2022 ToB Contenders

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I'm realizing as I work through this list how many of them have been featured on the New York Times Book Review Podcast, including several titles I never saw anywhere else. I wonder if our listmakers are listeners. (I had to double check I hadn't already read Last Summer in the City because I'd heard about it so recently)

[Maggie]

Also, huge shout out to the Boston Public Library, because 6 of these books are already either in transit or ready for pickup.

[Maggie]

Bob wrote: Here's my spreadsheet:
https://docs.go..."

You need to give us access!

[Elizabeth]

Thanks for getting the list together so quickly Bob and Jenny!

lark wrote: "(tiny violin note: I’m feeling a little sad, but it was always a long shot, given my book isn’t even published yet…maybe next year!)

I was hoping for you too, it was actually the first thing I checked. I'm sorry, there's so much competition, especially this year. At least you know you're in good company?

I really wish they'd focused more on books like Choette, which are maybe not as well known but still well reviewed and (selfishly speaking) are more likely to have been purchased by libraries. Or if they want to keep so many obscure books, I also wouldn't mind if they exchanged those for some of the authors everyone's heard of, who have previously been on the shortlist (like the Franzen, Rooney, Whitehead and Doerr.)

You've added to my TBR, Claire, I'm more interested in some of those than on many in the longlist. Agree on Liar's Dictionary and Assembly! I have Open Water and My Monticello out from the library, I'll at least crack the spines before I get started on the new.

[Nadine in California]

Also surprised not to see Assembly or Love Songs of WEB Du Bois. I'm happy that my largest category is the "Never Heard Of's" - so many opportunities for being thunderstruck - fingers crossed!

My results are:

5 DNF's
8 Read
4 Hard No
5 Hard Yes
20 Maybe
27 Never Heard Of

[Bob]

Maggie wrote: "Bob wrote: Here's my spreadsheet:
https://docs.go..."

You need to give us access!"

Oops...should be okay now?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

[Maggie]

List for people that like them:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

[Elizabeth]

There's a 720(!!) page book, which has 1(!!) bad GR review and 2(!!) ratings. Why? How did they find it?

(Maybe that's the book sent by the author. If so, he must have also sent chocolate.)

[Bob]

Maggie wrote: "List for people that like them:
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1..."

Thanks, Maggie!

[Ruthiella]

I've read 10 - 5 of which are due to the Camp TOB 2021. I noticed that Helen Oyeyemi's Peaces did not make the cut for the long list.

I am currently reading Civilizations and I have Bewilderment on hold and maybe I'll be able to squeeze in one more title before the shortlist comes out.

[Amy]

Woot woot! They are being so kind to us only listing 68 books this year :).
I’ll get the longlist thread and shortlist contest out soon-ish this weekend : I’m working on getting my 7-year old vaccinated first!

[Bretnie]

lark wrote: "I've never had such strong positive/negative reactions to the books on the long list as this year!

BOOKS I LOVED
THE MAN WHO LIVED UNDERGROUND
All’s Well
Civilizations
Nightbitch
Second Place
The ..."

Thanks for this list lark!

[Bob]

Alright friends, I created a list of all available eBooks and audiobooks on Scribd, available here: https://www.scribd.com/lists/24639421...

They are showing 41 titles available in either format which is pretty good; there are a fair number of audiobooks (some are available in both formats).

Here's an invite to join Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/g/4o5zu9

If you sign up through the link, you get 60 days free. You get unlimited eBooks (I believe), and about 3-4 audiobooks/month (I think?).

[Lark]

37 books under 300 pages.

I find that interesting.

Thanks for the spreadsheet, Bob!

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Lots available in Hoopla too...

[Jan]

Thanks, Bob and Maggie for the spreadsheet and list.

]I've read 21.5 (currently reading The Trees. I have another 9 here at the house on paper or audio and will prioritize them.

Favorites: The Committed, Fight Night, Matrix, Oh William! and The Promise.

Most in my feelings at their absence: Chouette, Assembly, Palmares, At Night All Blood is Black, and The Five Wounds. And Harrow. And The War for Gloria.

Thanks, everybody Happy to be starting another round of ToB with you.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I decided to go ahead and finish The Matrix (listening at 2x) when it ended up on the list but it's not really working for me.

[Rachel]

Happy longlist day friends! Looking forward to diving in again with all of you. Was really thinking Lincoln Highway was a guarantee for long list at least, but can't wait to discover something I love.

[Care]

So exciting. I've only read the ones from Summer Camp. #sigh

BIG thank you to those who are sharing spreadsheet lists.

[Heidi]

Elizabeth wrote: "There's a 720(!!) page book, which has 1(!!) bad GR review and 2(!!) ratings. Why? How did they find it?

(Maybe that's the book sent by the author. If so, he must have also sent chocolate.)"

I am BAFFLED by this pick. I get my books primarily from the Seattle Public Library, which has a HUGE system and they don't even have one copy!!

[Lauren]

So many feelings! My reaction is similar to lark's...

Stats:
Read: 16
Own but haven't read yet: 10
Haven't read/don't own but happy to see on here: 8
Never heard of it: 16
Hard no: Rooney

I'm shocked there are 16 books I hadn't heard of before since I follow so many lists so closely. And I sure chose the wrong books this year - I read dozens but only 16 are on this list.

I'm so sad to see these (which I read and loved) didn't make the list:
What Strange Paradise
How to Order the Universe
Bolla
Of Women and Salt
The Five Wounds
Things We Lost to the Water
The President and the Frog
Brother, Sister, Mother, Explorer
The Removed
What Storm, What Thunder

I have a longer list there but y'all have already seen it in a previous post. And of course there are a ton of books I own that sadly didn't make the list either. Really hoping CHOUETTE can be a contender next year since the pub date is after the list announcement!

In general I'm disappointed this list is so white-author heavy when there are tons of fantastic BIPOC-author books that should be here (and there are more big-names here than I'd prefer), but if about half of these make the short list, I think I'll manage:

100 Boyfriends
Afterparties
The Committed
Detransition Baby
Hell of a Book
Infinite Country
Intimacies
The Man Who Lived Underground
The Prophets
The Sentence
The Trees

Oh and I am happy to see more books in translation, even if these weren't the ones I was rooting for. ;)

Big thanks to the spreadsheet makers. Seeing page numbers definitely helps me prioritize which books to get in the next few weeks.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Heidi wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "There's a 720(!!) page book, which has 1(!!) bad GR review and 2(!!) ratings. Why? How did they find it?

(Maybe that's the book sent by the author. If so, he must have also sent..."

Definitely one to wait on, and maybe if it makes the shortlist, maybe.

[Lauren]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Heidi wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "There's a 720(!!) page book, which has 1(!!) bad GR review and 2(!!) ratings. Why? How did they find it?

(Maybe that's the book sent by the author. If so, he must ..."

Yeah I'm very confused about that one... I'm getting Overthrow vibes (but this one is way longer!!) on that so I'll keep my distance unless it makes the shortlist (really hoping it doesn't).

[Janet]

I'm always surprised I've read as many of the longlist as I have. This year the number is 15. There are 24 titles I have never heard and 11 titles either currently in the house unread or that were checked out of the library and had to be returned before I could get to them. Some I will borrow again.
As Ruthiella pointed out Peaces did not make the list and that was the only Camp TOB book that I did not finish. I tried...I really did.

I'm also interested in any "must read" recommendations from the members here.

[Ellen]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Am I the only one who finds it odd Amor Towles has never even made it onto a LONGLIST?"

Nah, I see Amor Towles as popular fiction, not literary fiction. :D"
Uh, oh. Can't popular fiction also be literary fiction? We've been down this road before....

[Ellen]

Bob wrote: "lark wrote: WHAT WERE THEY THINKING to leave these books off the list!..."

Co-signing the The Liar's Dictionary and Heaven

Here's my spreadsheet:
https://docs.go..."

Oh, how do I love thee, Bob -- let me count the ways.

I've done my personal stats now. I've read 13, another 5 were already on my list, another 9 intrigue me, and 25 I've never heard of. Pathetic, actually, especially the last number, given that I work in a public library...

[C]

The list!  Nine I have NEVER heard of, which is a lot for me.  I haven't read many of them, but 'Milk Fed' just was not for me and I hope it doesn't make the shortlist. To me, there is not enough there there... Some that I have no inclination of ever reading (Sally Rooney, Franzen, the 700 page book about 9/11)... 

What I was surprised didn't make the longlist:  Harrow by Joy Williams as it just won an award...Love Songs of WEB Du Bois because it has been on many award lists, and At Night All Blood Is Black...
What I wanted to make the list:  Bewilderness by Karen Tucker, and I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness by Claire Vaye Watkins (I saw a virtual event with her reading part of the book and it was HILARIOUS.)... but whoa, if I had done the list it would have had a billion books on it... I'm looking forward to many on the list!

[Beverly]

My stats:

I have read = 16
Own but haven't read yet = 14
Never hear of = 14
Books I have heard of but have no interest reading = 4

I will start reading those on the longlist that I already have on hand starting with the translated fiction books.

Of the fourteen books on the longlist that I had not heard of before today I have not looked into to see which ones pique my interest. But for me one of the perks of a longlist is find a couple of gems that were not on my radar.

Overall looking at the longlist I will agree with what what the TOB staff says the theme for this year = tumult.

[Ellen]

Yes, I have to decide whether I want to lose my completist status if I have to read either the Rooney or the Franzen. The Rooney, maybe, since my distaste for it had less to do with any qualities it may or may not have had than that I found it mediocre and shrugworthy, yet it KEPT. WINNING. over many more deserving books (IMO). So I might be willing to give a book by her another try.

But Franzen? I did it twice, and that was more than enough for me. Hey -- is this book about the soul rot that infests a suburban family? I'll bet it is!

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Ellen wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Nah, I see Amor Towles as popular fiction, not literary fiction. :D"
Uh, oh. Can't popular fiction also be literary fiction? We've been down this road before....."

I was poking the bear a little, however I find most of the time they seem to steer clear of books that don't need a boost at all. So on the same wavelength it is confusing to see Whitehead on there!

[Elizabeth]

Beverly wrote: "Overall looking at the longlist I will agree with what what the TOB staff says the theme for this year = tumult. "

It's such a weird list, right? As far as I remember, they've never listed books not in my library system, and this time there are ten!

I'll admit, I'm not thrilled about much of the list. There are a handful I've loved, some here I've been planning to read, a couple that are intriguing me, but there are so many I have no interest in, and a few I wish had been left off.

I'm going to give myself permission to read outside the list in the next few weeks, because I have several new books I've bought or checked out that interest me more.

Ellen wrote: "Hey -- is this book about the soul rot that infests a suburban family? I'll bet it is! ."

Why yes, yes it is!!!! I know it's probably well written, and I'm not surprised to see it here, but I wish it wasn't.

(Sorry, I know I sound grumpy! There's some good stuff here! But with everything left off, this feels almost like Christmas when I was hoping for a new bike, and Santa gave me a scooter. It's nice, I'm grateful, scooters are fun, but they're not bikes.)

[Ellen]

I have to acknowledge that I finally read A Gentleman in Moscow and found it relatively shrugworthy. But then, I felt that way about Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See, and I loved Cloud Cuckoo Land; it may have been my favorite book this year.

[C]

Elizabeth wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Overall looking at the longlist I will agree with what what the TOB staff says the theme for this year = tumult. "

It's such a weird list, right? As far as I remember, they've neve..."

I kind of understand you, Elizabeth. I'm just aware of SO MANY BOOKS at this point, it's sad to see what is left off the list. But I have to remind myself to read what I want, when I want.

For a positive note, I haven't read them yet, but I hope 'Fight Night' and 'Hell of a Good Book' make the list! (And that 'Hell of a Good Book' wins the National Book Award on Wednesday! )

[Ellen]

I have a pile of 14 library books. All must be read before I can turn to the list, and none are actually ON the list. Thus, I suspect I will read no more ToB books until the shortlist is published.

C, my support is behind Cloud Cuckoo Land for the NBA...

[C]

Ellen wrote: "I have a pile of 14 library books. All must be read before I can turn to the list, and none are actually ON the list. Thus, I suspect I will read no more ToB books until the shortlist is published...."

Ellen, it's good to know you didn't like 'All the Light We Cannot See' but really liked 'Cloud Cuckoo Land'! (This gives me hope for a better read because I really did not like 'All the Light'...)

[Elizabeth]

Ellen wrote: "I have to acknowledge that I finally read A Gentleman in Moscow and found it relatively shrugworthy. But then, I felt that way about Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See, and I loved Cloud Cuckoo La..."

The Poptimist said reading it felt like being tucked in and told a good bedtime story. And it really was. It wasn't profound, and there were a couple of things I didn't like, but it still completely took me away from life in a way I needed.

It was the same for me with The Book of Form and Emptiness: Ruth Ozeki.

C wrote: "For a positive note, I haven't read them yet, but I hope 'Fight Night' and 'Hell of a Good Book' make the list! (And that 'Hell of a Good Book' wins the National Book Award on Wednesday! )"

I loved Hell of a Book! I hope it makes the shortlist (and wins next week), so much to discuss!

[Ellen]

What was that Poptimist description from, Elizabeth? Cloud Cuckoo Land?

[Elizabeth]

Ellen wrote: "What was that Poptimist description from, Elizabeth? Cloud Cuckoo Land?"

Yes, sorry I wasn't clear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6pfv...

[Peggy]

I seriously held my breath when I clicked the link this morning, thinking I was in for at least 90 or so books. So this small number is both a surprise and a relief.

I'm so envious of the copious amounts of books you are all able to read each year. I've read TWO of these. Yes, I said TWO. Sigh. I don't do Camp ToB, so that has something to do with it. And this is why I'm always, always playing catch-up with longlists of years past (and shortlists too).

I'm currently slogging (emphasis on slog) through the Ishiguro since it's the sure thing. The pacing is not helping me at all. I also just started the Whitehead, and I'm hopeful for that one since I've basically loved everything he's published thus far.

I really enjoyed The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, too, so happy to see that made the list. This will be the push I need to read Nightbitch, which I hope is weird and great.

Well, I'll start strategizing based on Maggies 3 basket suggestion as that was super helpful. And, as always, I'll be leaning heavily on what you excellent folks recommend. :)

[Bretnie]

Loving everyone's opinions on their favorites, least favorites, and disappointments in what didn't make the list.

With all the differing opinions I can't decide what gets bumped up/added to the list. Except for Hell of a Book which I already own.

+1 for Intimacies, which I found quite thought-provoking and would make for an interesting discussion.

[Anita]

I was happy to see that Tournament of Books released their long list today. :) I have read Everyone Knows Your Mother is a Witch and really liked it. I'm currently reading Beautiful World, Where Are You? and I like it but not as much as Normal People or even Sally Rooney's other book, Conversations with Friends.

These books have been at the top of my TBR list and/or I've currently borrowed them from the library so I will get a move on reading them:

Klara and the Sun
Oh, William
No One is Talking About This
Whereabouts
The Sentence
Good Neighbors
Detransition, Baby
The Committed
A Calling for Charlie Barnes
Cloud Cukoo Land


Thanks for posting the list!!

[Teresa]

I almost always find the longlist too overwhelming to pay much attention to, but it does give me a chance to at least get in the library queue for a few possibilities. I've been trying to read more older books this year, so no surprise that I haven't read much on the list. Just Klara and the Sun, No One Is Talking About This, The Other Black Girl, and Libertie. I didn't love them all, but I think they all could be interesting to discuss.

I am starting to feel like some authors (Whitehead, Groff, Doer, Franzen, Rooney) just show up every time they have something out, and it makes the list feel a little stale, even when I love those authors. And am I the only one that misses seeing a little genre fiction or YA in the TOB? Or is the consensus that they don't get a fair shake, so why bother? Would something like Gone Girl or Fault in Our Stars even make the longlist these days? I guess A Spindle Splintered is SFF but is there anything else outside the litfic world?

At this point, I already had these on my hold list, so I'll be reading them anyway: Beautiful World, Detransition Baby, and Matrix.

I'd had these all in my mind to read but hadn't yet put them on hold: Whereabouts, Nickel Boys, A Spindle Splintered, Several People are Typing, The Sentence, The Book of Form and Emptiness. I haven't really decided if I'll try to be a TOB completist this year, but I'll at least try to read these if they make the shortlist and/or the tourney itself.

[Karissa]

Teresa wrote: "I guess A Spindle Splintered is SFF but is there anything else outside the litfic world?"

While they are definitely outnumbered, I would still say that there are a number of books from popular fiction or genre outside of litfic/experimental fiction, not that I see them making the shortlist. But I would say A Spindle Splintered (as you mentioned), Outlawed, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, and The Echo Wife all fit in the non-litfic category.

[Alison]

Interesting list, more by what is omitted than by what was included. I've only read eight of the long list, in part because of a conscious decision to not forget older books in my love of the new and shiny, so it's been a great reading year, but not one tailored to The List.

I made the decision to never read another novel by Franzen or Powers. I've read three by Franzen and two by Powers and that is enough time to give them, thank you very much. So I'm hoping very hard that neither book is included in the tournament. I don't want to pit my completionist side against my literary grudge side.

I'm not going to try and figure out what the likely books are because I am always wrong. I'm going to read the ones I'm excited by and then have at least another fifteen to read when the shortlist is announced.

I'm reading Wayward now (delighted this is included) and will begin The Trees soon.

Tickled that The Echo Wife is on the list. I read it only because a good friend insisted.

[Karin]

So excited to find this group - I tell everyone about the Tournament of Books!

Looking forward to working my way through the 2022 Long List. So far I have loved Klara, Cloud Cuckoo Land, and one I haven’t seen mentioned is Project Hail Mary which has really stuck with me. I also particularly loved We Run the Tides.

[Kyle]

And so the long list at the library begins: I have Outlawed, Opal & Nev, The Trees, The Sentence, and Popisho all reserved. Still working on the Franzen- pretty good I think.

also, welcome Karin!

[Anita]

Welcome Karin! I always tell people about TOB too and I think it should take off even more and everyone should talk about it just like sports! ;) (At least that's my version of an entertaining thing to talk about! LOL)

[Jan]

Anita wrote: "Welcome Karin! I always tell people about TOB too and I think it should take off even more and everyone should talk about it just like sports! ;) (At least that's my version of an entertaining thin..."

That's as good a test as any of whether you're a book nerd, isn't it! :-)

[Anita]

Haha, yes it is! Let's see if people can pass the talking about the Tournament of Books test.

[Karin]

Ha! Yes - that’s exactly what I say, Anita - it’s like sports for books. I tend to get a lot of 🙄 from my family when I announce each day’s winner, too.