2015 ToB Competition Discussion Showing 551-600 of 1,076

[AmberBug]

I've done the same thing, I've highlighted the bracket with two colors, one representing who I think the judge will select and the other for who I want to win. I'm in the crazy boat with you both.

[Crystal]

There have been a couple of comments about the supposed insularity of the Station Eleven vs An Untamed State bracket that I don't really get, particularly this notion that Roxane Gay is part of the Brooklyn writer set. If the match up was Station Eleven vs Dept of Speculation, I would totally buy it since both of those authors actually live in Brooklyn. Gay does not. She lives in the Midwest. She is likely familiar and even friendly with a number of the Brooklyn writers, but I don't think she's necessarily part of that circle in the same way as a couple of other authors in the tournament are. On another note, this bracket bums me out since it contains two of the strongest books in the tournament IMO, especially since another bracket contains two books that I think shouldn't make it past the first round.

[Janet]

I don't know much about the Brooklyn writer crowd but Gay is Essays Editor Emeritus of The Rumpus which I would guess would put her squarely in with that bunch....but what do I know? No insider knowledge here.

[Juniper]

Janet wrote: "I don't know much about the Brooklyn writer crowd but Gay is Essays Editor Emeritus of The Rumpus which I would guess would put her squarely in with that bunch....but what do I know? No insider kn..."

yeah, gay was in NYC until last year, and then moved for a job. she was pretty active on twitter recounting all the highs and lows of the job change and move. i have no particular inside knowledge either, it's just a sense i get from reading stuff and hearing things.

@amberbug - heh! nice to have more company on the crazy boat!

[Ellen]

I'm a secret Tayari Jones fangirl, and am fervently hoping she picks Those Who Leave... over Everything I Never Told You. Janet, what makes you think she'll pick Everything I Never Told You?

[Crystal]

Jennifer wrote: "Janet wrote: "I don't know much about the Brooklyn writer crowd but Gay is Essays Editor Emeritus of The Rumpus which I would guess would put her squarely in with that bunch....but what do I know? ..."

Janet, I can see where you're coming from with the Rumpus connection. But I still don't think you can lump her in with the Brooklyn crowd in quite the same way as you could with Mandel or Offill.

Jennifer, she was not living in NYC. Before she moved to Purdue, she taught at Eastern Illinois University. She certainly doesn't think of herself as a New York writer, so why should anyone else?

Here is an interesting interview Gay gave last year where she talks about all of this: https://thegreatdiscontent.com/interv...

[Juniper]

ah. thanks, crystal. sorry to make such a dumb error - not sure how the heck i managed to mangle that!! :)

[Janet]

Isn't Mandel a Canadian?

Ellen, to be fair I only just started My Brilliant Friend but I think that Tayari will relate to the psychology of exclusion that is a theme in Everything I Never Told You. Her protagonist in Silver Sparrow was very much wounded by her father's denial of her. Similarly in Everything, Lydia feels that she is never good enough for her parents. Although you can't bank on an author's work being autobiographical, I'm willing to make that leap this time.

[Juniper]

Janet wrote: "Isn't Mandel a Canadian?..."

she is canadian, but she's been in NYC for a while now. (i know i haven't mangled that bit. heh. sigh!)

[Crystal]

Jennifer wrote: "ah. thanks, crystal. sorry to make such a dumb error - not sure how the heck i managed to mangle that!! :)"

NBD. Just wondering if I was missing something. :)

Despite the weaker field this year, I'm still really looking forward to the tourney. Between this and March Madness, it's my favorite time of the year.

[Juniper]

crystal - ha. no - totally me on that one. i managed to cross things up in my brain. it's like a funhouse in there sometimes! :)

[Lark]

Crystal wrote: "Despite the weaker field this year..."

Crystal, you're not the only avid reader who has expressed disappointment in this short list compared with years past. A lot of people seem to have written something along those lines here. This is my first year trying to read so many of the books--usually I only read 1 or 2 so I don't have anything to compare with.

I'd be really interested in knowing which TOB years you and other TOB veterans think of as having "stronger fields."

[Crystal]

This is my second year trying to read all of the books on the short list, so I really don't consider myself a veteran. Others will likely have better insights into this than me. But I do think that last year's shortlist was much stronger than this year's. Last year, there was only one book that I disliked. I also discovered a few that I really liked, books I wouldn't have known about had I not been interested in the tournament. This year, there were fewer pleasant surprises and more to dislike. I still have a couple of books left to get through, so maybe my feelings about this year's crop will change.

[Ellen]

Crystal, I agree entirely about last year's list vs. this year's. I never would have read The People in the Trees or How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia on my own. This year, there's no equivalent -- in general, if I ended up liking a book, it was already on my personal list, like Station Eleven. Although I'm reading the first book in the Ferrante trilogy now, and I do like it, and I wouldn't have picked it up on my own, so maybe it will vindicate some of the others...

Last year was the first year I read the whole list for the tournament, so I'd have to go back to previous years to see if they also strike me as stronger than this year.

[Juniper]

poingu, this year i feel there is a really heavy mood/theme with the ToB picks. i suppose had i read more than 2/16 books prior to the announcement of the list, i may feel differently.

i have found that, in trying to get the books read, two things are going on: a) i am one of those people who has previously said that most of this year's roster just isn't that appealing to me. i hadn't read the books in 2014 because they just didn't grab my attention. so when the 16 titles were announced, i wasn't stupid-excited as i have been in the past. b) reading them back-to-back hasn't been very enjoyable because it's mostly all been so dark and heavy. and meh. i just have not been engaged with most of the books. i am not against seriousness of themes at all in my reading. in fact, most of the literature i read is serious and heavy. it's just the back-to-back-ness, i think.

i haven't taken a good hard look at past tournaments (and i have only been active with it all for the past 3 or 4 years) ... but i am just feeling a lack of 'fun' this year. (though i am still totally, totally keen for the judgments and debates! i do love that every year!!)

[Ryan]

Holy cow! Just finished A Brief History of Seven Killings (anything but brief). I was pulling for The Bone Clocks - which this thread has not given a ton of love to - but now I'm not as set on that as my favorite. I'd be a bit surprised though if either loses out first round.

[Trish]

I still have quite a few to read, but so far A Brief History is my bet for the win. It's just so original and complex and different from the rest, it really stood out for me.

[Rosie]

Ryan wrote: "Holy cow! Just finished A Brief History of Seven Killings (anything but brief). I was pulling for The Bone Clocks - which this thread has not given a ton of love to - but now I'm not as set on that..."

Interesting! I was wondering whether I should read A Brief History, and my favourite by far in this year's ToB is The Bone Clocks (at this stage I've read 10/16) so I'm thinking that I should get onto it!

[Sherri]

Ryan wrote: "Holy cow! Just finished A Brief History of Seven Killings (anything but brief). I was pulling for The Bone Clocks - which this thread has not given a ton of love to - but now I'm not as set on that..."

I'm so glad you posted this today. I picked up A Brief History from the library today and I've been giving it dirty looks all afternoon :). Maybe it won't kill me to read this after all.

[Sam]

Trish wrote: "I still have quite a few to read, but so far A Brief History is my bet for the win. It's just so original and complex and different from the rest, it really stood out for me."

Totally agree with you on this. I just can't imagine a scenario in which A Brief History doesn't walk away with the Rooster.

I had read 10 and DNF'ed 2 of the ToB books before getting to this one and it was such a stunning read that everything else--including a few others that I really liked--seemed to pale in comparison.

[Ed]

Ah, another reason to love ToB. Should finish my 12th ToB book in next day or so, and was going to quite (very!) satisfied with that total going into the competition. But alas, you all are convincing me otherwise about 'A Brief History' -- which admittedly had me a bit scared off and was a wait/see. So may now give it a shot since we're still a couple weeks out...

[Patty]

I just started listening to A Brief History, mostly so I could say I tried, but failed. It really didn't interest me. However, I may have to change my mind. I like it so far.

[Sam]

Ed wrote: "Ah, another reason to love ToB. Should finish my 12th ToB book in next day or so, and was going to quite (very!) satisfied with that total going into the competition. But alas, you all are convinci..."

That's great! Actually, the way you're doing it now--tackling A Brief History at the tail-end of your ToB to-read list--might turn out to be a good 'strategy.' At least that was my case. Without the pressure of so many other to-read books breathing down my neck, I was able to take my time orienting myself (without resenting the book for it) amid the dynamics that were sparking the political violence, the bazillion characters, and the Jamaican patois. It was worth the patience that the story initially called for. Once things clicked into place, it was smooth sailing and I could finally sit back, enjoy the story, and marvel at how James put it all together.

[Juniper]

you guys and your A Brief History of Seven Killings talk is actually helping me feel better about starting it. thank you! i haven't been looking forward to this one so much.

[Kerry]

I guess A Brief History is a must read after I finish Ferrante's trilogy. I remember his Book of NIght Women which was good, but incredibly violent. I wasn't sure I wanted to read another, but with these raves and the state of the remainder of the field.....thanks for the push, I hope.

[Katie]

I tried A Brief History and failed, it just isn't a book I can read while tired and distracted in short bursts which is typically how I read right now. I am flying to California in early March so I'm going to give it a go then when I have hours to focus.

I did just finish All the Birds, Singing and I loved it. It may win out as the book that most surprised me. I didn't really have it on my radar pre tournament and I had zero expectations, didn't read anything about it and I think most people here weren't fans. I read it in two days, and am still thinking about it! Off to get Dear Committee Members from the library today!

I have also started My Brilliant Friend but I won't get through the trilogy in time. Adam, The Paying Guests and Wittgenstein Jr are the last three I have to read. Anyone have advice on which of those three I should buy since library holds/availability won't work. I'm thinking Wittgenstein Jr is the lowest on my list and may not get read.

[Gayla]

I really disliked Adam, so I would recommend The Paying Guests -- it is long, but I enjoyed it.

[Patty]

I have read both Adam and Wittgenstein, Jr. and I would recommend trying Paying Guests. Yes, that is the one I haven't read, but the other two are just okay, IMHO.

I still don't know what Iyer was trying to say and I was annoyed with Schrag for most of her book. I have read Waters before and her books are interesting to say the least.

[Jan]

Sam wrote: "I just can't imagine a scenario in which A Brief History doesn't walk away with the Rooster..."

In a just and perfect world, I believe you would be right, but isn't part of what makes the ToB so compelling (and frustrating) is that when you throw individual judges in there, anything can happen? I've tried to cultivate a Zen stance on the ToB results, but have failed miserably.

[Sherri]

Katie wrote: "I tried A Brief History and failed, it just isn't a book I can read while tired and distracted in short bursts which is typically how I read right now. I am flying to California in early March so ..."

It depends on your goal. Adam is very fast, but there's a good chance you won't like it. The Paying Guests is beautifully written, but very slow and drawn out. I'm about 50% through listening and am starting to be ready for it to end. My Brilliant Friend feels slow, but it reads very quickly. I read it in 2 days with plenty of distractions and not that much time to read. I decided I'd rather finish the trilogy than try Wittgenstein or A Brief History right now.

[Sam]

Jan wrote: "but isn't part of what makes the ToB so compelling (and frustrating) is that when you throw individual judges in there, anything can happen? ..."

Very true. Now that you mention it, and despite my previous brazen declaration, I can actually envision A Brief History being kicked out in favor of All the Light and how I'll be aghast and outraged. Outraged, I tell you! :)

[Dianah (onourpath)]

Between Adam, Wittgenstein and Paying Guests, I'd suggest Paying Guests. I liked Wittgenstein, and really liked Adam, but Paying Guests is by far the best book (in my opinion).

[Mo]

Did everyone catch this interview with 'ferrante'? It was posted on the specific book topic thread. I'm just starting the series, but found this interview so interesting. I feel sort of sad for her second to last answer. How deeply something must have affected the author.
Anyways, thought I'd pass it on just in case...
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/...

[Jan]

Sam wrote: "I can actually envision A Brief History being kicked out in favor of All the Light and how I'll be aghast and outraged. Outraged, I tell you! :)..."

Haha, I'll be right there with you, although I liked All the Light quite a bit too.

[Sherri]

I"m half way through the second Ferrante book and also a little more than half way through listening to The Paying Guests. The difference between these writers' ability to build a relationship between characters is so striking. I wish I could be more specific, but don't want to risk a spoiler. I'll just say I"m so invested in Ferrante's characters that I worry about them in my sleep. I can turn off The Paying Guests at a crucial moment and really not care what happens to them next.

[Jan]

Sherri wrote: "I"m half way through the second Ferrante book and also a little more than half way through listening to The Paying Guests. The difference between these writers' ability to build a relationship bet..."

Sherri, I'm just starting the second volume of the trilogy and keep having to remind myself that I'm not reading a memoir. I think that's another indicator of what you're saying.

[C]

TODAY ONLY - John Green's The Fault In Our Stars (previous almost-ToB-winner) is $2.99 on Amazon.

[Mo]

Sherri - I've just started the first ferrante and already feel like that. I have paying guests checked out as well, but haven't started it yet. I've never read any waters before tho, so don't know if it is typical of her novels...

[Ali]

Sherri - that sentiment is keeping me from reading The Paying Guests!! I have a very long commute and an Audible credit but the reviews over there for The Paying Guests have stopped me from pulling the trigger at least five times. Finally, just today, I bought Annihilation instead, even though that narrator has lackluster reviews and it's so short I hate to waste a credit. I'm so un-excited about The Paying Guests, I think I'll skip it altogether and go all in for Brave Man.

[Gail]

You are so right! Ferrante is so brilliant on friendship and you can hear the voices. Frankly have no idea why the a Paying Guest is on the list. Trashy and uninteresting.

[Dianah (onourpath)]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I absolutely loved The Paying Guests. To me, it had important things to say about postwar mores, passion, personal integrity and honesty (or, rather, dishonesty). I've never read Waters before, but I sure will read her other books now.

[Dan]

Today I finished the last book of the ToB. I would seed them 16) whittgenstein jr 15)those who leave 14) dept of speculation 13) Adam 12) silence once begun 11) brave man 10) paying guests 9) all the light 8) annihilation 7) all the birds 6) everything I never told you 5) redeployment 4) bone clocks 3) station eleven 2) untamed state 1) brief history. The top eight I thought were all very good and wouldn't be disappointed/surprised if any of those books won.

[C]

Dan wrote: "Today I finished the last book of the ToB. I would seed them 16) whittgenstein jr 15)those who leave 14) dept of speculation 13) Adam 12) silence once begun 11) brave man 10) paying guests 9) all ..."

Handy! I'm struggling through the last 2/5 of All the Light... I just want to read something else already.

[Jason]

I loved The Paying Guests. Heavily plotted and moves quickly. I read it in a week. I'm struggling with A Brief History and may move on to the trilogy and just read that through the tournament. The only 3 I haven't read Wittegenstein Jr, Annihilation, and Adam. I had to make some first round loss predictions and those three were it.

[Juniper]

Dan wrote: "Today I finished the last book of the ToB. I would seed them 16) whittgenstein jr 15)those who leave 14) dept of speculation 13) Adam 12) silence once begun 11) brave man 10) paying guests 9) all ..."

did you read all three of elena ferrante's books? or just the one in the ToB? i'm sad you didn't like it more. thanks for sharing your rankings, dan!! :)

[Emma]

I just have the Ferrante book and a Brief History of Seven Killings to go. I read the other two Ferrante's so I don't think I'll have trouble finishing that one, but I am really struggling with A Brief History of Seven Killings. I'm about 100 pages in so far. For those that read it, how long did it take you to get in the rhythm of it? Maybe it's just not for me.

[Huntleybrinkley]

Emma wrote: "I just have the Ferrante book and a Brief History of Seven Killings to go. I read the other two Ferrante's so I don't think I'll have trouble finishing that one, but I am really struggling with A ..."

I'm with you on A Brief History, Emma. I just can't get the rhythm of a couple of the narrators and I know its affecting both my enjoyment and comprehension. I'm beginning to think I understood Lassie better than I do a couple of these guys. Anyway, I am seriously considering grabbing the audio version of this just to see if hearing it helps with the rhythm. I'm giving it at least another 100 pages before I make a decision.

[Jan]

One word: Audiobook!

[Tiffany]

I know it may be an unpopular opinion, but for me, the strongest book in the tournament is All the Light We Cannot See. I am usually a champion of the underdog (one of my favorite books of the last few years was The Devil All The Time), but this year I just wasn't as impressed by the lesser known titles. I liked several of them, but I didn't love any of them. So I find myself in the peculiar situation of rooting for Goliath. Conversely, I am vehemently rooting against the mini Goliath of Bone Clocks. That book started out as a 5 star for me and lost a star with each proceeding section. I ended up loathing it, which again puts me in the minority. I'll be interested to see how it all shakes out.

[Drew]

Tiffany wrote: "I know it may be an unpopular opinion, but for me, the strongest book in the tournament is All the Light We Cannot See. I am usually a champion of the underdog (one of my favorite books of the las..."

Yes, The Devil All the Time - I loved it! I thought about that a lot after reading 4th of July Creek. There can be a lot of creepiness hiding out in the country.

I also really, really loved All the Light We Cannot See. I'm rooting for that too but I've just finished My Brillian Friend so am feeling the love for Ferrante.