Tournament of Books discussion
2022 ToB General
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2022 ToB Contenders
Lauren wrote: "I meant to do this at the halfway mark for the year... just one month late. ;)Here are the four and five-star reads I've had for 2021-published novels so far this year. I'd recommend all of these..."
Lauren, thanks for this list--I'm gonna listen to/buy a few of these.
I'm pitching for The Actual True Story of Ahmed and Zarga to make it into the 2022 ToB. It is an absolutely charming tale of the Bedouin camel herder Ahmed who travels across the Saharan Desert in search of his missing camel Zarga. It is full of the mythology, folklore, history, and faith of the Bedouin people, delivered in a wonderful story that feels like oral story-telling beside an evening fire.
The author is Mauritanian and himself the son of a camel herder. He also happens to have been held for over a decade at Guantanamo and previously published his memoir of that time, eventually made into the movie.
Phyllis wrote: "I'm pitching for The Actual True Story of Ahmed and Zarga to make it into the 2022 ToB. It is an absolutely charming tale of the Bedouin camel herder Ahmed who travels across the Saharan Desert in..."
That sounds excellent - thanks for the recommendation!
I see Phyllis already mentioned Percival Everett's newest novel The Trees coming out this September but I'm going to mention it again anyway.
@Phyllis, thanks for the rec for Ahmed and Zarqa. Adding it to my TBR.
I'll third the recommendation for The Trees. I got an advanced copy of it and while it wasn't as good as Telephone, it was an excellent satire. if you likes The Sellout then you will probably like The Trees.
I read The Sweetness of Water a few months ago and generally thought it was a solid book; I picked up "The Prophets" recently and realized that this would be the third book I've read in as many months with LGBT themes and plots about slavery. (The third, from last year, was Aaron Gwyn's excellent "All God's Children.") I mean, great that there's more LGBT representation and more of a spotlight on slavery, but... I dunno, it feels less like authors organically coming up with stories to tell, and more like publishing houses using an algorithm to determine what types of stories will sell.
I was reminded of the elephant in the TOB room today when I got an email about a Jonathan Franzen event in October:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bookshop...
Franzen lives in my town of Santa Cruz and the event is sponsored by Bookshop Santa Cruz, my favorite indie, and the ticket price includes a signed copy of the book sent to you. I can't say I'm entirely sold on Franzen's writing but I do find myself fascinated by the way he and his publisher are trying to keep alive the notion of 'Great American Author' as an exclusive club where he's carrying on the tradition of Hemingway, Bellow, Updike, Roth, etc etc etc...that there is one exclusive and lofty and correct way to think about Literature, and they're it...
Looks like there's a Giveaway for lark's book coming out soon - check it out! https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
Lauren wrote: "Looks like there's a Giveaway for lark's book coming out soon - check it out! https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh..."Thanks for the boost, Lauren. I'm not sure, but I believe this giveaway is for the actual book, and not the ARC.
After months of feeling a lazy vague feeling about this book coming out one day far in the future, it's suddenly getting close to my publication date.
The cover of your book is BEAUTIFUL, lark! Congratulations!
Peggy wrote: "The cover of your book is BEAUTIFUL, lark! Congratulations!"Thanks Peggy! Since we're a literary-minded group I'll share that it's adapted from a woodcut made by Raoul Dufy for a poetry collection called "Le Bestiaire" by Guillaume Apollinaire, first published in 1911. Each poem has a woodcut of an animal on the facing page.
You can download the poetry collection along with the original woodcuts from Gutenberg, here:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60199
I like my UK cover a lot, too--a little more visceral in some ways:
I have it on preorder! (Ordered quite a while ago.) It sounds fascinating, and I’m expecting it to hit home since I’m the mother to a “different” child. I agree about the gorgeous cover. Seeing it I might have picked the book up even if I didn’t “know” you.
Thanks, Elizabeth.Over in the "Newest Literary Fiction" group we're reading The Man Who Lived Underground together, and if the TOB-PTB decide this novel is eligible for the tournament (and I think they will), then I don't see how it doesn't make the final 16.
lark wrote: "Peggy wrote: "The cover of your book is BEAUTIFUL, lark! Congratulations!"Thanks Peggy! Since we're a literary-minded group I'll share that it's adapted from a woodcut made by Raoul Dufy for a po..."
Gosh, I haven't read Apollinaire in a loooong time, but this is a great reason to do a reread! Thanks for sharing.
For anyone who was around for ToB 2013 and remembers HHhH, Laurent Binet has a new book coming that sounds equally provocative. Civilizations is a novel of speculative history in which the Incas invade 16th century Europe instead of the other way around. It's going on my TBR, and might be a good candidate for the long list.
Jan wrote: "For anyone who was around for ToB 2013 and remembers HHhH, Laurent Binet has a new book coming that sounds equally provocative. Civilizations is a novel of speculative history in wh..."Wow, quite the premise! It reminds me of The Power which didn't quite land for me, but I'd still be open to trying Civilizations.
Jan wrote: "For anyone who was around for ToB 2013 and remembers HHhH, Laurent Binet has a new book coming that sounds equally provocative. Civilizations is a novel of speculative history in wh..."I am 40% of the way through Civilizations and it is delivering on all of my expectations. Loving it.
Kip wrote: "Jan wrote: "For anyone who was around for ToB 2013 and remembers HHhH, Laurent Binet has a new book coming that sounds equally provocative. Civilizations is a novel of speculative h..."Sounds irresistible!
Kip wrote: "Jan wrote: "For anyone who was around for ToB 2013 and remembers HHhH, Laurent Binet has a new book coming that sounds equally provocative. Civilizations is a novel of speculative h..."Nice!
Lauren wrote: "...Wow, quite the premise! It reminds me of The Power which didn't quite land for me, but I'd still be open to trying Civilizations..."Lauren, I hear ya on The Power, and it makes me think that speculative history books rise or fall on the strength of the author's ability to deeply imagine the alternative scenario. Roth's The Plot Against America Yes! The Power, not so much. I'm anticipating some thoughtful insights (and fun) from Binet.
Kip wrote: ..."I am 40% of the way through Civilizations and it is delivering on all of my expectations. Loving it...."So happy to hear this, Kip! Thanks!!
Atticus Lish's The War for Gloria: A novel just got a rave review from Dwight Garner at the NYT, and I'm thinking (and hoping) it is another good possibility for the long list. Lish is is a distinctive writer with a great, Willy Vlautin-like ability to write convincingly and with heart about the American underclass. His previous novel, Preparation for the Next Life, won the PEN/Faulkner award in 2015. And going Stephen Florida one better, his new protagonist is an MMA fighter!
I loved his Preparation for the Next Life.
Janet wrote: "I loved his Preparation for the Next Life."Me too, Janet. I just recommended it to someone the day before yesterday. Talk about topical.
The War for Gloria is still on Netgalley!
Jan wrote: "Atticus Lish's The War for Gloria: A novel just got a rave review from Dwight Garner at the NYT, and I'm thinking (and hoping) it is another good possibility for the long list. Lish..."There isn't a description up yet, but I added as "want to read." I haven't heard of the author or book before, so thanks for the note on this!
That's some playlist you have with the book, too! Wow.
Tim wrote: "That's some playlist you have with the book, too! Wow."Tim, if this is about my book's playlist, then thank you, and even if it isn't, i hope that everyone listens one day to DANCE by Emma Cline! It premiered in 2020 and it breaks my heart every time. Contemporary classical music is so neglected, and so wonderful! I used to think it must have kept going further and further along the dissonance track after Schoenberg, but no.
here is a link--
https://open.spotify.com/album/2dDYUz...
I listened to the New York Times Book Review Podcast this morning where Pamela interviewed Katie Kitamura and it made me very optimistic about Intimacies being a fantastic ToB possibility.
Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I listened to the New York Times Book Review Podcast this morning where Pamela interviewed Katie Kitamura and it made me very optimistic about Intimacies being a fantastic ToB possi..."Me too - it sounds fantastic and I just checked it out from the library. I have to figure out a way to tread it alongside Barkskins. Two very different headspaces!
Nadine wrote: "Me too - it sounds fantastic and I just checked it out from the library. I have to figure out a way to tread it alongside Barkskins. Two very different headspaces! "Maybe in a good way, pick up one as a break for the other?
Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I listened to the New York Times Book Review Podcast this morning where Pamela interviewed Katie Kitamura and it made me very optimistic about Intimacies being a fantastic ToB possi..."Nice - I have a copy of this one and hope to get to is soon!
Lauren wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I listened to the New York Times Book Review Podcast this morning where Pamela interviewed Katie Kitamura and it made me very optimistic about Intimacies are two that I'm eager to start but also feeling almost hopeless about when I think of the Booker longlist and all the Big Stuff coming out in September/October.
Lauren wrote: "Jan wrote: "Atticus Lish's The War for Gloria: A novel just got a rave review from Dwight Garner at the NYT, and I'm thinking (and hoping) it is another good possibility for the lon..."You're welcome, Lauren. Hoping it's good!
lark wrote: "Tim, if this is about my book's playlist, then thank you"It is. I'm looking forward to Nov 16th....
HA, I definitely enjoyed Klara and the Sun but felt it generally did not get a warm reception in the comments. Interesting to see it won, wonder if it was just due to the popularity of its author or if the commentariat was just a vocal minority in this instance (would not be the be the first time).
Kip wrote: "...Interesting to see it won, wonder if it was just due to the popularity of its author or if the commentariat was just a vocal minority in this instance..."My hands down vote was for Klara and the Sun, not because of its author but because of its story. I did express my views in favor of Klara during camp, but as you say I certainly did feel in the minority among the commentariat.
Ah, man, I feel like the Ishiguru was a shoo-in for the tournament already. I think I want the summer tourneys have six much less well known authors--most of the ones this summer are pretty popular and established. Maybe an all-debut Summer?
Bob wrote: "Maybe an all-debut Summer? ..."
I love this idea. Or all-small-press. Big names already have such a built-in advantage because of the zombies.
lark wrote: ""Bob wrote: "...Maybe an all-debut Summer?..." ...Or all-small-press. ..."I'd vote for either of those, or maybe in-translation. I'd really love to see debut novel in translation, published by small press. It is my belief that there are at least 6 of those every year, and the ones I've read this year have been impressive.
Also surprised at this! I didn't hate Klara, I thought it was enjoyable (but I wasn't blown away either.)I think if DT had made it past the first round, it might have won. (I would have voted for it.) Really though, I wasn't blown away by any of the books this summer. Just like with the Rooney win, seeing all the results from this summer makes me wonder who these invisible voters are.
Phyllis wrote: "lark wrote: ""Bob wrote: "...Maybe an all-debut Summer?..." ...Or all-small-press. ..."I'd vote for either of those, or maybe in-translation. I'd really love to see debut novel in translation, pu..."
Yeah all of these are great ideas. I ended up reading 4 of the books, but due to the popularity of the authors, I find I might have read them anyway. I like when ToB gets weird.
Hey Elizabeth I guess I’m one of the invisible voters. I don’t think I commented at all this summer. I was so anxious about just everything this summer. It’s worse even than when I was quarantined. Anyway I agree that Ishiguro would probably get a spot anyway and that summer would be better with more unknowns. That being said my favorites were Peaces and Klara closely followed by Detransition, Baby. So I had to vote for Klara at the end. I really wanted Peaces to win. Why is no one talking about that? I was completely taken with it.
For me, Witch was easily winner. Klara's my number 2.
Nadine wrote: "For me, Witch was easily winner. Klara's my number 2."Me too Nadine.
Kip wrote: "To clarify, I thought Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch should have taken it easily."Same!!
Why am I surprised Klara won? Somehow I was assuming it would have went to 'No One' or 'Everyone'. (oh, I just love how that turned out. haha.) I LOVE the idea of an all debut novel summer ToB! I have recently become obsessed and pouring over the Center for Fiction first novel longlists. So many gems they have chosen over the years. First novels would definitely give more of a chance to new authors - though I remember last year at least half of the 18 were first novels... But the translation/ indie press summer of six books would work too.
Tournament of Books
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Here are the four and five-star reads I've had for 2021-published novels so far this year. I'd recommend all of these..."
Thanks Lauren. Who doesn't love a book list?
I also really enjoyed The Other Black Girl and think it would make an excellent ToB contender.