Tournament of Books discussion
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2016 Books
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2016 - Possible Contenders
C wrote: "Does anyone know if there is a site that lists upcoming indie published books for the next year? I know there is one that lists the best indie books of the previous year (but I lost that link, if ..."i just noticed this, this morning, C:
publishers weekly had their spring 2015 post a few weeks ago. the bottom bit of the post includes a list of publishers, many independents.
http://publishersweekly.com/pw/by-top...
since it's on the list i linked, i would like to take this opportunity to give a WOOT! for Medicine Walk, by Richard Wagamese, which is publishing in the US with milkweed on april 14th. (disclosure: i haven't read it yet (very, very soon though!), ha, but i love wagamese - incredible guy, incredible storyteller! if you can get your hands on a copy of Indian Horse, do it! amazing novel.)
Jennifer, thanks. I am trying to read more diversely, and these two are going right on the Want to Read list.
Jan wrote: "Jennifer, thanks. I am trying to read more diversely, and these two are going right on the Want to Read list."awesome! indian horse is a great winter read, too. if you read to the season at all. :)
Jennifer wrote: "C wrote: "Does anyone know if there is a site that lists upcoming indie published books for the next year? I know there is one that lists the best indie books of the previous year (but I lost that..."Whoa, the books on that list are almost entirely different than the books on The Millions preview... and most of them sound amazing.
C wrote: "Whoa, the books on that list are almost entirely different than the books on The Millions preview... and most of them sound amazing."hi C. i marked quite a few on my own TBR list this morning, and was quite intrigued by many of them as well! not sure how i missed that PW post in january, but i am glad it popped up on my twitter feed today. happy it was of interest to you as well. :)
What 2016 releases have you all read so far? I've read The Girl on the Train and listened to The First Bad Man. I'll just say I'm not off to a very good start. What about you?
Sherri wrote: "What 2016 releases have you all read so far? I've read The Girl on the Train and listened to The First Bad Man. I'll just say I'm not off to a very good start. What about you?"i have not read any new, 2015 releases yet this year. :/ i have read Sweetland, but it was released in canada last summer. (love it! but i am a broken record on it at this point. sorry!)
for some reason, i feel like Miranda July's The First Bad Man is a shoo-in as a contender for the 2016 tournament. (not there is ever such a thing with the ToB, i guess. a shoo-in, i mean. heh!)
Delicious Foods by James Hannaham--uneven but interestingGutshot: Stories by Amelia Gray--amazing to me in every way. Gray also wrote the short story for this week's New Yorker and I was very happy to see that, because she is really doing something new, and the New Yorker has felt stuck to me for a while in Alice Munro-ville.
Also I tried and failed to read Frog by Nobel prizewinner Mo Yan, and I'm currently reading The Seventh Day: A Novel. I'd like to understand contemporary Chinese fiction better but these novelist's concerns and themes are very different from what I know about life, and it makes it hard for me to know how to relate to these books.
Jennifer wrote: "Sherri wrote: "What 2016 releases have you all read so far? I've read The Girl on the Train and listened to The First Bad Man. I'll just say I'm not off to a very good start. What about you?"i ha..."
I hope the Miranda July book makes it into the TOB so I'll have something to root against - ha! No, seriously though, it started out strong and some people will love it. It's definitely funny at times, but not enough to hold my attention. It reminded me of Josh Ferris's To Rise Again at a Decent Hour, but not quite as clever. I guess that's one of the qualities of a good TOB book though - you can dislike it but still appreciate its value.
I can't wait to read Sweetland!
Against the Country -- excellent, not for everyone but lots to talk about. I'd love to see it in the ToB. Famous Writers I Have Known -- disappointing. The NYT reviewer badly oversold it.
Looking forward to Sweetland and Funny Girl.
I'm only about halfway through it, but I think Welcome to Braggsville should definitely be a contender.
Deborah wrote: "I'm only about halfway through it, but I think Welcome to Braggsville should definitely be a contender."i was just reading about that book yesterday and i thought it sounded just like a ToB book. heh!! :)
Deborah wrote: "I'm only about halfway through it, but I think Welcome to Braggsville should definitely be a contender."Ron Charles of WaPo gave it a glowing review. It seems to be a love-it-or-hate-it book, and one that would contrast nicely with Against the Country, which RC hated but I loved. Definitely putting it on the TBR list.
Jennifer wrote: "C wrote: "Does anyone know if there is a site that lists upcoming indie published books for the next year? I know there is one that lists the best indie books of the previous year (but I lost that..."I just ran across a FB page for Shelf Unbound Magazine which claims (on their website) "What to read next? Shelf Unbound brings you the best of small press and independent books in a digital magazine that Publisher's Weekly describes as "richly designed." Each issue features reviews, author interviews, excerpts, photo essays, and more. Best of all, Shelf Unbound is free! We invite you to sign up here for your free subscription." I haven't looked into it yet but it may be a good source of titles from indie publishers. Or not.
Drew wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "C wrote: "Does anyone know if there is a site that lists upcoming indie published books for the next year? I know there is one that lists the best indie books of the previous year..."I just signed up for the free subscription to "Shelf Unbound" and another magazine offered by the same publisher, "Foreground." My quick glance at the current issue suggested that there's a lot of publisher promotion in it, but it can't hurt to check out a free publication.
Deborah wrote: "I'm only about halfway through it, but I think Welcome to Braggsville should definitely be a contender."
It kind of sprawled a little too much for me in the end, but I totally agree. So much discussion in that book.
It kind of sprawled a little too much for me in the end, but I totally agree. So much discussion in that book.
My favorite 2015 so far: Mort e by Robert Repino. I'll temper this recommendation by saying that for a long time now I've enjoyed writers working on the edge of genre--those who aren't overtly trying to be classified as "literary" writers but who just happen to be amazing writers. Jeff Vandermeer is a good example in this year's TOB. Another wonderful book I'm reading now, one that I hope isn't too quiet to make next year's TOB: Disgruntled by Asali Solomon.
Shannon, I got Hausfrau sent to me through Librarything's early readers program and I thought the writing was terrible! I'm just sharing that because your note reminded me once more about how relative my judgments are. That's one reason I love being part of a book club. It makes me reevaluate and sometimes come to appreciate a book I originally disliked.
Shannon wrote: "Throwing Hausfrau on the list. That is some WRITING."I'm really looking forward to reading Hausfrau and I get to see the author in April.
i am going to offer this book up for your consideration: The Mountain Story, by Lori Lansensi have not read it yet, but it's probably my most anticipate read for 2015. it comes out in canada in april, and in the US in july. lansens is a wonderful writer. if you are not familiar with her, The Girls and Rush Home Road are great! this new book sounds edgier and darker than some of her past stuff.
I shall put it on my radar, Jennifer (and in the meantime I might check out the others by Lansens).I just finished a fraught and lonely time with Sweetland .... sigh! Really enjoyed it - though not as much as I loved Galore which was an epic read!
nice, julie!! galore is a fantastic book; i am so glad to hear you loved it. and that sweetland worked for you too. michael crummey is such a treasure! :)
so i just noticed that elliot ackerman, one of this year's judges, had his debut novel released last week: Green on Blue: A Novel. maybe lots of you know this already. it seems to have flown under my radar even though it was mentioned right in his judging bio. oops. i think i thought it was out before last week, so didn't look into it further. :/
Just finished "A Little Life" and this book might make it into my top 10 of all time. If it doesn't make the tournament next year, I'd be shocked.
AmberBug, I totally agree. What a book! It's definitely going to be my favorite book for 2015. So amazing.
that's great to hear, amberbug! i have to tell you that every time i see yanagihara's A Little Life cover, my brain goes to morrissey's cover: Autobiography. because apparently my brain is ridiculous. :)
Jennifer wrote: "that's great to hear, amberbug! i have to tell you that every time i see yanagihara's A Little Life cover, my brain goes to morrissey's cover: Autobiography. becaus..."I don't think so, my brain would have done the same thing if I was familiar with the cover. I didn't even know that book existed, thanks!
so... is anyone going to read Holy Cow: A Modern-Day Dairy Tale, by David Duchovny? kirkus just gave it a 'thumb's up' and 'buy it' endorsement, along with the starred review. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
Jennifer wrote: "so... is anyone going to read Holy Cow: A Modern-Day Dairy Tale, by David Duchovny? kirkus just gave it a 'thumb's up' and 'buy it' endorsement, along with the sta..."I've got a request in at the library. I'm not really expecting it to be good, so if it is that'll be a bonus. :)
Trying to read all the TOB 2014 books has really accelerated my reading in general, especially of new books (another reason to thank TOB). Has anyone else found themselves suddenly reading many more books than you thought you had time for, even outside of the tournament books?Yesterday I read Aquarium by David Vann. I thought it was terrific. Especially if you like family dramas I recommend it. Really great writing and great characterization and the book had a lot to say about relationships, obligation, and forgiveness. Someone else who reviewed it compared it with Everything I Never Told You but I haven't read that book yet (just got it from the library) so I can't say for sure.
Poingu wrote: "Trying to read all the TOB 2014 books has really accelerated my reading in general, especially of new books (another reason to thank TOB). Has anyone else found themselves suddenly reading many mor..."Yes, I am amazed that I have almost read all the TOB contenders this year since I had only read 3 or 4 before the short list was announced. With any luck I may even finish the Ferrante trilogy before that bracket! I have never finished all the books before even the year I was sick most of Feb. and missed a lot of work. (I'm considering Redeployment read because I only planned to read a couple of the stories and that's what I've done.)
Poingu wrote: "Trying to read all the TOB 2014 books has really accelerated my reading in general, especially of new books (another reason to thank TOB). Has anyone else found themselves suddenly reading many mor..."I've been thinking about this too. A few years ago I was so happy that I read 12 books in a year. I think I'm averaging around 60 a year now (which is probably not a lot for this group!). Looks like I'll make it to 13 or 14 of the tourney books this year plus both trilogies. Not bad considering kids, job, and everything else. I still don't have a lot of reading time, so I think I've just gotten a lot faster. Listening to audiobooks when I drive, clean, etc. helps too.
And Poingu, thanks for all the great book recommendations!
I agree that listening to audiobooks pumps up my numbers significantly. I'm so tired after working all day that a print book often puts me to sleep. But I can listen on my iPhone while I walk, do dishes, clean and commute. I've found lots of pockets of reading time that way. I used to think 12 books a year was a lot. Now I average 50-60 per year and a couple of years ago when my work schedule wasn't so demanding, I read 100 books. Not bad for a slow reader.
Poingu wrote: "Trying to read all the TOB 2014 books has really accelerated my reading in general, especially of new books (another reason to thank TOB). Has anyone else found themselves suddenly reading many mor..."Totally!! I've actually been thinking about this a lot lately. Last year I was working an incredibly stressful job, and since quitting, I've found that I haven't been able to kickstart my reading again--I think I only read around 20 books last year, even though I quit my job in April. This year, because of ToB and the challenge it has presented me, I've already read almost as many as I did last year, and I'm so much more excited about reading in general.
So I have a lot to thank ToB for!
Adding Aquarium to my TBR list--sounds very interesting.
Just bought Aquarium . Looking forward to reading it as I love David Vann's writing. But it will have to wait until after The Buried Giant because I love Kazuo Ishiguro's writing more!
Julie wrote: "Just bought Aquarium . Looking forward to reading it as I love David Vann's writing. But it will have to wait until after The Buried Giant because I love Kazuo Ishiguro's writing more!"The library just notified me that The Buried Giant is waiting for me (along with Welcome to Braggsville). Aquarium was my first David Vann book. I thought his writing was an interesting combination of 'caring' and 'ruthless' and I'm looking forward reading more of his books to see if that's his style.
Kiese Laymon gave Paul Beatty's The Sellout a very strong review in the LA Times this week. Based on Laymon's Long Division being one of last year's ToB discoveries, I'm putting it high on my TBR list. http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketco...
Good reviews of The Sellout are everywhere this week. I can't wait till my turn comes up at the library. I'm starting She Weeps Each Time You're Born as soon as I finish the book I'm reading.
Sherri wrote: "Good reviews of The Sellout are everywhere this week. I can't wait till my turn comes up at the library. I'm starting She Weeps Each Time You're Born as soon as I finish the book I'm reading."I just finished SWETYB the other day. I struggled a little with the timelines and some other inconsistencies (and that might just be me reading too quickly. I couldn't put it down and I'd probably benefit from a second read), but it was really beautifully written. I'd recommend it to anyone comfortable reading magical realism.
Danielle wrote: "Sherri wrote: "Good reviews of The Sellout are everywhere this week. I can't wait till my turn comes up at the library. I'm starting She Weeps Each Time You're Born as soon as I finish the book I'm..."That's good to hear, Danielle!
Jan wrote: "Kiese Laymon gave Paul Beatty's The Sellout a very strong review in the LA Times this week. Based on Laymon's Long Division being one of last year's ToB discoveries, I'm putting it high on my TBR l..."There is an excerpt of The Sellout in the current issue of Tin House Magazine, and it hooked me.
I've been looking forward to The Sellout since I saw it on The Millions preview list. I'm glad Laymon likes it, since I was already comparing their writing style in my mind.
Poingu wrote: "I guess books that are at small presses AND are published late in the year are at a particular disadvantage--you'd have to be aware of a book coming out and ready to read it quickly and I'm not sur..."Poingu - I just saw that Preparation for the Next Life is a finalist for the 2015 Pen-Faulkner award, along with Dept of Speculation, Station Eleven a couple of others.
http://www.penfaulkner.org/award-for-...
Sherri wrote: "I just saw that Preparation for the Next Life is a finalist for the 2015 Pen-Faulkner award, along with Dept of Speculation, Station Eleven a couple of others. ..."Sherri, thanks so much for telling me this! I'm really glad it got nominated.
Jennifer wrote: "so... is anyone going to read Holy Cow: A Modern-Day Dairy Tale, by David Duchovny? kirkus just gave it a 'thumb's up' and 'buy it' endorsement, along with the sta..."Ok Jennifer, I read about 3 chapters of this and no - just - no. I' ve always been a fan of his and I do like his sense of humor, but only a celebrity could write a book like this and get away with it.
I've got Hanya Yanagihara's latest staring at me from my TBR pile right now. Excited/Daunted.
@ sheri -- that 'just... no!' feeling has been sitting in my gut, ever since i learned about the book.@ topher -- i just got my copy too, but i don't think i'll be getting to it for a couple of weeks yet.
I wonder if the new Kazuo Ishiguro novel will make the list, mixed reviews and all.
Topher wrote: "I've got Hanya Yanagihara's latest staring at me from my TBR pile right now. Excited/Daunted."
That book... it might put a cloud over all other books this year for me. So good.
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Tournament of Books
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... Alas, I did have some procrastination time this morning, so it ends up 7 of this year's ToB books (+ the last of the VanderMeer/Southern Reach trilogy) made the "Indie Next" list -- tho, interestingly enough, only 2 were the big/main/featured book of the month (All the Light & Bone Clocks).
Granted the next challenge is to *find* those ToB book among the 20-ish books they feature each month (a lot of long-listers were there too). I have to admit one of my favorite parts of ToB is seeing how many books I can read over the year that end up in ToB!