Do you attempt to read the award winners? Which award do you like the most?

Submitted by Don_Quixotel t3_z4mzqo in books

Nobel, Pulitzer, Booker, National Book Award, Hugo, Nebula, Edgar, etc.

Do you care about awards given to books or do you just read what you want to read? Which award winners do you tend to like most?

In the past I’ve tried to read many of the Nebula, Hugo, and Edgar awards. Since I’m a middle school teacher, I also attempted to read all the Newbery winners (and several Printz and Caldecott winners).

This year I’m attempting to read the entire National Book Award short list. So far, I’m not overly impressed with what I’ve read: Best Barbarian, The Town of Babylon, and South to America (actually really like this last one).

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HotpieTargaryen t1_ixrvv9n wrote

Booker shortlist is always a good set of reads every year.

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Key_Piccolo_2187 t1_ixsk9qh wrote

1000%. As a child, an aunt paid me $1 for each Newbery I read, which started a habit.

I generally try to read the shortlists for most of the major prizes (Booker, National Book Award, etc.). In a good year, I get to 60% coverage.

My logic: I feel for all the undiscovered geniuses that I don't take a chance on, but based on my TBR list (~400 books), my pace of reading (~40/yr), the pace I add to my TBR (~60/yr) and my age (36), I need prioritization help. May as well get it from the experts.

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[deleted] t1_ixrrpdn wrote

I pay no attention. I actually find I tend to not like the ones that win the awards. I guess I have terrible taste, idk. Just not my style.

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ProfessorX74 t1_ixsalrp wrote

Actually with the exception of a few,I feel the exact same way lol it’s the books that go unnoticed that are really exceptional to say the least !

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shemjaza t1_ixrx5gv wrote

I keep an eye out for Hugo +:Nebula.

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hgaterms t1_ixrsm3k wrote

Oh yes, absolutely.

I use them as a spring board for ideas on what to read next on long-ass trips that I need to take. So many books, so little time -- that kind of thing.

Anyway, I have a long trip coming up and needed to get some books and audiobooks into my Kindle. I'm a big Sci-Fi nerd so I started browsing the Hugo Award winners and downloaded a few books. I'm actually looking forward to reading the Forever War.

I then looked at the audiobook selections and discovered that the 2022 winner of "Audiobook of the Year" went to Project Hail Mary. Hot damn!

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Steelfury013 t1_ixrzgfs wrote

Forever war and Camouflage are some of the best sci-fi books I've read. While some Hugo and Nebula award winners don't appeal to me, I have to say more often than not they're deserved

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ProfessorX74 t1_ixsavey wrote

So glad you had a good opinion of Forever War. Saw it at BAM the other day and have been contemplating trying it out. Now I’m decided lol

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ChaserNeverRests t1_ixrq1pp wrote

Nope. I've found that award winners in any media don't generally match up with my tastes. (Which, yeah, might say something about my tastes.)

My reading time is finite, I'd rather read something I more certain I'd like. Sometimes I end up liking something that won awards (usually Newbery ones), but that's just chance.

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Don_Quixotel OP t1_ixrqz0w wrote

I respect that. I’m an awards chaser and often end up disappointed.

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MonstersMamaX2 t1_ixt8du5 wrote

This is me as well. The only Pulitzer winner I've read and enjoyed is the The Color Purple. The most recent one I've tried to read was All The Light We Cannot See. That was an epic fail.

I agree with liking the Newberry award winners. I don't like all of them but if I'm going to like a book that's won an award, it will most likely be a Newberry.

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bwestergreen t1_ixs2hhh wrote

I’ve read most Pulitzer Prize Fiction winners and I’ve loved around 75%. It can be very American-centric (as the prize is meant to be), but just good to be aware of.

Historically awards can be interesting view into what was happening culturally/politically at the time, and maybe the values being focused on by the judges.

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bwestergreen t1_ixs2o6p wrote

Oh and I also enjoy the Eisner awards, I don’t keep up with comics regularly so it’s a nice highlight for a casual.

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kaysn t1_ixrs6g1 wrote

I do pick a couple from the Booker Price long list, not necessarily the awardee. They aren't always of interest to me. From 2022, I've read Small Things Like These and The Colony.

If the book was already in my TBR. An award could possibly bump it up the line.

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rustymacdonald t1_ixs0izz wrote

I do follow award winners and finalists but generally make sure to research the history of the award and what the panel is typically looking for when choosing winners. No point in an award if the award criteria doesn't match my interests.

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PandaNoTrash t1_ixst1r4 wrote

I second the Booker short list (they dropped the Mann part which was a sponsor).

But I'd like to add Pulitzer, I know it sounds like an odd choice but I discovered Anthony Doerr for "All the Light We Cannot See" due to it. He is awesome if you haven't read him. His latest is "Cloud Cuckoo Land".

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carlitospig t1_ixrxmko wrote

Hugo and Nebulas, yes.

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ZaphodG t1_ixy31bb wrote

I look at the nominees. The winner isn’t necessarily the best read.

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carlitospig t1_ixz2gbg wrote

Totes. That whole pool of authors is usually a goldmine each year.

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timtamsforbreakfast t1_ixs1djq wrote

Eventually I would like to read all winners of the Miles Franklin Award, Booker Prize, and Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. I look at the Orange Prize and Stella Prize too. But I've barely scratched the surface so far. It might take a lifetime to read them all. I figure that any book that is shortlisted for one of those awards has got to be better than average, and that the winners will definitely be worth reading even if they are not my cup of tea.

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Smolesworthy t1_ixu3asp wrote

I am 96% through my mission to read every one of those first three lists (according to the spreadsheet I use). Currently Updike’s Rabbit at Rest, next Vance Palmer’s The Big Fellow. Another half dozen, including the last two as Christmas pressies.

I had one ‘cheat’. I figured once I’d read an author I could consider them covered. I didn’t need to read all four Careys or Wintons.

It’s a ‘two for’. I’ve enjoyed the reading, but also chasing the achievement.

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timtamsforbreakfast t1_ixuglbi wrote

That's a cool achievement! You must be an Aussie too. Would you believe I have never read any Tim Winton book yet. Out of the 3 lists, which books would you reccomend I bump to the front of my want-to-read list?

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Smolesworthy t1_ixvu4b5 wrote

Brissie.

Keep it simple. Start with the most recent and work backwards. The ones you’ll read first are the ones you can find first.

I was lucky - I have membership in two neighbouring cities’ library networks, both with no fee inter-library transfers. And one of them allows members to make up to three purchase requests per month. I was never knocked back unless it was impossible to buy it as it was no longer in print.

Then came the online used book hunting (eBay, ABE and Fishpond) and every used book store I could find.

And of course, the commitment to extended reading daily. I’ve been at it for a couple of years.

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Smolesworthy t1_iy9wlls wrote

I can see I’ve also invited you to our sub. Hope you check it out. You’ll note all the award winning books posted, because that’s where I share the gems I come across in my reading. I’m planning to post a line from Updike on Valentine’s Day (NSFW)

>!To keep his prick up he kept telling himself This is the first time I’ve ever fucked a left-handed woman.!<

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bananab33 t1_ixt2gly wrote

I tried to read all the Pulitzer books in my lifetime, and "Beloved" was the only good one until I gave up. I never got to "Lonesome Dove", which I expect also would have been really good. Some of them were just awful, I do not understand why they won anything!

I tend to love Man Booker, Nebula, and Hugo award winners, but I don't seek them out purposefully.

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LoveLaughShowUp t1_ixt9gfs wrote

I read widely and across wildly different genres. Every year, I hope I’ve already read a lot about of the NBA short lists before they’re announced. I’m other words, I lie to think I read discriminately. The jokes on me as I’m getting worse and worse at predicting. Nevertheless, I try to read most of the short-listed award books after they’re announced.

Happy reading!

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Odd-Independent6177 t1_ixt9ln8 wrote

Two that I tend to like are the Orwell and Wolfson prizes. In general I love to read a good long list and add some to my TBR.

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ChrisGoddard79 t1_ixu5hbs wrote

At the start of the 2000’s Waterstones released a list of the 100 greatest books of the last century. I made it my mission to read every single one of them. With a lot of detours along the way, 21 years later I finally finished. It stands as one of the greatest things I’ve ever done. So many titles, topics and authors that I would never have otherwise read.

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Ok_Bear_136 t1_ixuyolj wrote

I would try any on the David Gemmell awards, used to figure I might find one as good as his books

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Eireika t1_ixs3i4i wrote

I follow many and scan runner ups for something that might align with my interests.

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sept_douleurs t1_ixs5rbv wrote

I pay attention to the Stoker Awards, Shirley Jackson Awards, Hugo Awards, and Nebula Awards. Shirley Jackson Awards usually go to great work, so that’s the one I like the most. I think Stokers are also pretty good though a little more of a mixed bag than the Shirley Jackson Award, which I think trends a little more big brain horror than the Stokers. Hugos and Nebulas are basically an anti-recommendation to me at this point, especially in the short fiction categories; most of what I’ve seen nominated for them has been slop the past few years.

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Shanstergoodheart t1_ixsae34 wrote

I like the Costa one. I don't read all of them but they can be good guide if you're looking for something good.

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otmike70 t1_ixsgseh wrote

I read all of the Pulitzer Fiction finalists each year. I read the NBA winner each year and prior to announcing I read from the longlist. I also often read the NBCCA. I find that the NBA longlist most consistently delivers my favorite new reads.

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imnotthatguyiswear t1_ixsirv1 wrote

I have a look at what's on the Booker's list of nominees every year and only look into the ones that actually sound interesting.

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alterego879 t1_ixtedpm wrote

Off the top of my head, Pulitzers for Hemingway (Old Man and the Sea), Steinbeck (Grapes of Wrath), and McMurtry (Lonesome Dove) are some of my very favorites.

John Williams also won a National Book Award for Augustus which admittedly I haven’t read but his Stoner is my favorite book of all time.

In short, I don’t read books because they have awards, but my interest in a book is influenced by them provided I already had an interest in the book.

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anhld_iwnl t1_ixtemar wrote

Personally I like Nobel and Goncourt Prize.

I knew Andre Gide, Albert Camus, Hermann Hesse, John Steinbeck from searching 'List of Nobel laureates in Literature' wiki page. I've read some books of them and I never got disappointed.

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Numetshell t1_ixtjwct wrote

I usually pick up something by the Nobel winner. I also keep an eye on the winners of the big Scifi awards for something that sounds interesting.

The James Tait Black memorial award for fiction is a less well known award, but I nearly always enjoy its winner.

The Booker prize has generally been a disappointment for decades now.

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RVG990104 t1_ixtl4wf wrote

I really enjoy reading through the Booker prize winners and nominees. I've found some of my favorites that way.

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RD__III t1_ixtlb02 wrote

I use the nominee list from Hugo for inspiration. I’ve found some real gems there (A psalm for the wild built is maybe my favorite book I’ve read this year) and some real flops (A spindle Splintered is probably the worst book I’ve read this year). But it generally gives me decent content regardless

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Ineffable7980x t1_ixud01h wrote

I look at the lists, and then choose a small handful that sound interesting. Sometimes I find amazing reads, like Shuggie Bain and The Overstory, but more often than not I find these books meh. The Promise, for instance, underwhelmed me.

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rbrumble t1_ixukgxx wrote

Hugo and Nebula awards for me, as I'm predominately an SF reader. I'm also a WSFS member so I vote in and attend the Hugos when they're in North America and I can swing it, so reading the nominees is part of the process too.

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preciouspinkrose t1_ixukr76 wrote

I red what strikes my fancy. Awards have no bearing at all

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ThisFallenPrey t1_ixuyq9m wrote

I don't go out of my way to read and award winners but of the ones I have read or want (you would think I've not read anything given how few of these books I've actually read, though I have read thousands of books and own like 400, just goes to show you that I don't care about awards):

Newberry: Probably my number one right now only because I have read quite a few of these and have never been disappointed with any of them and The Giver series is a personal favourite. I've read The Giver, Holes, Bridge to Terabithia, Number the Stars, Shiloh, The Tale of Despereaux. And there are a number of books I haven't read that I would like to, such as A Wrinkle in Time or The Graveyard Book.

Nobel: I very much enjoyed Lord of the Flies. I covered a lot of Sartre and Russell in my philosophy classes, and generally found it interesting. The Jungle Book is fun. Always wanted to read Steinbeck, Faulkner, Yeats and Hemingway, but never have.

Pulitzer: love To Kill a Mockingbird. Want to read The Gildfinch, Beloved. Again want to read Faulkner and Hemingway. But tbh most of them I have never even heard of.

Booker: I'd like to read The English Patient and Life of Pi but otherwise haven't really even heard of any of the winners.

National Book Award: Want to Read Sophie's Choice and Faulkner and Steinbeck. Loved Holes.

Hugo: I feel as though I'd find a few loves here, lots of books and authors I've always wanted to read. If I had read all the ones I want to read on this list, it probably would be my number one over Newberrt, I'ma huge Sci-fi and Fantasy reader so this is the award for me. Adore Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Narnia. Own the first three Wheel of Time books, haven't read them yet, but I enjoyed the show well enough.

Nebula: List is pretty much the same as Hugo, once again, I'm sure many of these would be favourites, definitely a big Game of Thrones fan.

Edgar: loved Paper Towns. Surprised that I don't know more of these. Am a big mystery fan, love everything Poe and Sherlock. Lots of big authors on here as winners, but their individual books not as much.

Printz: loved I'll Give You the Sun, and Looking For Alaska. Looks like there are a few gems here too.

Caldecott: The Polar Express and Jumangi are fantastic (I really love Chris Van Allsburg). Where the Wild Things Are is great, and there are a few that I'd like to read here as well

Definitely gets me thinking about all the books I want to read but never have lol

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jakobjaderbo t1_ixv89g9 wrote

I tend to pop in a classic or a Nobel prize winner sometimes when I feel I have read a lot of fantasy/sci-fi in a row to mix things up.

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Minion-22 t1_ixvbwqm wrote

Kinda of spin off question, but where does one go to find all of these lists? Do you have to search every award listing, and how would I know all of the awards?

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Don_Quixotel OP t1_ixvc1sq wrote

Yeah Google is your friend. Most major news publications will announce the bigger awards too.

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Dbooknerd t1_ixvfo0n wrote

I never look at the awards. I just read what I like. And I find most award winners not at all to my taste.

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KingOfMelvins t1_ixvrrxx wrote

Sometimes, depends on the awards and rationale behind it. You can usually get some form of explanation of why they picked the book so just compare that against books I like to read.

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Zikoris t1_ixs24t3 wrote

No. I'm normally not much of a fan of literary or woke books, and those dominate most of the big awards. Ooga ooga I'm a barbarian I guess.

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[deleted] t1_ixshht5 wrote

[deleted]

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McGilla_Gorilla t1_ixso2gx wrote

Are we really gonna pretend “woke bad” is a useful contribution to a thread?

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Zikoris t1_ixsxzth wrote

"I don't like these books for X reason" is at least as useful as all the other comments that are just "I don't like these books, for some unknown reason I'm not going to share"

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