Hello and welcome to one of the first posts where I go through some of the goals I have for myself in 2021. One challenge I have for myself is reading a shortlist. This past year I did the Man Booker Prize, which is not just the Booker Prize. I will be posting a wrap up to that tomorrow, so keep an eye out! This year I decided I am going to read the International Booker Prize 2020 Shortlist.
I decided to do the international edition of this literary award so I read more from around the world and read some more translated works. I realized in 2020 I do like translated books quite a bit and I thought this would be a great way to learn about new authors.
The Shortlisted Books
- The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree by Shokoofeh Azar – Iran
- The Adventures of China Iron by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara – Argentina
- Tyll by Daniel Kehlmann – German
- Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor – Mexico
- The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa – Japan
- The Discomfort of Evening by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld – Netherlands (Winner)
After reading the description of each of these books I can honestly say I think this year is the most I have been excited to complete this reading challenge. These stories sound wonderfully written, unique, and they all sound like something I would be interested in if I was not doing this challenge. I already picked up Hurricane Season to get started on this in January and I will continue from there.
Do you have any book awards that you follow or keep tabs on?
Classic Bhaer 
Good luck!! I’ve never even heard of any of the books you listed. I don’t follow along with any awards and I don’t think I could do a challenge like this myself because most of the time I’m not interested in the books that have won.
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Thanks so much! I will be honest, I started this challenge years ago because I always was confused why these books were getting picked. A lot of the times I would read the description and not be into it, but when I read it I understood why they were at the top of the picks for the awards.
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That’s awesome I’m glad it has worked at for you.
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Such a good reading goal. I read The Adventures of China Iron last year and absolutely adored it. I recently posted my review of it on my blog. I also have a copy of The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree that I’m planning on reading this year. I have a copy of Little Eyes which was on the longlist last year that I want to get to this year too. I do believe I have an ebook copy of Hurricane Season on my email somewhere as well. I might get to that this year as well. But my two priorities will be The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree and Little Eyes. I can’t wait to see what books will be longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2021 🙂 Good Luck with you goal lovely. Happy New Year!
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