Paul Secor > Status Update
Paul Secor
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Why all the fuss about the Booker Prize - longlist, shortlist, whatever? I can't understand why people end up reading books chosen by people whom they don't know and, in many cases, know nothing about. There are worlds of good books out there. Read what you decide to read. Don't let others choose your books for you.
— Jul 29, 2026 07:27PM
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Ken
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Jul 30, 2026 03:53AM
Or, read books recommended by trusted GR friends (but only if they appeal to your reading inclinations as well).
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Hear hear! I always find Booker Prize list winners or nominees are crap! I've read a few over the years by chance and they're normally garbage!
Ken wrote: "Or, read books recommended by trusted GR friends (but only if they appeal to your reading inclinations as well)."I should have expanded my comment to include what you're saying, Ken. Better to go with reviews and recommendations of folks whose tastes and opinions you trust than to be led along like a sheep by people on a prize committee.
Sophy wrote: "Hear hear! I always find Booker Prize list winners or nominees are crap! I've read a few over the years by chance and they're normally garbage!"I don't know whether I'd go that far, Sophy. But I have found that many nominees either haven't interested me or have been a waste of my precious time.
Paul wrote: "Sophy wrote: "Hear hear! I always find Booker Prize list winners or nominees are crap! I've read a few over the years by chance and they're normally garbage!"I don't know whether I'd go that far,..."
Definitely, a waste of time sounds about right.
I couldn't agree more. It's much better to rely on our own reading interests and tastes, as well as the recommendations from trusted friends, than to follow subjective lists compiled by people whom we don't know.
Agreed, Nika, And the fact that the books are submitted by publishers and chosen by people who often have connections to the literary and publishing world raises questions for me. I might be more interested if the judges were, say, comprised of some of my GR friends who have excellent literary tastes.
I've often been disappointed by their choices. I see that I have company.
Holly R W wrote: "I've often been disappointed by their choices. I see that I have company."You're in good company, Holly.