I thought its about time I restarted my book posts. I have slowed down my reading pace. I know this is an absurd thing to do on purpose and most people want to read more but I felt I was ignoring everything else – movies, TV, travel, cooking etc, in favour of reading and just feel the need to branch out a little more culturally.
1. Wild Houses by Colin Barrett 3/5
This was easy reading in every way – easy to read through and nothing that would keep you on edge. I did like the characterisations but in all honesty, this is not a book I would have bothered to read if it had not been on the booker long list and available in my library. It sounds harsh but I don’t think I will remember this book in a few months. The plot is not particularly riveting but like I said writing is nice and characterisation is well written. I have to say I am surprised it made it to the long list. It didn’t feel like a ‘Booker book’ to me.
2. Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange 3/5
I have very little knowledge about Native Americans. I have read about their culture or history in detail and of course, this was not something we were taught in school in India. This book is written by a Native American writer about a specific Native American tribe and covers about five or six generations of that tribe. As expected, it is a hard read at times due to the oppression suffered by the tribe at various points but its definitely an enlightening read.
The odd part of the book was that the two halves felt like two completely different books to me. It could have been two novellas. The first part was more of an overview story of the family, its history and covered about 3-4 generations and the second part drilled down in the lives of one specific generation in the family. I expected the book to be like the first half throughout and didn’t find the second half particularly novel.
3. Headshot by Rita Bullwinkle 3/5
I had quite a bit of hope of this book. It had such a interesting setting and premise and I love women oriented books which this definitely was. I enjoyed but didn’t feel any of the stories were distinct enough to stand out. I also felt it was lacking depth and intensity. I didn’t really understand their motives, their lives or feelings. The book didn’t get to the heart of anything.
4. Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel 5/5
This is an interesting choice while pregnant but I had heard way too much about this book to skip it. Still Born was actually shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2023 but didn’t win. (I did not rate the winner Kairos highly at all so this would have definitely been a worthy winner in my opinion).
Have you read any of this year’s Booker long list yet? I had really good luck with last year’s books – Prophet Song the winner being the first book I read. I am still reading some of the shortlist but I have to say, this year’s list isn’t my favourite of recent years. Would love to know thoughts from any of you who have read.
– Anisha
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