another vlog I am planning on making. Ooooh. It’s been fun but it is a lot of books. I think the 30th year next year maybe my final year reading all the longlist. We shall see.
@@SavidgeReads It’s easier to read the whole longlist when you have a head start because you’ve read some of the longlist already (which usually is the case) and when the list has more terrific reads than this one does (at least for me).
@@cindyhaiken5644I do think there is *potentially* a very very good shortlist in this longlist.
@@SavidgeReads I hope so!!!
To me The Maiden felt like it’s been done before but I still enjoyed it. I read Hex by Jenni Falange which had a similar premise but I felt more original execution. I really enjoyed Nightbloom, it has a darker second half than I was expecting.
Yes, Jenni Fagan’s Hex was really good. I’ve enjoyed all the books from that Scottish History retelling selection of books. Denise Mina’s might be my favourite. I like a dark tale so that makes me think maybe I should head back to Nightbloom at some point. The first half felt very long.
❤️📚🔖📖 Another great vlog, Simon, thank you. I LOVED 'The Maiden' (though it didn't strike me as a Women's Prize type of book). It was my sixth from the Longlist and now with only 5 days to go I won't manage all of the rest but plan to read those that make it onto the Shortlist.
I've got a hold on In Defence of the Act after hearing high praise from Scott and, now, you - so will read that one regardless! 👍❤️📚
Ooh which channel is Scott’s channel, let me know so I can go and have a gander at his thoughts. I don’t think I know any Scott’s.
It's Gunpowder, Fiction & Plot 😊
I really like that slightly retro cover for Ordinary Human Failings. One of my favorites from the list so far. I agree with Joseph that the second half of Nightbloom is better but I also agree with your initial assessment that it feels similar to other books.
I also think you can’t have a book that has a really good second half but not such a good first half be a winner of an award. Winners need to be through and through bangers, that doesn’t mean they have to have loads of plot but every page needs to be good/great.
Hi Simon, have you not heard about the book covers, great idea for travelling to and from work, just zip up your book, no damage!
I have had some of these but I always leave them somewhere that isn’t my bag or near any books. Hence this issue. Hahaha.
Just looked at Google about the Maiden and never can read about executions without a cringe.! Executions were horrible things. I love your weekly vlogs, fun to see your travels and those 'spas' pools look wonderful. Definitely go back there, I would. 📚📕🔖
They are horrible things, the book doesn’t try to make out they aren’t, they were a big part of history though and that’s what this book is partly looking at. It does it really well. I wanted to say it executes it really well but that might be too much. Lol.
I saw the plodalonggmoment live🤣and was in a zoom work call recently and a consultant I was working with had a guy in the background a lot with not many clothes on🧐. Not good for concentration in a serious work call!
Hahaha. I thought it was hilarious. And we’ve all seen some of the zoom ‘incidents’ filmed during the pandemic I’m sure. Lol.
I put the Maiden on my TBR…seems like a winner for me? The falconry reminds me of Dr. Evan Wilding series by Barbara Nickless!
I don’t think The Maiden will win, it’s a good shot of being shortlisted though I dunno. I think there’s other books that hit more of the criteria more effectively, for me.
I felt the same but you need to finish the book to understand it. Once you get to the final page it all makes sense. There IS a point I promise😌
Which book are we talking about as I didn’t finish a few of them. Hahaha.
Have read a few of the long list. You have inspired me to read the book about suicide, having worked for the Samaritans for quite some time am curious how they deal with this sensitive topic.
She does it very deftly. Takes it seriously yet has a lightness of touch with it all. If that makes sense.
Thank you for sharing about the Ukraine mobile library fundraiser 🤍 Sending best wishes for your jam packed 10 days of reading! 📚
Hahahaha. Thank you. Almost at the end of those days… gulp!
I thought the bird place at 22.55 was your back garden for a second and I thought "gosh, they've had a bit of a revamp"
Hahahaha can you imagine!
I skipped straight to the part about The Maiden, I'm so glad you liked it better than the cover! I agree with the occasional tiny confusions, but overall I thought it was a very entertaining and delightfully gritty read. I'm not well read in prizes, so I don't really have an opinion on that, but as a regular mortal book enjoyer, I thought it was great.
I'm also halfway through Sociopath, on audio narrated by the author. Really enjoying that so far as well.
Ok I can watch the rest now! ^^ I heard there was falconry... goodness.
Oh yes there was falconry 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅
I thought that The Maiden was a fun romp. I like a historical novel and a historic novel based on fact… and a crime. Delicious. Is it something completely new in fiction now, it was a really good time though.
I'm conflicted by The Maiden I enjoyed it, a fun read BUT I felt it could have been set in anytime in the past it didn't feel it was set on the 17th century and that is a bit of a crime for an historical fiction book, also it does that things of creating characters who also aren't routed in their time but instead have a 21st century midset. I enjoyed but should it be on the Women's Prize Longlist? Is it the best peice of historical fiction published last year, I don't think so even though it was enjoyable. I also DNF'd Nightbloom on page 91 - I was just bored. You have definitely made me want to read Western Lane now, I too have been put off by the squash. I'm currently reading The Wren, The Wren and loving it.
I think with The Maiden being based on a true historical crime, I could sense the time period it was in… partly as there’s only so many historical periods you could be executed in in Scotland but I do know what you mean. Glad you’re loving The Wren The Wren!
I watched an interview with Maya Binyam which explained the storytelling style so I get that a bit more, but in the end I just couldn't connect to the characters and that made it a difficult read for me. I did finish it, and I saw the ending a mile away. How are the three cats getting along, Simon?
They’re doing ok. It’s baby steps. Can take 3 to 6 months and we’re only on month one. Hahaha. They’ve started to be in the same rooms sometimes now. Oh and with Hangman, again you shouldn’t need to see an author be interviewed to understand the book, yes and author interview can highlight all sorts but the book should be able to standalone.
@@SavidgeReads Yes good point. If you need a book explained to you it probably hasn't done its job.
I dnf'd Hangman early. I might try again IF it's shortlisted. Same with Blue, Beautiful World!
Same. Well. I dunno if I would head back to Blue, Beautiful World without reading the other two - I’m not sure that I would head to that trilogy though.
I’m currently listening to
Night Bloom
It’s very good so far.
I’ve liked all of the following that I’ve finished
Brotherless Night
Enter Ghost
Solider Sailor
The Wren The Wren
Ordinary Human Failings
The only disappointment was
Restless Dolly Maunder
I’ve tentatively started
And Then She Fell
The Maiden
The shortlist is April 24/25th? Not sure if I’ll have all the long list read by then.
🍀👋☘️🇮🇪☕️📕📖📚
I’m sooooo trying to have read them by the 24th. Ideally the 21st. I think I can do it. Maybe by the 23rd. Lol.
I'm reading Karen Lord, you are missing something, but my husband clued me in as he read it first and I'm farther along than you. I see what you mean about books in series, except books in series have also won other prizes, including the Pulitzer. I would be finished, but I started reading Lauren Groff's Florida (short stories), very good to read in the evening before bed, plus as a former Floridian, it is endlessly fascinating to me. Florida was weird in the nineteen-seventies too, but not as weird as Tim Dorsey books, with those lovable psychopaths Serge and Coleman. What's wrong with the word vibes? You could be even more dated with waves, a nod to the great Donald Sutherland, "stop with the negative waves Moriarity," in Kelly's Heroes, a fine movie.😊
I know books in series have won other prizes and each to their own, but as I said in the video the pressure on Hilary Mantel to win the booker for the third time with the third in that trilogy was too much. It’s not really fair on the author. Plus they’ve won it before. I know Karen hasn’t but I think when you’re up for a prize a book needs to be exceptional, that one isn’t. Lol.
@SavidgeReads I agree with you, if they ever do another printing, an author preface to catch the reader up would help, as I would had no idea what was happening in the beginning, if my husband had not told me. Enjoyed this long video over several days.📚
I think I'm one of the few people who actually liked Hangman. I feel like you need to finish to fully get it. It was very different from anything else I've read, so I understand that it won't work for everyone.
I didn’t hate it. I will quite possibly head back to it. For me a good book needs to have you from the start to the end, it can’t just be about the denouement, an author needs to get you there and in this case it wasn’t happening. For now, maybe not forever.
The cover of hangman does remind me of squid games
It has those vibes doesn’t it!
📚🇿🇦📖🇺🇦
📚🦅📚🦅
📚
📚
The writing style of Hangman was reminding me of Rachel Cusk's Outline series but didn't feel as developed or engaging for me. I also really enjoyed Western Lane! Defense of the Act is up next for me.
I can’t decide if Cusk is going to be an author I would like or absolutely dislike. I’ve heard so many different things about so many of her books. Hope In Defence of the Act had an impact on you like it did me!
@@SavidgeReads I'd be really curious to see what you think of Cusk. I enjoy her a lot, but I can very much she how she's not for everyone. In Defence of the Act definitely had an impact on me, tears at the end. I had trouble putting it down. So far our tastes have really aligned on these. I also rated The Wren The Wren highly.
📚📙📚
🦅📚🦅📚
First of all, thank you for relaunching Reader’s Journal. Secondly, Biscuit is surprisingly noncommittal about giving his opinions on books.
Hahahaha. He’s quite a quiet gentleman, unless he wants cuddles… or to annihilate the bin men. Lol.
🐈📚📚
📚📚🐈
Oscar sounds like a growling dog or was there a dog offscreen?
That was Biscuit growling at the bin lorry 🚛
@@SavidgeReads I think he's half dog. 😁
📔📕📖📗📘📙📚📓📖
🦅📚🦅📚
📚 📖 📕
🦅📚🦅📚
📕📘📗📙
📚🦅📚🦅