I’m sorry but with only a week to go until the Booker shortlist is announced, and with the last two books both read and reviewed, I could not resist posting them ahead of schedule. By all means, take your time in reading them. And don’t expect any new posts in the next week. I’m relying on people making comments to keep the blog timely.
I did enjoy reading all 13 longlist titles even if a few fell short of the mark in my opinion. I think this year’s jury did a very good job of producing a range of titles from different genres and points of view that made contemplating the longlist much more interesting than it was in the last couple of years. Both the shortlist and eventual winner decision will be most interesting.
I will post my own shortlist choices and predicted choices from the jury in a few days — in the meantime, comment is open to all. My thanks for those who have helped my own Booker challenge along already and I hope you have thoughts on these last two books.
KevinfromCanada 
September 1, 2009 at 10:06 pm |
I am glad that you were able to read all of the longlists books.
It’s good to hear that there were many types of novels nominated.
I’m looking forward to reading your shortlist.
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September 2, 2009 at 11:13 am |
Well done on crossing the finish line in reading this year’s longlist. I haven’t got far to go. If you had kept to your original schedule, I might even have beaten you!
I agree that both the selection of this year’s shortlist and eventual winner will be interesting. Its a year when we will definitely have to keep tabs on the throw away comments that judges typically make to glean the reasoning behind their decisions.
Reading the Booker longlist is always an interesting challenge. There are always going to be books that a given reader won’t enjoy. It certainly was the case with me for this year’s crop. However, I think there is something to be said for readers trying to read the longlist none the less.
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