Judges and brackets have been announced for this year’s tournament of books. Among the judges are C. Max Magee from The Millions, Maud Newton, Junot Diaz, and John Hodgman. You can download a bracket here, and I thought it might be fun to try a little something here on the Vroman’s Blog. I’m starting our first Tournament of Books Pool. If you’d like to play, here’s what you do: Post your picks for the tournament out to the Zombie Round in the comments below. One point for every 1st round win, two points for every 2nd round win, 4 points for every 3rd round win. At that point, we’ll figure out the top four people and have them pick the finals (with the Zombie picks thrown in). Sound fair?
I will not be playing, as I know one of the judges personally (Hint: It’s not Junot Diaz.) and I don’t want there to be any conflict of interest. I will do my own bracket for fun, though. If you’re interested in playing, have at it. If you have questions or suggestions, hit me with an email (pbrown@vromansbookstore.com).
The winner of the tournament will get a special prize. Brackets must be submitted by the end of the day on Sunday, March 8. Good luck, everybody.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Round One- 2666,
Netherland,White Tiger,Unaccustomed Earth,Disreputable History(longshot!), Lazarus Project, Mercy,Home.Round Two-
Netherland,Unaccustomed Earth,Lazarus Project, Mercy.Round Three-
Netherland, Mercy.Did I do this right? I’ve always wanted to participate in things like this but my lack of sports knowledge has kept me away. Let me play your reindeer games, Brown!
Looks good, Emma. No real upsets in that bracket, though. Lots of chalk.
See, I don’t even know what that means. Is chalk good or bad?
Oh man. Chalk is the sports betting term for the favorites. If you’d picked, I don’t know, A Northern Clemency to go the finals, that would’ve been a pretty big upset.
Combining my love for March Madness with Books? How can I resist?
Round One:
2666 vs.
NetherlandHarry, Revised vs.
Unaccustomed EarthShadow Country vs.
The Northern ClemencyMercy vs.
HomeRound Two:
2666 vs.
Unaccustomed EarthThe Northern Clemencyvs.HomeRound Three:
2666vs.HomeAnd then zombies!
So there it is. My cannily insightful guesses. May the best book win!
I was going to go with a Christmas cat mystery for a real upset, but couldn’t pick a favorite. So here’s mine:
Round One: 2666,
Netherland,White Tiger,Unaccustomed Earth, Shadow Country, Lazarus Project, A Mercy,HomeRound Two: 2666,
Unaccustomed Earth,Lazarus Project,HomeRound Three:
2666,HomeRound one: 2666,
Netherland,White Tiger, City of Refuge, Shadow Country, Lazarus Project, A Mercy, My RevolutionsRound two: 2666, City of Refuge, Lazarus Project, A Mercy
Round three:
2666,Lazarus Project1: 2666 v
Netherland,White TigervUnaccustomed Earth,Disreputablev Lazarus Project, A Mercy v My Revolutions2:
NetherlandvWhite Tiger,Disreputablev My Revolutions3:
White TigervMy RevolutionsHaving only read one of the books this year so far, I am going on buzz and ‘cool mascot’ factor. Tigers and Revolutions ftw.
Okay, here’s my bracket:
2666 v.
Netherland; Harry, Revised v.City of Refuge; Shadow Country v.Lazarus Project; A Mercy v.
Home2666 v. City of Refuge; Lazarus Project v. A Mercy
2666v. Zombie &The Lazarus Projectv. ZombieSo is there a prize for getting all your picks eliminated the quickest?