Tournament of Books discussion
2023 TOB General
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2023 Shortlist
Ellen wrote: "I read the ToB books in the order in which I can get them from the library. I rarely buy books on spec; that way madness lies for me. I did go to Barnes & Noble yesterday, because all hardbacks wer..."Ellen, I just remembered this post... Do you still need a copy of Tomorrow x3? I have an extra one from BOTM that I was going to do a Bookstagram giveaway for, but I could just give it to you. :)
Yeah, I'm having a tough time finding many of these books, so I don't know how many I will be able to read this year, like Tomorrowx3 and Babel.... In other years they are usually available for cheaper at this point in the year, or paperbacks were out sooner?
Tomorrow x3 is hard to find!! But right now the Parnassus website says they have 7. It’s down to 6 now because I just ordered one. There are 46 people in line at the library for the book and hundreds for the e book.
Kyle wrote: "I ran into an issue in that both TOB books I picked to read now are similar. ..."Yeah, they aren't that similar. If they haven't yet for you, they will diverge quickly.
Kyle wrote: "I ran into an issue in that both TOB books I picked to read now are similar. Does anyone else have this hangup- you can't read books close together that are too alike?(I'm talking about Notes on ..."
Yes that's a problem for me, too. I need everything to be different: style, genre, characters, basic plot. If anything is similar, (a) one book always suffers in comparison, and (b) I get plotlines confused.
Also, I tend to read two or three books at a time, in different formats (paper at bedtime, audiobook while I make dinner, etc), and it's REALLY a problem if those books are too similar. It happened to me last month: first, Shutter & We Lie Here (the first book in this pairing was excellent, second book I barely finished it was so bad) and then Jonny Appleseed and Night of the Living Rez: Stories (in this case, first book was not good, second book was excellent). I need to keep a better eye on the order of books I've got on hold!!
It sounds like a few of you still need copies of Tomorrow x3. If Ellen doesn’t need my extra copy, it can go to the next eager reader in line. ;)That’s great to hear about Night of the Living Rez, Nadine! I have a copy of that one and am excited to get to it.
Alison wrote: "...You're almost done reading all the books?!"I just got lucky this year. First, I've had more time to read than in many past years. Second, I had fortuitously read 7 (that turned out to be in the tourney) before the longlist was released, and then lucked into reading 2 more of them before the shortlist was released. So by the time we knew which books were in, I only had 9 left to go (and owned copies of 4 of them). The ToB gods just seem to have smiled on me this year.
Gasp! Let me know how it goes, Phyllis. And you are so far ahead of me -- and I've just started Babel, which could take...a long time.
Lauren wrote: "It sounds like a few of you still need copies of Tomorrow x3. If Ellen doesn’t need my extra copy, it can go to the next eager reader in line. ;)That’s great to hear about Night of the Living Rez..."
Lauren -- yes, yes, a thousand times yes! So sorry for the delay in responding, and thank you so much! For some reason I have trouble with IM on this forum, but I think if you IM me I'll get it and I can send you all the particulars. And I will owe you a book!
I can also try to read it fast and pass it on to the next person.
Ellen wrote: "Lauren wrote: "It sounds like a few of you still need copies of Tomorrow x3. If Ellen doesn’t need my extra copy, it can go to the next eager reader in line. ;)That’s great to hear about Night of..."
I would really appreciate reading it after you do, Ellen, if possible. Otherwise I don't see finding another copy of Tomorrow x3. I will owe you a book Lauren & Ellen! Thanks for sharing your extra copy, Lauren!
OK, C, you're on!! IM me with your details. As soon as I get it from Lauren, I'll sit down and read it, and then send it on.
I'm on my fourth book, Nightcrawling and I can't help but notice how it has such similar themes to its competing novel, Olga Dies Dreaming - bad parents, motherless character, weaker sibling, etc. On the other hand, the other two I've read didn't have much in common - Babel and Sea of Tranquility.
I've read 9 and am in the middle of 2 more. I'm aiming to be a completist this year which I think I've done twice before.
Aaack! You guys are all way ahead of me! I've got to get cracking -- and I still have a pile of OTHER BOOKS from the library! AAAAAUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH!And I have to go to work! And to rehearsals! And read for/go to four book clubs! AAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!
Ellen wrote: "Aaack! You guys are all way ahead of me! I've got to get cracking -- and I still have a pile of OTHER BOOKS from the library! AAAAAUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH!And I have to go to work! And to rehearsals! An..."
LOL are you in my head?????
Ellen wrote: "Aaack! You guys are all way ahead of me! I've got to get cracking -- and I still have a pile of OTHER BOOKS from the library! AAAAAUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH!And I have to go to work! And to rehearsals! An..."
I will forever be amazed by the "four book clubs" thing. I salute you, Ellen! (And, yes -- I love my job, but I do sometimes dream of a retirement where I can finish a book every day or two.)
I have about 9 done and 9 to go. I think I'll be able to complete the list, unless something comes up in the next couple of months.
Speaking as someone who is semi-retired, you won't read nearly as much as you think you will. Initially for the first year or two yes....but then many retired people lose their sense of urgency. And as you slow down, everything takes a little longer.
Janet wrote: "Speaking as someone who is semi-retired, you won't read nearly as much as you think you will. Initially for the first year or two yes....but then many retired people lose their sense of urgency. An..."Thank you for readjusting my expectations! :-)
Ah, well -- retirement is, I think, years away for me, so in the meantime, I will try to stick to my resolution to read at least a little each day.
Ellen wrote: "...And read for/go to four book clubs!..."I second Risa's amazement at four book clubs. I know you've said you joined all those in the early days of the pandemic, and I get it. But no way could I bear up to that. The ToB is the only time -- once a year -- when I am willing to commit to reading books chosen for me by others. My own TBR mountain is just way too large for that.
Well, two of them I've been in for more than 20 years, the ones known colloquially as "The Book Club That Reads the Book" and "The Book Club That Doesn't Read the Book". The other two (plus one more, which has disbanded) were indeed pandemic-born.
Janet wrote: "Speaking as someone who is semi-retired, you won't read nearly as much as you think you will. Initially for the first year or two yes....but then many retired people lose their sense of urgency. An..."Oh no! I've been holding retirement up as my GOAL. Ten more years and then I can lie back and read all dayyyyyy
My mother has told me she is busier now than when she was working, but I figured that's just her and her bizarre inability to remain stationary.
Phyllis wrote: "Send good thoughts my way please -- I'm about to embark on the last of the shortlist and for me that is Manhunt. From what folks have said, I'm not sure I'll make it through, but I'm gonna try!"Please let us know how it goes! It's the one book I'm considering not even trying, and what you say will help me make up my mind. For one thing, I have an aversion to horror and lots of violence. For another, this is the one book that's not available at either of my libraries so I'd have to buy it to try it.
David wrote: "Please let us know how it goes! It's the one book I'm considering not even trying, and what you say will help me make up my mind. For one thing, I have an aversion to horror and lots of violence...."I will save more detailed comments for over on the Manhunt discussion page, but it is a full-on 293 pages of horror, violence, and graphic sex in many forms (none of which are my cup of tea). Think an unrelenting apocalyptic gender-based "the Walking Dead." The three main characters are transgender, which I believe is what many find appealing about the story. I have no personal basis from which to know whether the characters' stories are reflective of reality in any sense, but the narrative is visceral. If one is a fan of graphic sex, violence, and horror, focused on transgender characters, then I think this is likely an excellent book for such a reader.
Phyllis wrote: "David wrote: "Please let us know how it goes! It's the one book I'm considering not even trying, and what you say will help me make up my mind. For one thing, I have an aversion to horror and lots ..."Thank you for your comments! I love trying to be a completist, but I think I'll pass this year. Reading seventeen out of eighteen is good enough for me this year. I still have a lot of hours to put in to get to seventeen anyway.
Should we update the group's "currently reading" books on the group's main page? Right now it's last year's books up top...
I had read eight of the shortlist books when the list was announced, and figured I’d plan to read another four or five. As I’ve been following along with the discussions here, however, I keep moving titles from my mental “Not for me” list to the “Definitely want to read” category. Unless I run out of time, I could actually end up as a completist this year. Weird! :-)
I'm officially halfway through the shortlist and my favorites are:1. T&T&T
2. Sea of Tranquility
3. Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance
4. Mouth to Mouth (maybe a reluctant favorite)
I've found it interesting to follow the threads so far since the books l've liked others have strongly disliked and vice versa. Which I guess is always the case but I've noticed more polarization so far.
I'm hopeful for my second half of the shortlist - specifically Mercury Presents and Babel. If I end up with 6 favorites I'll be happy!
I'm reading my 5th right now, The Violin Conspiracy and I'm really noticing the theme of awful parents running through these books. This is my current list right now:1. Sea of Tranquility
2. Violin Conspiracy (this might end up here)
3. Babel
4. Olga Dies Dreaming
I'm not sure if I'll achieve completion this year; I usually come up just short. I finished Manhunt a couple days ago, and after sitting with it for a bit, I think I'm really glad it's in the tournament. It didn't really completely work for me, but not because of the violence and frank sexual content (which are definitely there aplenty.) It's kind of messy and all over the place in a way where I didn't always know what was happening - though, this might be my fault. What I appreciated about it is that I can't recall many books outside of Detransition, Baby that allow for complicated moments of conflict and tenderness among trans folks, and I can't recall reading such an indictment of TERFs before. I wish I liked the whole book more because the great moments in it are unique and I don't think can be found anywhere else.
Anyway, I get if it's not your thing! It was a struggle for me too. I don't think anyone should put themselves through trauma to get through a book list, but I'm ultimately glad I gave this one a try. I do hope, however, we never get a shortlist of books that falls squarely into the average reader's comfort zone. (I know no one here was hoping for that, either.)
Agreed about the last point especially, Zach. Detransition, Baby was definitely out of my comfort zone and I ended up loving it. Manhunt is one I’m passing on because I’m really not in the headspace for loads of violence. But if it worked in any way for others, I’m glad and I look forward to learning from those reading experiences.
Meera wrote: "I'm reading my 5th right now, The Violin Conspiracy and I'm really noticing the theme of awful parents running through these books. This is my current list right now:..."You have more awful parents in your future, if you continue on in the shortlist. In that category, I would include:
Babel
The Book of Goose (disengaged parents, at least)
Manhunt (though a side aspect of the story)
Nightcrawling
Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance (understandably)
Olga Dies Dreaming
The Rabbit Hutch (but not a focus of the story)
The Violin Conspiracy
To me, Olga Dies Dreaming is the one that is directly addressing how parent-child relationships affect so much of people's lives.
I haven't posted my favorites since I'm hoping the ones I haven't gotten to yet will end up being gems (Seven Moons, Babel, Book of Goose, and Rabbit Hutch). I'm on page 184 of My Volcano, and my patience has been wearing thin over the last 100 pages. I'm really hoping it comes together for me as it did for others since it's still very messy and confusing.
I will give Manhunt a try, but I plan to allow myself to DNF if the graphic stuff stresses me out too much. Does anyone know if the author is trans? I'm happy to see we have that rep with the author of My Volcano (although I'm struggling with the nameless character referred to as just "the white trans writer" but I assume there's a reason behind that). Two books by trans writers on the short list would be a cool bonus, even if I can't finish one of them. I keep dropping hints about the lack of Indigenous rep in the tournament (I believe Louise Erdrich is the only Indigenous author we've read for the ToB), but it hasn't helped yet. ;)
I have Manhunt on audio up next, and then very long hold wait times for the other books as I slowly chip away at My Volcano.
Yes, Gretchen Felker-Martin is Trans. We had Tommy Orange with There There for Indigenous writers as well.
Audra wrote: "Yes, Gretchen Felker-Martin is Trans. We had Tommy Orange with There There for Indigenous writers as well."
There There is in my personal pantheon of all-time favorites. I hope Tommy Orange is working on another novel.
2/3 done. up next, 2am in Little America.
Kyle wrote: "2/3 done. up next, 2am in Little America."Congratulations, Kyle! I'm rolling the dice that An Island wins the play-in round (I'm passing on 2am and Volcano, as well as Manhunt), but I've still got MPP, Babel, Tomorrow x3, and Seven Moons to go. And, I have some non-ToB reading I want to get done, too. I think I'll make it by the start of the tournament but, given the length of Babel, it could be tight. Saluting all of you completists and completists-to-be!
I finished The Book of Goose...good not great primarily because I felt I had been there before with Ferrante. Turns out wild French girls are not so much different from wild Italian girls.
Not I, Ellen and Janet. I loved the Ferrante novels, and I loved Book of Goose, too. Each effective in their own way, but not the same. Not to me. More on this when we get to the Tournament ....
Risa wrote: "Not I, Ellen and Janet. I loved the Ferrante novels, and I loved Book of Goose, too. Each effective in their own way, but not the same. Not to me. More on this when we get to the Tournament ...."I hope you will post your thoughts on Goodreads because I'm not going to that Discord place...lol.
Lauren wrote: "I'm on page 184 of My Volcano, and my patience has been wearing thin over the last 100 pages. I'm really hoping it comes together for me as it did for others since it's still very messy and confusing...."oh no. All these unhappy reviews of Volcano are not a good sign. It looked so intriguing, I used some Amazon credits to get a free copy of the kindle version. So, I guess I'm reading it no matter what. But I get impatient with books fast. I won't be surprised if I need to DNF.
Personally, 'My Volcano' is moving up in the TBR stack, due to the naysaying. :D
C wrote: "Personally, 'My Volcano' is moving up in the TBR stack, due to the naysaying. :D"LOL I will attempt to channel this same attitude!! ;-)
I just finished My Volcano, and I kind of dug it for what the author intended: “doomscrolling in novel form,” but “with more heart than the algorithm.” They meant it to be a difficult read with beautiful imagery, and that's what it is. What you won't get: a clean narrative or a neat ending. By the end I was moved and I'm glad I stuck with it, but it's a very frustrating read!
That said, I'd pick it every time over 2AM in Little America, a book about which I felt nothing. (Still need to get to My Island.)
For the first few pages, I wasn't sure about My Volcano - surreal satire can get old fast for me, but I'm glad I kept going. It's not that I like surreal satire any better than I did before, but the narrative voice and the characters have a kind of charming innocence that never crossed the line into cute for me. It's a very quick read too - and I think the best way to read it is to move along at a fast clip and enjoy, not parse.My review doesn't have any major spoilers, unless you're really allergic to spoilers.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
"Doomscrolling in novel form" is exactly how I felt about the book, and that definitely was part of what made me have to put it down for a while. I doomscroll enough on my phone, I don't need a book to do that for me, too.There are definitely elements of the book that were interesting and weird and cool, it's totally unique. I gotta give it that, especially since a few of the books this year are... well, not too out of the ordinary.
(and by that I mean some of them are kinda boring and normal)
where yall at with the #tob23 tag on Instagram? it's just me out there
Tournament of Books
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(I'm talking about Notes on ..."
Interesting! I found those books to be completely different from one another, though I will grant you that I read them a few weeks apart. For me personally, The Book of Goose is the vastly superior effort between those two.