2023 Shortlist

[Ellen]

Wow, Bryn. You'll have to tell me what it was that you like about it. I was bored to tears.

[Bryn]

I like books where I don’t really know what’s going on. Like Subdivision or Peaces. There were just so many little fascinating things like the Manhattan Project, details of salvage dives, heartbreaking story of his sister and the pieces of her psyche, the investigation, road trips, the philosophical discussions with his friends and the PI. None of it fit together very well adding up to a post modern painting kind of book. I don’t expect it to be all neatly tied up at the end.

And I still love that we all have different tastes!!

[Ellen]

Yup, me, too. I love hearing what other people got out of a book that I didn't. And I liked Subdivision - but disliked Peaces!

[Kip]

I gave 5 stars to 7 books and I would be happy with any winning, but I think My Volcano might be my favorite. Sea of Tranquility and Seven Moons rounding out my top 3, I guess I really like when a book brushes up against genre elements.

Also this top 3 might change next week.

[Audra]

C wrote: "I liked My Volcano! Got a four from me, but I like the weird books."

I'm reading it now and having a really hard time getting into it, about 40 pages in, Does it pick up?

[Phyllis]

Audra wrote: "C wrote: "I liked My Volcano! Got a four from me, but I like the weird books."

I'm reading it now and having a really hard time getting into it, about 40 pages in, Does it pick up?"

I really think you have to stick with it to get the pay-off. It doesn't get any less weird, but about 1/3 to 1/2 way in, all that is happening begins to make more sense. I ended up really liking it, but I can imagine the feeling going either way for any given reader.

[Karen]

Ellen wrote: "Yup, me, too. I love hearing what other people got out of a book that I didn't. And I liked Subdivision - but disliked Peaces!"

I really really liked Subdivision at the time but it has steadily grown into a much deeper admiration for me. I keep coming back to it and remember so much of it vividly, much more so than most books which I plow through and forget the following week. Honestly, it was a masterpiece. (By contrast, Peaces started incredibly strong and then became a total. hot. mess.)

[Alison]

Karen wrote: "I really really liked Subdivision at the time but it has steadily grown into a much deeper admiration for me. I keep coming back to it and remember so much of it vividly, much more so than most books which I plow through and forget the following week. Honestly, it was a masterpiece. (By contrast, Peaces started incredibly strong and then became a total. hot. mess.)"

I agree with that assessment. Subdivision moved from feeling random and unstructured, to pulling it all together into an astonishing whole at the end, while Peaces moved in the opposite direction, from something that almost made sense into chaos.

[Lauren]

Just finished Babel - totally loved it! It’s now my top choice for the rooster, but I have a feeling Seven Moons could be strong competition. We’ll see. Happy reading for this final stretch!

Since we’re a few weeks away from the tournament, should we start creating bracket predictions?

Amy, any chance you could set that up with your awesome spreadsheet skills again?

[Audra]

I am in Volcano then just have Babel to go. I hope I get them both done.

[Isaac]

Finished "Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance" and thus all of the ToB books today. Here's my own personal Power Rankings:

Betting Favorites:
Sea of Tranquility
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Favorites Without a Chance:
Babel, Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution
Olga Dies Dreaming
The Passenger
The Rabbit Hutch

Darkhorses:
The Book of Goose
Mouth to Mouth
My Volcano
Nightcrawling

Not for Me:
Dinosaurs
An Island
Manhunt
Mercury Pictures Presents
Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance
The Violin Conspiracy

Book I Hated So Much I Actually Wrote a Review:
2 A.M. in Little America

[Audra]

OMG (view spoiler)[ the poop! I was like, ok, this better lead to something. I mean, I work with animals, I deal with poop all the time and I was like this is pointless and disgusting. Not to mention the reality of street dogs which this dude clearly knows nothing about. (hide spoiler)]

[Isaac]

Audra wrote: "OMG [spoilers removed]"

Right?! (view spoiler)[He tries to make some sort of comparison of the dog poop to human history, but once again it is couched in the novel's maddening vagueness: "Perhaps the shit was...a multitiered, multiwalled, messily stacked-up reverie of human history" (emphasis added). It's a crappy metaphor, but commit to it, dammit. (hide spoiler)]

[Audra]

hahaha YES

[C]

Isaac wrote: "Finished "Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance" and thus all of the ToB books today. Here's my own personal Power Rankings:

Betting Favorites:
Sea of Tranquility
[book:The Seven Moon..."

Awesome work, awesome reading & congrats, Isaac! (I think I have only finished six or seven so far... less than a month away!!!)

[Alison]

From the point of view of those of us with books left to go, what are everyone's suggestions as to the best ones to read in audiobook?

For me, the books that work in audiobook are those with simpler structures and that are plot-driven. Ones that have a bit of a YA vibe to the writing (not in any way a criticism of YA, just a description). So the ones that I picked out to listen to were Babel and T&T&T, both of which I suspect I liked more than I would have had I read them in a more traditional manner.

[Audra]

I thought Tx3 was good in audio. I like Olga as audio as well.

[Elizabeth]

Yes, I also did those on audio. I also tend to do audio for books where the writing is nothing special...Babel was like that, I started with the physical copy, got annoyed with it so I switched to audio (at 1.75 speed) it was still boring me, so repetitive, and for reasons I've listed elsewhere I still saw no reason to continue. But if I was forced to finish, I'd stay with the audio.

Dinosaurs also worked well on audio for me, although I didn't like the book much overall.

[Ellen]

For the first time ever, I think I will have read all of the books (if I finish all of the books; 7 2/3 more to go) in hard copy. I was too lazy to access any of them in audio form.

I have to ask you all about Olga Dies Dreaming -- I'm about 1/3 of the way through and so far it's coming across as surprisingly chick-lit-ish. Does it take a dramatic turn somewhere? I sure hope so. I know it was a favorite of a lot of people in here, whose judgment I deeply trust, so I have to think it's going to suddenly become a different book. Is it?

[Lauren]

Alison wrote: "From the point of view of those of us with books left to go, what are everyone's suggestions as to the best ones to read in audiobook?

For me, the books that work in audiobook are those with simpl..."

I've listened to nearly all of this year's books on audio (most of them doing a combo audio/print approach), except My Volcano, since it's not available in that format. I'd say this year's short list is more amenable to audio versions than most years, since My Volcano is the only one that's really experimental/unconventional that might get even more confusing by listening to it.

These ones probably weren't ideal on audio:
-2 A.M. (I switched to print and started over after I couldn't stay engaged through listening.)
-The Island (I considered rereading this in print, but I'm losing enthusiasm for that now.)
-The Passenger (Maybe I would have gotten more out of this one in print?)

Other than that, the rest of the list is pretty audio-friendly (although I haven't read Seven Moons or Rabbit Hutch yet, but will get to them in the next week or two).

[Nadine in NY]

Ellen wrote: "I have to ask you all about Olga Dies Dreaming -- I'm about 1/3 of the way through and so far it's coming across as surprisingly chick-lit-ish. Does it take a dramatic turn somewhere?..."


Not really. It's a fairly light book. The romance never takes center stage like I thought it was going to - it's mostly a story about Olga and Prieto's complicated feelings about their mother. Gonzalez also throws the entire kitchen sink at this book (racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, gentrification, AIDS, a hurricane, and more!). I started out loving this book and gradually got more and more annoyed with it. (I am fine with romance and chick lit, that was not my issue with this book.)

[Lauren]

I finally took some time to create a 2024 Contenders topic/folder after someone asked about that a few weeks ago. Thanks for bringing it up, since I'm already reading some 2023 books. Feel free to start dropping titles there, either ones you've already read, or are anticipating the most this year.

[Audra]

Oooh thanks! I've been looking for good 2023 books.

[Karen]

Can’t recall (or can’t find thread in my phone) but The Book of Goose is settling in as a soothing but intricate read if that makes any sense. I haven’t read Allende so I can’t judge the comparisons, but I like the steady smoothness of this book. I’m highlighting a lot more in this than any other I’ve read this TOB. None have been a sustained favorite but this is sneaking up my list. Mercury Pictures seems painfully dull- does it improve? There is no narrative hook for me yet at all.

[Ellen]

Karen, The Book of Goose was most reminiscent to me of Elena Ferrante. Sometimes it was more Ferrante than Ferrante. And for me, Mercury Pictures started dull, was dull through the middle, and ended dull, I'm sorry to say. I hate to admit that I ended up skimming huge sections.

Nadine, your post made me realize that it actually isn't the "light", "romance", or "chick-lit" aspect of Olga D.D. that's bothering me -- it's this seemingly superficial surface skimming over all these major and minor themes. And it just doesn't seem very well written to me; it's riddled with cliches.

P.S. Off to pick up the last two books -- not to read, just to acquire. Then I'll have all my remaining 7 here on deck ready to read, and a little under a month to read them...

[Karen]

Ellen - thank you yes, I meant Ferrante, not Allende. 🤦‍♀️

[Bretnie]

I'm on a roll after finishing Mercury Pictures Presents, Seven Moons, and Olga - really enjoying all three. I feel like the last three are going to be more serious - Rabbit Hutch, Passenger, and Book of Goose. Time to line up something light and fun afterwards!

[Nadine in NY]

I am 75% done with Dinosaurs and I think it's safe to say I am REALLY liking this book. It's so quiet and calm that I wanted to DNF it right away because it wasn't going anywhere, but Lark's review convinced me to stick with it and that was definitely the correct decision for me. THIS one is FINALLY the one, the book that sticks with me and I never would have read if not for the ToB.

[Risa]

Nadine in NY wrote: "I am 75% done with Dinosaurs and I think it's safe to say I am REALLY liking this book. It's so quiet and calm that I wanted to DNF it right away because it wasn't going anywhere, b..."

It was one of my favorites of this year's tournament. A real surprise.

[Mindy]

The Book of Goose is awful on audio. I don't know what accent the narrator is doing but it doesn't seem to be a French one. Kind of reminded me of Moira's unplaceable accent on Schitt's Creek, except not funny or endearing.

[Risa]

Mindy wrote: "The Book of Goose is awful on audio. I don't know what accent the narrator is doing but it doesn't seem to be a French one. Kind of reminded me of Moira's unplaceable accent on Schitt's Creek, exce..."

Moira doing any character from Book of Goose would really be ... something.
(For the Record: I loved both Schitt's Creek and Book of Goose.)

[Lark]

Nadine in NY it makes me so happy to hear my review kept you going with Dinosaurs! It does take a leap of faith there in the beginning. The author seems to deliberately make Gil's walk across the US entirely unmemorable. I remember thinking how disciplined that was of Millet, and wondering why she had made that choice.

[Lauren]

Lark wrote: "Nadine in NY it makes me so happy to hear my review kept you going with Dinosaurs! It does take a leap of faith there in the beginning. The author seems to deliberately make Gil's walk across the U..."

I was definitely curious about that, as half (if not all) of the book could have been focused on that journey.

I'm glad you're enjoying it, Nadine!

[Jan]

I’m starting Tomorrow x 3, which is my next to last book. Manhunt will be my final read and will make me a completist if I finish it, but I need to first get through Demon Copperhead for my IRL book group.

[Nadine in NY]

I finished Dinosaurs - 5 stars! And it's DEFINTELY my favorite of all the books I've read specifically for 2023 ToB (excluding Sea of Tranquility, which I read last year before the ToB long list).

What a surprise that book was!!! It's so unlike the type of book I normally love. So far, it's the best book I've read all year (it doesn't have very stiff competition yet, however).

[Kyle]

Demon Copperhead is possibly better than most shortlisted (imo) but Dinosaurs was a lovely little surprise. Alas that it's up against a juggernaut in the first round.

[Nadine in California]

Nadine in NY wrote: "I am 75% done with Dinosaurs ...THIS one is FINALLY the one, the book that sticks with me and I never would have read if not for the ToB...."

This is a book I liked so much better in retrospect - to the point that I can't understand why I was so 'meh' about it while I was reading it. The last ToB book that came out of nowhere to blow my reading mind was Sudden Death by Alvaro Enrigue and that was a few years ago. Now I hunt for thatToB high again every year. My fingers are crossed for 2024! Nadine, I'm glad you had that magical ToB experience this year.

[Nadine in NY]

Kyle wrote: "Demon Copperhead is possibly better than most shortlisted (imo) but Dinosaurs was a lovely little surprise. Alas that it's up against a juggernaut in the first round."


Oh I didn't even see that it was up against T3! 😟 Ironically, I started T3 and set it aside. Not sure if I'll get back to it or not. But I know most people are just LOVING it.

[Nadine in NY]

Nadine in California wrote: "Nadine, I'm glad you had that magical ToB experience this year. ..."


Yes! It's the whole reason I follow ToB, just looking for that surprise. No matter what happens now in the actual tournament, I'm happy.

[Kyle]

Some of my favorite books have been TOB discoveries. America is Not the Heart, The Trees, Mary Toft, Deacon King Kong...

[Ellen]

My list would be almost identical to yours, Kyle; I would include People In the Trees and How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia. I'm sure there are more, but those are the ones that spring to mind.

[Gail]

Nadine in California wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "I am 75% done with Dinosaurs ...THIS one is FINALLY the one, the book that sticks with me and I never would have read if not for the ToB...."

This is a book I ..."
Thank you for Sudden Death..I am downloading it now!

[Gail]

The Book of Goose was bringing me back to the Ferrante novels. One of my favorites on this list. I see what you are all saying about Manhunt. I bailed.

[Nadine in California]

How could I have forgotten my other ToB mindblower - Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch.

[Ellen]

We Ride Upon Sticks.

[Janet]

Nadine in California wrote: "How could I have forgotten my other ToB mindblower - Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch."

Oh I loved that book.

[Peggy]

Version Control for me. Grateful forever that the ToB introduced me to that book and to Dexter Palmer.

[Lark]

Bad Marie.

[C]

Peggy wrote: "Version Control for me. Grateful forever that the ToB introduced me to that book and to Dexter Palmer."

YESSS Version Control!!! Also for me, Long Division, Dictionary of Animal Languages, Idaho, Stephen Florida, All the Birds Singing, The Son, Absurdistan, Call Me Zebra, Milkman.... but there are so many ToB books I can look back fondly upon. AND there are still so many I intend to read At Some Point!

[Kip]

Peggy wrote: "Version Control for me. Grateful forever that the ToB introduced me to that book and to Dexter Palmer."

Yes to Dexter Palmer. Also introduction to James McBride, Anthony Marra, Lydia Millet and Percival Everett.

If there is one book I never would have read without ToB that is amongst my all-time favorites then I would say Milkman