Play Book Tag discussion

Anna Burns (UK) Milkman (Faber & Faber)

Esi Edugyan (Canada) Washington Black (Serpent’s Tail)

Daisy Johnson (UK) Everything Under (Jonathan Cape)

Rachel Kushner (USA) The Mars Room (Jonathan Cape)

Richard Powers (USA) The Overstory (William Heinemann)

Robin Robertson (UK) The Long Take (Picador)

Wow. I’m excited/surprised/disappointed!!

I've read three of the six (two completely, and one far enough).

My guessing game was terrible (basically the same as if I randomly chose books out of a hat).

Disappointed that From a Low and Quiet Sea didn't make it.

Happy and surprised that The Mars Room did.

Still have my reading cut out for me, but I feel like Milkman (which I absolutely despised) is going to win.

The two I’m surprised about are Washington Black and The Mars Room as they were toward the bottom of my list. I’m disappointed that Normal People didn’t make it. I understand why Milkman made it despite me not liking it. My tip for the winner is The Overstory I think. You Anita?

Sorry, I didn’t see your message until after I sent mine!

Susie wrote: "Sorry, I didn’t see your message until after I sent mine!"

Ha ha, no worries! I'm surprised we didn't agree more. I really am enjoying Washington Black, but I'll confess that I partly thought it would be on the shortlist because it checks the diversity box in several ways. But I definitely have liked the first half.

I hope you are right and The Overstory wins. I fear Milkman will win. I doubt they will give the prize to another U.S. male . . .I think that would be three in a row. In fact, I think both U.S. authors are out.

Sadly, the ones I most wanted to still read, including Normal People, didn't make the shortlist. I can't even get The Long Take.

Yes to the Overstory, The Long Take and Everything Under.

I enjoyed Washington Black but didn’t see it as a shortlist book. I haven’t read Milkman yet, so can’t comment. Mars Room was too bogged down.

Warlight, Normal People, and Low + Quiet Sea would have been the other three on my list.

For my money, The Long Take should get it. Extraordinary book

Yes Kate, I agree about The Long Take and have I’m fact changed my rating to five. My thoughts on it just keep improving over time. I’m sad that Warlight didn’t make it too.

I have only completed The Mars Room, and am working on Overstory right now. The rest I've not been able to get.

Given I've not read most of these I can't say much other than I wouldn't have put The Mars Room on there, and I think Warlight, of those I have read, deserves a spot.

I’m going to listen to Washington Black this next week, and I’ll have read the shortlist. I don’t think an American will win, but I’d be happy with any of these.

Anita wrote: "Esi Edugyan (Canada) Washington Black (Serpent’s Tail)..."

Well, I don't know that I plan to read any of them, but I'm happy the Canadian (not only that, the Calgarian!) is in there! :-) (Which is why I clicked to read the thread - to find out if she made it!)

I've read The Overstory and The Mars Room and next on my list isEsi Edugyan's Washington Black.

I read her debut book, Half Blood Bluesand it made my top 10 that year. I think she is really gifted.

oh, maybe I should listen to Washington Black. Does it come out next week?

I DNF Half Blood Blues, so ... wasn't pumped about Washington Black, but absolutely willing to give it a shot.

I read 8 of 13, correctly predicted 3. And somehow still need to read 3/6 lonlist books in the next month.

LOVED Milkman (audio) and am glad Warlight didn't make the shortlist. Though disappointed that Low and Quiet Sea didn't.

Mars Room? Nope.

I only read The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner and it was meh.
I guess I can see why she would be nominated though because I thought the writing was phenomenal. The story itself, not so much.