February, 25th, 2021
Hi Readers!
This year more than ever we all need something to look forward to, and for me that is the Woman’s Prize For Fiction Longlist announcement!
For the past few years I have tried to both predict and read the longlist for this prize and it’s always such an amazing selection of diverse books chosen by a wonderful panel of readers. I’ve been thinking about this list, I kid you not, since January…
Normally I would have liked to have read a lot of these, but I am so behind on new releases because of the libraries being closed so I have only read three of them. But I’ve tried to make educated guesses, I’ve taken other peoples reviews into account and these are the 16 books I think have a good chance of making it.
Luster by Raven Leilani
I’ve been seeing this around a lot in the past few weeks. I don’t know how it escaped my noticed last year, but it definitely sounds like something the women’s prize judges could be looking for in a longlisted novel.
Mrs Death Misses Death by Salena Godden
Another one I’ve heard from SavidgeReads and, I mean, this follows the wife of Death. Does anymore need to be said? I’ll be reading this soon either way.
The Manningtree Witches by A.K Blakemore
I’m currently reading this one, and I just think this is something that really fits the themes of the women’s prize. It’s all about the witch trials that took place in a small town in Essex in the 17th century.
We Are All Birds of Uganda by Hafsa Zayyan
I’ve only just discovered this book, but it sounds phenomenol and, again either way I’ll be reading it. But it does sound like a women’s prize longlistee.
Love After Love by Ingrid Persaud
I’ve mostly heard Simon from SavidgeReads talk about this and he has nothing but praise for it.
The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
Donoghue is an author I’ve been meaning to read more of, so I think me wanting her latest book on this years longlist just so it gives me the push to pick it up.
Sisters by Daisy Johnson
I actually DNFed this last Summer, but I was distracted and didn’t give it much of a chance. I can’t ignore the praise it’s received, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it on this years longlist.
If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
I so nearly read this one last Summer, and do still hope to. This is one that has so much praise, I’d be surprised if it wasn’t on the longlist.
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
I know the longlist doesn’t always have much fantasy on it, but seeing as this is kind of based on mythology, it may have a chance.
Transcendent Kingdom Yaa Gyasi
Gyasi’s second book has garnered a lot of positive reviews. I’m sure it’s on the judges raider, I hope it makes it!
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet
This was a huge release in 2020. Everyone and their mother read it! But I also think this is such phenomenol book, if it makes the longlist, it has a real chance of winning the whole thing.
Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler
I don’t really know anything about this book if I’m honest. But the author has been norminated before so I wanted to at least mention it.
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
I wasn’t the biggest fan of her dystopia book ‘Station Eleven’ but this one sounds much more up my alley and, I think, sounds like a possible women’s prize longlisted book.
Tennis Lessons by Susannah Dickey
I wanted to go for at least one book I haven’t heard that much about, as the judges always seem to pick a book like this out of the bag. I think this is about a woman who feels like an outsider, and it’s Irish lit. I think these are things the judges could like.
Rodham by Curtis Suttenfield
Most people I think are assuming this will be on the list. It made waves when it was released, and whilst I haven’t read it myself, it definitely sounds intriguing.
A Net For Small Fishes by Lucy Jago
Could this be this years ‘Hamnet’? This is based on a real scandal that ‘rocked James I’s court’ and I just love the sound of that.
We only have another couple of weeks to wait before we find out how far off I am. I’m sure this is way off. The prize always has a few books I hadn’t heard of before and I can’t wait to get introduced to them.
Which book do you hope will make this years longlist and are you excited for this book prize?
Comfort Reads 