I read all 13 books on The 2024 Booker Prize longlist. Here are my thoughts.

I read all 13 books on The Booker Prize longlist. Here are my thoughts. For the first time, I've read every book on longlist, and here I am reviewing The Booker Prize longlist, and ranking them. I hoped to get this video up before the shortlist was announced, but migraines and a busy life thwarted me, but this year was an interesting list and I'm glad I read and reviewed them all.

Books mentioned
Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
My Friends by Hisham Mattar
Held by Anne Michaels
Playground by Richard Powers
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
James by Percival Everett
This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud
The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden
Enlightenment by Sarah Perry
Wild Houses by Colin Barrett
Heatshot by Rita Bullwinkel

0:00 - Intro
0:04 - 13
1:53 - 12
3:41 - 11
5:21 - 10
7:18 - 9
9:01 - 8
10:46 - 7
12:44 - My Shortlist

[jacquelinemcmenamin]

I still can’t get my head around the fact that My Friends has not been shortlisted. It was my favourite of the 7 books I read from the long list.

[adamheskeylow]

The only book I read from the list was Headshot and after I finished, i felt there were parts I loved and parts I didn't know how to enjoy; but every review I watched was either extremely positive or didn't talk on the parts I wasn't sure about. you're review really helped me articulate what those things were, I love how you point out both positive and negative parts of a book! very well-articulated and introspective

[rebareads]

Wow! I’m impressed! Your explanations were fantastic, I’ve added a few to the list that sound like they’d be right for me!

[therandomfriend]

I DNFed Enlightenment in the spring, which tracks because I have a long history of not enjoying Booker titles to the point where if I know a title has been listed, I don't even bother with it. But I read My Friends when it was released back in January because I love exile themes in literature. It's my favourite book I've read all year. I was thrilled to see it had been longlisted just because it meant it would get much deserved eyes on it.

[EllenFelicity]

I really enjoyed your reviews, have just subscribed. I've read roughly half and Stone Yard is my favourite but My Friends is also up there (I haven't read James yet, and think The Safekeep will also be up my street). Everyone's already said it but, the omission of my friends surprised me a lot. I expected one of the floaty ruminating books to make the shortlist, but not two

[markhnk]

I enjoyed this video. Thank you! Three of your top four books were my top three (My Friends, James, and Stone Yard Devotional), and I really appreciate that you mentioned some of the problems with The Safekeep. I think it's the most overrated book on the longlist, and I was quite surprised to see it on the shortlist. I hate to say this, but it feels like a book an AI could have written.

[foxedfolios]

Brilliant summary and thoughts - probably because I concur to a shockingly similar degree!
I have not finished the list, but we share a top 4 (same books and placements). I DNF the Messud and the Harvey. Life’s too short. 😴😴
Currently reading the Michaels and the Kushner. I despised Kusher’s Mars Room and Flamethrowers, but this one has me intrigued to keep reading at least.
How My Friends didn’t at least make the shortlist is mind-blowing.
Thanks for sharing yours thoughts. 👍

[artsbooksplaces]

I don’t mean this as a criticism but do you read from a script? I love your videos but sometimes I feel like they lack like a natural flow. Potentially it’s just I’m used to listening to a different rhythm of speaking!