I can hardly believe I’ve been blogging for a decade. It seems like no time ago that I started this site on a whim early in my freelance career, soon after my main online publication folded and my brother-in-law died. This is now my 1,486th blog post (so close to that 1,500 milestone!), which means I average 12 posts a month. Between reviews, challenges, memes, book lists, and prize reactions, I maintain a very active blog. I’ve long since stopped caring about numbers of views and likes; I’ll never be a top influencer but I offer quality, thoughtful content for those who are similarly serious about books. The blog has also become a place where I can write about personal things in response to losses and other life changes.
I’m pleased that my blog anniversary happens to coincide with International Women’s Day, around when the Women’s Prize and Carol Shields Prize longlists are announced. I don’t plan to shadow either prize in a concerted way, partly because I’m too busy with reading debut novels in my role as a McKitterick Prize judge, but there are some books that appeal.
Women’s Prize Longlist
Read
- The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
- Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
- The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
Reading
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie- All Fours by Miranda July
Already Wanted to Read
- Birding by Rose Ruane – For the cover if nothing else (it made my Cover Love post last year)
- The Artist by Lucy Steeds – Susan of A life in books rates it highly: see her review.
Unsure
- A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike – The premise is reasonably appealing (an orphan who pretends to be an angel) but I am very much not keen on medieval settings. I’ll wait and see if it’s shortlisted.
Decided Against
- Crooked Seeds by Karen Jennings – I read the Booker-longlisted An Island and it was fine but I don’t need to try anything else by her.
- Nesting by Roisín O’Donnell – 400 pages on an Irish domestic violence situation sounds like A Lot. Reviews have been very favourable, saying it’s as pacey as a thriller. Again, I’ll wait to see if it’s shortlisted.
Not Interested (for now)
- Good Girl by Aria Aber
- Somewhere Else by Jenni Daiches
- Amma by Saraid de Silva (but well done to Weatherglass Books!)
- The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
- The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji
- Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
The blurbs for these don’t attract me, but I’d be willing to change my mind if I see an enthusiastic review or two.
[Shortlist: 2 April; winner: 12 June]
Stab-in-the-dark shortlist predictions: Good Girl, Dream Count, The Dream Hotel, Nesting, The Artist, Tell Me Everything
Carol Shields Prize Longlist
Read
- Liars by Sarah Manguso
DNF
- Cicada Summer by Erica McKeen – I read the first 15% last summer. In 2020, Husha has recently lost her mother and is locked down with her grandfather at his Ontario lake house. I recall that the prose was vague and somewhat obnoxiously poetic.
Reading
- All Fours by Miranda July – The only overlap with the WP. I don’t think that, as happened last year, the repeated title will be the winner. It’s too offbeat and divisive.
Want to Read
- The Hearing Test by Eliza Barry Callahan – Novella-length autofiction about adapting to disability.
- Curiosities by Anne Fleming – A historian becomes obsessed with the story told by five 17th-century manuscripts. Sounds like a queer Possession with a dash of North Woods.
- Pale Shadows by Dominique Fortier, translated by Rhonda Mullins – A Québécois author takes on the legacy of Emily Dickinson via the three women who first brought her poetry into print.
- Obligations to the Wounded by Mubanga Kalimamukwento – Linked short stories about Zambians and Zambian émigrés.
Unsure
- Bear by Julia Phillips – After reading Bear by Marian Engel, I don’t think I need any more bear legend-inspired romances in my life. (I already discounted Eowyn Ivey’s latest.)
- Kin: Practically True Stories by V Efua Prince – I’ve had good luck with other books from Wayne State University Press’ Made in Michigan series but can’t quite work out what this would be like.
- Everything Flirts: Philosophical Romances by Sharon Wahl – Could be intriguing; could be pretentious. At least it’s only novella length. All I can do is try an excerpt.
Not Interested (for now)
- Naniki by Oonya Kempadoo – Someone on Goodreads described this as being like spoken word at a sci-fi convention.
- Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner – I wasn’t keen when it was shortlisted for the Booker, and I haven’t changed my mind.
- River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure – Ditto but from last year’s WP list.
- Code Noir by Canisia Lubrin – Normally I like linked short stories but a 400+ page count and the heavy subject matter of slavery regulations sound overwhelming.
- Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi – I struggle with fantasy at the best of times.
[Shortlist: 3 April; winner: 1 May]
Last year Laura T. and I covered most of the longlist between us and really enjoyed the project. (Marcie of Buried in Print also reviewed a lot of the longlist later in the year.) This year we’ll reassess at the shortlist stage and maybe request a few review copies from the publicist. See Laura’s prize longlist reactions here.
Stab-in-the-dark shortlist predictions: Curiosities, Obligations to the Wounded, Creation Lake, Code Noir, Masquerade
What have you read, or might you read, from these longlists?
Bookish Beck = Rebecca Foster. American transplant to England. Freelance proofreader and book reviewer.
Bookish Beck 
Congratulations! As you say, your anniversary falls on a very propitious day. Meanwhile, your reading. As ever I’ve hardly read a thing from here yet, but I agree with Susan, the Lucy Steeds will undoubtedly be one of my Books of 2025.
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Thank you! Do any books from the longlists jump out at you as musts? I hope my library system will acquire The Artist so I can read that one soon.
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I think the Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the one that leaps out at me. I haven’t really got as afr as a wish list yet though.
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Happy bookish birthday!
Will look forward to your thoughts on All Fours. I LOVED it and have had so many conversations with others about it, but realise that it’s a book that will divide people.
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Thanks! I actually read 2/3 of it by January, I think, and left off right as something is about to happen between her and the older woman. I think I was waiting for a more opportune reading time, trying to steel myself for something intense, but instead I just forgot about it. I will get back into it soon.
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Congratulations! I knew I started this blog in 2015 as well but I never celebrate the anniversary so I had to look it up – it’s 24th May. Really interesting to hear your thoughts on these longlists, and I hope the McKitterick reading is going well.
I just discussed The Ministry of Time with the Social History journal book group and my feelings have shifted from being intensely mixed to… being intensely mixed for different reasons 🙂 I do think it deserves its spot on the WP longlist, though.
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Ah, but you had a previous blog, so you are a more venerable blogger than me 🙂
The Ministry of Time has ended up being the book from last year that I’ve recommended most widely and heard others from different walks of life (so people I don’t normally discuss books with) talking about the most.
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It caused intense discussion at the Social History group. What I found interesting was that many people had felt compelled to read it twice, even those who had big issues with it. I’ll share the link to our discussion when it’s published in the journal. Personally, I just wish she had axed the time travel twists at the end and focused on the central premise.
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[…] See Rebecca’s thoughts on both longlists here. […]
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Happy anniversary/birthday! I’ve read All Fours and loved it!
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Thanks! It’s certainly not dull. I read a Guardian headline about women who have ditched their lives after reading it. Not many books can have such an impact.
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Thanks for the link, Rebecca, and congratulations! I’m always pleased to see a post from you in my Reader.
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Thank you, that’s very kind of you 🙂
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Congratulations on blogging for ten years! I also blog because it’s the best way I’ve found to discover the good reads and thoughtful writers. Thank you.
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I love the online bookish community I’ve found, a great supplement to my in-person ones.
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I loved The Persians and found a lot to like about Fundamentally, if that helps! Those are the only two I’ve read. And happy blogiversary!
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I missed that you’d read The Persians. Laura and Susan are keen on that one, so I’ll see if they review it as well. Fingers crossed my library will buy it.
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Happy anniversary!
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Thank you!
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[…] The blog post – do go and wish Rebecca a happy 10th blog birthday! It feels like she’s been part of the blogosphere for even longer, and we’re lucky to […]
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Happy 10th to BookishBeck!! You have created a really impressive amount of material on your blog over the years, and you’re still going strong!
The books I am most likely to read from these lists are Curiosities and Pale Shadows. I still haven’t read Paper Houses, though, and feel like I should read that one first. Maybe Marcie will be able to weigh in on that… I think she’s read it, and I imagine is also planning to read Pale Shadows.
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Those two sound terrific. I love literary/biographical type of themes in novels. The CSP is a good excuse for me to get hold of Canadian fiction from the publicist.
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True! 🙂
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I haven’t read any of them, I’m so behind on my current reading! But congratulations on your anniversary!
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I’m sure some of them will make it onto your stacks eventually.
Thanks! How long have you been blogging?
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13 years. It’s pretty incredible, isn’t it? My anniversary was in January.
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That’s awesome, congratulations!
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Congratulations on your 10 years!
I’m nt paying too much attention to prizes these days, but I’d like to try The Ministry of Time
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Thank you! That novel has many admirers, not least Barack Obama 😉
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I’ll make up for you on the Bear kick… I’ve read Engel and Ivey and will shortly read another -Bear Season by Gemma Fairclough. I’d read the Julia Philips if I find a copy.
Happy blog birthday too ! Here’s to many more years.
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Enjoy — it’s fun to go on little thematic kicks like that.
You’re one of the pioneers!
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I’ll be interested to hear what you think of The Hearing Test, if you get to it. I read it as a potential comp for my WIP but found it odd, repetitive, and lacking story elements (like plot). Felt very much stream of consciousness MFA passion project, though I really wanted to like it, knowing that it’s somewhat autobiographical. And it felt long, despite its short length. Maybe I was just in a mood?
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I tend to like such autofiction, especially with a disability theme. But we shall see! It does risk being indulgent. (I thought your WIP was WWII Finland?)
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I think I wished it was memoir, but then I’m on a memoir kick. You have a good memory, my WIP is a dual timeline: story of a grandmother in WWII Finland and granddaughter in 1980s Ohio. One loses her family, the other her hearing, and both find their voices again through song. Something like that–though it’s on the back burner now, since I’m co-editing an anthology of dance essays. (I’m a Gemini who has trouble staying in one lane!) Hope you’re well, Rebecca!
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That sounds fascinating! I’m sure it’s common for writers to have multiple projects on the go. Progress in one can fuel your energy to work on the other and vice versa.
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Well, actually, now I want to check out Naniki…! Haha. Curiosities is the one that appeals most from the CSP (additionally spurred by your great description). On the WP list, I love a medieval setting and have had my eye on A Little Trickerie for a while; I wanted to read Fundamentally but didn’t get approved for a copy and reviews since then have suggested it’s wildly unbalanced; in general I strongly suspect it’s Adichie’s prize to lose (which is possible if Dream Count is really weak but she’s done so well with the WP before and I bet they’ll want to reward her after 12 years without publishing any fiction).
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Oh, and—durrr—happy blogiversary! We’re so lucky to have you reading and writing in this little community. Long may it continue.
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Thank you! I can’t imagine a life without blogging in it. You’ve been going at least as long??
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September of 2013 for this blog, although it didn’t become dedicated entirely to books until a bit later. Wild to think of it!
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Ha ha, a pithy description destined to draw some and completely turn others off! I’ll wait to see what you and others think of A Little Trickerie. Only Barbara Kingsolver has won the WP twice thus far, but I could certainly see Adichie pulling it off too. I started my copy of Dream Count last night but only had time for a few pages before bed. I hope to get properly into it tomorrow.
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Ah, yes, I knew there had been a two-time winner but I couldn’t think of who—Kingsolver, of course. Reckon Adichie has a good chance. Half of a Yellow Sun did win the Best of the Best a while back. Will be very keen to hear what you make of Dream Count!
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Congratulations! 10 years is a real achievement.
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Thank you! A decade does feel like a milestone. And yet it’s flown by at the same time.
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Happy Birthday! 😀 I am keen to see what you think of Dream Count as I kind of have my eye on it.
I am interested that you rated Liars 3 stars, it is on our short list for Book Club voting on Tuesday, though I am hoping it won’t win… it is the only one on a list of 7 that I have no interest in reading at the moment.
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I’m still just in the early pages of Dream Count, but it’s reminding me of Americanah.
Yes, I had intensely mixed feelings about Liars; my review is linked above. There would be a lot for a book club to discuss! (Some would probably hate it. Maybe it’s good to have the range of opinions…)
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Happy blogiversary! I have The Safekeep checked out but not yet read. I’m keen to read the Adichie. All Fours was so odd. I’m glad I read it, though. Such an “it” book!
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I liked The Safekeep, but not as much as many others have. I bet there’ll be a long waiting list for the Adichie at your library.
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Thanks for the lists. I’ve kind of glossed over this year’s contenders in these two prizes (I feel indifferent to them, for some reason), so appreciate seeing them altogether here for a studied look. And I’ll be interested to see what you think of Dream Count. It’s getting a lot of press here in the States. Finally, for what it’s worth, it’s not about the numbers but the joy of books you bring to readers. Happy anniversary!
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A new Adichie release is big international news. But I’m proud to call her a local girl in a sense (I’m from Maryland, where she lives, and once saw her speak at a nearby library).
It took me a long time to stop thinking about the numbers. For years I felt like a failure because everyone else had more followers on their blogs or on social media. I honestly think fame is arbitrary; it can reward talent, but doesn’t very often. I just try to do what I do the best I can.
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Happy Blogversary Rebecca! Long may you continue!
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Thank you, Cathy!
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Congratulations! I greatly enjoy reading your blog, and appreciate the book reviews and recommendations. 🙂
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That’s so kind, thank you 🙂
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Many congratulations, that’s a big achievement!
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Thanks!
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Congratulations on your 10th blogiversary! You always amaze me with how prolific and diligent you are, with every post consistently excellent. I’m in my 11th year of blogging. I started my expat blog in April 2014 (86 subscribers) but my book blog is much more recent (only 46 subs). It’s the same on Goodreads: nearly 1,000 reviews, yet only 182 friends (mainly BookCrossers) and only 55 followers; hardly ever a comment. Never mind, my main reason for reviewing is to remind me what I thought about a book. If someone else sees it, all the better. I love the interaction with other bloggers. That’s also one of your strengths. You always reply and are willing to have a conversation, which is also lovely. By the way, I enjoyed how you responded to the prize lists in this posts. I haven’t paid enough attention to either of these prizes, but I do have The Safekeeping on loan from the library because it was on the International Booker long list and I have heard so much buzz about The Ministry of Time, that I’d like to read that, too. The rest are still mostly below my radar.
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Thank you — I really appreciate your kind words about my blog. I’ve found a great community online and I am always grateful for people’s engagement. I used to have a lot more comments via Goodreads but since the interface changed a few years back I have rarely interacted with people there.
The Safekeep and The Ministry of Time are probably the two best-known entries because the former was on the Booker shortlist and the latter was on Barack Obama’s list of books he’d enjoyed. It’ll be interesting for you reading The Safekeep as it’s set in the Netherlands and covers a shameful chapter of history.
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Congrats Rebecca! You are my kind of blogger, and the kind of blogger I aspire to be 🙂 I can never get into these prizes, as I’m too busy keeping up with IBP, but there were some surprises here, as well as many books I’m not familiar with. I’ve heard not-great things about Good Girl, and All Fours is just so ubiquitous, I have to wait for the hype to die down.
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Wow, what a nice thing to say! I know you’ve been doing this longer than I have, and you were also a vlogger for a while, weren’t you? I think of you as a more determined and astute reader because you often prioritize classics, doorstoppers and work in translation, the kind of stuff I can dismiss as too challenging.
Were any of the Canadian nominees for the CSP familiar to you? I’m intrigued but, of course, it’s difficult for us to source this stuff over here.
All Fours seems custom made for our demographic (or a few years older, maybe more like my sister’s age). You could always wait for the TV adaptation, or skip it altogether.
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Yes, I had a youtube era… I barely even watch anymore, and can’t imagine filming stuff! Thank you as well, I dunno, a lot of those translated books are slim novellas, determination is not always needed haha.
I think I am squarely in the demographic for All Fours, which is making me resist it 🙂 I’m older than you, turning 45 this year, and perimenopause is kicking my ass!!
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Novellas I could certainly get on board with.
Argh, my sister used just that phrase a couple of years ago! I am certainly not looking forward to it, but all too aware that it’s coming for me soon.
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Based on this, I went and listened to the audiobook of The Hearing Test. I think it’s probably a very good novella, with some beautifully astute writing, but sadly the audiobook was poor. Callahan reads it herself and someone should have told her not to – a very flat reading.
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That’s too bad. (I was put off reading Diana Evans’ latest when I saw her on the Women’s Prize longlist announcement video. She read from a prompter and her voice was very dull.)
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You do have a fabulous blogiversary. And congratulations on keeping it quality for such a long time! 🎂Your assembled header image is so fun! 💗I scanned both lists when they were announced, and my big takeaway was “well, I guess I really am going to have to read All Fours after all”. I actually bought Naniki when it came out, so I really hope that GR review isn’t accurate. heheh (I mean, I like both spoken word, and SF…but I’m not sure about the combo.)
Dominique Fortier is one of my MRE Authors (and I think I actually have read everything, even the stuff that hasn’t been translated yet, snail-ing through the original French) so I was thrilled to see this one on the list (although I think it would be hard to appreciate this one without reading Paper Houses first, despite their not being exactly connected).
Anne Fleming’s short fiction is terrific, but I can’t recall if I’ve read anything longer. I don’t think you’d find Code Noir quite the way you’re imagining it, but I’m not saying it’s a match for you either (I haven’t read it yet but follow her generally). I’m hoping I enjoy Cicada Summer more than you did (#hugecicadafan). It sounds like I’m more interested in reading more of these than either you or Laura these days, but, having said that,it’s conceivable that I could still be reading All Fours in December.
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Thank you! I do enjoy a little blog-related photo shoot.
I’m intrigued by Fortier’s body of work and hope I’ll be able to find something to try.
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[…] full thoughts on both longlists are here.) The other two books on the Carol Shields Prize shortlist are River East, River West by Aube Rey […]
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