Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality all about sharing the books we are adding to our shelves, whether physical or virtual.
This week, I’m sharing two books from the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2019 longlist that I’ve recently downloaded:
Milkman by Anna Burns
I’ve been really curious about this unique novel, which won the Man Booker Prize last year. When I saw it as a Kindle daily deal, I immediately downloaded it and started reading. Although I was drawn in by the unnamed narrator and the background of the Troubles right from the start, I soon realized that this is going to be a difficult read that’s going to require my undivided attention. I’m really enjoying the rambling prose but just haven’t been in the right head space to appreciate it to the fullest so far. Milkman is definitely not the best book for bedtime reading when you’re tired! Hopefully I’ll feel like diving into it again soon, but I’m taking a tiny break from it for now.
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
This sounds like an equally fun, dark, satirical and suspenseful thriller that will be difficult to put down. I do hope it won’t be too light of a read however, and that it will contain enough depth and character development to make it memorable. The title and cover alone are certainly gripping and unforgettable!
Have you read either of these? What book(s) have you added to your shelf lately?
Dwell in Possibility 
I’m number 3 on the waiting list for My Sister the Serial Killer. I am so looking forward to it!
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Yay!! Hopefully we’ll both enjoy it!
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I always love the prize lists — like you, I use them to get some ideas for future interesting reads. The only one I’ve actually read from this list is Circe, which was great (I liked it even more than her first novel, Song of Achilles). I’ve really wanted to read The Milkman since it won the Booker Prize, but was putting it off until I could concentrate on it — thanks for your confirmation that it’s a difficult read! I’m also looking forward to reading Ghost Wall and the Sally Rooney novel — she’s gotten such great reviews and I’ve yet to read anything by her.
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I feel exactly the same as you do about Circe and Song of Achilles, Janakay! I cannot wait to see what Madeline Miller writes next. Milkman is certainly difficult in the sense that it requires your undivided attention and a bit of patience, and I just realized I wasn’t able to give enough of either at the moment. Hopefully we’ll both love it when we’re able to fully appreciate it!! Ghost Wall, Normal People, and The Silence of the Girls are high on my Women’s Prize TBR list too. Sally Rooney’s Conversations with Friends was one of my favorite books from last year, and I’d highly recommend it.
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Yes to Circe and lists – how else would I know what to look for?
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I read “Milkman” and loved it – I read it twice. It’s going to be the best book I read all year – maybe one of the best of the decade (this being 2019 and all) so it’s actually the best of this century so far. mo, it stand up to James Joyce (for Ireland and kind of stream of consciousness) as well as Faulkner for a sense of place – maybe others but it’s very innovative. (Fwiw, NOT everyone is as enthusiastic as I am – men often don’t “get it.”)
I’ve not read “My Sister, the Serial Killer” but I’ve certainly seen it – I may pick it up yet.
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I’m so glad to hear how much you loved it, Becky!! That’s definitely some high praise and you’ve made me want to pick it back up ASAP. I can already tell that it’s an innovative and interesting read, and even if I don’t end up loving it as much as you did, I know I’ll be happy to have read it. Hopefully we’ll both enjoy My Sister, the Serial Killer too!
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Don’t be put off by the nameless characters – there are many reasons for that. How do you talk to a seat passenger on an airplane? We often don’t give names in those situations – it’ just my mom or my brother-in-law or whatever. And with the tensions in Northern Ireland at the time, the 1st person is being discrete, careful. Another thing namelessness does is tell me who all these characters are and how they fit rather than just some label.
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I recently finished Milkman. While I found it compelling and beautifully written I wasn’t quite able to *enjoy* it, and some elements struck me as slightly contrived. It’s definitely worth reading, and I’m glad I read it, but right now it’s in my “easier to admire than to love” category.
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That makes sense! I won’t be shocked if I end up feeling similarly in the end.
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I own My Sister the Serial Killer and need to make time for it. Hope you enjoy both of your books.
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I haven’t read either of these, but that’s a good tip about Milkman – some books just can’t be read quickly to order can they!?
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