It’s award season in the book world. In January the Edgar’s nominations were announced and this month two big book prizes released the longlists: The Women’s Prize for Fiction and The International Booker Prize. I really enjoy reading about these because I find out about books that maybe would not have made it on my radar.

I haven’t read any books from either of these two lists but I can tell you that I’ve already added a lot of titles to my wish list. From these longlists the judges will narrow down to a shortlist and those will be announced in April and then winners the following months.

One day I’d love to have a goal to read all nominated books in time for the awards to see if my favorite would win but maybe when I’m retired! ha.

But, I thought I’d share a few of the titles from both the Women’s Prize and the International Booker that caught my eye.

The Women’s Prize for Fiction:
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. I’ve loved several of her books so this one automatically goes on my wish list.
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes. I love mythology and Medusa’s story was always one of my favorites.
Trespasses by Louise Kennedy. I’ve been hearing a lot about this book and think it would be a fascinating read.

The International Booker Prize:
Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel, translated by Rosalind Harvey. I’ve read one book by Guadalupe Nettel before and would certainly like to read more. This story is traces the lives of Laura and Alina, best friends with a shared aversion to “the human shackles” of motherhood. Or so it seems.
Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov, translated by Angela Rodel. A ‘clinic for the past’ offers a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s sufferers: each floor reproduces a decade in minute detail, transporting patients back in time.
Whale by Cheon Myeong-Kwan, translated by Chi-Young Kim. An adventure-satire of epic proportions, which sheds new light on the changes Korea experienced in its rapid transition from pre-modern to post-modern society.

Have you read any of the nominated books or any title in particular caught your attention?

Did you all survive daylight savings time? I’m suffering from spring fever and wanting to just spend days on fun adventures. Unfortunately that’s not the case but I did take a couple of days off last week so I had a long weekend and I caught up a bit on my reading as well as had some time for naps.

I also wanted to go to one of our indie bookshops and had in mind to visit Bookwoman but as it’s SXSW, I do not want to cross through downtown Austin. Luckily I have a great little indie bookshop in my side of town, Reverie Books.

I had a great time browsing through the different shelves. Although it’s a small shop there is a little bit for everyone. I was tempted by several books in the fiction section but I ended up getting A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers. Not only do I keep hearing about this but after speaking with the bookseller, I was sold on it.

After I got my book I walked over next door to Quack’s Bakery for a latte and coffee cake (so delicious) to enjoy while I caught up on some journaling and reading a back issue of Art Journaling magazine. I subscribe to this magazine and love it but I’m so behind on the issues. As a matter of fact the latest issue arrived in my mailbox today and I’m behind by at least four issues.

I love hanging out at a coffee shop with my journal and books. How about you, are you able to read while in a coffee shop or too noisy for you?

Anyway, I hope you are having a good week and reading lots of good things!