Last year, I decided I would read the Women’s Prize shortlist before the winner was announced. But like a lot of well-thought plans, I only got round to reading one of them, even though I bought them all. So, following that success, I decided to go one further and read the 2025 longlist before the winner was announced. So here are my thoughts and predictions.
A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike
Considering it’s set in the 1500s, it was surprisingly accessible, relatable. A little slow to get going in my opinion, and some of the streams of consciousness were a bit haphazard. But overall, I thought Tibb was a very interesting character. It was funny and rude and sad in places. I haven’t read anything like it. I think it needed a little bit of tidying up in terms of pace and narrative, but I did enjoy the characterisation and the basic story of it. Considering this is Rosanna’s debut, I think she’s got a bright future ahead. It’ll be interesting to see if she sticks with historical fiction or branches out, because I think the heart of this book could traverse different eras and still make sense.
All Fours by Miranda July
I didn’t get this book at all. I found it quite dull if I’m completely honest. I did finish it, because I made myself, hoping that it would live up to the praise it’s been getting. But I felt it wasn’t overly original, a bit whiney, and I didn’t care for the main character. I just kept waiting for something to happen, but it never did.
Amma by Saraid de Silva
There’s no speech marks in this book which I really don’t like. It started off being a quirky narrative device but I have never liked it. I find it annoying and it takes me out of the story, so this book was already on the back foot. But I admit that after a while, I didn’t even notice it, so effortlessly weaved in it all was. I was also concerned that three women, different time periods, different countries, that it would be too confusing, and yet it works perfectly. There are some very difficult topics featured that are hard to read about but Saraid hasn’t sensationalised them, there’s a reason for being there. I really loved this book. I read it so quickly as it was so interesting. So impressive for a debut.
Birding by Rose Ruane
This is such a good book. Rose has written this in such a vivid way that I was immediately standing in the story, it’s so clear. It reads in such a beautiful poetic way but it’s not distracting, it feels really natural. I really liked this book. It is written so well, a great storyline, powerful messages, and interesting characters. It’s difficult and emotional and moving and just a really great read, and instantly moved to my #1 spot.
Crooked Seeds by Karen Jennings
Oh this is bleak. Not in terms of the writing, it’s good writing, good storytelling. But the plot, the themes, the characters – it’s all so very bleak. I’ll be honest…I have absolutely no idea what it was actually about. A fine read but didn’t really have enough substance for me. There were random subplots that didn’t seem to have any impact, and the characters were all very unlikeable.
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
I liked it. It was odd but in a good way. I did think it was going to be more of a dystopian story than it was, but it felt a bit flat there. I suppose my main issue was I wasn’t sure what it was tyring to be. A fantasy, yes. But dystopian, horror, thriller? Was it meant to be like The Handmaid’s Tale? Did it have a moral or a message? It was perfectly enjoyable and I would recommend it, but it left me a bit confused as I wasn’t sure it knew what it was or where it was going.
Good Girl by Aria Aber
I found this really hard to get into. It felt very bitty, and didn’t flow really. It felt like it was trying to be too clever. I don’t mind intelligent literary books if they’re done well, but this felt too obvious, like it was trying to be smart rather than just being. Which meant, for me, the story got lost. It was meant to be this really deep, intense coming-of-age story but I felt it lacked any kind of depth. Clearly it’s just not for me. But one positive I will say is that you can tell Aria is a poet because some of the prose is quite nice.
Nesting by Roisin O’Donnell
Oooh this was intense but addictive. I was hooked instantly. I’m very surprised this didn’t make it on the shortlist. It’s very uncomfortable to read, it’s tense and upsetting and raw, but it’s oh so marvellously written. Whilst it may not have made the shortlist for this prize, I can definitely see it racking up many awards.
The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji
This was actually the first longlistee I had because I was sent an e-arc, and yet it was the last one I read. Gosh I found it hard work. There are so many characters that I couldn’t keep up with, and I found the language and narrative really unfriendly to read. It’s an interesting premise and a fascinating look at the difference between Western and Eastern cultures and stereotypes but I just didn’t like it. I found it so difficult to read, I found all the characters unlovable and over the top, full of cliches. It’s also all over the place and I just couldn’t keep on top of what we were meant to be feeling.
Somewhere Else by Jenni Daiches
I struggled with this book at first, and I was a bit concerned that I wouldn’t enjoy it and would end up DNF-ing it, but I really did get into it. It’s not perfect, it has its flaws but it also has a lot of heart and love and hope. It goes over a long period of time, a century or so, which was unexpected but it did mean there were a lot of characters to keep track of, which I’m not that great at. I didn’t love it but it did have it’s good moments.
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
I know this is part of a series but I did read that it could be read as a standalone. I have only read one of Strout’s books and it wasn’t for me, but I wanted to read this with an open mind. But unfortunately it didn’t go any better than the other one I read. I found it slow and monotonous and nothing really happens. Which I don’t mind so much if the writing or characters are good, but I felt I just didn’t care about any of it. So I think I’m just accepting she’s not the author for me.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
I read this in 2024. I thought this was an interesting and enjoyable read but I didn’t get the big fuss about it. I did consider DNF-ing it as I just found it difficult to get into. It isn’t the perfect book I was hoping for. It was overall an entertaining read, but would I recommend it? I’m not sure. I think it’s good and I would tell people to persevere with it, but it does have a few too many problems for me.
The Safe Keep by Yael Van Der Wouden
I read this in 2024. I absolutely loved this book and it definitely was one of my favourite reads of 2024. At 260 pages it is quite quick. It had this lyrical quality about it that held my attention and I just couldn’t part with it. It was an instant five-star read. The writing is so natural and yet captivating, the characters well written and complicated, and the plot inviting and entertaining.
Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
I have been looking forward to this book for so long and got my hands on it the second it was released. It was much funnier than I was expecting given it’s about ISIS. That’s not a negative, just a surprise. Given the topic I was expecting a much more serious, quite dry story (although there is of course a seriousness about it). This has been written by someone who actually knows what she’s talking about, has actually been there, which adds a layer of gravitas to the whole thing. I felt it dipped slightly in the middle but soon picked itself up again. A really promising debut.
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Like most people, it’s been a long time since I read a Chimamanda book, but that decade hasn’t dampened her talent. Her writing, every word, every sentence is so thought out it reads like poetry. I struggle to imagine her ever writing a terrible draft. But I do have a complaint, and I suppose it is quite a big one, and that’s that I had no idea what it was about. It’s written better than I’ve read in a long time, but if you asked me what the storyline was, I couldn’t tell you. I did read it in one sitting, it was easy to read. Beautiful writing but poor storytelling.
***
You’ll notice that I am one book short. I am missing The Artist by Lucy Steeds. The reason for this is that I didn’t gel with it and therefore did not finish it. I haven’t completely written it off though, and I still have it on my Kindle to return to. But I thought it would be unfair to leave a review for a book I haven’t finished.
*****
Shortlist
The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji
Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
Good Girl by Aria Aber
All Fours by Miranda July
*****
My Predictions
The Safekeep I loved, and having been shortlisted for the Booker Prize might help sway it. Birding was probably my personal favourite, as well as Nesting, and I am sad they didn’t get on the shortlist. Whilst I wasn’t a huge fan of it, I’m surprised Dream Count wasn’t on the shortlist.
I think overall, the winner is going to be Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis.
Books By Your Bedside 