Prize Readers discussion

The Kirkus Prize is one of the richest literary awards in the world, with a prize of $50,000 bestowed annually to authors of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. It was created to celebrate the 85 years of discerning, thoughtful criticism Kirkus Reviews has contributed to both the publishing industry and readers at large. Books that earn the Kirkus Star with publication dates between Nov. 1, 2017 to Oct. 31, 2018 are automatically nominated for the 2018 Kirkus Prize. Six finalists in each of three categories will be announced on Tuesday, September 25, 2018. The Kirkus Prize judges will select three winners on Thursday, October 25, 2018.

The Fiction Shortlist can be found here: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/prize/2...

Halsey Street by Naima Coster
Florida by Lauren Groff
Mourning by Eduardo Halfon, Trans. by Lisa Dillman and Daniel Hahn
Severance by Ling Ma
Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-Spires
Tell the Machine Goodnight by Katie Williams

I read Halsey Street at the beginning of the year.

Working my way through Florida - so many short stories collections this year.

Also working my way through Heads of the Colored People but feel this is a strong collection.

I had not heard of Mourning until this prize but I am interested in reading.

As for Severance it has been on my nightstand for a while and another book keeps catching my attention.

I have actually returned Tell the Machine Goodnight twice to the library unread because it was due (sigh)

What an interesting list! I have not heard of Halsey Street, Mourning, or Tell the Machine Goodnight, so I'm off to go learn about those books after this post.

I loved, loved, loved Severance. I found it just completely uncomparable to anything else I've read. It was a major sleeper hit for me this year. I listened to it on audio and I kept going out for walks so I could listen uninterrupted.

I also loved Heads. I wish it had made NBA shortlist.

Still gotta start Florida. I've got three books from the library that I cannot extend my borrow time on, this is one of them, so I have to get through it plus the other two ASAP.

Karin wrote: "I loved, loved, loved Severance. "

Almost picked this up yesterday, but went for Disoriental and Lucky Man--maybe next time. Your rec is certainly pushing it up my list.

Bob wrote: "Karin wrote: "I loved, loved, loved Severance. "

Almost picked this up yesterday, but went for Disoriental and Lucky Man--maybe next time. Your rec is certainly pushing it up my list."

It's weird--but has a lot of dark humor and also really gave me a lot to think about. About immigration and severing yourself from your community, about how we structure our social networks, about the meaning and role of work in one's life. A lot to unpack there. Would be a killer book group book.

The 2018 Kirkus Prize Winner for Fiction is Severance.

At a special ceremony tonight at the stunning new Central Library in Austin, Kirkus Reviews, the nation’s leading journal of prepublication book reviews, announced the winners of the fifth annual Kirkus Prize in the categories of fiction, nonfiction and young readers’ literature. This year’s winners were chosen from the 1193 titles that received a starred Kirkus review between Nov. 1, 2017 and Oct. 31, 2018. Each winner receives a cash prize of $50,000, making the Kirkus Prize one of the richest annual literary awards in the world.

Beverly wrote: "The 2018 Kirkus Prize Winner for Fiction is Severance.

At a special ceremony tonight at the stunning new Central Library in Austin, Kirkus Reviews, the nation’s leading journal of ..."

That reward is insane, goodness...def gonna pick that one up now!

I am interested in everyone's thoughts but am staying away from this list for 2018. I loved the list last year and just felt this year's list didn't measure up. Again, if I find time, I will read some of the books but prefer to wait for the NBCC, the IMPAC , and the Pulitzer

that's interesting-- last year's list for the most part didn't inspire me much. I still haven't read 4 of the books. I do want to get to them this winter.

Usually if a book makes an award list and I am interested in it - I will usually push it up to what I call my immediate tbr list.

But if I am not interested in a book or if I start reading a book and it is not my cup of tea I will put it down.

I am a big believer in - "Every book is not for everyone but every book is for someone."

So I usually do not remember the award lists from one year to the next.

But I do love book lists!!!

Bob wrote: "Beverly wrote: "The 2018 Kirkus Prize Winner for Fiction is Severance.

At a special ceremony tonight at the stunning new Central Library in Austin, Kirkus Reviews, the nation’s lea..."

Yes, that prize money is awesome!

Beverly wrote: "Usually if a book makes an award list and I am interested in it - I will usually push it up to what I call my immediate tbr list.

But if I am not interested in a book or if I start reading a book ..."

I generally have them tagged on my shelves, so I can look back at jog my memory. I'm with you regarding your first sentence.

There were some on the 2017 list that I was "meh" about so I never got around to them. I'd still like to give them a shot at some point.

It is probably prejudices of my own that disappointed me this year. Last year they had the right mix of established authors and newcomers for my taste and the list had a nice balance. The short story collections were distinct in style by new writers of promise and the novels were from established authors. This year I didn't see enough accomodation of established authors, nor did I think the list reflected the best or most important books of the year. While it is unfair to make that judgement without having read the books, I think it is fair to notice the exclusions and wonder why.

Sam wrote: "It is probably prejudices of my own that disappointed me this year. Last year they had the right mix of established authors and newcomers for my taste and the list had a nice balance. The short sto..."

What books do you think should have been on here that were left off? Curious to add to my TBR :)

Personally I would have liked to see Severance by Ling Ma on here.

I do not think that The Boatbuilder should have been on here, nor the Friend (I know I will get disagrees on the latter). But this list was also the kick in the pants I needed to finally get to The Great Believers. And I doubt I would have read Florida, Heads of the Colored People, or Where The Dead Sit Talking otherwise, as well.

I recall that last year's fiction list included A Kind of Freedom, which I hadn't planned on reading, but it ended up being one of my absolute favorites of the year and I still think about it.

Karin wrote: "Sam wrote: "It is probably prejudices of my own that disappointed me this year. Last year they had the right mix of established authors and newcomers for my taste and the list had a nice balance. T..."

For starred eligible books from established authors that I read and would have liked to have seen rewarded I would have preferred at least one of these:
The Sparsholt Affair
Border Districts: A Fiction
The Overstory
The Shepherd's Hut
My Year of Rest and Relaxation
Circe