Booker 2024 musings: Reflections and personal favorites

Every year when our panel reads the longlist, we rate each book on several categories including writing, originality, plot development, character development, and enjoyment. This year each of our panelists will pick their favorite book for specific to each category and a few other new categories. Later this afternoon we will post our predictions. So here are our musings and reflections on this year’s list.

Jen’s overall thoughts: I managed to read the entire list although it was a challenge. I came very close to abandoning This Strange and Eventful History but I persevered. What a generally underwhelming list this was for me. I definitely had some standouts but I spent over 50% of my reading time struggling to stay focused on books without plots, meditative, musing ramblings, and quite frankly books that I found boring and overly repetitive. The judges clearly had a type of book they enjoyed and it was NOT the type of book I enjoyed. I believe that the Booker should be about stand out books and a big part of that (for me) is originality and creativity. I would have liked to have seen books that stood out for unique plot, narrative style, or some creative/innovative approach and I saw very little of that in this year’s list. Many readers were disappointed by Praiseworth’s exclusion from the longlist. I was initially relieved it wasn’t on the list because it was a hard read for me that I ultimately abandoned in order to read the longlist. But the reality was that Praiseworthy was wholly unique and offered something that stood out. I would have much rather screamed in exasperation at a book than screamed in boredom (which is what I often did).

How many of the longlist books did you read: All of them.
Best writing: Held
Most original: Orbital
Best Plot development: Playground
Best Character development: James. How it it not be? Everett basically took a character that had no development in the original book and draw a story around him, giving him a voice and agency. My friends is a close second.
Most enjoyable read: Here I will likely diverge from my fellow panelists. Creation Lake. I found this book to be pretty funny and dazzlingly intelligent. Creation Lake was by no means my favorite book, but my reading experience was pretty engaging.
Least enjoyable read:  This Strange Eventful History, first half of Enlightenment.
Which book would you want to read again? James

Lisa’s overall thoughts: I wish I did not have to do anything so annoying as work so I had time to read them all! I either loved or hated most of the books I read. There were several I really liked: James, Creation Lake, Stoneyard Devotional, Playground And some that really fell flat for me: Headshot, Orbital, Enlightenment.

How many of the longlist books did you read: 6 complete, 2 working on, 1 abandoned
Best writing: Stone Yard Devotional. It was odd, but it really worked for me.
Most original: Creation Lake
Best Plot development. From what I can tell so far, and what I know of the author — Playground
Best Character development – Well, again, Richard Powers is very good at this as well.
Most enjoyable read. I was surprised by how much I liked Creation Lake.
Least enjoyable read. Orbital — I could not finish it. It just circled around and around…. (okay, you can fire me as a reviewer now.)
Which book would you want to read again? James. I enjoyed this a lot and I think Percival Everett is also an amazing writer.

Nicole’s overall thoughts:
How many of the longlist books did you read: I attempted them all, I finished 10
Best writing: It is really hard to say – some of these books I loved with every measure of my being, and it’s hard to call out one for writing, but I think I will go with Stone Yard Devotional (Held probably had better writing, but SYD got me to my core)
Most original: Even though it wasn’t one of my favorites, I think I have to choose Creation Lake
Best Plot development: Playground
Best Character development: I think The Safekeep gets this one for me
Most enjoyable read: Stone Yard Devotional – My stomach will drop if it’s not shortlisted, and I have this as a strong favorite for the win, which feels a bit delusional
Least enjoyable read: The 3 I didn’t finish (Enlightenment, My Friends and TSEH) notwithstanding, Headshot which I only finished because it was short, but I felt tortured
Which book would you want to read again? Stone Yard Devotional (and probably will) and Playground because I didn’t appreciate the complexity of the novel until it all unfolded and I’d like to go back with new eyes.

The exclusion of James in all these categories bothers me – it’s deserving of many accolades

Tracy’s overall thoughts:

How many of the longlist books did you read: All of them. This year’s list seems typical, to be honest- the great book or two, the eh, it’s fine book or nine, and the WTF book or two (re:This Strange Eventful History– Booker judges, I’d like those hours of my life back, please)
Best writing: James. Hands down. Percival Everett is a genius and this book will be taught in US classrooms alongside Huckleberry Finn.
Most original: I have to give it to Kushner. Creation Lake is unique, and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time, and appreciating it more.
Best Plot development: The Safekeep. But Playground too. It’s a tossup.
Best Character development: My Friends. There’s some hard hitting stuff in there, character wise. But I could easily say one of the four above praised novels.
Most enjoyable read: I’m not sure any were light-hearted enough to be enjoyable, but The Safekeep and James had me riveted.
Least enjoyable read: This Strange Eventful History.
Which book would you want to read again? James

Anita’s overall thoughts: Sadly, when the longlist was announced, I hadn’t read any of them. I knew I wouldn’t get through all thirteen, but I feel like I made great selections overall. For me, James had the most balance overall – interesting plot, great characters, addressing larger themes, well written. Everything I want in literature while still being literary. It’s the book I’d be most likely to recommend to a friend. My Friends, which seems to be leading the charge for a win, was dull and the only book I was sorry to have spent time on. Stone Yard Devotional was the big surprise. I really thought it was intriguing with interesting symbolism and thoughtful perspectives on life and also on facing death. To me, it’s the winner so far, though James is formidable competition.

How many of the longlist books did you read: 5 1/2
Best writing: Stone Yard Devotional
Most original: Stone Yard Devotional
Best Plot development: The Safekeep
Best Character development: Playground (haven’t finished it, but I think the characters here are very well drawn and revealed to the reader with subtlety).
Most enjoyable read: James (but The Safekeep was very close on this score)
Least enjoyable read: My Friends
Which book would you want to read again? Held. I think there’s more to unpack here for me.

We want to hear from you. Which books did you like and why? Drop us your thoughts and reviews in the comment section!