2024 TOB Shortlist

[Audra]

I didn't like Leave the World Behind as a book, I heard it works better as a movie, haven't had a chance to watch yet.

[BitterAndMurky]

This is awesome, thanks!

[Nadine in California]

Chrissy wrote: "Even though I'm only about a 1/3 through it, I think I might vote for American Mermaid. The other books I've read from the shortlist were all good but didn't grab me, and this one still has the pot..."

Then it will have at least two votes - me too! I finished it, and it's consistent all the way through.

[Karen]

Risa wrote: "^^^ Reading H&EGS now, and it got my Zombie vote on the strength of the first 1/3, which has given me everything I want in a reading experience. I’m loving it and hoping it sustains this good momen..." I just started H&EGS last night and agreed - already hooked. His characters are insanely alive.

[Elizabeth]

Welp, there’s so much going on in my life that I missed the zombie vote, trying to decide between two books. I should have stuck a Post-It reminder on my nose.

[Chrissy]

I was about an hour late to vote, too. :(

[Zachary]

Some a book has parts that you recognize ones that are objectively supposed to be humorous, and sometimes a book genuinely makes you chuckle out loud. For me American Mermaid was the latter. Finished it today, and it's a real delight.

[Elizabeth]

This is the first time in my history of following TOB that I’m not unhappy with the bracket.

https://www.tournamentofbooks.com/the...

[Lauren]

I thought the same thing, Elizabeth! It probably helps that I care little about half of the books in the tournament this time, but hey, it’s still a benefit to have fewer devastating match-ups. I’d guess the biggest heartbreaker here is Heaven and Earth v. Open Throat.

Big Swiss v. Sacajewea is a pretty hilarious matchup in how those two books couldn’t be more different (even though I’m only a quarter of the way into Sacajewea).

Does anyone have time to put together the predictions spreadsheet for us to add our guesses to?

[Risa]

Lauren wrote: "I thought the same thing, Elizabeth! It probably helps that I care little about half of the books in the tournament this time, but hey, it’s still a benefit to have fewer devastating match-ups. I’d..."

Hard Agree on H&EGS vs. Open Throat. So far, those are the only two I care about. Oh, ToB, you heartbreaker you!

[Alison]

Elizabeth wrote: "This is the first time in my history of following TOB that I’m not unhappy with the bracket.

https://www.tournamentofbooks.com/the..."

What stands out for me is how few of the tournament books I've read so far. Yikes.

[Elizabeth]

Seems like the most painful matchups are always in the bottom left! But I didn’t love Open Throat as much as some of you, so for me that would be an easy choice. I’m worried that the judge won’t feel the same, though.

I’m most happy that the play-ins are against what feels like the weakest book. (Not that I’ve read it, I don’t have much interest, but I’m pretty sure the play-in winner can beat it.)

Alison wrote: "What stands out for me is how few of the tournament books I've read so far. Yikes."

Same! The Bee Sting has put me in a bit of a reading slump (enjoying it when I do read but I’m not motivated to pick it up), and it and Heaven and Earth are the only TOB books I’ve looked at since the shortlist came out. 🤦‍♀️

[Tim]

Alison wrote: "What stands out for me is how few of the tournament books I've read so far. Yikes. ..."

Well, if you don’t count one DNF and one NYF (not yet finished) I’ve read as many of the play in books as I have the seeded books. (And I haven’t read all the play in books.). Actually, if you count both the DNF and the NYF, I’v still read the same number of play in books as seeded books. (The solution left as an exercise for the reader.)

[Audra]

I've read 1 play in book, I'm currently reading another.
Open Throat missed any kind of mark for me.

[Lee]

You can knock out Boys Weekend in an hour or two, quickly bump up your totals. Of course, then I just wanted my hours back but YMMV.

[Nadine in NY]

Lee wrote: "You can knock out Boys Weekend in an hour or two, quickly bump up your totals. Of course, then I just wanted my hours back but YMMV."


I've had this on hold at my library for two weeks now!

[Zachary]

Our divisive queen, The Guest, is $2.99 on Kindle deals today for those who celebrate.

[Elizabeth]

Who else has read Boys Weekend? I wasn't impressed by the sample (it made me feel like I was being punched in the face), so haven't put it on hold, but want to see if anyone liked it.

[Zachary]

Oh, and The Lost Journals of Sacajewea is also $2.99 today.

[Bretnie]

Nadine in NY wrote: "I've had this on hold at my library for two weeks now!"

Me too and the hold line doesn't seem to be moving very quickly for such a quick read.

[Alison]

Zachary wrote: "Oh, and The Lost Journals of Sacajewea is also $2.99 today."

Thanks, I've grabbed a copy.

As for Boys Weekend, my library system doesn't carry it, but I don't mind buying a copy as I know someone who would probably really like it and so I will be able to pass it on.

[Nadine in NY]

Bretnie wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "I've had this on hold at my library for two weeks now!"

Me too and the hold line doesn't seem to be moving very quickly for such a quick read."



SAME!! I've been #2 out of 2 for all these two weeks. I'm starting to wonder if the 3 library copies are all shelved as "new and not available for holds"

[Heather]

I just finished listening to Dayswork on audio, and am now halfway through Monstrilio on audio as well, and I've been delightfully surprised by both. The descriptions did not interest me at all, but I've found both to be interesting listens.

[Chrissy]

Based on the blurbs, it seems like Boys Weekend and Sacajawea might both qualify as “fish out of water” stories. If you’ve read one or both, could you confirm?

[Risa]

Chrissy wrote: "Based on the blurbs, it seems like Boys Weekend and Sacajawea might both qualify as “fish out of water” stories. If you’ve read one or both, could you confirm?"

"Boys Weekend" is about learning how to reject/survive the Venn Diagram of "Bro Capitalism" and Transphobia and Conformity (not surprisingly, the Diagram ends up nearly a perfect circle). It is a clever mashup of scifi horror satire, with an ending I won't spoil but that I will say got me deep in the feels.

"Sacajawea" is very serious business -- all horror without any satiric leavening, the kind of horror that happens when we revisit History through the lens of a person whom History has both sidelined and whitewashed by depicting her as a mere prop to a valorized tale about "explorers". This novel reclaims her as a full Person, but also depicts with awful clarity the damage done to her and to her people. It is quite a tough read in multiple senses. I can't say I "enjoyed" it, but it did expand and shift my perspective, which I believe was one of the author's aims.

[Karen]

Finished the Librairianist - loved (except ending). Am tearing through American Mermaid. Can I get through 2 more before I have to get back to work next week? Must I interact with other people? Le sigh. So little time…

[Phyllis]

I have 4 to go: Sacajawea, Cold People, Monstrillio, and Brainwyrms. I think I can, I think I can. But based on everyone’s comments, it doesn’t look like a fun time ahead for the next couple of weeks. Perhaps there will be an entertaining surprise. At least I know for sure it will make returning to unread novels of my own choosing a pleasing beginning for the new year.

[Bryn]

I’ve been reading. Just not contributing much here. It’s been a little crazy. I moved to Virginia and then we all got Covid. Boo hiss. We’re not very sick just annoyed.

So, Heaven and Earth was 4 star for me. I really appreciate McBride even if the writing is not my favorite style. But I loved The Guest and The Auburn Conference for different reasons. The Guest produced so much tension for me. AC was intellectually interesting.

And now it’s taken me 3 days to read 40 pages of The Shamshine Blind. Not my thing. But I’ll read it.

[Karin]

that's a big move, Bryn. hope all is well!

[Risa]

Bryn wrote: "I’ve been reading. Just not contributing much here. It’s been a little crazy. I moved to Virginia and then we all got Covid. Boo hiss. We’re not very sick just annoyed.

So, Heaven and Earth was 4..."

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Bryn, and I hope you soon get to enjoy your new Virginia digs.

[Audra]

Karen wrote: "Finished the Librairianist - loved (except ending). Am tearing through American Mermaid. Can I get through 2 more before I have to get back to work next week? Must I interact with other people? Le ..."

I just finished both of these

[Alison]

Phyllis wrote: "I have 4 to go: Sacajawea, Cold People, Monstrillio, and Brainwyrms. I think I can, I think I can. But based on everyone’s comments, it doesn’t look like a fun time ahead for the next couple of wee..."

The one thing this tournament has taught me is that (almost) every book in play has people who love it and people who think it's the worst book ever written. And that I won't know where I fall on that spectrum until I read the book itself. Here's hoping you disagree with what you're hearing and find things to like about each of these.

I'm reading Dayswork and enjoying it a lot, despite it being written in a format that annoys the crap out of me. Not every sentence needs to be its own paragraph! You can string those bad boys together into a pleasing narrative!

I've just started Cold People and it's really starting out like classic Michener, beginning thousands of years ago.

[C]

I really need to get cracking on these.... I have still only read... ONE of the books. Please keep posting if any of you see these as kindle deals! Especially Auburn Conference, which will probably be the hardest one for me to find.

[Nadine in NY]

Alison wrote: "The one thing this tournament has taught me is that (almost) every book in play has people who love it and people who think it's the worst book ever written. And that I won't know where I fall on that spectrum until I read the book itself...."



So true!! Some of the books I enjoyed the most have been very unpopular in this group! (in particular, Shamshine & Cold People), and often books I dislike are very popular here. Although the book I disliked the most so far - Chain Gang - has been getting mixed reviews, so I don't feel alone in disliking it.

[Bretnie]

I just finished Blackouts and am looking forward to the discussions during the tournament since I think it'll be an interesting one to explore more.

Anyone in the Seattle area want my copy? Definitely worth reading in print.

[Anita]

I would love your copy of Blackouts, Bretnie! I could pay you for shipping it. I was just about to order it from B&N but this would be cheaper.

[Alison]

As long as you just mail a book and don't add a note or card, media mail is a cheap way to mail books. I mailed my copy of Prophet Song from IL to ME in the middle of December and it arrived two days later, so it's not as slow as they pretend it is.

[Tim]

With =Big Swiss= done today, I'm 1/3 of the way through the shortlist (with two DNF books to be revisited). So far, nothing has left me gnashing my teeth in a rage about hours I’ll never get back…but I do have those DNFs to attend to, and I’m saving the least likely for last.

[Bretnie]

Anita I’ll send you a note about shipping it! I’m out of town until next week though so won’t be able to get it in the mail for about a week if that’s ok?

[Phyllis]

“Least likely” … to what, Tim?

[Elizabeth]

B&N is having a 50% off sale (ending today, I think.) So far, of the shortlist books, I've found The Librarianist, the Lost Journals of Sacajawea, Dayswork and Big Swiss, and of books on the longlist they have Wellness, The Future, Let Us Descend, This Other Eden, Study for Obedience, The Apology, Mobility and America Fantastica.

[Tim]

Phyllis wrote: "“Least likely” … to what, Tim?"

Least likely to be a good book by my totally objective and universal standards..

(Maybe I should have said most likely to leave me gnashing my teeth at the loss of those hours…)

[Anita]

Bretnie wrote: "Anita I’ll send you a note about shipping it! I’m out of town until next week though so won’t be able to get it in the mail for about a week if that’s ok?"

Yes, that's perfect. Thank you!

[Tim]

Okay commentariat, I'm looking for some inspiration here.

After a handful of satisfying reads, I’m stalling. I got 1/3 of the way through the McBride, and thought “I’ve read this already, but set in a different time and place.” And then I thought “=American Mermaid= is supposed to be funny” … but 8 chapters in, I found I’d rather stare at the back of the airplane seat in front of me than continue with that book. (It was a short flight, fortunately.)

The books I have with me are =Chain Gang All Stars=, =What You Are Looking for…=, =The Lost Journals…=, =Brainwyrms=, and =Monstrilio= (along with the McBride, =American Mermaid=, and =The Guest=).

Can anyone provide me some inspiration? (Will =American Mermaid= get better if I get a few more chapters in? Is =The Lost Journals…= not as preachy as it sounds, =What You Are Looking for= not as sappy? Does the McBride surprise? Is it time to give =The Guest= a second chance? …. If I had A S Cosby on hand, who made Obama’s list btw, I’d give him a try.) I have some solid reading time ahead of me, but these tournament books aren’t calling out to me…. Which of the books I have in hand is most likely to be rewarding if I turn myself over to it?

Thanks in advance for any help….

[Andrea]

I agree with you regarding American Mermaid and won’t try to convince you that it gets better. I listened to the McBride on audio and don’t think it is the best way to enjoy his book, with his many characters and convoluted storylines, so am keeping an open mind about it. I haven’t read the other books you have.
I just read Open Throat and it’s my favorite so far.

[Nadine in NY]

Tim wrote: "Okay commentariat, I'm looking for some inspiration here.

After a handful of satisfying reads, I’m stalling. I got 1/3 of the way through the McBride, and thought “I’ve read this already, but set ..."



I am reading American Mermaid right now, and I was so disappointed to find out that it's not really funny, and the humor parts were trying WAY too hard. So set that idea aside, it's not funny. But it DOES become interesting. It's like a three layered story: the first layer you meet is the story of Penelope the former teacher turned author who is now in LA trying to get her book turned into a movie, this is the layer with the awkward non-funny humor; the second layer is the book she wrote, "American Mermaid," which is moderately interesting (it slowly develops into a giant evil conspiracy); the THIRD layer is the good part, that's the story of how the screen writers are trying to make changes to Sylvia's story (Sylvia is the mermaid) but she doesn't want them to change it and strange things start happening to people to prevent them from changing the script (I'm not giving anything away here, the GR blurb even says this starts happening)

I hated Chain Gang so I would not advise you to try that one right now while you're feeling stalled. I have not yet read What You Are Looking For but it looks cute so maybe try that if American Mermaid's multi-layered story isn't doing it for you.

[Tim]

Andrea wrote: "I agree with you regarding American Mermaid and won’t try to convince you that it gets better….I just read Open Throat and it’s my favorite so far "

I’ve read =Open Throat=, enjoyed it, though I’m not sure I see it with the Rooster. (Although if it does win, surely this will be the year when the live rooster will be accepted…although it wouldn’t be a live rooster for long….)

Nadine in NY wrote: "I hated Chain Gang so I would not advise you to try that one right now while you're feeling stalled. I have not yet read What You Are Looking For but it looks cute so maybe try that if American Mermaid's multi-layered story isn't doing it for you"

Thanks, I’ve started =What You Are Looking for=. It’s a little cutsie, but so far so good….

[Alison]

Tim wrote: "Okay commentariat, I'm looking for some inspiration here.

After a handful of satisfying reads, I’m stalling. I got 1/3 of the way through the McBride, and thought “I’ve read this already, but set ..."

If several different books failed to please, could you just be in a reading rut? For me, the best course is to just not read novels for a while, until that feeling of "how will this book bore me?" changes to "I would really rather be reading a book, than doing x,"

There's no sense reading books you can't, in the present moment, approach with anything other than annoyance. And we have more than two months before the tournament starts. There's plenty of time.

[Phyllis]

I’ll make a pitch for reading Chain Gang All Stars. The violence of the first couple of chapters is almost overwhelming, so you have to make it through those to get to the rest of the story. It is the individual characters that truly make this worth reading; where they came from, who they were, how they got to where they are, who they are today, and what if anything the future holds for them. By the end of the novel, I cared deeply about even the worst of them. This is definitely an anti-incarceration-nation story, so you should expect full-on polemic. But as the footnotes show, and as my own experience tells me, this is not very far beyond today’s reality.

[Joy D]

I agree with Phyllis about Chain Gang All Stars. It is a critique of the US prison system, and I found it well worth reading.