The Booker Prize: what we got right & what we’re most excited about
Your summer syllabus is here. Join the book club.
An exciting week in books: the 2025 Booker longlist has officially landed.
Last week we shared everything you need to know in the build up to the list release, and made some predictions of what we thought might make the list.
Reader, we got one right.
But I am delighted for two reasons:
Audition made the list. I’ve been banging on about this book for months, so this feels like a person win and small badge of validation from the judges
It’s a genuinely great list… in that it leaves me with a lot to read
The Booker longlist 2025: worth diving into
A note on the links: All books are linked via Verse, which supports us if you choose to purchase this way!
Some early list stats:
One title is still on pre-order only (this epic from Kiran Desai)
Several are now out of stock due to small initial print runs
Two thirds are by female authors
Five books are under 250 pages (Seascraper, Audition, One Boat, Universality, The Rest of Our Lives). The average page count across the list? 320.
It’s the most globally diverse list in over a decade, spanning 9 nationalities and 4 continents. Yet 5 Brits made the cut (39%).
The list focuses on UK and/or Ireland published titles between October 2024 and September 2025. This means that they do not have had to have been published in other regions - 3 do not yet have US publication dates and 1 isn’t scheduled to be published in US until 2026.
In previous years, publishers (and potentially authors) were informed if a book would be long- or shortlisted to enable stock availability or kick start re-printing. This year, they were not told in advance and these anti-leak measures seem to have worked. The list, from everything I have read online, seems to be new to everyone. Readers favourites like Nesting didn’t make it, surprising many.
A Waterstones pit stop
Naturally, I popped into my local Waterstones to chat to the booksellers and get a feel for the reaction on the ground, plus their thoughts on the list.
They hadn’t been told the list ahead of time (as expected)
They had just 8 copies in stock across 4 titles (The Rest of Our Lives, Universality, Audition, Flashlight). I bought 3 of them.
All the books in stock already had the longlist mark printed (not stickered) on the jacket. Quick turnaround.
The team told me the Books & Campaigns Manager called Flashlight one of the best books they’ve ever read. So you better believe I turned around and bought their last copy.
Here’s a great write-up of the list by 2024 Prize Judge, Justine Jordan.
Also, for the first time ever, the shortlist will be announced live at a public event at the Southbank Centre. Tickets here.
You can also shop the whole list here on Bookshop.org.
Now, over to you. Fancy a book club?
Earlier this year, we ran a relay-style book club for the International Booker. It was easily one of our favourite community moments so far. The funnest experience, full of great people and a really interesting way to commit to reading.
One of our members described it as:
“A personal trainer for your mind - keeping you accountable and on track, without the pressure.”
Reading in community has so many benefits for our focus, our wellbeing, and our sense of connection. And we’ve already had some requests based on this longlist release.
So, should we do it again?
If you’d be up for a Booker book club, you can join us here.
Coming soon: our first non-fiction club
This isn’t the only club in the works.
Next week we’re announcing something very special: a new non-fiction book club in collaboration with a fab partner. It’s designed to help you take insights off the page and into your life.
Think of it as a companion club for your growth, resilience and overall wellbeing. The book is excellent, we start in September.
We’ll share the full details in next week’s newsletter, but if you’re curious, you might spot it on our site a little early…
And if you’ve signed up to our book club waitlist you’ll get the details first on Tuesday. It’s not too late to join our waitlist.
Update: This club is now live, and you can join us here.
Two clubs. One summer reset.
Whether you’re craving structure or slow time, we’d love to read with you.
Reply and let us know what you’re excited to pick up. 💭
Say goodbye to bad recommendations and hello to a better reading experience 👇