Is it just me or do you look forward to this time of year, too? The Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction longlist is going to be announced soon! I swear I read all the time and I read a variety of books (as you probably know), but I never seem to have read many of the books that make the longlist. That doesn't mean I am not eagerly awaiting that list and hoping for some wonderful new discoveries. I always think I will make a reading project of it, and read through the whole list, long or at least short, but reality then sets in (realizing how slowly I read, how many books I already have on the go and remembering that I am taking a literature class whose books get to jump to the head of the reading queue). But you never know. So, less than one week to go.
I have been curious to know which books are in the running. Someday it might be fun to track new releases of books by women writers and come up with a possible list of contenders. Maybe that's something I will do for the 2016 prize. For now, though, I am relying on other readers to share their predictions. Are you curious too? Here's a rundown of lists I've come across:
The Writes of Woman shares her wishlist.
I know Jackie at Farmlane Books is always widely and well read and has a list of predictions, and you can read hers here.
A Life in Books actually has several books I have either read or have on my own reading pile, which makes me feel good.
And Utterbiblio has an intriguing list to sort through, too.
I'm not daring enough to come up with a list, but I know I would be pleased to see Sarah Waters on it. Hmm. Might have to think about who else . . . Maybe Ali Smith's newest? I have both on my own reading pile.
Have you read any particularly good books published by women in the past year you think might make the list? Do share your own predictions!
While I'm waiting, I think I'll be looking through these lists of possibilities, because you can never have too many good books to look forward to reading, right?