Women's Prize Shortlist - What's worth it?

[IceIceBabyBump]

Has anyone read all the books on the Women's Prize shortlist?

If so, which ones are worth a read? I've just started "The Safe Keep" which I'm loving. But the descriptions of the rest haven't really grabbed me.

Last year I read all the shortlisted novels and was disappointed by most of them. Would it be the same this year if I went through them all?

Announcing the 2025 Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist! - Women's Prize : Women's Prize < Shortlist here

I loved the Safekeep and am a big Elizabeth Strout fan so liked Tell me Everything, although I wouldn't expect it be the winner. I couldn't get on with All Fours at all, maybe too much hype. I'd love to hear some views on the ones I've yet to read.

I've not yet read any of the Fiction shortlist titles though I own two on Kindle - I bought All Fours last year and The Safekeep more recently. I have library reservations for three of the others, and Good Girl is awaiting collection. I like Elizabeth Strout but want to read/ reread 5 other books by her featuring these characters before I read this book so it's likely to take me a while.

From the longlist I enjoyed Dream Count and thought Nesting was excellent. I've just started The Dream Hotel.

From OP, I'm assuming you're just asking about the Fiction Prize, but I have managed to read two books from the Non Fiction Shortlist - I liked Private Revolutions very much about women in China (my mum died in 2016 but this was one of her main areas of study in her academic research/writing/teaching career). Agent Zo about a Polish spy during and after WWII was also fascinating. I also hope to read several of the others, including memoirs, a book on women and law by a barrister, and a book on Viking women.

I've just booked to go to a Women's Press Live event in central London next week (11 June, the day before the prizes are announced) after thinking about it for a few weeks. I've spent nearly £100, but I used to go to a lot of book events - generally crime fiction - and it's been a long time. As I live in London I'm only spending a little money on local travel and nothing on accommodation.

@elkiedee Sorry, yes, I should've clarified that I was talking about the fiction prize.

I have to be in the mood for non-fiction and I haven't been feeling it for a few months now but these recommendations are great, thank you.

Hi i really want to attend the woman’s prize book event on 11/6 but tickets are an eye watering £96 !
Doea anyone have a coupon code to get a discount please ?
Thank you in advance x

I absolutely loved Tell Me Everything. I also enjoyed All Fours - it’s not for the feint hearted though!! I’m not prudish but it’s really quite graphic… Safe Keep is next on my reading list!

Do share elkiedee what the Bloomabury event was like please if you get the chance.
Thank you.

i have read ‘ good girl ‘ which was mind blowing !

The only one I've read is Tell Me Everything and I really enjoyed it, I love Elizabeth Strout though and have read most of her books.

I read the start of All Fours as I liked the sound of it, but it wasn't my thing, just felt a bit gimmicky to me.