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#Bookerprize
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DHill
In Ascension | Martin MacInnes
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Because no one goes to B&N to browse. I did only get one this time, so…

#bookbuy #BookerPrize

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Deblovestoread
The Safekeep | Yael van der Wouden
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Pickpick

#BookerPrize

The first third was fine but I wasn‘t convinced that it would turn into something remarkable. Glad I stuck with it because it surprised me. I won‘t say more except read it.

That makes 6 read with 2 started and paused. I‘ll go back to them if they get shortlisted. Waiting on Wild Houses hold and my copy of Stone Yard to arrive. Didn‘t get as far into the longlist as I wanted but looking forward to tomorrow‘s announcement.

squirrelbrain Glad you persevered! 2mo
BarbaraBB Any favorites so far? 2mo
Deblovestoread @barbarabb James, Safekeep and My Friends are my favorites of the 6. 2mo
BarbaraBB I hope those three make the shortlist too! 2mo
57 likes4 comments
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BarbaraBB
The Searcher | Tana French
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#WeeklyForecast 35/24

I am reading a short story collection by Roddy Doyle, whom I have a weak spot for ever since the 80s.
I also started The Searcher, which is slow burning but interesting.
For the #Bookerprize my next read will be My Friends. I have read The Return by this author, which was just a so-so for me, but this new one gets good reviews so I am eager to find out what I‘ll think of it.

squirrelbrain I think you‘ll like My Friends! 🤞 3mo
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I‘ll keep you posted 🤍 3mo
60 likes2 comments
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JenP
Orbital | Samantha Harvey
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So far, I‘m quite liking this one. #bookerprize

BarbaraBB That‘s good! 3mo
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
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BarbaraBB
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Thanks to the #Bookerprize, the #ToB and the #1001books list I‘ve read a lot of them yet I do think it‘s too America focused. I do love American fiction, but I‘d expected a more international list.

Amiable Good point! 4mo
TrishB Agreed! But well done. 4mo
Ruthiella Yup! So many I‘ve read because they were in a list or part of a challenge. 4mo
See All 8 Comments
staci.reads Impressive! 4mo
vlwelser I think you're probably the winner. 4mo
vivastory 53! Very impressive 4mo
Megabooks Wow! You definitely have me beat! 4mo
Suet624 Fantastic. 4mo
73 likes8 comments
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squirrelbrain
Man Booker Prize | Frederic P Miller, Agnes F Vandome, John McBrewster
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Here‘s my own shortlist for the #bookerprize, in order of favourites.

I‘m cheating a bit by having TWO lists as, whilst these are my faves, I don‘t think they‘ll all make the list.

Bird-Hearts, In Ascension and Prophet Song should make the list. Study for Obedience will be on there because I hated it (!). And I think This Other Eden and Western Lane are more Booker-y than some of those above.

Looking forward to the *actual* list tomorrow!

BarbaraBB You make me curious about In Ascension! I have my copy ready! We have many shared favorites but I agree they probably won‘t all make the shortlist. I am almost sure This Other Eden and Obedience will be on it… unfortunately! 14mo
JamieArc I‘ve only read 3 Longlist books, but looking forward to seeing the shortlist so I can determine what‘s next. Hoping for Little Birds and the Eng book, which doesn‘t come out in the US til mid October anyway. 14mo
Cinfhen I watched a few BookTubers today and they seem to be all over the place with likes and dislikes so who knows what tomorrow will bring🤷🏼‍♀️Hopefully it‘s not a total bust 14mo
See All 41 Comments
AnneCecilie I‘ve haven‘t read many from this year‘s longlist, but I will be very happy if The House of Doors make it. I bailed on This Other Eden and have hardly seen any positive reviews of Obedience so won‘t rush to read that. 14mo
squirrelbrain I‘d love House of Doors to make it @JamieArc @AnneCecilie , but I‘m just not sure it‘s ‘Booker‘ enough. Ie it‘s not that weird! 🤣 14mo
squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB - In Ascension seems like the right mix of slightly weird and a great storyline. (To me anyway, others have found it boring!) 14mo
squirrelbrain @Cinfhen - I‘m sure it will be the exact opposite of what I think! 🤣 14mo
BarbaraBB I have high hopes! 14mo
Cinfhen Definitely makes for an exciting announcement!!!! 14mo
TrishB I also may bring The House of Doors to Gladstone‘s 😁 14mo
squirrelbrain I think you‘ll like it @TrishB 14mo
sarahbarnes I‘m happy to see your shortlist! 14mo
jlhammar Great to see your faves! Excited for the shortlist announcement. 14mo
Cinfhen Is Gladstone‘s this weekend?? @TrishB I REALLY want to join one day- lmk your next meetup!!! 14mo
squirrelbrain @Cinfhen - it‘s a week today! We‘ll probably book next years dates before we leave. It‘s likely to be a similar time next year but we‘ll let you know for sure! @TrishB 14mo
Cinfhen Yay!!!! I hope it works out 🙏🏼 14mo
TrishB @Cinfhen that would be cool 😁 I‘m so excited about next week! 14mo
Cinfhen Maybe @BarbaraBB could join too!!! #GladstoneRetreat @TrishB 14mo
TrishB @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB even better! Barbara - they fly Amsterdam to Liverpool 😁 14mo
BarbaraBB @TrishB @squirrelbrain @Cinfhen That would be so fantastic! Let me know the dates and see if we can make this work 🤞🏽🤞🏽😘 and yes Trish I‘d fly to Liverpool! Love to see it! (edited) 14mo
Cinfhen I‘m dying to visit Liverpool too @BarbaraBB @TrishB 14mo
squirrelbrain Ooh ooh @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB - that would be so exciting! 🎉🎉🎉 14mo
Cinfhen Right… it would be AWESOME @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain 14mo
BarbaraBB Let‘s really consider this! @Cinfhen @squirrelbrain @TrishB 14mo
Cinfhen @BarbaraBB @TrishB @squirrelbrain when do you think your next meet up might be? Winter time or Spring? 14mo
squirrelbrain @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB @TrishB - probably the same time next year, but we‘ll let you know once we‘ve decided. 😃 14mo
Cinfhen Ok - thanks @squirrelbrain for some reason I thought you guys meet twice a year 🤪 14mo
squirrelbrain Gladstone‘s is once a year @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB @TrishB but of course we can do something else at a different time of year / different place if it suits you guys better. #litsymeetup in Amsterdam?! 😃 (edited) 14mo
TrishB Now you‘re talking Helen 😁 @BarbaraBB @Cinfhen you‘ll probably have a whole years notice to plan! 14mo
Cinfhen Hahaha @TrishB @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain - Helen…we‘ll let you and Trish discuss next week where & when our international meetup should take place! 14mo
Cinfhen Also, the shortlist is AWFUL! 14mo
squirrelbrain Yep, terrible! @cinfhen Although my guess at what would make the list (rather than what I liked) wasn‘t that bad! 14mo
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen @Squirrel super frustrated by the shortlist. And yes Helen, you and @trishb discuss it next week. Amsterdam is fine of course, you‘re very welcome but man, I‘d love to see Liverpool 😂 14mo
squirrelbrain Maybe a Northern England tour?! We could do Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and York. @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB @TrishB 14mo
BarbaraBB Is that including Gladstone? It would be great to combine it all! 14mo
squirrelbrain @BarbaraBB - we could include Gladstone‘s too! 14mo
quietlycuriouskate I've concluded I would much rather read the Squirrel Prize Shortlist than the Booker Prize one. 14mo
ClairesReads What did you think of the Shortlist in the end? 14mo
squirrelbrain @ClairesReads - I really didn‘t like it; mainly (4) my least favourite books! What did you think? 14mo
squirrelbrain Lol @quietlycuriouskate - maybe I should launch my own annual prize! 14mo
64 likes41 comments
review
TheKidUpstairs
Old God's Time: A Novel | Sebastian Barry
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Pickpick

Stream of consciousness style combined with an unreliable narrator means this one takes focus so you don't miss the needles of truth. But if you're ready for a book that will leave a heavy emotional weight on your heart, it's worth taking time with. It is hard and filled with grief, but it is beautifully wrought.

CW: physical and sexual abuse of children

#BookerPrizeLonglist #BookerPrize #Booker2023

(Brilliant cover design by David Litman)

BarbaraBB Great review. I‘ll get too it soon. Are you planning on reading the whole longlist? 1y
TheKidUpstairs @BarbaraBB I'm planning to read as many as I can. A lot of them haven't been published in Canada yet, but I'll read the ones I can get my hands on! Are you reading the list? 1y
BarbaraBB Yes I try too. @squirrelbrain and @BookwormM are as well. We tag each other in our reviews. Shall we tag you too? 1y
See All 6 Comments
TheKidUpstairs @BarbaraBB yes please! I'll start tagging the three of you as well 😁 1y
BarbaraBB 🙌🏽 1y
squirrelbrain I found that I really needed to concentrate on this one too. 1y
61 likes6 comments
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BarbaraBB
The Hiding Place | Trezza Azzopardi
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#WeeklyForecast 19/23

I am trying to read an #InternationalBooker shortlisted book a week and am now in the middle of Time Shelter. Afterwards I‘ll read some oldies off my TBR before I dive into my new books for #CampToB23.
The tagged one was shortlisted for the #BookerPrize years ago, a #Persephone just because and The Mandibles because I love Shriver!

LeeRHarry Will be interested to hear your thoughts on the tagged book - it has been on my radar for a while now as it‘s set in Cardiff and my family is from South Wales. 😊 2y
Cinfhen I‘ve been curious about the tagged book too @LeeRHarry (Time Shelter) and as much as I LOVE Shriver I could not get into (edited) 2y
TrishB Have a good week 👍🏻 2y
See All 15 Comments
JenniferP I've also had The Hiding Place on my shelf for a long time! Curious to see how you like it. 2y
BarbaraBB @LeeRHarry @JenniferP I‘ll make sure to tag you in my review of 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I am reading The Mandibles on audio and print and I feel the same so far! (edited) 2y
BarbaraBB @TrishB Thanks! You too, with The Ferryman! 2y
Suet624 Shriver certainly has some misses amidst her fascinating ones. Some I struggle with but remember for years. I don‘t think I‘ve read the one you‘re reading though. 2y
LeahBergen I want to read that Persephone, too. 👍 2y
BarbaraBB @Suet624 It‘s all about money and an dystopian final crisis. If that doesn‘t ring a bell you probably haven‘t! 2y
BarbaraBB @LeahBergen You haven‘t yet? That doesn‘t happen often! 2y
LeahBergen 😂😂 Well, at this point I think my number of owned Persephones is higher than my number read! 2y
Suet624 @BarbaraBB oh dear. I definitely shouldn‘t read that right now. 🤪 2y
BarbaraBB @Suet624 I wouldn‘t 🩵 2y
BarbaraBB @LeahBergen that says a lot about your collection 🥰🥰 2y
65 likes15 comments
review
BarbaraBB
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida | Shehan Karunatilaka
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Pickpick

I did it, I finished this book and I am glad I gave it another try. It is really good.

A Sri Lankan photographer dies and has a week (seven moons) to try come at peace with his life and his death in wartorn Sri Lanka. A typical #Bookerprize winner, and a worthy one.

With this one I finished the #ToB23 shortlist (bailing on two). I‘ll share my wrap-up soon.

See All 21 Comments
Suet624 Fantastic!!! 2y
Chelsea.Poole Wonderful! I‘m listening to this one next. It‘s my last for the shortlist! Glad to see it worked for you. I now have hope 😊 (edited) 2y
squirrelbrain Glad it worked out for you second time around! Looking forward to seeing your wrap-up. 2y
Liz_M Impressive, reading (as much as you could) the entire shortlist! 2y
jlhammar Woo-hoo, good work! 2y
Megabooks Fantastic!! Looking forward to your wrap up. I found this good as well, if a bit over complicated. 2y
sarahbarnes Yay! I‘m so glad you liked it! And congrats on finishing all but two. 📚 2y
Hooked_on_books Hooray! And great that you liked your final read. I liked this one, too, and I didn‘t expect to. 2y
Cortg I‘m glad you went back to it and enjoyed it! 2y
BarbaraBB @Suet624 @Chelsea.Poole @squirrelbrain @Liz_M @jlhammar @Megabooks @sarahbarnes @Hooked_on_books @Cortg Thanks all 🤍 It always feel so satisfying when I finish a book I put away at first! 2y
Librarybelle I love this cover! #covercrush 2y
Cinfhen Love the photo of your dad 😘 and now I‘m disappointed I didn‘t give this book another chance #FoMo maybe I‘ll try this one on audio and see if I have better luck. I‘m also hoping to try again with 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen You noticed ❤️😘 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen You should try My Volcano again. I am sure you‘ll like it - though that is not the right word. This one I am not so sure about 2y
Cinfhen How could I not??? He‘s ADORABLE ☺️ His face lights up the entire page xxxx 2y
batsy Well done on finishing the list! 🙌🏾 And it's great to end on a high note. 2y
BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Thank you 💕 I am in our beach house, his favorite place to be. It feels good to have him watching what we‘re up to when we‘re here! 2y
Cinfhen I get that 🥰 2y
95 likes1 stack add21 comments
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AnneCecilie
Among the Shadows | L. M. Montgomery
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#WeeklyForecast

Continue buddy reading Northanger Abbey #PemberLittens. I‘ve been reading the tagged through the Gutenberg project and there seems to be 7 stories they don‘t have, so I‘ll see if I can read them somewhere else or if I missed them the first time.

I‘ve just started the newest Department Q book by Adler-Olsen and want to finish that. Afterwards I want to read First Class Murder. I hope I will be able to start The Seven Moons

AnneCecilie Some of these books are on the longer side so I‘ll see how it goes 2y
Cinfhen I couldn‘t get into Seven Moons but it seems to be the favorite of many for the #BookerPrize 2y
56 likes2 comments