Tournament of Books discussion

The long list is out! Here’s the link to the site announcement with book covers and blurbs:
https://www.tournamentofbooks.com/the...

And here’s the spreadsheet version:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

I’m sure our archive spreadsheet will also get updated at some point.

Here’s the list in a shorter form, with all previous years as well.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Thank you for this!

Lovely. Thank you

ebooks of Headshot, Martyr, and Wandering stars are $6.99 at the moment.

Here’s the listopia, copied over from the other thread.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

Headshots was excellent on audio!

Chrissy wrote: "Here’s the list in a shorter form, with all previous years as well.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/..."

Wow, wow, wow! What a gift, Chrissy!

I didn’t make it! One of the mods of the AtY group did, but she shared it here too.

Chrissy wrote: "I didn’t make it! One of the mods of the AtY group did, but she shared it here too."

What is the AtY group?

Thanks!

Pretty happy with the list, at first glance. A mix of expected titles and quite a few I’d never heard of.

Nadine in California wrote: "Chrissy wrote: "I didn’t make it! One of the mods of the AtY group did, but she shared it here too."

What is the AtY group?"


Around the Year - they make their own reading challenge each year, and for 2025 one of the categories is "a book from the ToB long lists"

Happy to see Model Home and Small Rain on the long list!

Did anyone else notice that Question 7 is nonfiction? Have we had nonfiction in the long (or short) lists before?

C wrote: "ebooks of Headshot, Martyr, and Wandering stars are $6.99 at the moment."

Thank you!

Lauren wrote: "Did anyone else notice that Question 7 is nonfiction? Have we had nonfiction in the long (or short) lists before?"

Possibly is it just loosely autobiographical? I really don't know...

I read it! It’s definitely nonfiction, covers some history and some autobiography, but not fiction. I thought it was great.

Am I correct that the discussion will be solely on Discord this year? Or did I misread something?

I always struggle to read the short list by March though I make a valiant effort. Since I haven't read most of the books on the long list, does anyone want to take a stab and recommend 5 books from the long list that you think will probably make it to the short list and I can get a head start?
I'm thinking All Fours and James since it just won the National Book Award, but what else do you think?

Cat wrote: "I always struggle to read the short list by March though I make a valiant effort. Since I haven't read most of the books on the long list, does anyone want to take a stab and recommend 5 books from..."

Orbital won the Booker prize, though it isn't a guarantee it will be on the short list because of that... It's tough for me to say this year which books might make it on the short list, based on this long list. Personally, wishful thinking wise, I would love to see Poor Deer, Glorious Exploits, Real Americans, Absolution and Beautyland, and Margo's Got Money Troubles make it onto the shortlist. Adrian Tchaikovsky's would be an interesting change of pace. I have been meaning to read his other books. I just realized that I think the ToB intentionally wanted to include mostly ToB first timer authors on the long list. I think I see only around 13 authors who have made it to a short list in past years.

Thanks for the spreadsheet. First thing I always do is sort by no. of pages to pick off some low-hanging fruit (usually in translation).

Very disappointed to see there are no books under 200 pages this year. Inflation sucks.

Ellen wrote: "... recommend 5 books from the long list that you think will probably make it to the short list"

Martyr!, Intermezzo, Orbital.

I haven't read Colored Television, but I love the idea of an inter-familial Rooster matchup.

I'd say Orbital and James are likely locks, as they're award-winners. But beyond James, I'm not sure they'll do some repeats on Camp books. (Not out of the question - Klara and the Sun was a camp book and won a year or two ago.)

My best guess of five books that I think will make the short list and that are so good, they’re worth reading anyway. :)

Beautyland (Stand-out writing)

Headshot (Unique format worth discussing)

Margo’s Got Money Troubles (I think John wrote about loving this one in his newsletter/blog)

Short War (They tend to like Chilean novels, which is great for me, and I enjoyed this one even more than the previous selections)

The Wedding People (John was also a fan of this one)

The books I haven’t read yet that I think have a good chance, and I’m rooting for them:

My Friends (I’ve heard this one is brilliant)

Pink Slime (There has to be at least one in translation)

The Coin (The description reminds me of some ToB-type strangeness we often see)

Model Home (I feel like there’s been more horror the past few years and I’m hoping there will be at least one Black book)

Someone Like Us (I’ve also heard great things about this one from a bookstagrammer who shares my taste and often reads ToB-type books)

Colored Television (One of the straightforward/less strange books)

In the Rooster newsletter he talks about wanting to find more joy. Is that perhaps a clue to the books that will be on the short list? I haven't read most of the long list. Are there any books on the long list that are particularly joyful, or make you happy while reading, or are about characters seeking joy?

Lauren wrote: " Pink Slime (There has to be at least one in translation) ..."



Each year there seems to be a book that is repellant for some reason (like Brainwyrms) and I'm thinking this year it will be Pink Slime.

I read Pink Slime. I didn't think it was good at all. It wasn't even that repellant, but it was boring. Not what I'm looking for in horror/dystopia. There were a lot of superior translated books this year, and even superior repellant books (Rejection, for instance).

If Cuckoo is anything like Manhunt it will have repellant all sown up.

Nadine, here are my thoughts on joyful books:

Orbital - it made me happy while reading it, I kept thinking, this is a love song to Planet Earth.

Beautyland also made me really, really happy while reading it and I still have a warm glow. Misfits finding their people and place in the world is always inspiring.

Small Rain was also a really beautiful book, full of finding love and reason to live in the midst of adversity.

Thanks for the recommendations! This was very helpful. I'm going to start reading some of the ones you all said. You know what I love about TOB is that they're always my favorite books of the year, whether or not they "win" or not. When I look back at the lists from years past, it's like meeting old friends. I didn't enjoy just a few of them, but even the ones I didn't enjoy, I didn't enjoy them for interesting reasons ;)

There are always a few duds in the short-list for me, to be sure, but it seems like every year I will find out about a book that'll be an all-time favorite from the short-list as well.

I really loved Orbital. I may have said this elsewhere, but I read it on my phone on a 9 day backpacking trip on the Wonderland Trail. There was something very fitting after a long hard day of hiking of getting into my tent at night and reading about people in space.

Nadine in NY wrote: "In the Rooster newsletter he talks about wanting to find more joy. Is that perhaps a clue to the books that will be on the short list? I haven't read most of the long list. Are there any books on t..."

I hope you’re right! I think we all could use some joy right now.

I’m currently listening to The Wedding People, and it’s definitely a joy to read (even though we start the book with the protagonist on the verge of suicide.)

I’ve also been reading Rejection, and was thrilled to see it on the list, the stories are so good. It probably won’t be on the shortlist, but you all should read it anyway. 😊 I could say the same about one of the other collections The History of Sound.

Yay for You Dreamed of Empires!

Elizabeth wrote: "Nadine in NY wrote: "In the Rooster newsletter he talks about wanting to find more joy. Is that perhaps a clue to the books that will be on the short list? I haven't read most of the long list. Are..."



It seems like everyone is raving about Rejection so I put it on hold. I assumed it would be on the short list since it's getting such great reviews.

I wasn't a fan of Rejection, ultimately. I was there for it for the first couple of stories but eventually it went Too Far for this reader. Clutching my pearls and all, LOL.

Marie-Helene Bertino was just on a panel w me about an hour ago at the Miami Book Fair and I had the pleasure of being the first to tell her she’s on the TOB longlist and she knew all about TOB and was thrilled! Also she is an incredibly lovely person and I’ll be crushed if Beautyland isn’t in the round of 16 because it’s one of those books that manages to be joyful and uplifting without being excessively sentimental, a rare perfect balance. I’m a fan. For those who are fans of Orbital I believe it’s something that is felt about that book, too, although for me it was a little distancing.

Rose 100% agree about Pink Slime

Lark wrote: "Marie-Helene Bertino was just on a panel w me about an hour ago at the Miami Book Fair and I had the pleasure of being the first to tell her she’s on the TOB longlist and she knew ..."

Ooh, how fun that you met her! And good to hear she’s as lovely as her books. Beautyland was one of my favorites last year.

We have a lot of weird connections where it was such a delight to meet in person. She reviewed Chouette for the NYTimes and interviewed an owl expert for the review and asked him what it would be like to give birth to an owl. Obs. the kind of person I could vibe with! Also we were on the same ep of B&N’s Poured Over podcast. For other fans of hers she has a collection coming out in May 2025.

In case anyone uses it or is interested in using it, I made 2 lists on Everand (formerly Scribd?).

Everand has 43 longlisted titles as eBooks: https://www.everand.com/lists/2667492...

Everand has 58 longlisted titles as Audiobooks: https://www.everand.com/lists/2667492...

Rachel wrote: "Yay for You Dreamed of Empires!"

I love this author! Have you read his earlier book, Sudden Death? I thought it was just as good. I discovered it (and him) on the ToB several years ago.

I read The Book Censor's Library over the weekend and really enjoyed it--I don't know how likely it is to make the shortlist but I'm glad I picked it up. Tackling My Friends now in print and listening to The Wedding People.

Nadine in California wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Yay for You Dreamed of Empires!"

I love this author! Have you read his earlier book, Sudden Death? I thought it was just as good. I discovered it (a..."

No, but I hope to in 2025! I'm also very excited about his not yet published title: Now I Surrender to You and That Is All.

Rose wrote: "I read Pink Slime. I didn't think it was good at all. It wasn't even that repellant, but it was boring. Not what I'm looking for in horror/dystopia. There were a lot of superior translated books th..."

Agree re: Pink Slime. I thought it was atmospheric, but the different strands of the story never coalesced into anything of substance.

That's unfortunate about Pink Slime, my library's horror book club is reading it later on in 2025 (they released the whole 2025 line up already) and I was excited to read it with the group.

I just finished My Friends and I really enjoyed it quite a bit. I learned a lot from it and I thought it gave me really good insight as to what it's like to be from a country with a dictator like that.

Chuck Tingle? wow, never thought I'd see them in the ToB.

Cat wrote: "I always struggle to read the short list by March though I make a valiant effort. Since I haven't read most of the books on the long list, does anyone want to take a stab and recommend 5 books from..."

I just saw in John Warner's newsletter/blog from yesterday that he can't stop thinking about Banal Nightmare, so I'm now betting it makes the short list!

Lark wrote: "Marie-Helene Bertino was just on a panel w me about an hour ago at the Miami Book Fair and I had the pleasure of being the first to tell her she’s on the TOB longlist and she knew ..."

That's so awesome you were at the Miami Book Fair! How was the experience overall?

When I asked Marie-Helene Bertino about her writing/revision process (since there are so many stunning passages in Beautyland) she shared the following questions she asks herself in revision/editing:

1. How can this be more honest?
2. How can I say this in a more unique or surprising way?
3. Can I make every part of the book my favorite part?

Really great insights for writers. She is a lovely person and an inspiring writer. :)

Rose wrote: "I read Pink Slime. I didn't think it was good at all. It wasn't even that repellant, but it was boring. Not what I'm looking for in horror/dystopia. There were a lot of superior translated books th..."

I agree. Beautyland could definitely fit (and I might even reread it!).

While Small Rain was a bit triggering for me with my hospital PTSD (and it was sad to remember how much the pandemic has harmed medical professionals), the ending/overall sentiment was beautiful and life-affirming.

The Wedding People could be triggering for some (suicide, miscarriage, infidelity, IVF struggles), but it has been my comfort read for about five months now. I have to listen to an audiobook to fall asleep every night, and I've read this one on audio about a dozen times through that. While there are tough subjects and there are two parts I don't like, the book is a real joy to read (again and again, as I'm falling asleep).

Phoebe's character (especially her wit and dry humor) is really easy for me to connect with, and the story contains some of the most hilarious banter I've ever read ("Two weeds, please!" LOL). The voice, character development, weaving of backstory, and dialogue are all study-worthy for writers/book nerds who enjoy the craft elements of literature.

I read Nicked on the plane and wow did it hit all the “Patrick DeWitt” buttons in my head, which bodes well for it since DeWitt is such a TOB favorite. Did anyone else think this about it, or get what I mean?