The Shortlist - 2017

Stay With Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀̀
The Power Naomi Alderman
The Dark Circle by Linda Grant
The Sport of Kings by C.E. Morgan
First Love by Gwendoline Riley
Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien

I'm a bit disappointed actually as it doesn't included either of the two I loved from the longlist or either of the two from the longlist that I really want to read. And getting onto the shortlist would have meant multiple copies at my local library!

On the plus side, it may push me towards finally reading my copy of Do Not Say We Have Nothing.

Well, I"ve ordered Stay With Me from the UK, as well as The Dark Circle, as neither are available in Canada. Dark Circle is 5 or 6 days late, and Stay With Me just shipped as of yesterday - also not available in Canada.

I've read Do Not Say We Have Nothing.

I just wish more of the books were available in Canada! :)

>1 Soupdragon: which were the two you loved?
I'm still planning to read the 2 Canadian books- Hag-Seed and the Heather O'Neill book.

>3 raidergirl3: I loved The Mare which I thought was shortlist material and also The Lesser Bohemians which was maybe less so. It's a marmite, love it or hate it kind of book (just look at the LT star ratings) and doesn't deal with big themes in an a very obvious way (but they are there). Though Eimear McBride has been a winner before.

>4 Soupdragon: thanks for the update.

I haven't read Eimear McBride yet - never read her winning book. I love calling something a marmite book. Great name and describes something well!

I read Do Not Say We Have Nothing and liked it. I just put the rest (except The Power) on hold through the library. Interesting list!

The winner is The Power. Has anybody read it? It's not even available in the US until October, I think, except in pricey used books.

I deliberately passed on The Power when it was included in a UK kindle sale.

It struck me as a concept novel and after reading the first pages and lots of reviews, I felt I didn't need to read any more. I'd got the big idea and the writing didn't seem anything special.

I'm now wondering if I was being unfair though.

I didn't get any read from the shortlist. Not having the winner available is rather annoying - the North American publishers should try harder to make prize books available.
I am reading from the longlist, The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O'Neill, and quite enjoying it. IT's the third book by her I've read, and her style is so different.

I heard some bloggers from the UK say The Power was the readers choice -- apparently it's been a hit in England. Sounds interesting.