The alt-TOB Idea

[Michele]

We should have at least one alternate judge in case somebody gets sick, has an emergency, etc. In fact, I think we should take as many alts as possible. And give alts the opportunity to vote at the end.

[Jen]

Michele wrote: "We should have at least one alternate judge in case somebody gets sick, has an emergency, etc. In fact, I think we should take as many alts as possible. And give alts the opportunity to vote at the..."

Great idea!

[Juniper]

Michele wrote: "We should have at least one alternate judge in case somebody gets sick, has an emergency, etc. In fact, I think we should take as many alts as possible. And give alts the opportunity to vote at the..."

Definitely a good idea, and one that was in my mind too.

[AmberBug]

nomadreader (Carrie D-L) wrote: "I don't want to drown in the minutiae of picking books, as there is no perfect way. I will always be disappointed at the exclusion of at least one book (I'm still heartbroken 10:04 ..."

I know Jennifer and Poingu will meet that criterea based on what I've seen from their activity on goodreads. I think we are in great hands! :)

[Juniper]

Thanks, Amberbug! It's a slightly daunting task... but I have already begun making lists, and researching contenders, so the due diligence is definitely going on! Also, everyone here is always so gracious - I feel like it will be totally fine and people will definitely have fun!

[AmberBug]

Jennifer wrote: "Thanks, Amberbug! It's a slightly daunting task... but I have already begun making lists, and researching contenders, so the due diligence is definitely going on! Also, everyone here is always so g..."

I'm so ready for this... I'm trying to predict which book to pick next to read based on this, haha.

[Lark]

Ellen wrote: "Oh, no! I close my eyes for one minute and it all gets away from me; something like 200 new posts in the past 24 hours! This is my busiest time of year -- I run a music and dance retreat weekend an..."

Ellen, math isn't my strong suit but I believe there is still a need for judges, even if everyone who said they want to participate actually ends up having the time.

Also we are having a very different Final Round from TOB. Not all judges want to commit to reading 4 possible books (their own round 2, plus the final round 2). So anyone who wants to be a judge can do so for picking our Tournament Winner.

And finally, we need readers! It will be a lot more fun the more people who play along with us and read as many of these alt. titles as they can. We need brash nay sayers or supporters of our judges as they bravely put out their opinions and people just generally very interested in exploring these possibly very different alternates with us.

[Arianna]

Hi! I am AmberBug's co-blogger and she told me that you are looking for some alternate judges - I'd love to be considered for one of those spots.

I love the idea of what you are doing here, and I look forward to seeing the outcome! How exciting.

Thanks,
Arianna

[Lark]

nomadreader (Carrie D-L) wrote: "I am not wedded to their habit of including a YA novel or automatically including the National Book Award winner. I do, however, love the ToB's inclusion of a few small press titles, as those often get overlooked. I also like their commitment to young and/or new writers. In short, I trust the organizers to pick and seed books, but I hope to see at least one small press pick and at least one debut in our tournament. "

I hear you nomadreader.

One thing: If we include a small press book or two there may be an issue with finding copies to read in a timely way. So once the brackets are up, I can ask the judges to see what might be coming your way, and if there is a problem we can talk here about availability and figure out how to get everyone copies of what they need.

[Lark]

Arianna wrote: "Hi! I am AmberBug's co-blogger and she told me that you are looking for some alternate judges - I'd love to be considered for one of those spots."

You got it! Thanks Arianna. You are definitely welcome to be a judge for our Final Round and maybe before that. In the next few days we can sort out what roles people feel most comfortable with and check in with some people who are still slightly on the fence about it.

[Jan]

Is this the listicle people are referring to?

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9...

[nomadreader (Carrie D-L)]

Also, I hope I didn't imply I was concerned about Poingu and Jennifer choosing a good lineup for us! I am just really looking forward to this event, and the inevitable sadness at titles I've loved not being included coupled with the delight at discovering new ones to adore. SO excited to get started...and see which titles are matched up! Thanks to all for putting on this event!

[Lark]

Jan wrote: "Is this the listicle people are referring to?

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9..."

Yes, that's it, if you add books that intrigue you then Jennifer and I can see your votes.

[Ellen]

I'd love to be a judge, only not between Jan. 7th and Jan. 18th, when I will be in the Galapagos. I'm also happy to be an alternate judge.

I would also say that maybe we shouldn't have any restrictions other than the publishing dates and the >400 pp. (what a great idea). No obligatory award-winners or YA or indie published or anything. Just the best books (in Poingu and Jennifer's opinions, which I trust implicitly as I do the ToB choosers, even if I don't always agree).

[Lark]

nomadreader (Carrie D-L) wrote: "Also, I hope I didn't imply I was concerned about Poingu and Jennifer choosing a good lineup for us! I am just really looking forward to this event, and the inevitable sadness at titles I've loved ..."

I was very happy with your message nomadreader. I really liked hearing your thoughts, and to learn that you don't mind a little adventure in the reading list. Because I don't think that can be avoided, actually. In my head I can only think of one sure TOB pick, and after that only a handful of likely suspects. Just last night I was thinking about a small press book and wondering if the group would be willing so it's nice to get your nudge.

One thing I like about TOB though is that it pits these relatively unknown, small press gems against the Anointed Ones, and sometimes the underdog wins. So I do like the idea of having a few 'hot' titles in our reading mix too.

These are just musings--Jennifer and I haven't talked yet about book selection although I too am kind of maniacally busy researching and thinking about it.

[Juniper]

nomadreader (Carrie D-L) wrote: "Also, I hope I didn't imply I was concerned about Poingu and Jennifer choosing a good lineup for us! I am just really looking forward to this event, and the inevitable sadness at titles I've loved ..."

No worries at all, nomadreader! I appreciated your input very much!

[Lark]

Ellen wrote: "I'd love to be a judge, only not between Jan. 7th and Jan. 18th, when I will be in the Galapagos. I'm also happy to be an alternate judge. "

Thanks Ellen. This time frame may make you more likely to be a Finals judge depending on what happens with our actual timing. Wow, great trip! You may want to check out this novel before you go:

Galápagos Regained

[Lark]

These are the people so far whom I believe have signed on to be judges--take a look at the list, and if I have missed you let me know, and also if you are having second thoughts let me know.

1. Michele
2. AmberBug
3. nomadreader
4. Karen Michele
5. Drew
6. Lljones
7. Amy
8. Jane from B.C.
9. Jen
10. Ryan
11. Topher
12. Heather
13. Arianna
14. Ellen

[Rebecca]

If you guys need another judge, I can do it! And if not, I'll follow along with interest :)

[Lark]

Rebecca wrote: "If you guys need another judge, I can do it! And if not, I'll follow along with interest :)"

Thanks Rebecca! I've added you to the list of judges. We're going to invite multiple judges for the final round so you're in no matter what. Also some people volunteered before we settled in on process and dates so they may change their mind and there may well be other opportunities too for judging an earlier round.

I'm also really hoping that we attract the avid readers in this group and we should all invite our friends to read along as many of the picks as they would like--the more voices the better once we get to the actual alt.tournament.

1. Michele
2. AmberBug
3. nomadreader
4. Karen Michele
5. Drew
6. Lljones
7. Amy
8. Jane from B.C.
9. Jen
10. Ryan
11. Topher
12. Heather
13. Arianna
14. Ellen
15. Rebecca

[Lljones]

Poingu wrote: "These are the people so far whom I believe have signed on to be judges--take a look at the list, and if I have missed you let me know, and also if you are having second thoughts let me know.

Looks like you have enough that I can request to be put on the bench as an alternate - will gladly pinch hit if needed.

[Rebecca]

I did a Booker long list shadow panel this year, and it's got me in the mood for some fast reading and judging, and I love this idea! I'm so excited to participate. Getting an early start on the TOB fun is a brilliant idea. Can't wait to see the list for this group. (And might we be expecting an official TOB long list before too long??)

[Lark]

Lljones wrote: "Looks like you have enough that I can request to be put on the bench as an alternate - will gladly pinch hit if needed. "

Ok.

Can someone check my math? I think we need 14 committed judges to get us to the final round:

8 judges for the round of 16
4 judges for the round of 8
2 judges for the semi-final round of 4

= 14 judges, and then for the Final we will invite all other volunteers as long as we get to an odd number.

So if you are above the line, one of 14, you are currently signed up to be a judge in one of the rounds. I'll go through soon and add notes about your preference about where you want to be in the brackets.

And Lljones, I'll move you to the bottom of the list. We're still on the bleeding edge of having enough since Ellen's travel schedule makes her more likely to be a Finals judge and possibly off-grid for most of the tournament.

No one should worry at this point about stepping down, because I think we can recruit people to take your place, now that we have momentum.

So everyone should speak up if this feels less doable then you originally thought, now that we have some decisions made about how it will go and when it will run.

Main tournament judge:

1. Michele
2. AmberBug
3. nomadreader
4. Karen Michele
5. Drew
6. Rebecca
7. Amy
8. Jane from B.C.
9. Jen
10. Ryan
11. Topher
12. Heather
13. Arianna
14. ???
_________________________
Finalist or alternate judge:

15. Ellen
16. Lljones

[Jan]

Poingu wrote: "Jan wrote: "Is this the listicle people are referring to?

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/9..."

Yes, that's it, if you add books that intrigue y..."

Thanks!!!

[Lark]

Lljones wrote: "Looks like you have enough that I can request to be put on the bench as an alternate - will gladly pinch hit if needed."

Our very own power reader Gayla just volunteered to be a judge, in an email to me--

1. Michele
2. AmberBug
3. nomadreader
4. Karen Michele
5. Drew
6. Rebecca
7. Amy
8. Jane from B.C.
9. Jen
10. Ryan
11. Topher
12. Heather
13. Arianna
14. Gayla
_________________________
Finalist or alternate judge:

15. Ellen
16. Lljones

[Juniper]

Nice! Thanks, Poingu. And thanks, too, to Gayla! Happy to have her along on this!!

[Gayla]

Hi, everybody! I've been away from GoodReads for a couple of weeks due to work commitments, so I missed the beginning of this, but I'm really excited about being a part of this!

[Drew]

Topher wrote: "Personally, I love the idea of getting two books that I'm totally clueless about."

Me, too! That's always the best part of TOB for me: reading books I might never have found otherwise.

[Juniper]

Hi everyone!

For those participating in the tournament: If you are comfortable with it, could you please send Poingu or I a message here on GR and share your email address with us? I find the GR messaging system very clunky and it is not able to handle group emails. ( For group emails, I always use BCC, so never share addresses without prior consent - so don't worry on that front.)

Thank you!

[Arianna]

Hi! I hate to throw a wrench in things as they are progressing so well, but I did want to only be an alternate judge for the time being, if possible. I hope that is okay!

Thanks,
Arianna

[Jason]

Wow. I don't check in for three days and the best idea ever pops up and has so many posts I can't even read them all. Great job. Hope it doesn't get bogged down in haggling about rules.

I'm available if there's any other jobs to do. Also, what's the target date to start reading and how much lead time will those of us not judging have to read books? TOB gives us 3+ months, but I assume you want to get on with this already.

[Juniper]

Arianna wrote: "Hi! I hate to throw a wrench in things as they are progressing so well, but I did want to only be an alternate judge for the time being, if possible. I hope that is okay! "

Thanks for clarifying, Arianna. I have updated this in our spreadsheet!

(Oh, yeah!! There's spreadsheets!! haha!!)

[Lark]

Jason wrote: "Wow. I don't check in for three days and the best idea ever pops up and has so many posts I can't even read them all. Great job. Hope it doesn't get bogged down in haggling about rules.

I'm avail..."

Great Jason, I'll add you to the list. Some people have been silent after their initial enthusiasm so let's see, we may need you very soon. There is also likely to be a lot of stuff to do we haven't thought of and everyone who volunteers will be a Finals Judge for sure.

Jennifer and I have already started talking book selections and we want to get the list up by the end of the month at the latest, have December and early January to read those that interest us all, and then away we go!

Also you may not have seen buried in the mass of messages that we have more or less agreed to keep doorstoppers out of this contest and limit to books of 400 pages or less.

[Lark]

1. Michele
2. AmberBug
3. nomadreader
4. Karen Michele
5. Drew
6. Rebecca
7. Amy
8. Jane from B.C.
9. Jen
10. Ryan
11. Topher
12. Heather
13. Arianna
14. Gayla
_________________________
Finalist or alternate judge:

15. Ellen
16. Lljones
17. Jason

[Jason]

Excellent. Look forward to seeing how this develops.

(TOB long list in Dec, short list in Jan more than likely)

[Jan]

Wow, so fun to see people coming out of the woodwork for this!!

[Lark]

Jason wrote: "I'm available if there's any other jobs to do. Also, what's the target date to start reading and how much lead time will those of us not judging have to read books? TOB gives us 3+ months, but I assume you want to get on with this already."

Do you want to be a judge, Jason? It looks like Arianna prefers to be an alternate which leaves a spot for you I think in the main-judge category.

[Karen Michele]

I'm still here. I'm just busy with company until tomorrow. I am willing to do whatever role you need the most.

[Lark]

Karen Michele wrote: "I'm still here. I'm just busy with company until tomorrow. I am willing to do whatever role you need the most."

Great, Karen Michele! Thanks for touching base. This board has been so lively that a day goes by and it feels like a lot has happened.

[Kendra]

I just read every single message in this thread and I am beyond excited! I can't wait for the list of books to come out so I can fully prepare for my role in the peanut gallery. If I were a musician I would *obviously* want to be a judge but no such luck.

[Juniper]

Since we are progressing along so nicely with planning, and the subject of musicians has come up a few times... I feel I now need to let you all know that I play guitar and sing. Do with that what you will. Sorry!! Hahaha!!! :)

[Rachel]

I can judge or be an alternate too.

[Juniper]

Rachel wrote: "I can judge or be an alternate too."

Awesome - thank you, Rachel. I will add you in.

That brings us to 19 (including me and Poingu) -- we seem well set for judges and alternates.

For those who may have missed the previous request:

If you are participating as a reader-judge, or alternate - could you please send along your email address to me or Poingu. It will make things a bit easier during the process. (And only if you are comfortable with sharing your information. IF a group email is required, we will use BCC and will not blanket share email addresses. If you would prefer to not share your email address, could you also just shoot me a quick note letting me know that is your preference. Thank you!!)

[Lark]

Kendra wrote: "I just read every single message in this thread and I am beyond excited! I can't wait for the list of books to come out so I can fully prepare for my role in the peanut gallery. If I were a musicia..."

Great, Kendra! I'm really glad. The more participants we have the more fun it will be.

To that end I'd encourage everyone following this thread to invite your power reader friends from Goodreads who may not be members of this group yet, and maybe this is a good time to finally get your IRL bookish friends to sign up for Goodreads.

[Jason]

Yes. You can add me to the judging team. Thx

[Lark]

Jason wrote: "Yes. You can add me to the judging team. Thx"

Jason, I just minutes ago said "yes" to an email request from someone else to be a judge, to take Arianna's spot.

This is a cutthroat competition already! I'm going to move you to "first alternate" though because Lljones has already expressed preference to be an alternate and Ellen will be away for most of our probably competition time. I have a feeling we'll get you to be a judge yet!

[Lark]

1. Michele
2. AmberBug
3. nomadreader
4. Karen Michele
5. Drew
6. Rebecca
7. Amy
8. Jane from B.C.
9. Jen
10. Ryan
11. Topher
12. Heather
13. jo
14. Gayla
_________________________
Finalist or alternate judge:

15. Jason
16. Ellen
17. Lljones

[Lark]

ok! We officially have more volunteers to be a judge in the main tournament before the finals than we have slots for judges.

Those of you in slots 1-14, you can feel safe to switch to a Final Round judge or Peanut Gallery judge if you feel more comfortable now that we have momentum. You won't be letting the team down--I have a feeling we will continue to get volunteers.

Meanwhile Jennifer and I are extremely busy with new books and we hope to have the "Long List" to you very shortly, to be followed by our Round of 16. We're doing our best to pick the great ones!

[Amy]

If we have judges willing to read more than 2 books, perhaps we could fit a zombie round in as well? I tend to heart the zombies the most and last year both final books were zombies! (All the light we cannot see and Station Eleven

[Jason]

No worries. Slot me in wherever. I'll be reading along one way or another.