Tournament of Books discussion

Whoever gets to the final bracket for this year's (2015) ToB contenders, post it hear and keep the discussion going...

It's up!

http://www.themorningnews.org/article...

The Shortlist for The Morning News 2015 Tournament of Books


Silence Once Begun by Jesse Ball
A Brave Man Seven Storeys Tall by Will Chancellor
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay by Elena Ferrante
An Untamed State by Roxane Gay
Wittgenstein Jr by Lars Iyer
A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James
Redeployment by Phil Klay
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill
Adam by Ariel Schrag
The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld

A Brave Man Seven Storeys Tall is currently $1.99 on kindle.

How did everyone do? VERY pleasantly surprised to be starting off with 6! My big stand-out was no 'Narrow Road' -- first time without the Booker winner? See, knew they would mess with 'sure things' -- ha!

Here's page length (based on what Goodreads is showing on the 'home page' -- your version may vary). But looks like lots of 'quick hit' potentials:

182 - Dept. of Speculation
195 - Annihilation
232 - Silence Once Begun
240 - Wittngenstein Jr.
240 - All The Birds, Singing
281 - Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay
288 - Redeployment
297 - Everything I Never Told You
302 - Adam
333 - Station Eleven
370 - An Untamed State
384 - A Brave Man Seven Storeys Tall
544 - All The Light We Cannot See
576 - The Paying Guests
624 - The Bone Clocks
688 - A Brief History of Seven Killings

Happy Reading!

Ooh! I'm off to spend my birthday money now that the list has been released. I've read eight of the books, which is a personal best.

I am a bit bummed that The Narrow Road to the Deep North did not make the cut; if they were only having one award winner I'd rather see that than Redeployment.

Currently I'm rooting for Station Eleven.

The list is up. My favorite time of year. Thanks for the Kindle heads up Allyson.

Gosh, I've worked hard and still have read only four of the contenders, with two still on deck. Well, you make your best guess and go from there. I don't regret reading Narrow Road to the Deep North or Lost for Words.

Surprises: No Wolf in White Van (just seems very rooster-ish), no play-in round. Sort of surprised that Adam made the cut.

My favorites ranking:
Brief History
An Untamed State
All the Light

Dark Horse:
Station Eleven

Yeah, I am surprised that Lost for Words and Wolf in White Van aren't on the list.

I predicted Adam would be on the list, so I'm not surprised exactly, but I expect it to be very contentious.

No Ruby which is not too surprising, but I still believe it was built to kill in the TOB format.

And surprised not to see The Narrow Road too.

I recommend Everything I Never Told You.

I've read 2! (Paying Guests and Station Eleven) Off to cross reference my library's options & kindle deals.

Jason wrote: "I recommend Everything I Never Told You."

It is good, but such a tough read when you're the parent of a teenage girl. I think I've said this before, but I finished it around midnight one night and it was all I could do to keep from running into my daughter's room and waking her up to apologize for every mother mistake I've ever made.

Oh, and Tigerman! I really don't regret reading that!

I've read 10, which is a big improvement from last year's 4. From what I read I think it's a strong list.

Any feedback on Those Who Stay? Can it be read solo? I see it's part of a trilogy

Any feedback on Those Who Stay? Can it be read solo? I see it's part of a trilogy

I've been assured by someone who read it that I don't need to read the whole trilogy. But I haven't read it yet, so can't say for certain.

Beth wrote: "Any feedback on Those Who Stay? Can it be read solo? I see it's part of a trilogy"

Wondering the same thing. I've heard nothing but raves for the series, but I was hoping to start at the beginning.

You don't NEED to, but I would highly recommend starting at the beginning.

I'm delighted to see that there's only one title on the short list that my library doesn't have. That's a first!

Also, isn't Annihilation also the third of a trilogy? Reading the last book first goes against my OCD tendencies.

Annihilation is the first in the trilogy and they've all been released so no wait time. :)

No, Annihilation is the first according to Amazon (Annihilation, then Authority, then Acceptance).

I may break down and read all of the Ferrante books. I notice that the first one (My Brilliant Friend) is only $3 for the Kindle.

THE reading challenge of the year for me. I have only read 3 and only own 2 of the others. But there is nothing on there I don't want to read. Looks like one of the best lists ever. I think one could read Those Who Leave...as a stand alone, but it will make you want to read the earlier two. Ferrante is amazing!

Christina wrote: "Annihilation is the first in the trilogy and they've all been released so no wait time. :)"

Oops, should have looked before I typed. Thanks, Christina and Gayla!

Last year was my first year following ToB, so going from 0/17 to 8/16 puts a lot less pressure on me this year!

I've read 9, which is a record for me. Actually looking forward to most of the others I haven't read!

I was wondering about the Ferrante, too. I'm not sure I want to tackle a trilogy, but everyone raves and raves.

Still predicting that All the Light will bulldoze its way through the bracket, though that's not necessarily what I want to happen.

I think All the Light will do well, but it will have strong competition from A Brief History of Seven Killings and Station Eleven has a good chance.

My predictions are always wrong, though. Always. ;)

I'm surprised that 10:04 and Lila aren't on the list based on all the buzz I've heard about both, but I have gotten over my initial Chicken Little response and decided to be excited about my reading. My library has everything except Wittgenstein Jr, although the queues for some are quite long so I will end up buying them or skipping them.

I've read 11, which is a record for me. So does all this personal record-busting suggest that they've chosen a bigger number of widely read books? Or maybe we're sharing suggestions and becoming more widely read?

I predict All the Light vs A Brief History for the final round, but part of what makes the ToB so fun/agonizing is the unpredictability of the judging. Maybe I'm stereotyping, but the thought of a Baptist from Houston scares me. And the last musician judge I remember threw up his hands, said he liked both books, and literally chose the winner based on which cover he liked best, if I'm recalling correctly. Time to start practicing my Zen meditation skills again!

Christina wrote: "I think All the Light will do well, but it will have strong competition from A Brief History of Seven Killings and Station Eleven has a good chance. ..."

I'm thinking like you are, Christina, but it's always a crap shoot, isn't it? :-)

Does anyone else think Everything I Never Told You could be the A Tale for the Time Being of 2015's ToB? I love that book and found those characters have stayed with me long after I finished the book.

Gayla wrote: "No, Annihilation is the first according to Amazon (Annihilation, then Authority, then Acceptance).

I may break down and read all of the Ferrante books. I notice that the first one (My Brilliant Fr..."

I saw that too Gayla - even though I've only ready 3 of the 16, I'm very tempted to read the Ferrante series. For the price, I'll definitely buy My Brilliant Friend. So many books....I'll just sleep after the tournament!!

Very shocked that Narrow Road isn't on there! And I would have liked to see Lost For Words.

I just happened to see that A Brave Man Seven Storeys Tall is $1.99 today but Allyson beat me to it.

If anyone is interested, I have an advance reader of The Bone Clocks I could send to you through the mail (to keep or do whatever you want with) in exchange for one of the other ToB contestants... I'm not sure which I'd like to read yet though. US only please. Just let me know which ones you'd be up for sending (by message), if you're interested in swapping!

I have only read 3 of the 16, but I predicted 11 of the shortlist, so I am pretty excited about that. Last year I think I only picked four.

I feel like this is an extremely strong list, and the only book I don't really care about reading is Redeployment. Also I really wish that Lost for Words had made the cut, but I am not displeased with the overall selections.

This is the first time I am going to attempt to read all 16 before the start of the tournament. An ambitious project, but I think I can get it done!

Does anyone have any advice for tackling A Brief History of Seven Killings? Does it read quickly (despite its heft)?

I've only read 5 so I've still got a lot of reading to do. For me the best thing about the long list was finding The Ghost in the Electric Blue Suit.

My 5:
All the Light
Station Eleven
Dept of Speculation
The Bone Clocks
All the Birds, Singing

I loved the first 4.

Brave Man Seven Storeys Tall is also $1.99 on Nook.

Heather wrote: "Does anyone have any advice for tackling A Brief History of Seven Killings? Does it read quickly (despite its heft)?..."

Heather, biggest advice I can give is to be prepared for some heavy violence. He's portraying a grim world. It does go quickly, and I found it absolutely riveting. It is extremely well narrated on audio, and since there's lots of Jamaican patois, gang slang, etc, the audiobook really adds to the experience. There's a confusing number of characters (and 6 or 7 different narrators on the audio), but if you can go with the flow, you start to learn them. It is one of the few audiobooks I plan to listen to again.

Looking through the list further, if anyone wants to swap for an ARC of Bone Clocks, there are some on the list I'm really not ready to read right now. I have All the Birds singing and Brave Man Seven Storeys Tall and I can probably get my hands on An Untamed State and Annihilation.

I'd REALLY like to swap for All the Light We Cannot See but I'm also looking for Station Eleven, Wittgenstein Jr and Brief History of Seven Killings, but I'm up to any suggestions if anyone has any of the other 16 available to swap. You'd be doing me a huge favor since the libraries around aren't the best (sadly) and I'm also quite broke.

I've heard that the ARC of Bone Clocks was slightly different than the published version. I liked it a lot, but don't want to re-read it with 12 books to go before March.

Aw, I was worried ARCs are different than the published books. Do you know how it was different?

I've read 3 of the books and own 4 others. These are the ones I'll read before the tournament begins:

An Untamed State
The Bone Clocks
Everything I Never Told You
A Brave Man Seven Storeys Tall

Has anyone read Silence Once Begun? I don't think I've heard much about it.

Gayla wrote: "No, Annihilation is the first according to Amazon (Annihilation, then Authority, then Acceptance).

I may break down and read all of the Ferrante books. I notice that the first one (My Brilliant Fr..."

I just picked up all three books from the library. It looks like a Ferrante marathon this week.

Thanks for the info, Allyson. My library doesn't have A Brave Man...

I have only read 3/16, but have 5 on hold at the library and own 3. It's time to start reading.

I'm pumped to see Annihilation on the list. I also really liked An Untamed State, and I was impressed by both Dept. of Speculation and Everything I Never Told You. (And I admit I'm a little relieved now that I can stop feeling guilty for not having yet read Narrow Road.)

Here's the list again sorted by current (Jan 6) Goodreads' average ratings:

4.29 - Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay
4.23 - All the Light We Cannot See
4.17 - An Untamed State
4.09 - Redeployment
4.08 - Station Eleven
4.05 - A Brief History of Seven Killings
4.00 - A Brave Man Seven Storeys Tall
3.90 - The Bone Clocks
3.83 - Dept of Speculation
3.82 - Everything I Never Told You
3.81 - Silence Once Begun
3.68 - Annihilation
3.67 - All The Birds, Singing
3.55 - The Paying Guests
3.52 - Wittgenstein Jr
3.51 - Adam

I have read:

Station Eleven
Everything I Never Told You
The Paying Guests.

I'm pulling for Station Eleven.

I have:
The Brief History of Seven Killings

I'm excited to read:
Untamed State
Dept. of Speculation

I don't want to read:
The Bone Clocks
Redeployment

Months ago I had a copy of REDEPLOYMENT. I let it sit in my locker for weeks. Finally, I decided, "Ain't gonna study war no more," and gave it away. Am I willing to take my head out of the sand now? I don't know.

Joy wrote: "Months ago I had a copy of REDEPLOYMENT. I let it sit in my locker for weeks. Finally, I decided, "Ain't gonna study war no more," and gave it away. Am I willing to take my head out of the sand now..."

Joy, FWIW, I'm not big on war fiction, but I found Redeployment well worth reading. The stories are quite varied. Some of the characters are in the throes of war, but others are dealing with the aftermath. There's plenty of humor. I wouldn't push this viewpoint, but my personal feeling is that if my country can send young men and women to fight and die (even, or maybe especially, if it's a war I didn't support), the least I can do is read about their experiences. :-) I also really admire Phil Klay's work ethic -- I read one interview in which he said he rewrites so much that he figured he wrote 90,000 words all told for one story in the book.

I think it all comes down to the opportunity costs -- what are you going to be NOT reading (or not doing in the rest of your life, for those of you who have a life beyond the ToB, which I'm not sure I do, haha) while you're reading Redeployment? So many books, so little...

Anyone who is shocked that narrow road is not on the list didn't take the time to read this year's intro. ToB doesn't exist to find or re-annoint the best book, it exists as a poke at awards, and a distraction during the month of march for those too bookish to care about college hoops.

For me, March is a great month because of two great events the TOB and March madness. I'm bookish, but I'm also a college basketball fan. Maybe I just like brackets!

Ohenrypacey wrote: "Anyone who is shocked that narrow road is not on the list didn't take the time to read this year's intro. ToB doesn't exist to find or re-annoint the best book, it exists as a poke at awards, and a..."

I realize the ToB's mission has always been about poking fun at awards but up until now, at least for the last few years, I thought the award winners were usually always included, maybe to see how they REALLY stack up against some of the other books. (I guess I should also be surprised that Redeployment was included since it's a collection of stories and not a novel.)