Tournament of Books discussion

AKA THE SHORTIE!
https://www.tournamentofbooks.com/the...

American Mermaid Julia Langbein
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
Blackouts by Justin Torres
Boys Weekend by Mattie Lubchansky
Brainwyrms by Alison Rumfitt
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Cold People by Tom Rob Smith
Dayswork by Chris Bachelder
Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova
Open Throat by Henry Hoke
* The Auburn Conference by Tom Piazza
*The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
The Guest by Emma Cline
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
*The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt
The Lost Journals of Sacajewea by Debra Magpie Earling
The Shamshine Blind by Paz Pardo
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

* Play-in round

oh interesting! I am kind of surprised by some of these but that is the fun of the ToB. I am glad Mobility didn't make it so I don't have to hear about what an idiot everyone thinks Bunny is.

So, I've finished 8, and I have another 4 lined up...it's an exciting time.

Have we ever had a book this long in the play-ins? I’m glad it made the list, I own it so I’ll read it first.

Has anyone read Brainwyrms (have a feeling it may be the Manhunt of 2024), Cold People, Boys Weekend or What You are Looking For? That last book seems a little too sappy to really be interesting.

Two books with Melville and no RF Kuang. Works for me! Although Brainwyrms sounds like the uber-violent Manhunt/Tender is the Flesh this year, think I may have had enough of those.

Elizabeth wrote: "Have we ever had a book this long in the play-ins? I’m glad it made the list, I own it so I’ll read it first.

Has anyone read Brainwyrms (have a feeling it may be the Manhunt of 2024), Cold People..."

I read Boys Weekend in the last couple days. It is a short graphic novel. I loved the sentiment but the goofiness of the premise didn't work for me.

I've read 6. I've got 2 others in my possession, and another 2 on hold.

Overall, this list does not align with the reading fantasy I had for the rest of the year. (I put Idlewild and Birnam Wood with the hopes that they'd be called up to the shortie, and I still will probably read them when they're ready.) I'm 20% into Wellness, and I love it. I'm sad it won't be in play but certainly won't regret reading it.

Overall, I'm not feeling compelled to be a completist, but I'll look forward to you all telling me why I shouldn't be skipping various books. Dayswork, I'm looking at you.

Weirdly, there are 4 books that the Philly Free Library doesn't have in stock. I think that's a record for a ToB shortie. (Edited to add: What I'm looking for...is not in the library.)

Lee wrote: "Two books with Melville and no RF Kuang. Works for me! Although Brainwyrms sounds like the uber-violent Manhunt/Tender is the Flesh this year, think I may have had enough of those."

I read Rumfitt’s first book and liked it, it was interestingly structured and powerful. (I bought the audio and it was done really well, haunting in parts.) Anyway there was some violence, but not to the extent of Manhunt.

Karin wrote: "oh interesting! I am kind of surprised by some of these but that is the fun of the ToB. I am glad Mobility didn't make it so I don't have to hear about what an idiot everyone thinks Bunny is."

Yes, hard agree.

Lee wrote: "Two books with Melville and no RF Kuang. Works for me! Although Brainwyrms sounds like the uber-violent Manhunt/Tender is the Flesh this year, think I may have had enough of those."

I think that they really like to test the determination of the completists among us.

Elizabeth wrote: "I read Rumfitt’s first book and liked it, it was interestingly structured and powerful. (I bought the audio and it was done really well, haunting in parts.) Anyway there was some violence, but not to the extent of Manhunt."

I've got Tell Me I'm Worthless in my TBR pile. Maybe I'll read that one instead and just pretend it's the one to be discussed!

Alison wrote: "I think that they really like to test the determination of the completists among us."

I like this theory. Either that or someone involved in choosing the shorties really likes indulging their violently dark side!

I... don't know how many I'll actually end up picking up. Last year I was a completist, but I'm not sure if I'm really excited to do it again this year. (And I know, we always say that, every year, but still.)

Pretty bummed Birnam and Wellness didn't make it in. I've yet to really understand the huge groundswell of support for Bee Sting as opposed to Wellness - I'd say BS is a solid 4 stars and Wellness is a full 5 stars.

I've read 5 of them overall.

Lee wrote: "Alison wrote: "I think that they really like to test the determination of the completists among us."
I like this theory. Either that or someone involved in choosing the shorties really likes indul..."

I agree, when I looked down the main page genre lists, I saw an awful lot of horror and dystopian. Why are most of the queer books picked also horror?

Kyle wrote: "...Pretty bummed Birnam and Wellness didn't make it in. "

Me too. None of the books I planned to read next are on the shortlist - Birnam Wood, Mobility, Snow Road Station, Wellness. On the bright side I read Open Throat this morning and loved it.

I've read four. DNF'd Big Swiss, Monstrilio, Chain Gang and The Guest. (sigh) I'm not really excited about any of the remaining books either. But I'll pick Chain Gang up again, I think I just wasn't in the right headspace for it.

Agree with you, Kyle. Loved Wellness and Bee Sting both, but Wellness a bit more and was hoping to read some Wellness discussion. Sigh. Also loved The Librarianist and not sure if I want that or Bee Sting to win the play in! Enjoying Auburn Conference so far. Definitely won’t be a completist this year. So many of these I haven’t read but looking forward to reading some of them.

I"ve read 8 of them, although 2 were DNF's - Big Swiss and the Librarianist. The first book seemed entertaining at first, but it felt like it was ringing one note over and over, so I jumped and skimmed the rest - not sure if I can really say I 'read' it. I was surprised about the 2nd, since Patrick DeWitt is one of my favorite authors, but the protagonist felt like such a sad sack, and those kind of characters really turn me off.

My first thought after finishing The Auburn Conference was that it will never make the short list ;)

I have less than zero interest in Herman Melville (caveat: I've only read Billy Budd) and I'm amazed that he, of all people, pops up twice in the shortlist!

We got two threads going

FYI I accidentally set up two threads (I didn't think the other one posted since it gave me an error message). There were only a few comments, but apologies to those who commented on the other one. I deleted that thread, sorry!

Elizabeth wrote: "Have we ever had a book this long in the play-ins? I’m glad it made the list, I own it so I’ll read it first.

Has anyone read Brainwyrms (have a feeling it may be the Manhunt of 2024), Cold People..."

For some crazy reason I started with Manhunt last year - will not be starting with Brainwyrms this year....

Everyone please forgive me as I take a moment to lick my wounds and whine. I've read seven, but three of those are the play-in round so that doesn't help me much. I own two more that will (now) be next up for me -- Blackouts and The Lost Journals of Sacajawea. But lordy, lordy, I am just not very keen on most of the other nine. Please provide any encouragement you can for why I should pick up & read these books ahead of the literally many hundreds of TBR books already waiting their turn in my living room:
American Mermaid - I think a couple of you liked this one?
Boys Weekend
Brainwyrms
Cold People
Monstrilio
The Shamshine Blind
What You Are Looking for is in the Library

Phyllis wrote: "Everyone please forgive me as I take a moment to lick my wounds and whine. I've read seven, but three of those are the play-in round so that doesn't help me much. I own two more that will (now) be ..."

Uh oh, I was counting on you to be one of the completists so you could tell us what's worth reading...

Does anyone have any guess what the play-in theme might be? The books feel wildly different.

Phyllis wrote: "Everyone please forgive me as I take a moment to lick my wounds and whine. I've read seven, but three of those are the play-in round so that doesn't help me much. I own two more that will (now) be ..."

I very rarely comment here, but I read every post, and well, I'm kinda with Phyllis on this. I've read 5 (Bee Sting/Chang Gang/The Girls/Blackouts/Big Swiss), and besides Heaven and Earth Grocery Story (which is my book club read in Feb) nothing really is calling to me as something that should bump my already long queue. Usually I find interesting gems that become auto buys for me - hello Percival Everett - but none of these even pique my interest. Open Throat, I'll read because of the love here, but what else is a must? My library has all except Cold People? Help

Elizabeth wrote: "Does anyone have any guess what the play-in theme might be? The books feel wildly different."

It says This year’s theme is “new books by authors whose other works include novels that, over our 20-year-span, were Commentariat favorites but didn’t win a Rooster.”

Susanw wrote: "but what else is a must? My library has all except Cold People? Help..."

I'm intrigued by Dayswork by Chris Bachelder, which seems to hold the slot this year as the book not so many people have paid attention to--my favorite TOB books are these, where I never would have read them if not for their TOB nomination.

So it's not an endorsement since I haven't read it but it feels worthy of a look.

Elizabeth wrote: "Has anyone read Cold People..."

I just finished it last week and...well, I gave it 2 stars if that's any indication.

Karin wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Does anyone have any guess what the play-in theme might be? The books feel wildly different."

It says This year’s theme is “new books by authors whose other works include novels that, over our 20-year-span, were Commentariat favorites but didn’t win a Rooster."

Ah, thanks, I jumped to the list and didn't read the opening comments.

Tim and Kip read Dayswork, and seemed to like it.

Lark wrote: "I'm intrigued by Dayswork by Chris Bachelder, which seems to hold the slot this year as the book not so many..."

Me too, I almost bought a copy last week but went with Monstrillo (I was gonna read that regardless of its inclusion in the shortlist) instead. I'm intrigued mostly because he wrote one of my all time TOB favorite discoveries: The Throwback Special. I think it lost a play-in in 2016? 2017? It lost to...Sudden Death.

I've read 3, Big Swiss, Chain Gang, and Open Throat. All of them were meh.
I think people thought I would like Open Throat, maybe because I'm Queer and work with cats professionally, but no. I did not like it.
Anyway, I don't read what TOB books are about before I read them, so I may get through them all, we'll see.

I enjoyed Dayswork and Monstrilio! I disliked Shamshine, felt like a worse version of Golden State. The Auburn Conference and What You Are Looking For Is in the Library are both shorter and hoopla titles so will likely do those very soon.

Bob wrote: " I'm intrigued mostly because he wrote one of my all time TOB favorite discoveries: The Throwback Special. "

You know I was just thinking about this book and how much I enjoyed it and how I'm tempted to pick up the audiobook again. It's pretty short.

Oof that Brainwyrms cover.

Have we ever had a graphic novel on the list? The title Boys Weekend immediately made me less interested, but the fact that it's a graphic novel has me intrigued.

I rarely know what I'm going to vote for for the Zombie, but Heaven and Earth Grocery store will probably get it for me this year. Which means it won't likely need my vote, but we'll see!

I've read 4 of the 18... I just finished Voyager yesterday, so that was a wrong guess (though I did really love the book itself and I'm glad I read it!).

I'm going to look into reading Dayswork next I think...

I have mixed feelings about this short list, as usual.

I've read six and am in the middle of one now:
-American Mermaid - This was... a lot. 3.5 stars from earlier this year. It should provide for lively discussion.
-Big Swiss - Ugh, totally not for me, but at least I finished it. 2 stars
-Chain-Gang All-Stars - I'm a fan of the book and author, even if the story/writing has its faults. 4.5 stars
-Heaven and Earth Grocery Store - This was fine on audio, but I might reread it in print to follow the story and characters more closely. 4 stars
-Open Throat - I loved the second half of this, but I agree with previously posted criticism that the MC's queerness was over-advertised/did not deliver. Marketing issue... 4.5 stars
-The Librarianist - Meh, it was decent, but not memorable. 3 stars

I'm halfway through The Auburn Conference right now on audio, and it's somewhat entertaining. I'm intrigued by the boldness of the decision to write about these historical figures, but the narration style isn't a great match for me, so I keep losing the story.

I'm looking forward to:
-The Lost Journals of Sacajewea (I have a print copy of this, but I wish it existed on audio for a dual-format read)
-Monstrilio (maybe - depends on how gory it is)
-Blackouts (but my order from when the long list came out is still on backorder, so I'm sad I likely won't have a chance to consider it for my zombie vote)

I already DNF'd these, and might give them another chance, but I'm not thrilled about it:
-The Guest
-The Shamshine Blind

I'm hesitant about the rest, but maybe there will be some pleasant surprises.

Right now, my zombie vote will likely go to either Chain-Gang or Open Throat, but I'm open to Lost Journals, Monstrilio, or Blackouts taking it if I finish them before 12/14 and find a new favorite.

I think I'll join some of you in letting go of my completist goals for this next tournament, especially if it means an experience similar to how I pushed through Manhunt and Tender Is the Flesh, knowing they were totally not for me. I'll likely give each book a chance, but will DNF once it becomes too painful.

I just finished What you are looking for is in the library, my random number generated pick from the long list. I loved it. Very peaceful and a book about books, which I always love. Good audiobook too.

Rachel wrote: "I just finished What you are looking for is in the library, my random number generated pick from the long list. I loved it. Very peaceful and a book about books, which I always love. Good audiobook..."

Good to hear. I love the idea of books about books, but most of them don't end up landing for me. I share Elizabeth's fear that this one would be sappy, but maybe it won't be. I plan to try the audio version on Hoopla. :)

I was also not impressed with Cold People… the beginning/premise was interesting but it got too crazy and lost me. Admittedly, I’m a scientist, so I am perhaps too aware of what is even theoretically imaginable with regards to genetic manipulations - what the book describes is pure fantasy and I could not suspend disbelief.

Bretnie wrote: "Have we ever had a graphic novel on the list? The title Boys Weekend immediately made me less interested, but the fact that it's a graphic novel has me intrigued.
"

Pride of Baghdad was eliminated by a much-less famous Anthony Doerr judging in 2007. Firmin: Adventures of a Metropolitan Lowlife, also in 2007, was illustrated by not a full graphic novel from what I gather.

I’m on my phone so I think I commented in the wrong place! I have only read 2. The list seems extra gory this year??? Is Boys Weekend gory or does it just sound that way?

I have read 3, Big Swiss, Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, and, oddly, Cold People. One other (The Librarianist) is on my list already, and another few are sort of there, like Bee Sting and The Auburn Conference. Some comments:

1) If we were only going to have one book from the summer ToB on the list, how I wish it had been Lone People! One of the best books I read last year. Whine, whine, whine.
2) I'm a big fan of Tom Rob Smith and have been ever since his debut novel, Child 44, which is why I've actually read Cold People. It's hardly his best. In fact, I'd say it was my least favorite of his books. So why this one, this year? Very different genre than Child 44, btw.
3) In general, like most of you, this list is not all that exciting to me. Hopefully, it will be one of those years where I discover a gem I don't expect?

I have time to read one more from the shortlist before Zombie votes are due. I've only read Shamsine, Open Throat, CGAS and H&EGS so far. Are there books that anyone wants to advocate for being next on my list? The library availability will also factor in!

WOW, I only guessed seven correctly that would make it to the short list.... and the only book I have read of the 18 is.... Shamshine Blind! Which I definitely did not guess would make it! Like some of you, many of these books were the books I was least interested in getting around to reading from the long list, so I'm definitely not a completist this year.

As for the play-in round being based on ToB favorites that didn't win --- Patrick deWitt won for 'The Sisters Brothers'! I think 'The Librarianist' should have been in the main bracket, as there were MANY options that could have been in the almost-win category from the long list -- and definitely 'Dayswork' as I know there was some love for 'The Throwback Special' back in the day.

As for graphic novels of the past:
Building Stories by Chris Ware!
Bats of the Republic by Zachary Thomas Dodson!

Well, there goes my prediction that 'Let Us Descend' would win the whole thing...

Rachel wrote: "I just finished What you are looking for is in the library, my random number generated pick from the long list. I loved it. Very peaceful and a book about books, which I always love. Good audiobook..."

Would be fun to match it up against Brainwyrms. Would the judge choose violence or peace?

The shortlist gets rid of a lot of the books I was looking forward to reading!! But if I set that aside and just look at this list as a list all on its own, it's not bad. There are a few books I'm absolutely never reading, but that's okay, I never try to be a completist.

Like, I hate the cover for Brainwyrms so that is not happening for me. I'm wondering, though: am I also the only one who hates the cover of Big Swiss?? That cover annoys the CRAP out of me. I cannot bring myself to read that book. (It also just doesn't sound like a book I'd like.)

And, finally, no book needs to be over 600 pages. I'm not reading that.


On the other hand, I'm excited that we've got a graphic novel! I immediately put it on hold at my library

Nadine in NY wrote: "And, finally, no book needs to be over 600 pages. I'm not reading that.
..."

My mantra.

Maggie wrote: " I’m a scientist, so I am perhaps too aware of what is even theoretically imaginable with regards to genetic manipulations - what the book describes is pure fantasy and I could not suspend disbelief...."

I assure you, you don't have to be a scientist to have trouble suspending your disbelief while reading/listening to this one.

Along with Cold People and Land of Milk and Honey, (view spoiler)[were there any other books that featured post-apocalyptic genetic manipulation as a major plot point (hide spoiler)]?

Bretnie wrote: "Have we ever had a graphic novel on the list?

Building Stories by Chris Ware