Hi Bookworms, I hope you’re doing well. You might wonder why I still have a winter header up above. Well we still have some snowflakes here and there so I will keep it up for a while longer. It’s been a busy week of doing taxes (ugh) and swapping out my old laptop for a new one and having things transferred over. Wow it’s been over a decade. This new one is shiny and clean, which I’ll try to maintain. The photo is from one of our walks near here, where we take the dogs up a hill and this was coming back down. The fields give me some solace.
And since it was another brutal news week, my husband and I started and finished another 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle. This one called Greetings From Canada is a bit similar to the last one we did in that it spotlights the various Canadian provinces and what they’re about. It’s put out by Cobble Hill puzzle Co. for those interested. I was a bit blown away that Rachel at the blog Waves of Fiction actually found and did our last puzzle. She probably did it in her sleep as she seems a master “dissectologist” (puzzle aficionado). I had to look that word up, which seems a strange fit, don’t you think?
Lately at night we’ve been watching The White Lotus Season 3 set in Thailand. It’s pretty frivolous but all right for an escape. We finished the thriller series Prime Target starring British actor Leo Woodall as a mathematician who’s on the run from those trying to stop his work with prime numbers, which was okay. And we’ve been watching the series Pachinko, which has a dual timeline and is a pretty good drama, set in Asia during the ’30s and ’40s, and in New York in current times. I liked the 2017 book and still await Min Jin Lee’s next novel.
Meanwhile, last week after I highlighted the Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist, Carmen reminded me of some other big literary prizes going on that look good and have their shortlists coming out in April. For translated lit fans, there’s the International Booker, which will announce its shortlist April 8. I’m trying to read more translated foreign fiction this year, so I’m eyeing this longlist (above). I only know about the novel Hunchback by Japanese author Saou Ichikawa so far, but I will look into the other books more. Apparently several on the list are very short books, for example Hunchback is just 112 pages. So here’s our chance to sample some shorter works of translated lit.
Also similar to the Women’s Prize, the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction celebrates the excellence in women authors from Canada and the U.S. and will announce its shortlist on April 3. There’s several novels I recognize on the longlist (above), including All Fours, Creation Lake, Liars, Bear, and River East, River West. I’ve only read River, East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure, which is a good coming-of-age debut set mostly in Shanghai, but I still need to check out some of the others.
Next up is the Walter Scott Prize, which honors achievements in historical fiction and has its shortlist coming out April 15. I’ve read two on the longlist (above) so far — The Safekeep and Clear, which were both quite good. I might try to get to Kevin Barry’s novel The Heart in Winter which apparently is a rip-roaring western set in Butte, Montana. I’ve been reading quite a bit of historical fiction lately, but I don’t know some of the ones listed here. Do you?
And lastly I would be remiss not to mention the Stella Prize, which celebrates Australian women writers and will announce its shortlist on April 8. I’m a newbie to this award now in its 13th year, but I like Aussie writers and look forward to trying a couple of these on the longlist. Apparently the longlist includes seven fiction, four nonfiction and one poetry collection. They mix the prize’s nominees of various formats together. Hmm … which must be tough a bit to judge. I’ve been eyeing The Burrow novel (above) with the rabbit on the cover.
So there you have it — enough book prize lists for a while. I’ll be keen to see which books make the shortlists when they come out next month. And now I’ll leave you with a review of what I finished lately.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton / Knopf / 336 pages / 2024
3.75 stars. This light-ish relationship kind of novel, which surprisingly made the New York Times 10 Best Books of 2024 list, is about a British couple that has recently broken up. Andy, a 35-year-old comedian, is having a terrible time coming to grips with why his girlfriend Jen broke up with him and especially right after they came home from a vacation in Greece. They had been together for over three and a half years and lived together, but Jen seems to have had enough of Andy and said she’d rather be alone. So poor Andy around and around he goes wallowing in the heartbreak and trying to figure it out for six months or so.
It’s put him into a sad sap frame of mind and he starts drinking during the day and his comedy career hits the skids. He’s in a bad way, obsessing about Jen. But luckily there are some light amusing moments along the way … his attempts to live on a small leaky house boat and later with an odd 78-year-old roommate who corresponds with Julian Assange, oh my. Then Andy runs into Jen on a date with a man named Seb, and he starts seeing a 20-something model-ish woman named Sophie. But can the two really move on from one another?
You have to wait to near the end to see what becomes of Jen and Andy, but the story’s narration changes hands from Andy to Jen near the end. Both characters are narrated well by actors Arthur Darvill and Vanessa Kirby for the audio, which I listened to driving back and forth from the city. All and all, I thought it was entertaining and heart-affirming despite the sad sack of both Andy and Jen who spy on one another after they’ve broken up. I didn’t get Jen’s side of the story as well as I did Andy’s … who came off more appealing to me.
I’m new to British writer Dolly Alderton who’s a newspaper columnist in the U.K. and has also written a popular memoir, but she writes with such ease in a conversational and often witty way. Though I wondered at times if Andy’s narration seemed authentically how a guy would react to things along the way, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt. And I look forward to seeing what Alderton writes next.
I was going to add another review, but I’ll post it next time as this has gone on long enough. So that’s all for now, what about you — have you read any of the books pictured above and if so, what did you think?
I like your puzzle, and the landscape in the picture looks expansive. Nice of you to give me a shout out and highlight all the prizes/awards that are going on at this time of the year. I’ve read too few books that are in contention for awards, but last year I read less than the original amount I had set out myself to read, so there’s that. Anyway, great post and review, and have a nice reading week, and otherwise!
Thanks Carmen, you inspired me to write about these other awards. I’ll probably be a bit more clued in to them when the shortlists are announced. I haven’t read many either. But we plug on. Hope all is well where you are. Happy reading.
I love the puzzle. I need to make a list of all the Canadian provinces and which ones I have not read about (via either nonfiction or fiction), and how many books I had read for each.
All of those book prizes and there are so few of the books I have heard of. Of course they are relatively new and mostly not my normal reading but still. I have heard of The Burrow by Cheng, and I think it was when I was reading a post about the Stella Prize. A short one and even though it is about grief, I think it might be good.
The book I am starting tonight is The Ministry of Time, which you mentioned in your last post. Although I keep calling it The Ministry of Fear, which Graham Greene wrote (and I have not read).
Thanks Tracy, the puzzle was a bit fun and addictive. I still have several provinces to visit for my first time.
I’m surprised you’ve already heard about The Burrow … I hadn’t heard of it — but I’m curious how a rabbit helps their grief. We’ll see. I will have to check if my library plans to get it.
I laughed about your calling it The Ministry of Fear — I wonder if the author of The Ministry of Time was aware of the G.G. title? Perhaps. I look forward to your review of it. Have a good week.
I have now read 100 pages of The Ministry of Time (out of 339) and one of the characters in the book mentioned reading The Ministry of Fear by Graham Greene. That was a surprise. I am liking the book a lot although I am still at the point of trying to figure out what it really is about.
Interesting to hear … that Graham Greene’s book is mentioned in the Ministry of Time. So it is a play off the GG title. I guess I’m more impressed by it then. And I’m glad you are enjoying it. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts. Sometimes books like that get a bit too crazy or jump around too much. So that’s perhaps why I haven’t picked it up yet. But let us know what you think when you finish.
So many prizes! Some of them look mysterious, some unreliable. I admit that I disliked so many Booker winners that I now AVOID them. It’s fun that your previous puzzle had an influence!
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.comm
Hi Mae, I can understand about Booker winners — I don’t always like them, but I continue to seek out award shortlists to see which appeal to me. There are a lot! The puzzle last time was popular, ha! Have a great week.
Susan, always love your pictures. I’m very fond of mountains – not that my part of the world has any of them – we have hills. Ha! However, the vista in your shot is lovely. Nice that you are keeping up with the awards lists. I will admit that I am primarily partial to the crime and mystery book awards. I do keep up with those. Our mystery book group has traditionally read and discussed books nominated or winning those awards in June each year. It’s always a fun meeting and we all get a lot of good suggestions. Hope you week goes well. Spring is here in our area and I must say March has come in ‘like a lion’ with the wind. I would happy for it to go out ‘like a lamb’.
Hi Kay, ha — I can relate about the wind. Sometimes it’s crazy here too. I hope your bluebonnets in the area are not far off now. You are a go-to for me on all books mystery & crime related. I don’t read many but I’m interested in which ones you pick up. I’ll try to pay attention to the awards in that genre.
And thanks. Glad you like the photos. We live in the foothills … so there are hills that gradually make way to the mountains. It’s getting pretty outside now.
Have a great week.
Stunning photo of what you see on your walk. I love it. So peaceful.
I am glad you have a new laptop as it’s great to be able to connect with people.
Another great puzzle and how cool a fellow blogger found the same one you posted about before. I would love to get one of those and still look at thriftshops and other places where used puzzles are sold. I may give in and purchase a new one as a treat. That would be a birthday gift splurge.
So glad you posted links for all the books you have here. This is a way I get acquainted with new authors. Off to get Loki out for a good walk as the rains seem to have passed. Chat with you soon!
Hi Tina, thanks. It’s nice what a new laptop can do. Things are getting nice outside and I feel spring walks are on the way! I like the views too.
I was so surprised that another blogger had done the puzzle, ha. I don’t know how she even found it. We received these two puzzles years ago for Christmas. They were put away for the move & I got them out of the closet. I’m pleased they seem to help with bad news stress. Try out a puzzle if you need one.
I’ll be a bit more focused once the award shortlists come out. Will give me something more to think about. Enjoy your week.
I hear you on taxes. I’m doing them now. Thanks for the reminder about White Lotus! You’ve mentioned so many tantalizing books I need to check out.
Hi Olivia, taxes are even more agonizing with this regime in place. White Lotus is a pretty good escape. You’ll need it. Have a good week.
I feel as if I would really like White Lotus if I gave it a go. I just don’t watch much these days.
Love that photo at the top. Such wide open spaces.
Everything here is pretty good. Very busy at work. Reading some good stuff, Gliff and Pinch Me.
Hi Ti, I look forward to what you think of Gliff. I had trouble getting into it. But I could try again.
You should see Seasons 1 & 2 & then 3 of The White Lotus. It’s sheer bawdy escapism, which we really need right now.
I keep need wide open spaces too. Hope your week goes well.
It’s getting to be book award season, isn’t it? I do enjoy following the lists, and will probably read a few of them after the short lists come out. Your puzzle reminds me that it’s been months since I’ve done one. My daughter got me a Jane Austen puzzle for Christmas… think I’ll get it out this week.
Hi JoAnn, I’d like to see your Austen puzzle. Sounds like a fun one. The more news we hear, the more the need for puzzles!
Like you, I think I’ll tune into the awards more once the short lists come out. My interest gets piqued. Have a great week.
I hope, you will soon get some proper spring weather. In London, it is still cold, but at least we have had some nice and sunny days as opposed to the grey, rainy ones. You reminded me, I should probably replace my laptop as well, it may be reaching similar age as yours. However, it is still going strong, except for battery life not being great.
Prize season is always fun, but I feel you have to be selective. At the moment, I’m still in nonfiction mode, so besides from Women’s Prize for Nonfiction, I haven’t paid much attention. The international Booker, looks good though (will definitely read the Danish book).
Hi Stargazer, I think my old laptop seemed to still work well but then other formats online were going to cut off from it. Hmm. Dumb. Check yours.
I’m glad you made me aware of the Danish book that made the International Booker fiction longlist — On the Calculation of Vol. 1 by Solvej Balle. I think you should get to that one soon for us. Drop the nonfiction, lol. I’m curious about it.
Have a great week.
I try to read award books too. Last year (or was it two years ago) I made a plan to read two of the Women’s Prize winners/finalists for the past decade as a catch up and then read two every year going forward. I finished up reading the past book just this last month. Most have been so good.
I also read The fiction Pulitzers, at least the winners, each year and a few months ago I finished my goal of reading every winner from the 21 century.
The National Book Award usually has spectacular choices and I try to read at least two of the five category winners or finalists. I usually end up reading the poetry books for sure, since it is hard figuring out good poetry selections on my own.
This year I have added the Booker Prize to my repertoire but I need to do some investigating as to the differences between dates of the International Booker and the “regular” Booker. I don’t think I will try to go back and catch up on past winners if I haven’t read them already. I’ll just start from this year and move forward.
For years I have been reading the Printz Award winners which is the YALSA award for best YA books. I’ve slowed down now that I am not a working teen librarian anymore. Now I try to read the winner and one or two of the finalists, not all of the books each year.
I just learned of the Carol Shields Prize last week. I haven’t heard of it before. Now I need to investigate it to determine if I need/should add it to my list of book awards I want to follow. It seems very worthy and I don’t read enough lit out of Canada, for sure.
Lastly, in the past I’ve attempted to follow the Bellwether Prize book but fell off and would need to do some back reading to catch up. It is a hard award to keep track of since it is awarded every other year.
What is your favorite among the book award organizations?
Hi Anne, thanks for your input. It seems you read a lot of the prize finalists. I try to read a couple from each. I enjoy the quality of most of what the different awards select. The Booker Prize (in the fall) might be my favorite but I also like the National Book Award and the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Also the Pulitzer fiction winner and the Carol Shields is a new-ish prize that is gathering steam for me. I sort of pay attention to Canada’s Giller Prize and the National Book Critics Circle fiction winner. It’s nice to keep an eye on these … and I’m glad you brought up the Bellwether Prize, which is interesting. I like some of those past winners. Good luck reading this years …. several short lists will come out in April. Cheers!
Hi Susan,
I eally need to get into puzzles. They sound like so much fun.
Thank you for including a list of many of the book awards for this year and the Carol Shields, Stella and Walter Scott awards are new to me. I will check them out and choose maybe 3 books where the plot interests me.
Good Material seems worth checking out. Alot will depend on whether one bonds with Andy since he is such a major character in the book.
Hi Kathy, puzzles are fun and addicting. They help take my mind off the news 🙂
See what you think of some of the book award nominees. I’ll be curious to see what makes the shortlists in April. The Stella Prize is totally new to me … but there’s many good Australian writers, so I’m checking it out.
And yes Andy has a major role in Good Material … so it’s probably hit or miss on what you think of him for the book. I listened to the audio. I found him fairly sympathetic as the person who was initially dumped.
Have a good week.
I think we would like Prime Target. Thanks, I’ll take a look.
I’m enjoying witty narration, these days. Good Material might hit the spot.
Hi Joy, yeah check out Prime Target and see what you think. I think you will like it. Good Material is semi entertaining but I’m not sure if it will appeal to you. I listened to the audio version. Check it out. Cheers.
Taxes are no fun.
The Carol Shields Prize is new to me. The Australian Indie Book Awards just announced their shortlist here : https://www.indiebookawards.com.au/2025-shortlist
It’s for commercial fiction & nonfiction rather than literary which I personally prefer
Wishing you a great reading week
Oh thanks Shelleyrae, I’m glad you sent me the Indie Australian shortlist. I didn’t know about this Book Awards. It seems like some good picks. I’m curious to read in particular Tim Winton’s novel Juice … although it looks long! And I look forward to finding out a bit about some of the others as well.
Other Aussie writers I want to read soon: Charlotte Wood and Charlotte McConaghy. I better get crackin.’ Have a good week too.
I thought it was a lovely tribute to Canada that Rachel found that puzzle and pieced it together.
All of these prizes are new to me. I also heard about a Canada Prize 2025 on Saturday, I think, and I was happily able to request a book from the list from my library.
Over the weekend at our family gatherings I heard several stories about the beauty of Canada. Not sure Canada is taking in any more people, though, especially Americans.
Hi Deb, yes — I couldn’t believe that Rachel found the same Canadian puzzle. It was so nice to see on her post!
I mostly pay attention to the Giller Prize in Canada in the fall but I probably should check out some of the other book awards here too.
Canada has some pretty areas like the U.S. but it has had a major immigration boost in the past 10 years (like a million a year) that has made cities & places over-crowded. I think it needs to temper that. Not sure what it’s current policy is towards Americans … but I heard a rumor that Springsteen is relocating to Canada which I’m still trying to verify. Man that would be something!
Taxes are no fun, but my husband thankfully sorts them out. I got a new laptop last year and I hate it. The color is awful and the right and left mouse keys don’t work anymore The T on the keyboard has given out and we’re awaiting the part. I’m back on my older laptop. Love that new Canadian puzzle and the name for a puzzler is very fitting! I’m going to hunt that new puzzle down. We’re on our way to the airport. Nightmare travel delays!
Hi Rachel — you like being a “dissectologist”? That’s a funny word. I hope you can find the Canadian puzzle above … it’s a good one. Might be a small step above the last one perhaps. But see what you think … if you can find it.
And which laptop are you using? Right now I got a Macbook Air. And so far so good but you have me worried if you’ve had issues. I’m crossing my fingers.
Sorry to hear of your travel delays, ugh! That is bad. Enjoy your time in Montana.
Dissectologist is a funny word! Sort of makes me think of performing an autopsy. I like “puzzle aficionado” better, ha!
I was using an HP Elite Book. Prior to that I was using a Dell. I am back to using the older Dell. I really like Dell and I think I’ll get a new one when I need to. My husband is taking the HP over. He ordered a new keyboard, but that won’t fix the mouse buttons. He doesn’t use them like I do, though, so it all works out for now.
Thanks! We didn’t land in Montana until 12:30am and then didn’t get to the house until 2:30 am by the time we collected luggage and got to the car. Not fun but we did have a great time once that was all over. I’m hoping our trips out there over the summer will be easier.
Ha ha. I will refrain from using dissectologist. It doesn’t sound like a puzzle person. I laughed at autopsy.
Sorry to hear about your HP laptop problems. I hope you can get a new Dell if the old one dies. My Mac laptop was almost 15 years but I finally decided to get a new one. I worry about all the computer waste in the world, right? We just want them to work.
Your Montana flights sounded brutal. I hope your summer trips there will be better, without delays. What airline was that? I’m going to SoCal in April … fingers crossed about international flights. Cheers.
Good Material is one of my book group’s reads this month. After reading your review, I’ve decided to do the audio book and my expectations will be a bit tempered.
Have a great week!
Hi Helen, oh good glad to hear you’ll be checking out Good Material. See what you think. Some parts perhaps are a bit more entertaining than others. But it’ll probably depend if you find the character of Andy okay to hang out with. He’s pretty major in the narration.
Thx you have a good week too.
I should show my mom your photo of the fields and ask if that’s how she remembers life in Valleyview. Similar topography, I think. I’ll bet you’re glad the snowy season is just about over, right?
Another nice puzzle! We finished one and have started another, but I haven’t spent much time on it. I’ve been working on travel blog posts and scanning old photos. Both keep my mind off the current state of affairs.
We finished Zero Day and are now watching Paradise (a sci-fi mystery of sorts). I’ve also started Severance (on my own) and want to try The White Lotus, but we don’t get HBO, so I’ll have to wait until we decide to subscribe to that. We probably will eventually because I also want to watch The Pit. Prime Target sounds like something we’d enjoy. Thanks!
I read Bear by Julia Phillips and can’t say that it’s one I’d recommend…
Thanks for the great post!
Thanks Lesley. Anything that can keep our minds off the outrageous politics of DJT is good to try this month. Puzzles seem a good strategy. And I’m glad to hear you are working on your travel blog posts and photos. They’re always so good.
We watched about 4 episodes of Severance but then put it down for other things. Maybe we’ll return to it — I’m not sure. The White Lotus — Seasons 1,2, & 3 — are pretty mindless escapism-raunch, but sometimes that’s what we need during these times. I’m glad to get your take on the novel Bear. I’m not sure I will try it or not. Perhaps if it makes the shortlist, otherwise probably will pass.
The temps here have been up & down. But the days are good now that the snow is mostly gone. We are making gardening plans, lol. Hope you are have great days at the Cove & on your walks. Happy reading.
Love the photo of the fields–typical Western scene, the kind I feel at home in.
Fantastic puzzle–dissectologist, that’s a new one for me. Will file in my brain under “stuff to remember during Jeopardy!”
If I hadn’t just read You Are Here, I might give Good Material a try, but I think it might be too much of the same thing right now.
Hi Jane, glad you like the fields photo. It is homey for us both, lol.
I had not heard of dissectologist but now we know.
I have read You Are Here and Good Material about six months apart. I think Good Material is a stronger book … but You Are Here has better scenery, lol. They are a bit different but wise to take time between. Have a great week!
It snowed all day here yesterday, so it definitely looks like winter still out my window. Fortunately, in March snows like that do seem to melt fast. But it was good because our mountain ski resorts got sevral new feet of snow, and since that’s what fills our reservoirs we need every inch. And I love that puzzle! So awesome. I mostly do lsightly easier 500 piece puzzles myself. 😀
Thanks Lark, the puzzle kept me going, lol. And I’m glad your area of SLC got more snow for the mountains there. That’s wonderful. I know we all could use whatever we can get for the reservoirs. It’s been so dry. I have been to Alta and Park City and those are great ski resorts. Love your Utah mountains. Have a great week.
I’m watching The White Lotus and omg, that toxic friendship. But also, so realistic. I’ve seen that a lot. So many books that I need to add to my list.
Hi Lux, The White Lotus seems pretty crazy now but I guess that’s why in part we watch it. What do you think of the Thai resort? Some of the beach shots are pretty nice. I have not been to Thailand yet but it looks appealing.
Hope you have a nice weekend.