The last two weeks have supplied quite a bit of Tournament of Books fun for me, and allowed me a blogging breather without actually having to disappear from my bookish home here. I still have a huge amount of obligation, both personal and professional, to wade through but the start of spring break on April 15 is not that far away, and will mark the close of some time-intensive endeavors. And a return to my regular level of reading and writing.
Amy Rea took top honors in our opening round pool for the ToB, and scored a Powell's gift certificate. Now the quarterfinals start tomorrow, and I would like to offer another contest in which all those game will pick the four winners of this round. All prior picks/records scratched. A time to begin anew. Best record wins. In the event of a tie, my son will conduct some random draw amongst the best picks. The winner may choose any book from this year's tournament as a prize. Sorry for the late notice. You only have until about 9 tomorrow morning to leave your picks here in the comments. The choices?
- March 21 - Freedom v. Room - (Freedom wins)
- March 22 - The Finkler Question v. A Visit From the Goon Squad (Goon wins)
- March 23 - Nox v. Next (Nox wins)
- March 24 - Model Home v. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake (Model Home wins)
My picks are included here in parentheses. I will post only one update this week when the quarterfinals are over as we have all had a chance to voice our initial opinions about the books in the contest now.
Conversation in the Cathedral by Mario Vargas Llosa, the March pick for our Wolves book club, is thrilling me beyond my expectations. The multilayered viewpoints and conversations are jarring my mind in a most pleasant way. As if awakening it from a nap it wasn't aware it was taking. If that makes any sense. We will be discussing next weekend so you have nearly a week to get ready to join us if you like?
What are you reading in the Sunday Salon today?
