alt-TOB The Final 16

[AmberBug]

I compiled a list I thought some might be interested in. Based on the discussion threads from the alt-TOB, these books are listed from amount of postings. I wonder if the amount of "chatter" around these books has anything to do with how "TOB" worthy they are?

Aquarium - 132 posts
Sweetland - 65
The Mountain Story - 52
Under the Udala Trees - 46
The Gap of Time - 45
Landfalls - 37
Fifteen Dogs - 30
The Story of My Teeth - 27
Man Tiger: A Novel - 22
Welcome to Braggsville - 20
Oreo - 19
Gutshot: Stories - 19
Girl Waits with Gun - 18
Delicious Foods - 16
Undermajordomo Minor - 15
The Star Side of Bird Hill - 12

[Lark]

AmberBug wrote: "I compiled a list I thought some might be interested in. Based on the discussion threads from the alt-TOB, these books are listed from amount of postings. I wonder if the amount of "chatter" around..."

Thanks Amber, this is really interesting. I'm surprised there isn't more conversation about Undermajordomo Minor and Delicious Foods, both of which seem like they would have a lot of discussion points, and like a lot of people have read them, but maybe the conversation will liven up when the matches are posted.

[Jan]

Delicious Foods has been out for awhile and folks might be talked out. (It is possibly my favorite book of the year.) Not sure about Undermajordomo Minor. I didn't care for it, although I loved The Sisters Brothers, but can't think of much more to say about it. :-)

[Kaion]

Oreo is one of my favorites so far, but I don't think it really lends itself to being talked about. It's strength is that it's simply is what it is -- Ross seemed to write her power fantasy to something like an audience of one and that's what makes it glorious. :)

[Jan]

Kaion wrote: "Oreo is one of my favorites so far, but I don't think it really lends itself to being talked about. It's strength is that it's simply is what it is -- Ross seemed to write her power fantasy to some..."

It was glorious, wasn't it, Kaion? And hard to talk about.

[Kaion]

Jan wrote: "Kaion wrote: "Oreo is one of my favorites so far, but I don't think it really lends itself to being talked about. It's strength is that it's simply is what it is -- Ross seemed to write her power f..."

There's something to be said for specificity in writing. So many books are praised for their so-called "universality," a quality that usually translates to an easily digestible form of sentimentality or pandering. It's good that Oreo is hard to talk about, for me at least -- because it means that it tries to do something unexpected, individual, unique.

[Juniper]

i just wanted to check-in with all the participants on one aspect of the alt-TOB:

we had promised a bookish gift to anyone who read all 16 of the alt-TOB books... because i have been inconsistent with my abilities to be participating here, i am not feeling very certain about this part of the alt-TOB. and want to ensure gifts are sent out as promised!! :)

if you did read all 16 books, please let us know so we can get your prize arranged!!

and huge congratulations to all who managed to do so! WOOT!!


:)