1zhejw
I don't know about you folks, but I think I'm more excited about this year's short list than usual. I just created a LibraryThing List of the books so we can rank our favorites.
https://www.librarything.com/list/42783/all/2021-Tournament-of-Books#
1. Have you read anything already that you are rooting for in March?
2. What on the short list are you most looking forward to reading?
For me,
1. The Resisters
2. Transcendent Kingdom and Red Pill
https://www.librarything.com/list/42783/all/2021-Tournament-of-Books#
1. Have you read anything already that you are rooting for in March?
2. What on the short list are you most looking forward to reading?
For me,
1. The Resisters
2. Transcendent Kingdom and Red Pill
2kayanelson
I've only read 2 books so far, Deacon King Kong and The Resisters. I've liked both but Deacon King Kong I liked a little more.
I also thought the list was pretty good but was disappointed that I hadn't already read more of them. I usually borrow most my books from the library and some of them are pretty popular so I don't know if I'll get to them before March 8th.
I also thought the list was pretty good but was disappointed that I hadn't already read more of them. I usually borrow most my books from the library and some of them are pretty popular so I don't know if I'll get to them before March 8th.
3banjo123
I haven't read any! But last year I read most of the books ahead of March, and it didn't really enhance my enjoyment of the tournament. I have a copy of Transcendent Kingdom from my holiday book haul, so I will probably read that. I am eager to read The Resisters.
4mathgirl40
>1 zhejw: Thanks for creating the new list!
I've only read Interior Chinatown and I loved it, so I'm definitely rooting for it. I'm looking forward to reading Red Pill and Piranesi, but there are many other books on the list that look appealing.
I've only read Interior Chinatown and I loved it, so I'm definitely rooting for it. I'm looking forward to reading Red Pill and Piranesi, but there are many other books on the list that look appealing.
5susanbooks
>1 zhejw: Thanks for this! I just ordered Tender is the Flesh, Red Pill, & Shuggie Bain & I'll be picking up Transcendent Kingdom soon. Really excited to read those & so happy your list gave me the excuse to get them.
I just finished Luster the day before yesterday & it was fine but not worthy, imho, of all the attention it's receiving. It starts out strong and then just fades.
I just finished Luster the day before yesterday & it was fine but not worthy, imho, of all the attention it's receiving. It starts out strong and then just fades.
6kayanelson
I just finished The Vanishing Half and have moved that to number 1 on my list (out of 4 read so far). I've been really happy with this year's selections.
7McDirk
Thanks for making the list, @zhejw. Every year I find it a really useful tool.
Interior Chinatown is a great read and a really unexpected concept. We Ride Upon Sticks is light, fun, but immersive and effective. Sharks in the Time of Saviors was my favourite of the summer reads, and it's still at the top of my (so far very short) list for this year. Actually, 2019's summer winner pretty much stayed in first place on my ToB list, so maybe that's a trend.
Interior Chinatown is a great read and a really unexpected concept. We Ride Upon Sticks is light, fun, but immersive and effective. Sharks in the Time of Saviors was my favourite of the summer reads, and it's still at the top of my (so far very short) list for this year. Actually, 2019's summer winner pretty much stayed in first place on my ToB list, so maybe that's a trend.
8susanbooks
Red Pill was AMAZING! I'm not sure why Shuggie Bain is getting so much praise. It seemed so-so to me, like it could have been written in 1990.
So for me, that's 1 for 3 out of this year's books so far (Luster didn't do much for me either). Tender is the Flesh is up next -- fingers crossed!
So for me, that's 1 for 3 out of this year's books so far (Luster didn't do much for me either). Tender is the Flesh is up next -- fingers crossed!
9zhejw
>8 susanbooks: I'm in the middle of Red Pill now. I love the way that Kunzru confuses both the character and the reader just as he did in White Tears. I'm going to have to dig into some of his other books.
I was drawn to the voice of the main character in Luster and the sharp prose. It might not end up in my top 5 of this year's tournament by the time I'm done reading, but it's there now that I've got 10 books started/finished.
The only one I've abandoned so far is The Down Days. It was just too bleak for me.
I was drawn to the voice of the main character in Luster and the sharp prose. It might not end up in my top 5 of this year's tournament by the time I'm done reading, but it's there now that I've got 10 books started/finished.
The only one I've abandoned so far is The Down Days. It was just too bleak for me.
10susanbooks
>9 zhejw: yeah, I kept thinking of White Tears as I was reading Red Pill, too, in the best of ways, not in a this-guy's-written-this-book-before way. Both books challenge and respect the reader in delightfully intelligent ways.
I think Luster respects the reader, too. I just think Leilani may be too young a writer to know how to handle her immense talent. She needs a good writing group or editor to help her dig deeper, then she could really become something amazing.
I just finished Tender is the Flesh. I reviewed it here https://www.librarything.com/work/22138551
It was fine but the author didn't push herself very hard, just seemed to find a *shocking* idea and let that be the novel. It was kind of intellectually lazy.
Shuggie Bain was just useless to me. It was fine, I just don't know what the point of it was.
And now on to The Down Days. I really seem to have picked (except for Red Pill )the worst books of the bunch. I'm counting on Transcendent Kingdom to give me a strong finish. If Gyasi lets me down then I'll start to think there's no Santa Claus or something.
I think Luster respects the reader, too. I just think Leilani may be too young a writer to know how to handle her immense talent. She needs a good writing group or editor to help her dig deeper, then she could really become something amazing.
I just finished Tender is the Flesh. I reviewed it here https://www.librarything.com/work/22138551
It was fine but the author didn't push herself very hard, just seemed to find a *shocking* idea and let that be the novel. It was kind of intellectually lazy.
Shuggie Bain was just useless to me. It was fine, I just don't know what the point of it was.
And now on to The Down Days. I really seem to have picked (except for Red Pill )the worst books of the bunch. I'm counting on Transcendent Kingdom to give me a strong finish. If Gyasi lets me down then I'll start to think there's no Santa Claus or something.
