2023 ToB Rounds - Play-in round, Mar 8

[Phyllis]

Space to discuss the Play-in round, March 8:
2 A.M. in Little America vs. An Island vs. My Volcano

[Care]

Thank you Phyllis! I'm excited for today. My favorite of these is My Volcano; I was quite moved by An Island - gutpunched actually, and was fascinated by the delivery/structure of 2AM. My Volcano was more hopeful or positive, in some way. So much I didn't get but I enjoyed the characters.

[Kyle]

If I recall correctly, the judgment goes up sometime around 10-11am EST, right?

[Care]

Kyle wrote: "If I recall correctly, the judgment goes up sometime around 10-11am EST, right?"

Has it ever been consistent?! I used to hit refresh until it pops up, but now I can't even find the right page. :/

[Kyle]

I just remember it being roughly mid-morning. Before that, I stalk these boards and get excited every time I see a reply like this one. I realize that I am part of the problem.

[Tim]

Care wrote: "Has it ever been consistent?! I used to hit refresh until it pops up, but now I can't even find the right page..."

I don't think it has ever been consistent.

Here's the page I'm refreshing every few minutes:
https://themorningnews.org/tob/

Still shows 2022

[Kyle]

It's up!

https://www.tournamentofbooks.com/

They got a new URL and everything.

[Kyle]

I'll say (without spoilers) that while it didn't go the direction I hoped, I'd kind of expected this result.

[Kip]

Thrilled, one of my favorites!

[Gwendolyn]

I’m not happy. The winner is my least favorite of the three play-in books.

[Lark]

I’m very happy for the publisher, a house I’ve come to adore.

[Tim]

Gwendolyn wrote: "I’m not happy. The winner is my least favorite of the three play-in books."

Same. Least favorite of all 15 books I tried.

[Bob]

Lark wrote: "I’m very happy for the publisher, a house I’ve come to adore."

Yeah, me too! Not happy but not too unhappy?

[Kip]

Lark wrote: "I’m very happy for the publisher, a house I’ve come to adore."

I second that!

[Bob]

Oh, are we not openly discussing the winners here? I thought that was the purpose of the dedicated face off threads?

[Bretnie]

I didn't have a stake in any of the three books, but I love the new website!

[Kyle]

Bob wrote: "Oh, are we not openly discussing the winners here? I thought that was the purpose of the dedicated face off threads?"

I was being purposefully vague since the judgment had literally just gone up.

[Jan]

I’m happy with the win. It was a weird-ass book that I liked more as it went on, and one I never would have read except for the Tournament. In other words, a fine example of Why I Love the Tournament of Books.

[Mindy]

Psht, I only read one of the play-ins and this wasn't it. I doubt I'll get to them either since I've got 4 "normies" still to finish.

[Kip]

2 AM did very little for me. An Island was bit haunting and I liked it but ultimately did not stay with me. I loved the positive doomscrolling that is My Volcano.

[Nadine in NY]

I actually bought Volcano in some ebook sale, and I started it ... looks like I should finish it!!!

I strongly disliked Island and I must say I'm hoping this is the last of it in this tournament. Had no opinion on 2am since I had not read it.

[Lauren]

I’m struggling with Disqus on my phone and I think my main post has been deleted. Maybe it got blocked somehow? I can’t find it on my phone… if anyone on a computer doesn’t mind checking for my post and letting me know if it’s there… I think I was the fifth person to comment once the judgment was up, so it should be one of the older ones. :/

[Bob]

Lauren wrote: "f anyone on a computer doesn’t mind checking for my post and letting me know if it’s there..."

I remember reading it, but I don't see it anymore...how odd

[Tim]

Lauren wrote: "I’m struggling with Disqus on my phone..."

I remember reading it... But you are right, I see a lot of your short posts still up in Disqus, but not your long one.

[Lauren]

Hmm luckily I typed it into a note first, so I guess I can post it again, but that’s discouraging. Thanks for checking!