Tournament of Books discussion
2020 TOB General Topics
>
TOB 2020 Longlist
date
newest »
newest »
I live in western North Dakota and work at a college campus. I think about Stephen Florida every.single.day in the winter as I gaze out at other people gazing out of their windows back at me on bleak days. Don't spit on me students! (Nobody ever has spit on me, but if Stephen Florida were going to, it would be January in ND and it would freeze before it hit my face.)Thank you TOB, for bring Stephen Florida to my attention and giving me a new way to be disturbed by ND winters! Stephen Florida Forever.
Waxing nostalgic here: Stephen Florida and The Throwback Special are two books I never would have read if not for the TOB. I enjoyed them both immensely and still think about them. And that, Dear Reader, is why I participate.
Hey all, Jami Attenberg's list is a Kindle deal so I'm waiting to purchase until I see that shortlist. Pretty sure she'll be on it!
Another fan of Stephen Florida here. And The Throwback Special. I have talked about both of them in the past week! It's still funny to me that I, very much not a sports person (except for BOOKSPORTS), really loved all three of those play-in books (the other was Sudden Death by Alvaro Enrigue). Stephen Florida especially. I wonder what he's doing right now.
Ehrrin wrote: "Another fan of Stephen Florida here. And The Throwback Special. I have talked about both of them in the past week! It's still funny to me that I, very much not a sports person (except for BOOKSPORT..."The other BOOKSPORT book I liked (not a sports person) is The Brothers K, which I found astounding.
Maybe Stephen figured out a way to leave the factory?
Man, I just read SF last month and Loved it. A shame it didn't make it further in its year.also Brothers K is an all-time favorite of mine, too.
Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Nadine and Ruthiella - oh I agree that Olive causes pain that maybe she doesn't see, or maybe sometimes she values the fact that she thinks she's right over someone else's pain. I would say that in Olive, Again, she actually is confronted by some of this in a way I found quite satisfying..."Maybe I need to read it to give me closure on the first book so I can finally stop feeling so sad for Olive ;) And thanks for reminding me about Stephen Florida, I read a library copy for the ToB, but I just ordered it on Alibris, since I must own a book I loved this much :) For other Stephen Florida lovers who don't own the book, Alibris has a lot of super cheap copies!
Nadine wrote: "For other Stephen Florida lovers who don't own the book, Alibris has a lot of super cheap copies! "I may have shared this before, but my copy of SF was stolen when my backpack was stolen from my car. My sister-in-law bought me a replacement copy and it turned out to be the Indiespensible version (vol. 67): https://www.powells.com/indiespensabl...
I just finished Red at the Bone and it is a spectacularly good novel. Just brilliant. Not a single word wasted and even though it's short, each character was just so individual and full of life. Hoping this makes the tournament, although I'm not sure I want to hear anyone say mean things about it.
Lauren wrote: "Amy wrote: "I know I’m not the first to say it, but Say Say Say is quietly wowwing me."I really enjoyed the first 80% of it but felt that the end wasn't as strong as I hoped it w..."
That was my reaction, too. Of course, it's hard to stick the landing, and this is a debut novel, so .... I tried to forgive it.
Kyle wrote: "Having just finished Disappearing Earth, I felt the ending worked well. I had some trouble keeping track of how everyone was connected but overall I did like the writing, the overall focus on women..."Surprised and disappointed that this one didn't make the ToB shortlist. I haven't read it yet, but it was one of the ones in my TBR pile I was most looking forward to reading. Will still read it, but ... bummer!
Bob wrote: "Amanda wrote: "Is it better than Conversations?"Much better so far. I thought one of her strengths as a writer was her dialogue. My main issue with Conversations were the insufferable/unrelatable..."
Agree, Bob, about Conversations. Apparently, though, you and I are in the minority on that one. I am really hoping I like NP more.
Risa wrote: "Agree, Bob, about Conversations. Apparently, though, you and I are in the minority on that one. I am really hoping I like NP more. ..."I didn't like NP at all. While I wish a different book had made it into the tournament, I'll be going into the comments section with opinions.
Uh oh. I haven't read it yet, but I am approaching it with some trepidation, based on my dislike of "Conversations". I remember thinking that it was possible I had entirely aged out of these kinds of narratives. I kept rolling my eyes so hard I thought I was going to injure myself. I just had no. patience. for. it.
Alison wrote: "I didn't like NP at all. While I wish a different book had made it into the tournament, I'll be going into the comments section with opinions.."I liked Conversations better than Normal People. But neither book really wowed me. The discussions will hopefully be lively and enlightening when it is up.
Who was talking about the sex scenes in Trust Exercise? Which are supposed to be terrible (IMO). Compare them the scenes in NP which also made me cringe a little bit.
I am a huge fan of Trust Exercise, and, yes, exactly. Without spoiling it for others who have yet to read it, those scenes are intentionally ... written.
Risa wrote: "Agree, Bob, about Conversations. Apparently, though, you and I are in the minority on that one. I am really hoping I like NP more."I was listening to some UK podcast about a book award (can't remember which), and when they came to NP, they were like "Obviously, NP is a shoo-in. I'd be surprised if it didn't win." How can my finger be so far off the pulse?? I have so many problems with this book, gah
Bob wrote: "Risa wrote: "Agree, Bob, about Conversations. Apparently, though, you and I are in the minority on that one. I am really hoping I like NP more."I was listening to some UK podcast about a book awa..."
Yes, I had that same feeling back when "Conversations" was getting the old "voice of a generation" treatment. I thought to myself, "Well, it's happened. Pretty soon I'm going to be telling the kids to get off my lawn."
Bob wrote: "Nadine wrote: "For other Stephen Florida lovers who don't own the book, Alibris has a lot of super cheap copies! "I may have shared this before, but my copy of SF was stolen when my backpack was ..."
Score!
Risa wrote: Yes, I had that same feeling back when "Conversations" was getting the old "voice of a generation" treatment. I thought to myself, "Well, it's happened. Pretty soon I'm going to be telling the kids to get off my lawn.""Now that was funny!
Risa wrote Yes, I had that same feeling back when "Conversations" was getting the old "voice of a generation" treatment. I thought to myself, "Well, it's happened. Pretty soon I'm going to be telling the kids to get off my lawn.""I am still trying to figure out why Sally Rooney was dubbed the "first great millennial writer" when millennials had been writing and getting published for the last decade. Depending on which dates you choose to mark the generation, elder millennials are a decade older than her. Then I realized that Sally Rooney and her writing embody everything boomers think millennials are (apologies to any cool boomers in the group).
I have zero expectations about being wowed by Normal People, I'm going in for the hate read. I might do this one on audio just to get the Irish accent to amuse myself.
Amanda wrote: "Then I realized that Sally Rooney and her writing embody everything boomers think millennials are (apologies to any cool boomers in the group).Apology accepted...lol. I think one of the things Rooney writes about that confuses boomers is the fluidity of relationships. In our day once you were done with a partner, he/she didn't move in and out of your life. (I know that's a huge generalization but a funny one, no?)
Alison wrote: "I just finished Red at the Bone and it is a spectacularly good novel. Just brilliant. Not a single word wasted and even though it's short, each character was just so individual and ..."I agree. Some books get confusing with too many character perspectives in play but this one worked so well. I loved getting just enough about each person, and I felt the (view spoiler) 5 stars and I'm sad it didn't make the cut.
Amanda wrote: "Risa wrote Yes, I had that same feeling back when "Conversations" was getting the old "voice of a generation" treatment. I thought to myself, "Well, it's happened. Pretty soon I'm going to be telli..."I'm going in with the same expectations you are, also planning to listen to it. Hoping we're pleasantly surprised!
Alison wrote: "I didn't like NP at all...."I'm glad to hear that. I DNF'd it, but I was afraid I might have been making a Trust Exercise mistake. I'll save more detailed comments for March. It was high on my TBR list because of the positive chatter, but was very disappointed once I cracked it open.
Anyone working on some books from the longlist that didn't get picked? I'm quite enjoying Tea Obreht's INLAND and might start Bangkok Wakes to Rain.
I’m still determined to finish Girl Returned and Say Say Say before I really dive into the short list because they are both short and lovely. I finished Monsters yesterday but it was a waste of shortlist time (the book was o-Kay but I think only checking the “literary” box because of some thesaurus usage)
I had picked up Riots I Have Known and Pigs at the library, so I’m going to read those even though they didn’t make the shortlist. Oh, and Disappearing Earth, which I talked my book club into reading for January in the hopes that it would be a shortlister.
Shari wrote: "I had picked up Riots I Have Known..."Man I loved that book, great stuff!
Kyle wrote: "Anyone working on some books from the longlist that didn't get picked? I'm quite enjoying Tea Obreht's INLAND and might start Bangkok Wakes to Rain."I got Inland from the library because I put it on hold when the long list came out and I'm just gonna read it anyway. I loved The Tiger's Wife.
I have Bangkok Wakes to Rain and Sabrina & Corina: Stories, and definitely want to read them both...They were two of the two books I was most excited about reading and discussing, and I wish they’d made the shortlist.
Elizabeth wrote: "I have Bangkok Wakes to Rain and Sabrina & Corina: Stories, and definitely want to read them both...They were two of the two books I was most excited about reading a..."Yes, I really enjoyed Sabrina & Corina and wish it made the shortlist. For those of you planning to read Bangkok Wakes to Rain, I definitely recommend the print/ebook versions. The audio version didn't do it justice.
I'm planning to still read Inland for the Popsugar Challenge "western" category since I have zero interest in traditional westerns...
I also have copies of The Nickel Boys, Disappearing Earth, and Queenie on my shelves so I plan to get to those as well, but probably after the tournament.
I based my shortlist predictions on what I wanted to read, so naturally most of my predictions didn't make the tournament. I'm still hoping to fit them in! Especially Disappearing Earth and A Girl Returned after hearing people's raves.
I'm still going to read A Girl Returned (based on raves here) and Nickel Boys and Queenie and Bangkok Wakes to Rain and possibly Say Say Say. I'm finishing Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory and am really glad ToB brought it to my attention. It's terrific.
I’m about halfway through Pigs, and I LOVE it so much!!! Like, LOVE it love it. One of my very favorite reads of the year. I can’t believe it didn’t make the shortlist. Riots I Have Known was also terrific.
Follow-up: Okay, Pigs is easily my favorite read of the year. How it didn't make the shortlist is a mystery to me. But if you love novels with elements of the fantastic, or if you like novels that act sort-of as parables...really, if you are open to novels that operate on any level beyond the strictly literal, I can't recommend this one highly enough! Big literary swoon!
Shari wrote: "Follow-up: Okay, Pigs is easily my favorite read of the year. How it didn't make the shortlist is a mystery to me. But if you love novels with elements of the fantastic, or if you l..."Sounds right up my alley! ❤
Shari wrote: "Follow-up: Okay, Pigs is easily my favorite read of the year. How it didn't make the shortlist is a mystery to me. But if you love novels with elements of the fantastic, or if you l..."You convinced me to try it; I just placed a hold on the copy my library has!
"Inland" was quite good - though it didn't come together perfectly at the end, I felt that a lot of the events over the course of the novel were interesting, and the development of Nora as a character is fascinating.I still have Bangkok Wakes to Rain lined up for my next read, after which I'll probably roll into the shortlist books a little more.
So I remembered from a while back the fact that people were talking about Cantoras in one of these topics... whether it was on the longlist and didn't make the shortlist or (as it turns out) didn't even make the longlist. Well, I gotta say, my weird trick of memory and your praises really worked out, because that is a lovely, lovely book.
Kyle wrote: "So I remembered from a while back the fact that people were talking about Cantoras in one of these topics... whether it was on the longlist and didn't make the shortlist or (as it turns out) didn't..."I was one of those fans - so glad you enjoyed it! I've met the author and she's just delightful. Cantoras was probably my favorite novel of 2019. I especially enjoyed the relationships between the characters and the setting. I want to go to Uruguay once it's safe!
I loved Cantoras, and I have explicitly stated in the past that I felt it belonged in the tournament. I'm glad you liked it!I came here to say I finally read Exhalation and it was as good as I expected.
Tournament of Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Pigs (other topics)Pigs (other topics)
Pigs (other topics)
Bangkok Wakes to Rain (other topics)
Sabrina & Corina (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Philippe Besson (other topics)Edna O'Brien (other topics)
Karen Russell (other topics)
Molly Ringwald (other topics)
Jami Attenberg (other topics)
More...
The Throwback Special got this mention in The Millions "Year of Reading" review by Nick Moran:
And Chris Bachelder did his own review of his year of reading here: