On the #Booker2023 longlist
I've been reading the longlists since 2019 and this was a really good year in that small window. I gave five stars to four different books. I really liked that there was a lot of value given to poetic prose, not purple, but poetic and rhythmic, often personal and always generating reflection. Many of the authors are also published poets, and it shows.
I finished last week. My personal rankings are in the comments
pickThis was a quick dystopian story. The Edmonton landmarks were cool. Lots to discuss for a bookclub. Will read more
pickI think these stories are perfect. Gamache and Beauvoir and Lacoste must solve another murder in Three pines. All the characters are there - Clara and Peter, Ruth, Myrna, Gabri and Olivier. The woman murdered, Madeleine, seems perfect, loved who would want to put out her star?? Gamache's past (the Arnot case) is still a problem. ⬇️
1. Tag a favorite mystery you‘ve read
Louise Penny is fan-freaking-tastic. I still think about this one.
2.What‘s your favorite way to prepare eggs?
Scramble them & add to sautéed scallions in the pan, then don‘t touch them When they‘re halfway cooked throw a buttered tortilla on top, then flip the whole thing over til the eggs are cooked & the tortilla‘s toasted. Roll it up and eat. Mmmmmmmm.
#nationaleggmonthchallenge
@WildAlaskaBibliophile
so-soThis started out so strong&then… the plot is like a bouncy ball,the characters actions don‘t really make sense except Annie/Anne maybe.Why does Mitch leave the love of his life to work in an indigenous community?Why does Grace act unprofessionally& why do Annie‘s parents not sue her?What is going on btw Grace&Mitch?I guess the underlying theme is:can we support one another,trust&let someone in?hence the title Inside?but I don‘t know.Not4me.
THE THIRD MAGIC was a huge deal for me when I was a kid. I paid SERIOUS MONEY for it at the Book Market (we‘re taking $1.75, compared to
The view from Crescent Street in Montreal.
1. Study for Obedience** by Sarah Bernstein (Canada)
2. Prophet Song** by Paul Lynch (Ireland)
3. In Ascension* by Martin Macinness (Scotland)
4. Western Lane** by Chetna Maroo (England - Kenya-born British Indian) 1d
5. The House of Doors* by Tan Twan Eng (Malaysia)
6. All the Little Bird-Hearts* by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow (England)
7. How to Build a Boat** by Elaine Feeney (Ireland)
8. Pearl** by Siân Hughes (Wales) 1d
9. This Other Eden** by Paul Harding (USA)
10. A Spell of Good Things by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ (Nigeria)
11. Old God's Time* by Sebastian Barry (Ireland)
Good, but mixed - YMMV
12. The Bee Sting by Paul Murray (Ireland)
13. If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery (USA - Jamaican descent) (edited) 1d
** means I thought the prose was poetic in spirit 1d