2016 - Possible Contenders

[Lark]

ok, it feels like a total lovely shout out to us that they included Oreo. What nice people. Great list! I love them.

[Rebecca]

Looks like five books from our list on their list. I'm not sure if that's a lot of overlap, or NOT a lot of overlap. Not sure what I expected. On first glance, it looks like a fabulous list.

[Janet]

I'm happy to see a few books that I have not even heard of before.

[Lark]

I'm looking at it differently because I see all the books I would love to see in any tournament of books that didn't make ours but that were on my personal short list and that semi-broke my heart to leave off--Mort e , After Birth, Green on Blue, The Sellout, Loving Day, Outline, Our Souls at Night, Satin Island, The Sympathizer.

Wow. they have The Wake. This is a very cool list for me. I'm totally surprised that five books from alt.tob made their list, and delighted, because I think Jennifer and I were trying to find books that would have a high chance of being overlooked. So my esteem for TOB grows by leaps and it was already in the "they amaze me" category.

[Beverly]

Janet wrote: "I'm happy to see a few books that I have not even heard of before."

Me too!

[Rebecca]

poingu wrote: "I'm looking at it differently because I see all the books I would love to see in any tournament of books that didn't make ours but that were on my personal short list and that semi-broke my heart t..."

And that's comparing our short list to their long list. I haven't looked at long list vs. long list. At any rate, I've read 10 of their long list and am in the middle of another one (the Luiselli!). There are a bunch here I haven't heard of either.

I've never applied to be a Reader Judge before, but I might this time around.

[Beverly]

I think it is a very nice list!

I like the variety of titles.
I saw books that I have read and liked.
I saw books that are on my tbr list.
I saw books that I have not heard of and now want to read.
I saw books that I dismissed because based on the blurb did not think my type of read.

[Drew]

Most of these books were on my radar, some were completely new to me, and I've only read 8 of them. How is that even possible?! (Yes, I know, catching up on backlist this year.)

I was very pleased to find Bats of the Republic on the list. I recently bought this because I thought it was such a lovely book I wanted to own it rather than borrow it from the library. Haven't read it yet, though.

[Lark]

I'm also happy to see Aurora, which first-round judge Michele says is her favorite of the year--good to see there on the list because it's out and proud as "sci fi"

[Heather]

I've read 20 of the books thus far, and plan to add at least a couple others in the next month (I have Oreo and A Manual for Cleaning Women checked out from the library). Confession...right after the TOB concluded this year, they posted a list of their most anticipated titles for the upcoming year, and I used this list to guide a lot of my reading choices. Looks like it worked; there ended up being a lot of overlap between that and the longlist.

[Beverly]

poingu wrote: "I'm looking at it differently because I see all the books I would love to see in any tournament of books that didn't make ours but that were on my personal short list and that semi-broke my heart t..."

I think you and Jennifer did a great job in choosing the alt-TOB books. Appreciate your time and energy to cull through all the books out there.

Just look at all the great conversations we are having about them.

I hope you make it an annual tradition!

[Drew]

Heather wrote: "I've read 20 of the books thus far, and plan to add at least a couple others in the next month (I have Oreo and A Manual for Cleaning Women checked out from the library). Confession...right after t..."

I am in awe of you!

[Lark]

Beverly wrote: "I think you and Jennifer did a great job in choosing the alt-TOB books. Appreciate your time and energy to cull through all the books out there."

Thanks Beverly. I think the main feeling both Jennifer and I had was how many great great books there were to choose from, so our job was not very hard to pick 16 that would be fun to read together. Just look, the two books that have energized our conversations most--Aquarium and Sweetland--did not make even the TOB long list.

[Ed]

I'll be the Debbie Downer here and say that I was quite disappointed to see that Fifteen Dogs did not make the long list. Definitely my book of the year and the one I submitted to The Morning News as my top choice even before seeing the long list.

Was also surprised not to see Did You Ever Have a Family. And likewise two of the most buzzed about/best selling books of the year The Girl on the Train and Go Set a Watchman. The literature vs. pop culture/entertainment debate is always interesting and the whole Harper Lee thing is fascinating.

I try to guess ToB candidates throughout the year and didn't think I did a great job this year, but alas 7 books from the longlist (and just started an 8th last night). And I'm a 35-40 books/year reader (don't know how a lot of you do it!), so pretty happy with that initial tally -- and would be very happy if can at least get a 4 book jump on the final 16.

[Lark]

Ed wrote: "I'll be the Debbie Downer here and say that I was quite disappointed to see that Fifteen Dogs did not make the long list. Definitely my book of the year and the one I submitted to T..."

"My book of the year" was Man Tiger: A Novel which I also submitted before seeing the long list so I feel your pain. I also loved Fifteen Dogs but that pain was assuaged by seeing Mort e there, a book I've been a little bit embarrassed to love as much as I do because literally no one I know has read it except my sister in law, whom I recommended it to, and who stopped dead with disgust and horror on about page 7.

Maybe we should start an R.I.P. thread.

oops, I see now that Beverly has read Mort e . Beverly, you are amazing, I think you have read everything.

[AmberBug]

Oh yay! My girl Maggie Thrash Honor Girl: A Graphic Memoir made it. Arianna & I got to interview her at Book Expo this year: Maggie Thrash Interview. She looked like a young Donna Tart, haha.

[AmberBug]

I must have been busy this year (didn't seem like it) because I have read 12 of the longlist.

[Juniper]

just posted the longlist in a new thread and linked the titles. phew! :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Jason]

I've read five of the long list books. As always though, the long list is only useful in knowing what definitely won't be there. It's way too long to make any conclusions about what will be.

R.I.P. Undermajordomo Minor

[Beverly]

poingu wrote: "Ed wrote: "I'll be the Debbie Downer here and say that I was quite disappointed to see that Fifteen Dogs did not make the long list. Definitely my book of the year and the one I sub..."

LOL - at sister-in-law comment.

Yes, I read and enjoyed Mort(e)

But I am not surprised that Fifteen Dogs was left off the list. In reality I had not heard of the book until it won one of the Canadian literary prizes. The book did not seem to get much play (attention) in the US, at least not from what I have seen nor among readers that I know. This book did not seem to be on the radar of my friends nor I who read heavily in the Black and Caribbean authors.

[Beverly]

Jennifer wrote: "just posted the longlist in a new thread and linked the titles. phew! :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

Thanks so much - You are wonderful and have magical fingers!

[Beverly]

poingu wrote: "Ed wrote: "I'll be the Debbie Downer here and say that I was quite disappointed to see that Fifteen Dogs did not make the long list. Definitely my book of the year and the one I sub..."

Yes, I was surprised not to see one of the Eka Kurniawan books on the long list.

Also surprised Jade Dragon Mountain did not make the list.

[Beth]

Did you notice the comment suggesting a book with lots of reader votes could still make the tournament? Now I'm torn between voting for Sweetland or Delicious Foods.

[Lark]

Beth wrote: "Did you notice the comment suggesting a book with lots of reader votes could still make the tournament? Now I'm torn between voting for Sweetland or Delicious Foods."

well that's easy--Delicious Foods made the long list!

[Kendra]

There are a few surprises but not really any disappointment. Initially I was surprised to see A Spool of Blue Thread as the the mainstream/popular choice over A God in Ruins, Go Set a Watchman or even Undermajordomo Minor. Then again Life After Life and The Sisters Brothers both had their time in the ToB, so it makes a little more sense to expand out to Ann Tyler. I was surprised Did You Ever Have A Family didn't make the cut. And finally the one book I really thought would make it from the alt list was Sweetland. I love that the list surprises me year after year. So many titles that weren't even on my radar! I love this list.

[AmberBug]

Kendra wrote: "There are a few surprises but not really any disappointment. Initially I was surprised to see A Spool of Blue Thread as the the mainstream/popular choice over A God in Ruins, Go Set a Watchman or e..."

I'm suprised with A Spool of Blue Thread too, although I was also suprised it was nominated for the National Book Awards (and I haven't even read it). I haven't seen too many people raving about it and even less of a discussion around the book.

I try to look at the longlist for what books may spark good conversations... not which books were the best. Maybe this is why Sweetland wasn't included? Because EVERYONE loved this book, haha. I do wish it was included though, maybe it'll be the one voted in.

[Beverly]

Ed wrote: "I'll be the Debbie Downer here and say that I was quite disappointed to see that Fifteen Dogs did not make the long list. Definitely my book of the year and the one I submitted to T..."

I am so so happy that The Girl on the Train did not make the list.
I know that I am in the minority on this but I did not like the book and did not see what all the hoopla was about.
Maybe I read a little too much psychological thrillers/suspense and imho (in my humble opinion) there was nothing special about it and it was not even that suspenseful as you figured it all out too soon in the book.

But as Poingu said in another thread - the books chosen seem to have an unique writing style/tone.

[Beverly]

AmberBug wrote: "Kendra wrote: "There are a few surprises but not really any disappointment. Initially I was surprised to see A Spool of Blue Thread as the the mainstream/popular choice over A God in Ruins, Go Set ..."

I understand that A Spool of Blue Threadis going to be the last book by the author.

A couple of die-hard Anne Tyler fans have mentioned they are glad her book was nominated for National Book Award but felt it was not a best work. So maybe there is a little sentimentality to the book making the long list.

[Juniper]

Beverly wrote: "I understand that A Spool of Blue Threadis going to be the last book by the author..."


wait!? what? can you link me to a source for this? ( i read somewhere she has new work underway and can't see herself retiring. will try and find that piece.)

[Juniper]

yeah, she dispelled rumours of her retirement (though this isn't the article i read): http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2015/0...

[Beverly]

Jennifer wrote: "yeah, she dispelled rumours of her retirement (though this isn't the article i read): http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2015/0..."

Thanks for the correction.

[Jason]

Seems like an example of what the TOB has been saying all along about the book award world: announce retirement, garner award nominations, keep writing. Well-played Anne Tyler.

[AmberBug]

Jason wrote: "Seems like an example of what the TOB has been saying all along about the book award world: announce retirement, garner award nominations, keep writing. Well-played Anne Tyler."

Haha, I was thinking the same thing!

[Juniper]

Jason wrote: "Seems like an example of what the TOB has been saying all along about the book award world: announce retirement, garner award nominations, keep writing. Well-played Anne Tyler."

snort!!

[Juniper]

Beverly wrote: "Thanks for the correction."

oh, no worries!! i got a bit panicky at the thought of tyler retiring. while 'blue thread' was only a so-so read for me, i am, generally, a fan of tyler. i hope we get a few more books from her yet. from 2012, i thought The Beginner's Goodbye was very good! :)

[Beth]

poingu wrote: "Beth wrote: "Did you notice the comment suggesting a book with lots of reader votes could still make the tournament? Now I'm torn between voting for Sweetland or Delicious Foods."

well that's easy..."

The reason it's not as easy for me, is I'd really like Delicious Foods to make the shortlist, as well as Sweetland. I'm going with an every vote counts attitude. Aside from those two, it's tempting to vote for Tsar of Love and Techno because I have a hunch that when I read it immediately after opening my Christmas stocking I will have the same love I had for the author's first book, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena. Constellation's omission from the tourney two years ago still stings.

[Amy]

Jennifer wrote: "just posted the longlist..."

By my count, you ladies managed to get at least one long-list contender in each quarter-final bracket! Impressive!

[Kaion]

I'm excited for Get in Trouble. I haven't read this particular collection yet, but I really fell in love with Kelly Link's writing this year.

The Sympathizer is such a problem read, but I have a fondness for it, that I'm glad to see it anyway.

Eka Kurniawan is really getting snubbed twice, with Man Tiger and Beauty Is a Wound, but thanks to Poingu and Jennifer for putting him on my radar.

I admit I don't read a lot of new books, but my favorite 2015 read was Radiance. Such a joyful, raucous, clever read that also feels personal in a way I don't think Valente has necessarily shown before.

Signs Preceding the End of the World and Aurora are also on my TBR, so exciting!

[C]

I REALLY like the long list this year. Even though I've only read two of them, many of these were books on my must-read radar. They included many books I was hoping they would include but didn't think they would include (the three Johnsons, Bats of the Republic, I Am Radar, Poxl West, Tusk That Did the Damage, Oreo, Mislaid, Gold Fame Citrus). I can't think of too many I would have liked to see on the list. It's almost a list I would have created myself. It's definitely a year to be book spoiled! And it looks like they are considering many more short story collections. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not (it will make guessing ToB books even more impossible) but I'm really looking forward to many of these collections and loved Get In Trouble.

Drew -- Interested to know what you think of Bats of the Republic -- it looks intriguing!

I started Welcome to Braggsville today and did some hunting for the other books.

[Juniper]

lots of year-end 'best of' list are now floating around... this one struck me as quite interesting, so i thought i would share it here: http://entropymag.org/best-of-2015-be...

[Jane from B.C.]

Jennifer wrote: "lots of year-end 'best of' list are now floating around... this one struck me as quite interesting, so i thought i would share it here: http://entropymag.org/best-of-2015-be..."

What an interesting list. There are so many books that are new to me here and many are from small presses.

[Kendra]

Jennifer wrote: "lots of year-end 'best of' list are now floating around... this one struck me as quite interesting, so i thought i would share it here: http://entropymag.org/best-of-2015-be..."

Between the alt and official ToBs' long lists I thought I was getting a pretty good idea of the great fiction published this year. Then I see this interesting list of 50 with very little overlap and I am reminded we are just scratching the surface. Thanks for sharing, Jennifer.

[Beverly]

Jennifer wrote: "lots of year-end 'best of' list are now floating around... this one struck me as quite interesting, so i thought i would share it here: http://entropymag.org/best-of-2015-be..."

Thanks so much for this amazing list.

So many wonderful blurbs that has me thinking what to add to my list.

And here I was thinking all I had to do was reading a couple of more books to close out by 2015 reading and transition into my 2016 books. :)

But this is a wonderful issue to sort out!

[Juniper]

Beverly wrote: "But this is a wonderful issue to sort out! "

Haha!! Book problems... we have them! :)

[Tiffany]

Beth wrote: "Did you notice the comment suggesting a book with lots of reader votes could still make the tournament? Now I'm torn between voting for Sweetland or Delicious Foods."

I voted for Sweetland. I did a pretty poor job on my reading list (only 4 from the long list), so I am really hoping Sweetland makes it on the shortlist. I haven't heard a lot of talk about it though, except from this discussion board. As a librarian, I spend a lot of time combing best of lists, and I didn't see it appear on any of them, so, unfortunately, it may be a long shot.

[Ed]

Heads up that "Welcome to Braggsville" is currently $1.99 for the Kindle (guessing only today, Monday 12/14).

Have to admit that I could not get thru the free sample about a month ago (and neither could my better half a few months back). Sure it's just a matter of persevering -- but just wasn't feeling it. Tempted at this price as I feel it has a very good shot at making ToB... but will likely hold off and see if it does and then probably only if it makes a deep run.