The Morning News recently announced the final list for their annual Tournament of Books, the only award where the judging is transparent and competition is nearly literal. This year, eighteen books will be entered into a playoff-style bracket, and each matchup will be judged by a celebrity reviewer whose only mission is to determine which book should advance to the next round. In the most general sense, that means which book is better, but in the Tournament of Books, as in most competitions, better does not necessarily mean advancement.
You can check out the entire list with summaries and links on my Goodreads page here. I'll be reposting reviews of books I've read here in the days approaching the tournament, and as soon as the brackets are announced I will make my semi-annual Uninformed Predictions. Although this year I've read a remarkable five books in the field, more than double last year's total.
Okay, let's take a thumbnail look at the shortlist: Books with stars (*) are ones I've read.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn *
A brilliant thriller, well written but a bit shaggy, with an end I found to be a bit tidy and disappointing.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green *
Two precocious cancer teens team up to fight the injustice and horror show that is Cancer.
Arcadia by Lauren Groff *
A minor disappointment. Hippies who grow up and try to stay hippies during the end of the civilized world.
HHhH by Laurent Binet
Something to do with Nazis, World War II, and an assassination attempt.
The Round House by Louise Erdrich
None of my attempts to read Erdrich have ended well.
How Should a Person Be? by Sheila Heti
"... is a novel of many identities: an autobiography of the mind, a postmodern self-help book, and a fictionalized portrait of the..." zzzzzzz ... zzzzzz .... zzzz
May We Be Forgiven by A.M. Homes
A.M. Homes is creepy and disturbing, but not in a way that makes me want to read her books.
The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson
This novel is set in Korea, where I've lived for two years, and I've only just now heard of it. My shame can only be excused by my illogical disdain for titles that use the template of "The X's [family member]." I will promptly shortlist this novel.
Ivyland by Miles Klee
Dark satiric sci-fi in a near-future dystopia? Sign me up!
Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel
Part 2 of an epic medieval saga. On my longer list of "Books I should want to read."
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Iliad fan-fic from Patroclus's point of view. He and Achilles were lovers. Tragedy ensues. *Sigh*
Dear Life by Alice Munro
Like seeing your elementary school teacher in the grocery store, it's always a surprise to find out Alice Munro exists outside The New Yorker and Best American Short Stories. Like, for instance, she has her own books! Amazing.
Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
The Family Road Trip goes to Antarctica. Why not?
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter *
My pre-tournament favorite. Perhaps the best book I read last year.
Building Stories by Chris Ware
Graphic Novel by a media darling. I'm nodding knowingly.
The sixteenth spot will be filled by the surviovor of a Pre-Tournament Playoff Round. All of these books are about America's citizen soldiers fighting the Afghan/Iraq adventure. A shame they have to come home and face more bloodshed in the Tournament of Books, but as they say, the Rooster demands blood. They are:
Fobbit by David Abrams
War as seen from the command center well behind the fighting.
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain *
War as seen from soldiers home on leave, as heroes, at Dallas Cowboy Stadium, Thanksgiving Day. A frickin' riot. I loved this book.
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers
War as seen on the ground, by soldiers living and dying in combat.
Well, stay tuned for more! The tournament itself starts in March, but happy reading to those of you who enjoy it as much as I do.
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