Tournament of Books discussion
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2016 Books
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2016 - Possible Contenders
Anne wrote: "I'm about 200 pgs from the end of A Little Life and I am experiencing that reader's ..."Thanks to this group I'm first in line of 18 hold requests for A Little Life, which still hasn't arrived at our local library--I'd never heard of Hanya Yanagihara before joining here. This novel feels like the best guess at a 2015 TOB shortlist book so far.
Meanwhile I'm reading Welcome to Braggsville and enjoying it a lot, and also The People in the Trees which just blows me away with its assurance--for a first novel especially it's really amazing storytelling.
Poingu wrote: "Anne wrote: "I'm about 200 pgs from the end of A Little Life and I am experiencing that reader's ..."Thanks to this group I'm first in line of 18 hold requests for A Little Life, which still hasn..."
Beware! People in the Trees and Little Life are very different animals. I loved them both but A Little Life blew me away, where People in the Trees was a fascinating first novel for me. I caution you only because you'll be reading her second book so soon after her first.
AmberBug wrote: "Poingu wrote: "Beware! People in the Trees and Little Life are very different animals. I loved them both but A Little Life blew me away, where People in the Trees was a fascinating first novel for me. I caution you only because you'll be reading her second book so soon after her first. "Ok...I think I'll put away People in the Trees, then...I thought I should read it first for some reason, and I'm loving it, but I'm rushing through too many books because I want to have time for A Little Life when it comes. Thanks for relieving me of unnecessary binge reading! I own a copy of People in the Trees so I'll just put it back on the shelf until April.
Poingu wrote: "AmberBug wrote: "Poingu wrote: "Beware! People in the Trees and Little Life are very different animals. I loved them both but A Little Life blew me away, where People in the Trees was a fascinating..."I completely agree with what AmberBug wrote. They have a common thread but seem like such completely different books that they almost might have been written by different authors. There is certainly no need to read them in a specific order. Although I feel like The People in the Trees might suffer after reading A Little Life.
I'm embarrassed to admit that because I listened to The People in the Trees I didn't even know Yanagihara was a woman. Since the main character in the book was a man I just assumed the author was too. It's interesting that she has written both these books about men. And I feel like she's getting it right but then I've never lived inside the head of a man so I can only guess.
Anne wrote: "Poingu wrote: "AmberBug wrote: "Poingu wrote: "Beware! People in the Trees and Little Life are very different animals. I loved them both but A Little Life blew me away, where People in the Trees wa..."Yes! Maybe someone should point this out to that Author getting slammed from his comment in regards to not writing female characters into his books. I didn't read too much into that bookternet news, but it reminded me of how silly it was because I really don't think you need to be fully understanding of the opposite sex to write from that perspective.
I point this out because I had the SAME thought of the author being male. She does the main characters SO well, is it really rare to see an author get the opposite sex so dead on? Now THAT would be a great break down of books. Which books have amazing characters written by the opposite sex!
AmberBug wrote: "Which books have amazing characters written by the opposite sex! "I slam books with no women too, when it feels like an oversight by the author, rather than something required by the story itself. Wittgenstein Jr. felt really weird to me, a world of one gender. But if a given novel were based on Shackleton's adventures in the Antarctic, then sure, having no women in it works.
The other thing that I wonder about a lot is who has permission these days to write about what kind of character. We're recovering nicely from an era when the only people publishing novels in English are white men. But I'd like someone to make a map of permissions and degrees of freedom allowed to contemporary authors by their reviewers--who is allowed just now to write about what kind of character.
I'm not sure about this received feeling we all seem to feel that it's better for an author to below to a given group, to write authentically about them. First problem is: who belongs to what group, actually? Is Louise Erdrich really any more in-group to Native Americans than Tony Hillerman? Or, are both of these authors actually appropriators of a culture that Sherman Alexie has more right to be writing about than they do? (a point of view that Alexie argues)? Does a Haitian American who grew up in Seattle have any more right to stories based in Haiti than an Italian American does? Or a Japanese author does?
Maybe authors should be allowed to write about and imagine any character they want because it's all made up anyway. Maybe authors should be able to imagine themselves into any other person's skin. Maybe that's good writing, not appropriation. The limitations go both ways and pigeonhole minority writers into certain expectations, too. Percival Everett hates to be thought of as an African American author--he is an author.
has anyone read (or added to their reading pile) Delicious Foods, by James Hannaham. did i ask about this book already? sorry if i am repeating myself and that maybe... poingu mentioned it?
Jennifer wrote: "has anyone read (or added to their reading pile) Delicious Foods, by James Hannaham. did i ask about this book already? sorry if i am repeating myself."Ha - I just started it this morning. I only read a few pages with my coffee, but I will say that the first few pages of the prologue and very high energy and aggressive. I can't wait to get back to it. And to think I almost skipped it because I thought it was another food memoir :). Read it with me!
the book was already on my radar, and i did get the e-book, but haven't read it yet. i guess because it's its release week, it is popping up all over my social networks the past few days - and pretty enthusiastically too by those who have already read it. i am in the midst of leading a few group reads for march and april, so can't jump into it now. i need to learn about under-committing my reading. :)
Jennifer wrote: "the book was already on my radar, and i did get the e-book, but haven't read it yet. i guess because it's its release week, it is popping up all over my social networks the past few days - and pret..."I just saw there's a goodreads giveaway for the book right now. I was lucky enough to find it available in my overdrive library.
Jennifer wrote: "has anyone read (or added to their reading pile) Delicious Foods, by James Hannaham. did i ask about this book already? sorry if i am repeating myself and that mayb..."I got the ARC and enjoyed it, review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have just started on the Hanya Yanagihara. I didn't care for the Kazuo Ishiguro ... no, make that I just plain didn't like it at all! Bland, repetitive, pointless.
Poingu wrote: "I got the ARC and enjoyed it, review here:..."
thanks! i will hold off on reading the review though, 'til after i've had a chance to read the book for myself. glad to hear you enjoyed it! :)
Julie wrote: "I have just started on the Hanya Yanagihara. I didn't care for the Kazuo Ishiguro ... no, make that I just plain didn't like it at all! Bland, repetitive, pointless."Oh, me, too. What a disappointment. I wish Le Guin could have been permitted to criticize this book for its faults, without everyone calling her a cranky misinformed jealous nonliterary bitca. A link:
http://www.ursulakleguin.com/Blog2015...
Same re: The Buried Giant. I tried to read it this week but gave up 50 pages in. So disappointing--it sounded like such an interesting book.
Laura Miller has an interesting take on Ishiguro in her review in Slate: "Most writers can’t get away with using banality to attain profundity, but Ishiguro can, and has proven as much in his earlier work."
Hmm.
I second your "hmm". Banality for the purpose of profundity is still banality, though, isn't it...
James Wood says the same thing in his negative review of the book. Ishiguro definitely uses banality, especially in Remains and Mever let Me Go, to conceal hidden depths lurking below placid surfaces. Wood just doesn't think it works at all this time.
Topher wrote: "James Wood says the same thing in his negative review of the book. Ishiguro definitely uses banality, especially in Remains and Mever let Me Go, to conceal hidden depths lurking below placid surfac..."Thanks Topher. I just read Wood's review online and it really helped me understand my responses to Ishiguro's novels.
This is such a great group of readers and I've learned so much here. I just peeked at last year's "2015 contenders" thread to see how people did with predictions, and what do you know, on the very first page of the discussion last year people had already singled out Dept. of Speculation, All the Birds, Singing and Untamed State as likely contenders for this year's matchup. That's amazing.
Poingu wrote: "Topher wrote: "James Wood says the same thing in his negative review of the book. Ishiguro definitely uses banality, especially in Remains and Mever let Me Go, to conceal hidden depths lurking belo..."I agree. It's worth hanging out here just to find my next great read.
Janet wrote: " It's worth hanging out here just to find my next great read"Welcome to Braggsville by T. Geronimo Johnson is my current great read. I need to take back all my prejudicial statements about MFA writers--Johnson was a Stegner fellow and now teaches at Iowa. This writing is very unique, and the story is great too.
Poingu wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "has anyone read (or added to their reading pile) Delicious Foods, by James Hannaham. did i ask about this book already? sorry if i am repeating mys..."Starting it next, thanks to you guys!
I HATED HATED HATED People in the Trees because of content but thought she seemed a good writer... So I'm so completely on the fence about picking up A Little Lie and don't know what to do.
Margaret: I hated People in the Trees, too, but I also loved it -- that book had me so torn, I couldn't think straight, but I also couldn't stop thinking about it. There are similar themes in A Little Life, but it is beyond beautiful.
I haven't read Welcome to Braggsville yet, but from what I've heard, it's a very ToB-ish book.
Welcome to Braggsville by T. Geronimo Johnson is my current great read.Since I grew up in a small Southern town, which I left for the relative liberalness of a university town, I have to say that does look like an interesting book. :) I added it to my to-read list, thanks!
I currently have A Little Life waiting on the top of my to-read pile. I'm excited about it, because I was absolutely wowed by Yanagihara's ability as a writer in The People in the Trees, but on the other hand I'm not sure if I'm up for what appears to be such a dark book right now - winter blues and all. Hrm. Eh, spring's here, which should lift my mood and make me more fit for the challenge. ;)
so i just got stupid-excited over a new translation: Billie, by Anna Gavalda. i love anna gavalda. i had no idea this translation was out now (just this month), but a surprise copy just arrived at my door. i feel like gavalda is a ToB-worthy author, and this newest translation sounds like it could work well in 2016. my reading plans for the weekend just changed. :)
Jennifer wrote: "so i just got stupid-excited over a new translation: Billie, by Anna Gavalda. i love anna gavalda. i had no idea this translation was out now (just this month), but a..."Nice - thanks for the tip!
This message is for those who have read A Little Life. Do you find it difficult to engage with another book? Find yourself avoiding books with similar themes because they probably won't match up? I am definitely still in that world mentally. I miss my "friends". I don't want to move on--sound like Jude?
Just wondering if anyone else is feeling the loss?
Anne wrote: "This message is for those who have read A Little Life. Do you find it difficult to engage with another book? Find yourself avoiding books with similar themes because they probably won't match up?..."Anne, I'm reading it now and I'll let you know! The only time I can remember feeling that way was after War and Peace--I missed the characters very much.
Anne: I read A Little Life in December, and am still thinking about the characters, particularly Willem and, of course, Jude. I didn't want that book to end, and it felt like a real loss when I finished it. :'(
Dianah wrote: "Anne: I read A Little Life in December, and am still thinking about the characters, particularly Willem and, of course, Jude. I didn't want that book to end, and it felt like a real loss when I fi..."Thanks, Dianah, glad I'm not alone in missing those guys!
Well on the basis of this thread and having just heard Ann Kingman of Books on the Nightstand give an outstanding review on her podcast of A Little Life, I now feel like I have to read it. I know this is treasonous to mention in a group like this, but I'm a bit put off by the massiveness - 720 pages to me sounds like this will be a major undertaking. Did people feel like it went much quicker than that page count would suggest? I am one of those who takes an eternity to read a book, and I'm also feeling a bit emotionally raw after finishing Everything I Never Told You. I'm guessing based on the reviews with respect to the trauma in the book that I should take a bit of a breather and come back to this? Many thanks for the help, and all of the fantastic suggestions coming out of this group!
Hi Brian, I just listened to Ann Kingman's review also. She's right. I think A Little Life moves smoothly but I wouldn't necessarily say it goes fast for a book of it's size. I actually didn't want it to move fast. I liked very much being in the moment with it. It is a very accessible read so, other than the subject matter, it reads easily. That's about the best insight I can give you.
Brian wrote: "Well on the basis of this thread and having just heard Ann Kingman of Books on the Nightstand give an outstanding review on her podcast of A Little Life, I now feel like I have to read it. I know t..."I'm reading it now and agree with Anne that it's accessible--the prose is not at all as challenging as some of the doorstoppers in this year's competition. The book is interesting for a lot of reasons that I'm dying to talk about somewhere with people who have read it already.
Poingu, I'm ready to discuss it whenever you are. Perhaps others will be too.
I actually read A Little Life in 4 days -- I was home sick. I had a very difficult time putting it down. It seemed to read easily for me, and even though the subject matter was so dark, I just couldn't help but speed through it. What a book!
Anne wrote: "This message is for those who have read A Little Life. Do you find it difficult to engage with another book? Find yourself avoiding books with similar themes because they probably won't match up?..."I NEVER get book hangovers but this one gave it to me BIG time.
Brian - you won't want it to end... so the length ends up feeling too short (or it did for me).
I really want to reread it right away but I think it won't have that impact anymore, maybe I'll pick it up again right before the TOB16 since it HAS to be included.
AmberBug wrote: "Anne wrote: "This message is for those who have read A Little Life. Do you find it difficult to engage with another book? Find yourself avoiding books with similar themes because they probably wo..."My library copy came in this weekend. If I wasn't enjoying Delicious Foods so much, I'd put it down and start right away. I'm with Brian though - I wasn't happy to see 700 pages when I picked it up. I'm glad to hear it hasn't been an issue for you all.
Sherri wrote"My library copy [of A Little Life]came in this weekend. If I wasn't enjoying Delicious Foods so much, I'd put it down and start right away. ..."Had to laugh at this, Sherri. I'm listening to Delicious on audio and absolutely loving it. The author reads it, and he is outstanding, especially giving voice to cocaine/Scotty. I need to read Some Luck for my book group and am speeding through it so I can start A Little Life. I'm not very far into SL, but so far it is exceeding my expectations. The writing is charming, and it's definitely the first time I've seen an author do a close third person POV with an infant. Amazingly, it seems to work!
Jan wrote: "Sherri wrote"My library copy [of A Little Life]came in this weekend. If I wasn't enjoying Delicious Foods so much, I'd put it down and start right away. ..."Had to laugh at this, Sherri. I'm list..."
o0o, next audible book to pick up? Thanks for the tip!
Jan wrote: "Sherri wrote"My library copy [of A Little Life]came in this weekend. If I wasn't enjoying Delicious Foods so much, I'd put it down and start right away. ..."Had to laugh at this, Sherri. I'm list..."
Oh I bet that's wonderful to listen to. I may treat myself to the audio later. His prose is so perfect and spot on though that I can hear the voices in my head (not the crazy voices - LOL) really well. Amber, I should set expectations too high, but I predict you'll love this one.
Well you all have convinced me - I bought A Little Life and will be reading it with a friend of mine. Looking forward to discussing it when I'm finished!
has anyone read I Am Radar, by Reif Larsen, yet? i haven't (though i own it), but it's feeling like it has ToB 2016 potential.
Going to get it from the library tomorrow! I can't wait. I loved TS Spivet.
Jennifer wrote: "has anyone read I Am Radar, by Reif Larsen, yet? i haven't (though i own it), but it's feeling like it has ToB 2016 potential."I've read it...I hope you enjoy it!
Poingu wrote: "I've read it...I hope you enjoy it! "do you think it's ToB-worthy?
@ rosie -- i own The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet too, but haven't read it yet. :/ so. many. books.
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Tournament of Books
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Excited/Daunted."
I'm about 200 pgs from the end of A Little Life and I am experiencing that reader's dilemma of I can't wait to see where it goes and I hate to see it end. I am blown away by this book!