Predicting the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

Because I'm a glutton for getting things wrong, here's my shot at predicting the unpredictable: the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction!

In this video I tell you about the rules (including some surprising things I discovered reading them) plus I run through the 6 books I think could be in with a shot.

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00:00 Is the Pulitzer intimidating?
01:36 The rules (and interesting things I learned)
04:29 My predictions
11:17 Looking ahead

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#booktube #pulitzer #reading

[SupposedlyFun]

I had so much fun watching someone else discuss the Pulitzer Prize. Well done! I think the recent banking collapses in the US are making it even more inevitable that Trust will be the winner. I didn't include True Biz or Mercy Street in my predictions, but there's a strong case for both. But of course, my heart belongs to Demon Copperhead.

[catdancerskaleidoscopeofbo]

I'm going to throw out Don't Cry For Me by Daniel Black as me shot in the dark. I don't know if it is really a Pulitzer book, but it is my top book I have read in 2023 and it was published in 2022.

[TheLeniverse]

I've read True Biz. It was very interesting, and contained pictures of signs and a lot of background info. The reader gets to learn along with the main character. I was made aware of things that had never occurred to me, like that there's a big controversy around cochlear implants. Unfortunately I thought the ending was weak, and maybe I liked the public information service aspects more than the plot itself.

[ht]

Thanks, Ben! Do more predictions videos! Also predicting Trust. Just feels right to me, but I know how fickle the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction can be. I was badly burned last year picking Love Songs, but this is still my favorite literary awards prize. So few around here try to predict it, and I'm surprised that you did! Kudos, good sir!

[BooklyWookly]

Holy wow, Ben! What a prediction! Congratulations.

[dqan]

I'd like to think it is between Copperhead and Trust. Night of the Living Rez or Horse would make an interesting contender. I could even see them awarding Everett's Dr. No. I liked your list. I'd forgotten all about some of them.

[spexi]

Supposedly Fun = 📖 🪱 💚; it’s always satisfying when a favorite book tuber shouts out another favorite 🥰📖🥰

[jonnie]

So is this a sign that we are getting a Ben Reads with Wine reading vlog 👀

I am obsessed with True Biz. It’s the best book I read last year. I learned so much about the deaf community and language as a whole. I was so impressed with how Novic handled deaf culture, race and AAVE.

[lorrainefoord]

Thanks Ben, I really enjoy the way you talk about books. Like so many, I'm finding Demon Copperhead brilliant, and an earlier viewer mentioned Horse by Geraldine Brooks - I found that one brilliant also!

[jenniferlovesbooks]

I just picked up Trust from the library yesterday. I've been interested to read it since Booker but couldn't get a library copy until now. I tend to like books in books and changing perspectives so I'm hoping that I like it although I've heard some mixed reviews 😊

[GemofBooks]

Mercy Street was not in my radar, but I feel like I really need to read it!

I would love Demon Copperhead to win. Such an outstanding novel.

[merrilywereadalong]

🤣 yeah we're on the same page. I don't know who Hernan Diaz pissed off in the UK but they really extracting sabotage on him with those atrocious covers lol (I shipped mine from the States bc I just couldn't look at that cover on my shelf hahah)

I think it's gotta be Demon Copperhead hands down. But I'd truthfully be happy with any of these choices. Excited for your reading vlog!! I hope you enjoy!
also If I Survive You is fantastic if you read it!

(And more wine videos please!! 🍷🍷🍷)

[athertonca]

Predicting the Pulitzer for Fiction is a bit like guessing the number a person is thinking of. I think the clear winner is Demon Copperhead. My finalists would be Trust and Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro.

[mradcaqbdb]

Mercy Street sounds interesting. Just put the audiobook on my wishlist at the library.

The Pulitzer is a weird one. I can’t really get behind keeping the shortlist to themselves until the winner is announced. And they also do things like last year; three virtually unknown books sent to the board. 🤷‍♀️ Some people like their style.

[christelvanzyl]

Halfway through Demon Copperhead and IT IS GOOD.

[KierTheScrivener]

My main thought is white wine? When, red is right there 😂

Trust is one of my favourite books of last year as well. True Biz on my list to read. I'm thankful that disabled authors are getting more representation as time goes on.

I doubt it will make it but I'm gunning for Don't Cry For Me by Daniel Black.

[Ruby-jmno]

I loved the Netanyahus from last year and came out of nowhere for me, so I am hoping it’s another surprise for me

[lindaharrison]

OK, just my opinion but here it is: the Pulitzer winner has to be literary enough to capture the praise of literary readers but commercial enough that any fiction reader can pick it up and enjoy it. Take 2 circles, one filled with literary reads and one filled with commercial reads. Where the 2 overlap you have your chances for the Pulitzer.

[lauracorsi]

I tend not to get along with Pulitzer Prize Winners. I can count on one hand the number of PPW's I have enjoyed. If i find a book insufferable and overly pleased with itself then I will predict it for the Pulitzer. (sorry, not sorry) For this reason, I do not think Demon Copperhead will win it since I love that one. I am thinking it will be Trust by Hernan Diaz but you never know. Afterall, last year it was a very obscure book that almost no one had ever heard of or talked about.

[qinlkpah]

That cover of the Trust paperback is terrible and has nothing to do with the book. In the Distance is one of my all-time favourites.