Tournament of Books discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
2019 TOB General Topics
>
2019 ToB Longlist


Awesome explanation, Joe. I had no idea. (and I work for a publishing company... not in that dept, obviously)

Please vote so I can read collective favorites!"
This is such a great resource! I can see at a glance what I've read on the list, for one thing. Thanks.
Lark wrote: "This is such a great resource. I can see at a glance what I've read on the list, for one thing. Thanks."
I second that. Thank you, Rachel.
I second that. Thank you, Rachel.

1. Those who wait to see who wins and read the winner (or who may read the 4 semi-finalists, or put them on their TBR lists)
2. Those who read the short list when it comes out so they can play along with the tournament
3. Those who try to read as many of the long list books as they can before the short list is announced
4. Those who try to read every new cool book ahead of the game, so they've already read most of the long list when it comes out!
which are you this year? have you changed what kind of TOB participant you are from one year to the next? (and who has been doing this since 2005? Anyone?)

Please vote so I can read collective favorites!"
Mind if I link it to my other group?

Back to the ToB: I'm also glad to see The Red Clocks on the long list - maybe it'll make the tournament!

Yes. Please vote so I can create a reading path through this 76 book forest.
/list/show/1...


Please vote so I can read collective favorites!"
Mind if I link it to my other..."
Link away!


Me three. If (view spoiler) It could make for a really interesting discussion, and it really was an enjoyable read for me, all the way through.

I've been watching the ToB from the beginning. I've always been between 3 and 4. I try to pick current year books that I think will at least make the long list. (all my 2018 books made the list) But, that usually doesn't add up to too many actual books (5 this year), so then I hit the long list like a bum on a ham sandwich. Only to lose steam as the actual ToB arrives and end up spent before March.

1. Those who wait to see who wins and read the winner (or who may read the 4 semi-finalists, or put them on their TBR lists)
2. Those who read the short l..."
I am one or more of those types depending on the year and how my life is going. I have been following since the beginning.

1. Those who wait to see who wins and read the winner (or who may read the 4 semi-finalists, or put them on their TBR lists)
2. Those who read the short l..."
I'm usually a 2...This year a 4, for all the good that did me. I read quite a few books I probably wouldn't have if I hadn't thought they'd make the long list. (Now I'm wasting time here when I should be either reading or writing, because I feel overwhelmed.)

1. Those who wait to see who wins and read the winner (or who may read the 4 semi-finalists, or put them on their TBR lists)
2. Those who read the short l..."
This is so accurate!
I've definitely moved up a notch every year towards more and more obsessive. I'd also say that I have read so many books this year that I've loved, so no regrets!
I'm telling myself that I won't read books on the longlist just because they are on the list, but because they were on my own list already, but let's face it, the stack of unread books from 10 years ago are just not going to get read any time soon.
Lark, I think there are many other variations of ToB fans. The first year, 2005, I was a 1. The next three years, before ToB published a longlist, I was a 2. From 2006-2016, I read every shortlist book. I didn't allow myself to abandon one, no matter how much I disliked it. That was very dumb of me, and not a rule I would usually follow, nor one I would recommend. Now, I read only the books that appeal to me from the longlist, and I read most of the shortlist.

Very excited about this longlist (although now I'm even more impatient for Milkman's U.S. release, thanks a lot TOB). I'm looking forward to stumbling upon an unexpected favorite book among these.
This seems a good day to remind everyone that you can post questions and comments for Andrew, Rosecrans, et al, through our Ask the ToB Organizers thread.

That link is this thread.
Oops. I made a mistake in the link--forgot the =. I fixed it.

Alice Isn't Dead by Joseph Fink
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Circe by Madeline Miller
Fire Sermon by Jamie Quatro
Florida by Lauren Groff
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez..."
wow Jenny! kudos!
Janet wrote: "76 books...what are they thinking...now to guess what will make the shortlist!"
Andrew to Rosecrans (or maybe vice versa): "With so many to choose from, they'll never guess the shortlist." [insert diabolical laugh here]
Andrew to Rosecrans (or maybe vice versa): "With so many to choose from, they'll never guess the shortlist." [insert diabolical laugh here]



My 3 favorites of the year! Your taste is exquisite, Bretnie :)


My partner finished Killing Commendatore in about a week via audio and raved about it. Considering its length, that's my only hope.

Just a few minutes ago I started and within 10 pages decided not to finish my first TOB book of the season...Yay me.
I probably abandon books well before I should. But at this point, I'm starting to realize the tiny percentage of books I'll actually end up being able to read before I die, so I read for enjoyment--and/or because I think something will inform my life or my own writing--more than literary merit, which means a LOT of books not finished. I do have this irrationally frenetic fear of missing something amazing, though.


I am similar to you, Amanda. I often say I won't try to read them all but then I see how close I am and I start changing my tune to think maybe I'll at least TRY them all, without feeling bad if I DNF one or more.
I enjoyed the audio of The House of Broken Angels and The Italian Teacher.
I exchanged messages with Andrew Womack of the ToB. He pointed out that he added page numbers to the spreadsheet this year because people in this group wanted them. I told him we noticed, and we appreciate it. He is eager to read our comments and answer our questions in the Ask the Organizers thread.
I exchanged messages with Andrew Womack of the ToB. He pointed out that he added page numbers to the spreadsheet this year because people in this group wanted them. I told him we noticed, and we appreciate it. He is eager to read our comments and answer our questions in the Ask the Organizers thread.


Thanks for all the great resources on this thread, excited to read more.
Very glad to see Severance by Ling Ma on the longlist and hope it makes the shortlist!

Includes:
Killing Commendatore
Red Clocks
Transcription
Unsheltered
The Witch Elm

Right? I'm wondering whether that was the book that serendipitously ended up in a bag after a flight.
Let us know how you like it? (I see it's on Hoopla, but since my library only allows 5 a month and I've already used 2, I'm hesitant to waste one if I won't actually read it...)

I'm not the reader judge this year so I can actually play along and not watch creepily from the sidelines.
I've read a dozen or so. My favorites so far:
My Year of Rest and Relaxation
Florida
Laura & Emma
My Sister, the Serial Killer looks crazy, in a good way. I am now #88 on the Seattle Public Library holds list. They have 218 copies on order!


Lark, I've been following for 5-6 years or so, usually as a #1 or #2 but more recently moving to a #3. I don't read new fiction as voraciously as some here but I've read 10 from the long list which feels like a lot for me.
I have some other reading on the go but hope to fit in 5 or more from the longlist before the January announcement. I'll let the group collective wisdom determine which ones!

Tina, I'm now #89 :)
Nadine, I love your system!
Lauren wrote: "I'm not the reader judge this year so I can actually play along and not watch creepily from the sidelines."
Yay! Welcome to the party!
Yay! Welcome to the party!

The House of Broken Angels and Circe I would say are best in audio.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Books mentioned in this topic
The Friend (other topics)The Great Believers (other topics)
Insurrecto (other topics)
Heads of the Colored People (other topics)
Cherry (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Yuri Herrera (other topics)Ling Ma (other topics)
Rachel Lyon (other topics)
Gaël Faye (other topics)
Tim Winton (other topics)
More...
There hasn't been a short story collection in the tournament since 2015. Are any of this year's going to break that streak?
Also two ToB winners on the list, so probably not going to make the tourney.