The 2010 Booker Prize short list has been announced.

The six books are:

Room – Emma Donoghue

The Long Song – Andrea Levy

C – Tom McCarthy

In a Strange Room – Damon Galgut

I successfully predicted four out of six books , but am kicking myself for not predicting that the two books I didn’t manage to finish would both be short listed – that is a trend I should have spotted years ago!

My first thought when looking at the short list was: NO MITCHELL!?!

There was a lot of confusion on Twitter in the first few minutes as Amazon revealed the short list before the official Man Booker website and no one was entirely sure whether or not the list was accurate. After they eventually confirmed it was true my second thought was: NO MITCHELL!?! It seems unbelievable that he didn’t make it, but I guess it just didn’t stand up to multiple re-readings.

I am really pleased that Room made the short list as it was my favourite book on the long list. I honestly believe that it is a classic which will be enjoyed for generations to come. I really hope that it will win, but I suspect it will be beaten by a more literary book.

I think it is impossible to predict a winner from this short list and suspect the judges will have a lot of arguing/discussion before they can agree on a single book. None of the others stand out for me – I’d say anyone has a chance this year.

What do you think of the short list?

Who do you think will win?

I have now read all 13 books on the 2010 Booker long list (apart from the two I had to abandon due to boredom/annoyance!) and I am very impressed with the judges this year. I think that every single book deserves its place on the list. I didn’t enjoy reading them all, but found the quality of the writing to be very high. Which of the books you’ll enjoy is all down to personal taste and I think that everyone will find a selection of books on the list that they’ll love along with quite a few that won’t excite them at all.

Here is the long list ranked by how much I enjoyed reading them:

All links lead to my review of the book.

Room – Emma Donoghue 

Skippy Dies – Paul Murray 

The Slap – Christos Tsiolkas

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet – David Mitchell

The Betrayal – Helen Dunmore 

C – Tom McCarthy  

The Long Song – Andrea Levy

The Trespass – Rose Tremain 

February – Lisa Moore 

The Stars in the Bright Sky – Alan Warner 

In a Strange Room – Damon Galgut 

Who will make the short list?

I wouldn’t be surprised to see any of the books on the short list and I think the judges will have a very hard job narrowing it down to six books, but if I had to guess then I think The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell will be the first to make the cut. It isn’t the most readable book, but I think the quality of the writing and the ambitiousness of the plot will lead to unanimous agreement about its inclusion on the list.

I wasn’t a fan, but those who enjoy quiet, thoughtful books are raving about In a Strange Room by Damon Galgut. It is the sort of book that seems to do well on Booker lists, so I’d bet on its inclusion.

I stayed up late last night in order to finish C by Tom McCarthy so I’m afraid I haven’t written a review for it yet (Edited 8th September, C review now posted) , but its intelligence and originality make it stand out from the crowd. I think it has a very high chance of making the cut.

Skippy Dies by Paul Murray also grabbed my attention. I think that its universal appeal gives it a strong chance of making it onto the short list.

Room by Emma Donoghue was my favourite book on the long list. It does seem to divide opinion, but one of those judges brought this book into consideration and I think that same judge will still be championing it. I really hope that it makes it into the final six.

The final book on the short list is almost impossible for me to decide as none of the other books are leaping out at me. I’m guessing that this means it will be filled by a book that has no appeal to me at all. Assuming that any book provoking a very negative reaction will also produce an opposite positive reaction in some readers I’m going to add The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson as the final book in my short list prediction.

My Prediction for the Booker Short list:

What do you think of my prediction?

Which books do you think will make the Booker short list?