Booker List 2023 anyone?

[Anonymous]

Anyone else planning to read this and pick their own winner?

https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/prize-years/2023

I've just splurged (with the help of a gift card) and ordered the entire long list.

[Anonymous]

The Booker Prize tends to award art books—I generally try to avoid them. Quiet, contemplative, or nonlinear stories. But hats off to you for ordering the whole list! Let us know your favorites.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Booker Prize tends to award art books—I generally try to avoid them. Quiet, contemplative, or nonlinear stories. But hats off to you for ordering the whole list! Let us know your favorites.

I am the OP. I kind of agree with you, I never particularly like the WINNERS but I love some of those on the long list and shortlist. Last year's Audrey MaGee book, The Colony was phenomenal and it definitely wasn't an art book without a chronological narrative, though it was about a artist visiting a remote part of Ireland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Booker Prize tends to award art books—I generally try to avoid them. Quiet, contemplative, or nonlinear stories. But hats off to you for ordering the whole list! Let us know your favorites.

I am the OP. I kind of agree with you, I never particularly like the WINNERS but I love some of those on the long list and shortlist. Last year's Audrey MaGee book, The Colony was phenomenal and it definitely wasn't an art book without a chronological narrative, though it was about a artist visiting a remote part of Ireland.

Ohh, I’ll check it out. Thank you for the suggestion!

[Anonymous]

I've always Booker listed books tough to get through. But OP, I am excited for this new spin where you will read so we don't have to

[Anonymous]

I try to read the Man Booker short list every year. Usually I find about half the books too weird and experimental for my liking, and half really good. Good luck OP, let us know your thoughts.

[Anonymous]

I always find a couple books I enjoy from the Booker long list, but I wait to hear from book reviewers that I follow and have similar taste to mine. For newly published books, I tend to read mainly books by women and the Booker list us usually pretty pathetic in the respect. I do love the Women’s Prize for fiction.

I did LOVE The Colony last year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always Booker listed books tough to get through. But OP, I am excited for this new spin where you will read so we don't have to

I will be sure to come back with my recommendations!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always find a couple books I enjoy from the Booker long list, but I wait to hear from book reviewers that I follow and have similar taste to mine. For newly published books, I tend to read mainly books by women and the Booker list us usually pretty pathetic in the respect. I do love the Women’s Prize for fiction.

I did LOVE The Colony last year.

Oh yes the Women's prize. I discovered Helen Dunmore through that one.

[Anonymous]

The Booker list used to signal a guaranteed good read to me, but not anymore. The picks of the last few years seem motivated more by politics than artistry. It’s sad and frustrating.

[Anonymous]

The only one I've read is Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry, which is one of the best books I've ever read. I plan on reading How to Build a Boat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Booker list used to signal a guaranteed good read to me, but not anymore. The picks of the last few years seem motivated more by politics than artistry. It’s sad and frustrating.

Op here.I think you're right. I see exactly that, ever time now - but I do find really good ones amongst the overall list, even if they aren't the politically correct choice that ultimately wins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only one I've read is Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry, which is one of the best books I've ever read. I plan on reading How to Build a Boat.

My copy hasn't arrived yet. Will you start a thread on this one, when you've read it?

[Anonymous]

My people!!!

I find so many of these picks have become about being deep and "important." It's not for me. Even some of the genre-based awards seem to be going for more avant-garde picks lately.

[Anonymous]

Great idea. I'd wait for the finalists though -- I'm a low reader these days and tend to prefer American authors.