My personal Carnegie shortlist

I have finally got to the end of the 52-book long long-list for this year's Carnegie!  I shall tell you which I think should be the final 6, and which I think might actually be on the short list, but first a brief look at the ones I've read since my last related post.  Again, red means I liked it and green means it didn't live up to expectations :-)

Deary, Terry Put Out The Light

Diterlizzi, Tony The Search for Wondla

Doherty, Berlie Treason

Halahmy, Miriam Hidden

LaFleur, Suzanne Eight Keys

Mason, Simon Moon Pie

McCaughrean, Geraldine Pull out all the Stops

McKay, Hilary Caddy's World

Mitchelhill, Barbara Run Rabbit Run

Morpurgo, Michael Shadow

Priestley, Chris The Dead of Winter

Revis, Beth Across the Universe

Saunders, Kate Magicalamity

Stephens, John The Emerald Atlas

I'm afraid I don't have time to explain those opinions today, have a look at my twitter feed (@cazapr1) for my mini-reviews of them all.

Such a huge variety of books, some of which I would not have picked up if they weren't on the list and so some nice discoveries, as well as the occasional disappointment.  But without further ado, my personal short list is...

Blackman, Malorie Boys Don't Cry

Dogar, Sharon Annexed

Gibbons, Alan An Act of Love

Hardinge, Frances Twilight Robbery

Hartnett, Sonya The Midnight Zoo

Ness, Patrick A Monster Calls

with special mention for Earle, Phil Being Billy, Pitcher, Annabel My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece and Young,

Moira Blood Red Road.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Almond, David My Name is Mina, Peet, Mal Life : an Exploded Diagram, or Rosoff, Meg There is no Dog on the real list because, among a couple of the other names on the long list, they're high-hitting literary types even if I didn't enjoy the stories much.

Next week we'll find out whether I have good taste or not!