Way behind with reporting here, well aware, so let’s get right to it and catch up with the Tournament of Books – we’ve made it all the way through the Quarterfinals! I’ll tell you right now, for our booksellers, thing aren’t looking pretty.
Sense of an Ending v. Lightning Rods
Judged by Roxy Reno, “an outlaw artist and poet, (who) is currently serving six months in the Outagamie County Jail for a non-violent offense.”
Continuing its total knock-out, where the heck did that come from trip, Lightning Rods took this round. Bye, bye, Man Booker winner. See you ’round the shelves.
Trevor, the only bookseller to select Lightning Rods to win anything, picked it this round. 2 points to Trevor.
1Q84 v. The Tiger’s Wife
Judged by Oscar Villalon, the managing editor of ZYZZYVA and former book editor at the San Francisco Chronicle.
While not all of us fared so well this round, the winner was not such a surprise – 1Q84. The Tiger’s Wife was well loved, but it didn’t quite beat the anticipation of a new Murakami novel. And it also didn’t have Chip Kidd design the cover.
2 points to Kester, Julie, Hoyt #2, Trevor, and Robyn.
The Sisters Brothers v. Swamplandia
Judged by Missy Mazzoli, a composer and the leader of the band Victoire.
Man, we freaking ALL went for Swamplandia. But this isn’t such an upset, either, because The Sisters Brothers is also, as Kester reminded us all this morning, a good, good book (thought he, too, chose Swamplandia.)
Raul rules this round alone. 2 points for him.
The Marriage Plot v. Open City
Man, this Open City thing is just like the Lightning Rods thing. Where the heck did it come from? Yes, it won all kinds of accolades, but it just missed most of our radars last year (one can only read so many books, it’s the hard truth of a bookseller’s life). But Open City is here now, and it’s staying another round, so there you go. No points for anyone this time around.
Semifinals next week. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed for the zombie picks. Someone, please, bring back The Art of Fielding!
Here’s where we all stand now:
Trevor – 9
Robyn – 8
Julie – 8
Kester – 7
Raul – 7
Elizabeth – 6
Hoyt #1 – 6
Clint – 6
Hoyt #2 – 6
Michael – 4
Mandy – 4
Jenn S. – 3
BookPeople 
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