With the longlist for the Women’s Prize announced on Monday, I thought I’d give a quick mention to some of the books I would like to see make the cut. I’m feeling excited about the Women’s Prize at the moment, mainly because both the longlist and the shortlist were so strong in 2018. I’d love to see some similarly eclectic and most of all surprising choices coming through this year.
This is not a longlist prediction. If I’m honest, I would be amazed if even one or two of these particular titles made it through. I’m deliberately going for outliers: books I think deserve more attention, books that feel resonant and exciting to me right now, books that do interesting things with language and form. I have by no means read all of these books! In some cases I’ve just sampled them, or read the author’s previous book, or have the book on my to-read list because I think it’s one I’ll respond to.
In terms of the number of books read so far, I’m doing well this year – but already I’m feeling overwhelmed by the number of books I feel I need to read but haven’t got to yet. So just to make things even more complicated, here are some more!
1. VIRTUOSO by Yelena Moskovich. 2. MILKMAN by Anna Burns 3. STUBBORN ARCHIVIST by Yara Rodrigues Fowler 4. CRUDO by Olivia Laing 5. PONTI by Sharlene Teo 6. FRESHWATER by Akwaeke Emezi 7. THE WESTERN WIND by Samantha Harvey 8. KUDOS by Rachel Cusk 9. WOMEN TALKING by Miriam Toews 10. MISSING by Alison Moore 11. ALL RIVERS RUN FREE by Natasha Carthew 12. NORMAL PEOPLE by Sally Rooney 13. MEMORIES OF THE FUTURE by Siri Hustvedt 14. MY YEAR OF REST AND RELAXATION by Ottessa Moshfegh 15. GHOST WALL by Sarah Moss 16. SEA MONSTERS by Chloe Aridjis
I would also have chosen PROBLEMS by Jade Sharma, but I don’t think it’s eligible because it’s published in Ireland. Kind of like Normal People but more out there.
I look at this list of books and feel a thrill of excitement. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a longlist this dynamic and this bold? There is some incredible work being done and that – especially now – is an inspiration.
I hope to be back here next week with a reaction to the actual longlist, whilst reserving the right to pass over it in silence if I am really disappointed!