Tournament of Books discussion

This is where we can share 2023-published books we think could/should be contenders for the 2024 tournament.

The only 2023 novel I've read so far is Age of Vice. It was solid, but had plenty of scenes that were a bit too violent/heavy. I just found out it's part of a series, which I hadn't realized, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. 4 stars

I'm listening to Liar, Dreamer, Thief and I wouldn't have considered it a potential ToB book before (it's mainly a mystery), but based on some of this year's books, I think there's a chance it could at least make the long list. I'm not done yet, so the ending could determine whether I'll recommend this one or not, but I'm pretty engaged so far.

Other than that, some of the books I'm most excited about this year are:
-How to Turn Into a Bird
-Chain-Gang All-Stars
-Maame
-The Sense of Wonder
-The Bandit Queens
-Moonrise Over New Jessup
-I Have Some Questions for You

Lauren wrote: "The only 2023 novel I've read so far is Age of Vice. It was solid, but had plenty of scenes that were a bit too violent/heavy. I just found out it's part of a series, which I hadn't..."

Lauren, what a great list! I didn't know there's a new Ferrada book out, I loved her How to Order the Universe and this sounds like it will have the same kind of charms :)

I haven't read it yet, but super excited for Keith Rosson's Fever House. Also excited about American Afterlife by Pedro Hoffmeister, which came out 12/2022. It seems like there are always books that come out at the very end of the year, and somehow miss getting on the list for their pub year and the next one as well.

Here's the Millions's most anticipated 1/2 list for 2023: https://themillions.com/2023/01/most-...

I've mentioned a couple of these in the 2023 thread as I've looked forward, but we've got new books from...

Eleanor Catton
Patrick DeWitt
Nathan Hill
Salman Rushdie
Tom Rachman
Rebecca Makkai
James McBride

There's also a new Stephen Markley, out already. (I think it's huge, though.)

The New Life is a fantastic debut. The Thing in the Snow looks interesting, and I'm really looking forward to Ghost Music.

I've also heard great things about Hungry Ghosts, out just out a few days ago.

I can't look at any 'most anticipated' lists because my mind would explode (the library books I currently have checked out are causing deep cracks all by themselves), but this thread is fair game. A new Keith Rosson!! McBride!! Dewitt!! I'm currently reading Rushdie's Victory City and loving it. But Rushdie at his most fantastical is always my favorite Rushdie, so no wonder.

Nadine in California wrote: "Lauren wrote: "The only 2023 novel I've read so far is Age of Vice. It was solid, but had plenty of scenes that were a bit too violent/heavy. I just found out it's part of a series,..."

Right? I loved that one so much and was disappointed it didn't make it into the ToB. Hope this one is just as wonderful.

Bob, there is so much nonfiction on the Millions list! I think it's more than usual, anyway.

Looking forward to this one: The Last Animal by Ramona Ausubel

Super excited about new Makkai.

Nadine in California, I've read the first chapter of Fever House, the new Keith Rosson book. It's as awesome as you would imagine!

Dianah you just made me scramble like a cartoon character thinking it was out already. August, argh!!!

Bretnie, sorry, lol! I know -- I can't freaking wait until August! if you follow/friend/check Keith Rosson's facebook page, you'll find the link there.

Look! I can't wait to see what he'll do.

https://lithub.com/percival-everett-i...

Elizabeth wrote: "Look! I can't wait to see what he'll do.

https://lithub.com/percival-everett-i..."

Oh gosh I had one of those ‘this is perfect’ feelings when I read this. Thanks, Elizabeth.

I allllllmost picked up Dr. No in the bookstore today.

I'm not sure if this will be ToB fodder or not, but Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin & Hobbes, has a book coming out in fall. First thing he's done since C&H wrapped up in the 90s.

I allllllmost picked up Dr. No in the bookstore today.

I'm not sure if this will be ToB fodder or not, but Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin & Hobbes, has a book coming out in fall. First thing he's done since C&H wrapped up in the 90s.

Everett’s got an interesting premise. I can’t wait for this one.

Lark wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Look! I can't wait to see what he'll do.

https://lithub.com/percival-everett-i..."

Oh gosh I had one of those ‘this is perfect’ f..."

This is a very poorly worded sentence:
"According to Publishers Marketplace, James was sold at auction to Lee Boudreaux at Doubleday, in a major deal ($500,000+), and is set to be published in March 2024.'

OMG. Al least italicize or put in quotes “James”!!! That’s just … terrible. Our high school English teachers were right: “Read your written sentences aloud before turning in your assignment!”

Risa wrote: "OMG. Al least italicize or put in quotes “James”!!! That’s just … terrible. Our high school English teachers were right: “Read your written sentences aloud before turning in your assignment!”"

Right?!? Yikes, that's bad.

Elizabeth wrote: "Look! I can't wait to see what he'll do.

https://lithub.com/percival-everett-i..."

This sounds fantastic. While I plan to skip Dr. No (unless I hear from y'all that it's great even for folks who have zero interest in the 007 theme), this one is definitely on my radar, and I'll probably preorder it.

Congrats to Everett on getting a major deal for it, although I wonder if Graywolf Press is sad about the departure. I can't wrap my mind around how he's written (at least) 24 books.

I loved it, but I had a substantial Bond phase in high school/early college.

On the other hand:

Ayize Jama-Everett: Can we talk about your new novel Dr. No (2022) for a second? Did you watch any James Bond films for it? Because, reading it, it felt more like just straight fun.

Percival Everett: It came quickly because that voice is the one I’m most comfortable with. I didn’t expect to write it. I was locked in the house during [the pandemic] and figured I might as well write a novel. I only watch Bond films on long plane flights to fall asleep to.

So clearly it was not written from a perspective of overwhelming love for Bond.

https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/i...

I found the whole interview interesting about how not-precious he is about all his work.

This sounds fun, but I think I'd read it for the title alone:
Empty Theatre: A Novel: or The Lives of King Ludwig II of Bavaria and Empress Sisi of Austria (Queen of Hungary), Cousins, in Their Pursuit of Connection and Beauty

I now have a copy of Rebecca Makkai's newest, I Have Some Questions For You, and I am very excited.

Alison, jealous!! Hope it’s good!

Alison wrote: "I now have a copy of Rebecca Makkai's newest, I Have Some Questions For You, and I am very excited."

I am excited by this! I'm going to see her next week.

I just found out Percival Everett is the judge for a novel contest AWP is promoting. Now I have to submit my manuscript (even though I'm about to do another revision) since it's really cool just to know he'll read some of my pages. :)

And I got the new Makkai on audio from the library today!

Do it, Lauren! It really would be such a cool thing.

I've seen mixed reviews on the Makkai (including a couple of Booktubers and a NYT article today.) I wasn't as much of a fan of The Great Believers as most of you, but I'll be interested to see what people here think.

I just got my copy of the Makkai yesterday as well! (Library copy that is). I'm super excited as I loved The Great Believers and am a fan of true crime and mysteries, so I'm hoping it's right up my alley.

Don't know how I missed it, but Paul Harding has a new one out just last month This Other Eden

Bob wrote: "Don't know how I missed it, but Paul Harding has a new one out just last month This Other Eden"

I bought this last week! It sounds fantastic, really looking forward to it.

Add me to the list of those who procured a copy of the Makkai already (at my fave indie shop, Book Soup). I hope it does not crumble due the weight of my many, many expectations.

Has anyone picked up the new Rushdie? I'm on a ridiculously long library waitlist, and the hardcover price isn't awful, so I'm thinking of ordering it. (Wish the cover was prettier...I'm shallow like that about the books I buy.)

I do love some Rushdie... I just read The Golden House last year, which I'd dismissed as mere Trump-reaction fodder, and it was gorgeous. Especially since what happened last year, I want him to do well.

Bob wrote: "Don't know how I missed it, but Paul Harding has a new one out just last month This Other Eden"

I got an ARC and read it a few weeks ago, its quite good, same quality writing as before but very sad.

Elizabeth wrote: "Has anyone picked up the new Rushdie? I'm on a ridiculously long library waitlist, and the hardcover price isn't awful, so I'm thinking of ordering it. (Wish the cover was prettier...I'm shallow li..."

I loved it - he's back to full fantasy :)

New Labatut, the MANIAC coming 10/3/23.

Kip wrote: "New Labatut, the MANIAC coming 10/3/23."

Thanks Kip, I can’t wait. He’s such a fascinating author!

Seriously loved Singing Lessons for the Stylish Canary by Stanfill, and Angeline by Quinn.

@Dianah, these both look interesting…thanks!

@Jan, I loved them both so much!

Dianah wrote: "Seriously loved Singing Lessons for the Stylish Canary by Stanfill, and Angeline by Quinn."

Dianah, it looks like the Stanfill is from 2022, so would not be eligible for the ToB next year.

I'm dearly hoping that After Sappho makes the cut for next year's TOB. I know not everyone has liked it -- not everyone can even agree it's a novel -- but that will likely make for great discussion.

Jennifer (formerly Eccentric Muse) wrote: "I'm dearly hoping that After Sappho makes the cut for next year's TOB. I know not everyone has liked it -- not everyone can even agree it's a novel -- but that will likely make for great discussion..."

I agree. It's felt for a while that TOB needs a little more small press, unabashedly literary books getting to the short list. The year I first fell in love with TOB it offered us Ban en Banlieue and some other wildly amazing never-heard-of-this-but-for-TOB books I've loved are Stephen Florida and (maybe long listed books but I read them bec. of TOB) The Game for Real and Sugar Land and Go and I could keep on going..none of which would be universally beloved but I'm glad I read them.

Lark wrote: "I could keep on going..none of which would be universally beloved but I'm glad I read them...."

I feel ya' on this entirely. I think that's why I keep going on TOB -- from the longlist onwards -- for the books I've read that I probably wouldn't have encountered otherwise. Loved Stephen Florida too.... so many others.

Jennifer (formerly Eccentric Muse) wrote: "I'm dearly hoping that After Sappho makes the cut for next year's TOB. I know not everyone has liked it -- not everyone can even agree it's a novel -- but that will likely make for..."

Hmmm - I didn't realize it had been published in 2022. ETA: and I just checked and it didn't even make the longlist for this year's tourney. Bummer.