Great Circle closed

The first third of this book is fantastic. I figured I would have to
read what actually won the Booker Prize because whatever beat this
book out must be fantastic. There is a weird shift somewhere in the
middle of the book where the magic that propelled the early narrative
slips away. The Marian Graves arc flounders. Things wrap up
satisfactorily, but that middle third or so really drags down the
novel. The book is still excellent, but the power of the early part is
not sustained throughout the entire book. I'm happy I read it. It's
such a relief to read a contemporary novel that isn't about a writer
trying to navigate their overwrought life.

Another Booker Prize shortlisted book that I had on my library waiting
list came available right as I was finishing Great Circle.
Bewilderment grabbed me just as strongly as Great Circle. I read a few
pages this morning and I have been compelled to dip in pretty
regularly all day. I read a decent chunk of one of my owned books
yesterday, I really want to build some owned book momentum, but I was
drawn back to Bewilderment. The writing is top notch, but the book is
also really short. I don't feel like I will get too off track with the
owned books with this one as I will zip through it pretty quickly.
It's so short I expect it will be more uniformly strong.

I'm back to 169 after buying Kafka on the Shore. So be it. I may buy
Overstory if Bewilderment delivers on its early promise.