There’s nothing like a Savidge injection in the wee hours of the morning! I woke up, as if by magic, just before 3:00 a.m. (8:00 a.m. UK time) watched your video, and now I’m going back to bed. Thanks, Simon.🛌

Also I'm a Librarian at a University and I have sent your crowd funder to all my colleagues as I know they will won't to donate. I've donated myself as it is such a great cause.

Thank you for all the great WP content Simon 🙏🏾 Furious about In Defence of the Act being missed off the shortlist though so I'm off to have a sulk about that 😢

Great to see your reaction! Very similar to mine...I think half is a bit underwhelming, but the other half is strong!!

I was pretty happy with the shortlist. I was disappointed that Soldier Sailor made it but only because I can’t read that one-too triggering. So if it wins I’ll have fomo. I was surprised by Dolly Maunder but haven’t read it so excited to give it a shot! Very happy about all the others listed!

Loved your reaction to looking at the shortlist for the first time, and laughed out loud over your maths! Three strong ones and three less strong ones for me so 50-50, which is ok, I guess. Not making any winner predictions yet.

I loved this, my maths is pretty poor too! Keep making this great content😊

Interesting! I’ve finished 8 of the longlist so far (and like you, currently partway through Brotherless Night and loving it) but am really surprised by Restless Dolly Maunder making it on. And Ordinary Human Failings not, even though I haven’t even read that one yet. But on the bright side, Soldier Sailor is now the only shortlist book I have yet to read after I finish Brotherless Night, though I still want to get to a couple more that have sounded particularly good and gotten good reactions.

Loved your predictions and personal short list preferences breakdown. I actually read only 2 off the long list, and I absolutely agree with your thoughts on both Western Lane and Enter Ghost. the latter I predict will take the prize 🏆. I have library hold on Ordinary Failings and requests for alert when the others arrive in US library. Loved seeing you and Louise do a booktube from Sicily which I want to visit even more now.

Love your initial reactions as you read the list!

Books for Ukraine--I love it!!

I did enjoy this Savidge injection in the morning, thank you. Haha 😎 Oooo, I’m gonna just predict Soldier Sailor but Brotherless Night would probably be my personal choice for the one I’d love to see win (even without having read any!!) Have a lovely rest of your day, Simon 👑

Still planning on reading In Defense of the Act. Glad you loved so much.

Very suprised by Restless Dolly Maunder, which I enjoyed but can't be compared with Ordinary Human Failings which is just an incredible book. Also the judges said it was very funny - I totally missed that! Glad to see Enter Ghost and Brotherless Night both of which I haven't read but really want too. Thrilled to see The Wren, The Wren but so cross about Ordinary Human Failings.

Happy with the shortlist. I got 4 from my predictions right although my wishlist was less successful 😂 Good to see your reaction.

Thank you, Simon! You did a good job of predicting! I have been predicting Anne Enright to win since the longlist came out!

Started The Wren, The Wren last night and I'm very into it, so I'm happy to see it on the shortlist. Also thrilled to see River East, River West as well. The one I'm most surprised to see is Kate Grenville's book, just based on what I've heard so far, but I'm going to give it a go. Been loving following your Women's Prize videos!

I’m wondering if I’m the only person on book planet not to be enjoying Brotherless Night. Maybe it’s because I’m listening to the audiobook? Anyway, like others I’m disappointed that In Defence of the Act and Ordinary Human Failings haven’t made it. To me they’re much more unique than some of the others on there, including RDM…which I haven’t read yet but going by most folks’ reactions I’m not hugely inspired by yet. We’ll see though.

Still, good predictions this time from you 🎉😂 I have the last 3 books that you liked on my wish list. They sound intriguing, so thanks ❤

I think enter ghost will win but would love brotherless night to win

Very interesting! I haven't read any of these - yet - but I think I'm most excited for Brotherless night! Biggest surprise for me is not to see Ordinary Human Failings on the list, after hearing everybody rave about it

OMG that was a shock. Currently reading 8 lives of a century -old Trickster which I am really enjoying and I've read the Maiden which I loved. The only one I currently want to read is brotherless night. I do think even before reading it Brotherless night could win.

There should be a book prize for romance books.

I’m happy that there is an Aussie book on the list - yay! - but I’m surprised it made it tbh - now I have to read it as I still have it out from the library. 😊 I think either Enter Ghost or Brotherless Night will win - sorry not sorry I couldn’t pick just one. 😆

Astonishingly I got 4/6 right on my predictions. Really surprised to see Dolly and River East River West.

Those oh’s, haha. Very telling. I was quite surprised by the short list. I have no clue who the winner will be.

Missing the same three. They are great reads. Glad to see The Wren, The Wren on the list, though. I didn’t think Enright’s book was going to make it as it is such a quiet read. Will read Restless Dolly Mauder as I haven’t gotten to it yet. On the fence about reading Soldier Sailor. It sounds a bit claustrophobic….

I’m still predicting The Wren The Wren for the win. Anne Enright maths says it must be her year this time. 😂

Aha the 8 Lives Trickster one was on the longlist for the adventure prize too but also didn’t make it to the short list. That’s ok I still want to read it.

4/6! My best showing yet. I never bought that only one Irish author would be shortlisted. Also predicted Western Lane and Hangman. I'm going with Enter Ghost all the way FTW!

Great list . I think Soldier Sailor is going to win .

Oh I really hoped for Megan Nolan

I think Brotherless Night should win, but I didn’t read them all. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts when you’re done with it. I was supposed to read Soldier Sailor last month but I ran out of time 😂 I will try again maybe next month, curious if it will win.

Ok I’m glad that 2 Irish books got through with Brotherless Night, Enter Ghost……But Restless Dolly Maunder????

I always want more content because I am selfish. Suggestions: 1) Your favorite books set in Wales, Scotland, England, or Northern Ireland. 2) Your favorite books that you read during lockdown.

👍👍👍

Are there any of the long list books that you DNFd that you think you'll go back to even though they didn't make the shortlist?

My gut tells me Soldier Sailor will win, though I've not read it.

Well, I felt as gobsmacked as you appeared. I dnf’d the wren the wren. I better go and read it now. I do agree with you that I wouldn’t have read such good books if I hadn’t read the long list. I was surprised to see Restless Dolly Maunder in the shortlist. I liked it but felt it lacked depth compared to many of the others

I'm curious - since none of the books you DNF'ed made it onto the short list and you had said you would finish them later if they were, are you feeling relieved to not have to finish books that did not grab you as much?

Quite sad to see In Defence of the Act not there.

Restless Dolly Maunder was ok but no way as good as Ordinary Human Failings. Do you think that one will make The Booker or is it not long enough? Just downloaded Brotherless Night and The Wren the Wren.

I think Soldier Sailor will win 🤷‍♀️

I got 3 right, sad not to see Ordinary Human Failings on the list. River East River West isn't available here until the end of May, but I'll keep an eye out to see if the date now gets moved forward. For the winner (noting I've only read 5) I think Enter Ghost or Soldier Sailor.

Good shortlist , would like to have seen Megan Nolan, didn’t really like The Wren The Wren but not surprised it is on. Loved River East River West .

I’m not too mad at this list .. except would have loved to have seen Ordinary Human Failings on the list … and not Dolly Maunder

Where is Ordinary Human Failures I Loved it

Really surprised ordinary human failings didnt make it, it's my favourite book so far this year. Bit disapointed restless dolly maunder is there as I feel it's not her best work. But hey it is what it is and through the womens prize for fiction I fi d lots of gems, been following now for a number of years.

Oh bum - Ordinary Human Failings isn't on it - humph. Oh well good luck to the others.

Ordinary Human Failings was robbed!

Hmm... a bit of a let down... have hung on to every word of these vlogs on the subj, you mainly and also others to compare views... my choices, based on covers and what people said 😚, expanded y'day after your everso detailed vid to include River east-west, but were formerly based on (my first favourite, the minute I saw that huge red hardback) 8 lives, and they put that nowhere... 😐☕... Of the ones chosen my feelings are mixed and purely personal, such as 'what, another mother-daughter', 'what, another Irish troubles,' or 'predictably, the Israeli conflict', everything so predictable makes warm-and-cozies like the maiden look startlingly outrageous and original. I think these crazy judges just throw my book radar off kilter. So disappointing may not pick up any of them, but your journey was a total joy, have loved it and will look for more (when you're ready).