Announcing the 2023 Tournament of Books
Here are the books, judges, and Zombie poll for the 2023 Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes.
The Tournament of Books Staff
The 2023 Tournament of Books Long List
Looking ahead to the 2023 Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes, with 68 works of fiction we admired this year.
Announcing the 2022 Tournament of Books
Here are the shortlist, judges, and Zombie poll for the 2022 Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes.
The 2022 Tournament of Books Long List
Anticipating the 2022 Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes, here are the 68 most Rooster-worthy books of 2021.
Week 12: Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch
This week, we discuss the conclusion of Rivka Galchen's Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch—and it's time for you to vote on which of our August novels advances to our end-of-summer finale!
Week 11: Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch
Five books down, one to go. This week, we start our final book of the season: Rivka Galchen's Everyone Knows Your Mother Is a Witch.
Week 10: Peaces
This week, we discuss the second half of Helen Oyeyemi's Peaces, and are left with even more questions than we had after the first half.
Week Nine: Peaces
It's a new month and a new book matchup at Camp ToB 2021! This week, we embark on the mystery train of Helen Oyeyemi's Peaces.
Week Eight: Whereabouts
This week we'll discuss the second half of Jhumpa Lahiri's Whereabouts. What will the change in seasons bring? More loneliness and misery? Plus, it's time to vote on which of our July novels will head to the summer finale.
Week Seven: Whereabouts
Moving as briskly along as the summer heat allows, this week we're in Italy to discuss the first half of Jhumpa Lahiri's Whereabouts.
Week Six: Klara and the Sun
This week we discuss the back half of Kazuo Ishiguro's Klara and the Sun. If you thought the first half was fraught with ethical dilemmas, well, get ready to get thorny.
Week Five: Klara and the Sun
As we leave June behind for hot, sunny July, this week we discuss the first half of Kazuo Ishiguro's Klara and the Sun.
Week Four: Detransition, Baby
We wrap up the discussion on our second book of June—and it's time to vote for which of this month's books you want to send to our end-of-summer finale!
Week Three: Detransition, Baby
This week we begin discussing our second book of the summer, Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters.
Week Two: No One Is Talking About This
In which we discuss the conclusion of Patricia Lockwood's No One Is Talking About This, in which we became very invested.
Week One: No One Is Talking About This
Camp ToB 2021 is officially in session! This week, we're discussing the first half of Patricia Lockwood's No One Is Talking About This.
Announcing Camp ToB 2021
If you also sometimes think of books as vaccines, you're in the right place. Vote now for the books you want to see at Camp ToB '21!
Announcing the 2021 Tournament of Books
The shortlist, judges, and Zombie poll for the 2021 Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes.
The 2021 Tournament of Books Long List
In preparation for the 2021 Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes, here are 77 of the most Rooster-worthy books of 2020.
Announcing the Super Rooster
Coming this October to a lockdown near you, all the winners from the Tournament of Books compete for a prize 16 years in the making: the Super Rooster, presented by Bookshop.
Week 12: Weather
We've reached our final discussion of the summer—and it's time for you to vote on our August matchup.
Week 11: Weather
This week at Camp ToB we begin discussing our final book of the summer—wait, really, already?—Weather by Jenny Offill.
Week 10: Writers & Lovers
This week, we're discussing the second half of Lily King's Writers & Lovers. (Beware: Every possible spoiler is ahead!)
Week Nine: Writers & Lovers
Two months down, one to go. Welcome to August at Camp ToB 2020, where we're discussing the first half of Writers & Lovers by Lily King.
Week Eight: Such a Fun Age
We're wrapping up our July reading with the conclusion of Such a Fun Age. Then it's your turn to decide which of this month's book heads to our end-of-summer finale.
Week Seven: Such a Fun Age
Three books down, three to go. We're on to the back half of Camp ToB 2020, as we begin our second July read: Kiley Reid's debut novel, Such a Fun Age.
Week Six: The Night Watchman
This week we're discussing the second half of Louise Erdrich's The Night Watchman—shockers, spoilers, and all.
Week Five: The Night Watchman
It's a new month and a new book matchup at Camp ToB. This week we're discussing the first half of Louise Erdrich's The Night Watchman.
Week Four: Sharks in the Time of Saviors
This week we finish discussing the second half of Sharks in the Time of Saviors—and then it's time for you to decide which of our June reads heads to the end-of-summer finale.
Week Three: Sharks in the Time of Saviors
This week we move over to our second book for June: Kawai Strong Washburn’s debut novel, Sharks in the Time of Saviors.
Week Two: The City We Became
It's DNFs versus TBRs this week at Camp ToB, as we wrap up N.K. Jemisin's The City We Became.
Week One: The City We Became
Camp ToB 2020 is officially in session! This week, we're discussing the first half of N.K. Jemisin's The City We Became.
Announcing Camp ToB 2020
Here's one summer camp that definitely won't be canceled. Vote now for the books you want to see at Camp ToB 2020.
Announcing the 2020 Tournament of Books
Our shortlist, judges, and Zombie poll for the 2020 Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes.
The 2020 Tournament of Books Long List
The most excellent, Rooster-worthy books of 2019. Look for our shortlist of competitors next month for the 2020 Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes.
The Final
It's the last day of camp—and time to announce which book you voted to send to the 2020 Tournament of Books.
Week 12: Black Leopard, Red Wolf
It's the final day of discussion at Camp ToB, as we finish up the second half of Black Leopard, Red Wolf—and you decide which of our August reads is triumphant.
Week 11: Black Leopard, Red Wolf
Five books down, one big, gory, complicated, shock-inducing book to go. This week, we discuss the first half of Marlon James's Black Leopard, Red Wolf.
Week 10: American Spy
This week, we wrap up our discussion of the first book in our August matchup: Lauren Wilkinson's American Spy.
Week Nine: American Spy
Four books down, and two to go until our end-of-summer finale, where you'll decide which of our Camp ToB reads goes to the 2020 Tournament of Books. This week, we begin our final matchup of the summer with the first half of American Spy.
Week Eight: Trust Exercise
This week, we take a very unexpected turn as we enter the second half of Susan Choi's Trust Exercise. And it's time for you to tell us which of our two July books you want to see in our end-of-summer finale.
Week Seven: Trust Exercise
We head into the latter half of Camp ToB with the second book in our July matchup, Susan Choi's Trust Exercise.
Week Six: Lost Children Archive
This week, we wrap up Valeria Luiselli's Lost Children Archive, and we have so much to talk about.
Week Five: Lost Children Archive
It's a new month and a new matchup. This week, we're discussing the first half of Valeria Luiselli's Lost Children Archive.
Week Four: Daisy Jones & the Six
This week we wrap up our June reading—and it's time for you to decide which of the two books we read this month heads to our end-of-summer finale.
Week Three: Daisy Jones & the Six
This week, we kick off our second book of the summer: a dive into the sex, drugs, and rock and roll of the late '60s LA music scene.
Week Two: Bowlaway
Welcome back for the second week of Camp ToB 2019! Gather round for the conclusion of Elizabeth McCracken's Bowlaway.
Week One: Bowlaway
Start swapping those friendship bracelets—it's the first week of Camp ToB 2019! This time around, we're discussing the first half of Elizabeth McCracken's new novel.
Announcing Camp ToB 2019
Three months of conversation, two novels a month, and one final champion that advances to the 2020 Tournament of Books. Vote for the novels you want us to read and discuss this summer.
Announcing the 2019 Tournament of Books
Here it is: the shortlist, judges, commentators, and Zombie poll for the 2019 edition of the Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes.
The 2019 Tournament of Books Long List
Here are our favorite, Rooster-approved novels from 2018. In the coming weeks, we'll cull this list down to our final set of competitors for the 2019 Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes.
The 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: The Final
It's the end of the summer, the readers have spoken, and we have a winner.
The 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week 12
It's the second-to-last week of the 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge, which means two big things: Novelist Emma Straub decides between August's two books and the commentariat votes for the book of the summer.
The 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week 11
We're in the home stretch of the 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge, as we begin our final book of the season: The Friend by Sigrid Nunez. We’re again joined by our August judge, Emma Straub, in conversation with Nozlee Samadzadeh.
The 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week 10
It's the final month in the 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge. Novelist Emma Straub and our own Nozlee Samadzadeh wrap up their discussion of Kudos by Rachel Cusk.
The 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Nine
It's a new month in the 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge. This week we welcome a new judge, Emma Straub, who will be in conversation all month long with Nozlee Samadzadeh. First up: Kudos by Rachel Cusk.
The 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Eight
We wrap up our July reading with the conclusion of Census—plus, this month's judges, Kelly McEvers and Nathan Deuel, make the call on which book heads to our end-of-summer finale.
The 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Seven
It's the second book in our July matchup, Census by Jesse Ball, and we're back in conversation with our July judges, Kelly McEvers and Nathan Deuel.
The 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Six
This week, we finish off the first book in our July matchup, Circe by Madeline Miller, welcoming back this month's judges, Kelly McEvers and Nathan Deuel.
The 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Five
It's a new month in the 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge. We welcome our July judges, Kelly McEvers and Nathan Deuel, and discuss the first half of Madeline Miller's Circe.
The 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Four
We finished our second book of the summer, An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, which means it's time for novelist Laura van den Berg to choose our first victor.
The 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Three
We start our second book of the summer, An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, in conversation with novelists Laura van den Berg and Rosecrans Baldwin.
The 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Two
We wrap up our first book of the summer, Tomb Song by Julián Herbert, in conversation with novelists Laura van den Berg and Rosecrans Baldwin.
The 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week One
We kick off our first book of the summer, Tomb Song by Julián Herbert, in conversation with Laura van den Berg and Rosecrans Baldwin.
Welcome to the 2018 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge
Meet your judges and hosts, check out the summer book list, and get reading.
The Rooster Nonfiction Pop-up: Wrap-up
A final discussion with Sarah Hepola, Rosecrans Baldwin, and Andrew Womack about the three memoirs we read this month.
The Rooster Nonfiction Pop-up: Priestdaddy, Second Half
Today we wrap up our third and final book in this month's reading, as Sarah Hepola and Andrew Womack discuss the culmination of Patricia Lockwood's memoir, which ends up being about so much more than her father.
The Rooster Nonfiction Pop-up: Priestdaddy, First Half
We're down to the last book in our first-ever Tournament of Books nonfiction event. Today, Sarah Hepola and Andrew Womack discuss the beginning of Patricia Lockwood's memoir, Priestdaddy.
The Rooster Nonfiction Pop-up: Educated, Second Half
Our first-ever Tournament of Books nonfiction event continues. Today TMN's Rosecrans Baldwin and Sarah Hepola discuss the conclusion to Tara Westover's harrowing, inspiring Educated.
The Rooster Nonfiction Pop-up: Educated, First Half
Our first-ever Tournament of Books nonfiction event continues. Today we talk with memoirist Sarah Hepola about the first half of Tara Westover's astonishing Educated.
The Rooster Nonfiction Pop-up: Hunger, Second Half
Our first-ever Tournament of Books nonfiction event continues. Today we talk with author Sarah Hepola about the conclusion of Roxane Gay's astonishing memoir.
The Rooster Nonfiction Pop-up: Hunger, First Half
Our first-ever Tournament of Books nonfiction event begins with a conversation with author Sarah Hepola about Roxane Gay's powerful 2017 memoir, through chapter 42.
Welcome to the Rooster Nonfiction Pop-up
Real facts, real events, real people—oh my! It's time for our first ever Tournament of Books nonfiction event.
Announcing the 2018 Tournament of Books
A new year, a new Rooster. Introducing the shortlist, judges, commentators, and Zombie poll for the 14th edition of The Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes.
The 2018 Tournament of Books Long List
Here they are: our favorite, Rooster-worthy novels from 2017. A few weeks from now we'll narrow these down to our final list for the 2018 Tournament of Books presented by Field Notes.
The Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: The Final
It's time to announce which our of summer reads heads to the 2018 Tournament of Books.
The Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week 12
This week, we finish up our sixth and final book of the summer, Fever Dream, and it's your turn to tell us which of our summer reads wins a slot in the 2018 Tournament of Books.
The Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week 11
We enter the home stretch of the 2017 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge with the brief, surreal Fever Dream, our final book of the season.
The Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week 10
This week we're again joined by Rachel Khong as we discuss Temporary People's second half, which took this already unusual set of stories to some unexpected places.
The Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Nine
The final month of the 2017 Rooster Summer Reading Challenge kicks off with the first book in our August matchup, Temporary People. All month long we'll be joined by Rachel Khong, in conversation with Nozlee Samadzadeh.
The Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Eight
This week we discuss the conclusion of Marlena—and make the call on whether it or Ill Will makes it to our summer final on Aug. 30.
The Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Seven
This week we continue our disturbing, foreboding summer reading with a discussion the first half of the disturbing, foreboding Marlena.
The Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Six
We're now at the halfway point in our July matchup—and the Rooster Summer Reading Challenge. This week we're joined by novelist Amelia Gray as we finish off Ill Will.
The Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Five
Novelist Amelia Gray joins us as we launch into our second month of the Rooster Summer Reading Challenge. With one competitor now slotted in for our end-of-summer final, we begin our July matchup: Ill Will v. Marlena.
The Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Four
We're at the end of our first month in the Rooster Summer Reading Challenge. Victor LaValle joins us to discuss the second half of The Night Ocean, and we decide which of our two novels from June heads to the end-of-summer final.
The Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Three
We've wrapped up our first book in the Rooster Summer Reading Challenge, and now we're waist-deep into The Night Ocean. Joining us to discuss is this month's judge, Victor LaValle, who, lucky for us, knows his Lovecraft.
The Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week Two
We're back for another discussion in the Rooster Summer Reading Challenge presented by Field Notes, with this month's judge, Victor LaValle. Get ready for major spoilers—we're all the way through A Separation, and we need to talk.
The Rooster Summer Reading Challenge: Week One
Gather round for our inaugural discussion in the Rooster Summer Reading Challenge, presented by Field Notes. We're halfway through the first book, A Separation, with this month's judge, Victor LaValle.
Welcome to the Rooster Summer Reading Challenge
Grab a beach towel, favorite cold beverage, and, most importantly, your books. Our Summer Reading Challenge begins now.
Announcing the 2017 Tournament of Books
It’s been a long, turbulent sleep, but now the Rooster wakes. Introducing the shortlist, judges, commentators, and Zombie poll for the 13th edition of The Morning News Tournament of Books.
The 2017 Tournament of Books Long List
This year we read a lot of new fiction. We liked a lot of what we read, and here are our combined favorites. In March we'll narrow them to a final set of 16 novels to compete in the 2017 Tournament of Books presented by Field Notes.
The 2016 Tournament of Books
Relive the action of the 12th Annual Morning News Tournament of Books—or any of the previous 11—presented by Field Notes.
Bracketology for the 2016 Tournament of Books
Announcing the brackets for the 2016 edition of The Morning News Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes.
Announcing the 2016 Tournament of Books
The Rooster is hungry. Very hungry. Introducing the judges, shortlist, and Zombie poll for the 2016 edition of The Morning News Tournament of Books.
The 2016 Tournament of Books Long List
The long list for the 2016 Tournament of Books, with 86 titles culled from the year's finest fiction.
The Rooster Wants You (and Your Favorite Novel) for 2016
Here’s your chance to nominate your favorite work of fiction published (in English) in 2015 for consideration as a tournament contender—as well as apply to be this year’s ToB reader judge. One vote and/or entry per person. Deadline for both is midnight Eastern, Wednesday, Dec. 16,
The 2015 Tournament of Books: Week One Wrap-Up
We’re one week into the 2015 Tournament of Books. You can grab some updated brackets here that reflect which books have been knocked out and which books remain in the competition. On Monday the tournament kicked off as Matthea Harvey advanced The Bone Clocks over Adam. Of the decision
Presenting the 2015 Tournament of Books Brackets and Schedule
The 2015 Rooster crows on March 9, which means it’s time to download this year’s brackets to make your picks for which books will live, which ones will die, and which ones will live, then die, then get zombified in the 2015 Tournament of Books, presented by Field
Announcing the 2015 Tournament of Books
The Rooster begins to stir from his hibernation, and he is hungry. Introducing the judges, shortlist, and Zombie poll for the 2015 edition of the Tournament of Books.
The Long, Long List for the 2015 Tournament of Books
But because our readers have requested us to do this, and because we enjoy doing this—telling you what books we loved in 2014—here is our long, long list: 62 books we believe represent some of the finest works of fiction published in English (mainly in America) this past
The Rooster Wants You (and Your Favorite Novel)
Here’s your chance to nominate your favorite 2014 novel for consideration as a tournament contender—as well as apply to be our 2015 ToB reader judge. One vote and/or entry per person. Deadline for both is midnight Eastern Time this Friday, Dec. 12, 2014. Thanks! Loading...Loading...
Presenting the 2014 Tournament Brackets and Rooster Shirts
With just over a week to go until the 2014 Rooster crows, it’s time to download this year’s brackets and make your picks for which books will reign supreme—or lay vanquished—in The Morning News 10th Annual Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes. {image-1} Introducing the
The ToB X Zombie Poll
{image-1} Zombies are everywhere in today’s films, TV, and literature. As we approach the 10th anniversary of the Tournament of Books, can the Rooster at least get a share of the credit? The Tournament of Books X, presented by the groovy folks and notebooks of Field Notes, will officially
Announcing The Morning News Tournament of Books X
The rooster is back, and the rooster is famished. Introducing the finalists and judges for The Morning News 10th Annual Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes.
The ToB X Long List
{image-1} Unfortunately it’s still too early for us to release the 16-or-so finalists for the 10th edition of The Morning News Tournament of Books, arriving in March 2014. But we’re happy to share the long list of candidates that’s been furiously debated in-house by our panel—culled
The Morning News Tournament of Books X
{image-1} Believe it or not, it’s time to gear up for the 2014 edition of The Morning News Tournament of Books. You may know it as the Rooster, the Grandaddy of Bracketology, or March Madness for Books—or, for that matter, the book contest that regularly predicts the winner
Brackets for This Year's Tournament of Books
Friends, the Rooster is right around the corner. This Monday, March 4, 2013, the Morning News Tournament of Books, presented by NOOK® by Barnes & Noble, officially begins. (If you missed the official announcement, it’s over here.) To whet your appetite, we’re releasing the brackets today in a
Announcing the 2013 Tournament of Books Zombie Poll
Each year in the tournament, 16 works of fiction battle each other in daily contests to win that vaunted literary prize, The Rooster. Along the way, victors advance and losers fall. But there’s a twist. During the semifinal match, called the Zombie Round, two books that were previously ousted—
Announcing the 2013 Tournament of Books
The ides of March may be four months away, but a certain rooster is sick of waiting. Introducing the finalists and judges for TMN's ninth annual Tournament of Books, presented by NOOK® by Barnes & Noble.
Judge Lest Ye Fear the Rooster
This contest is now closed. Thank you to all who entered. The ninth annual Tournament of Books is right around the corner. Since it keeps working out so well (e.g., reader judge Roxy Reno’s contribution last year), we’re running a contest again to find a TMN reader
A Coalition of Dunces
Last week, the Pulitzer Prize board refused to give its prestigious award to any novel published in 2011. Something is clearly broken. We roused our commentators from the Tournament of Books, Kevin Guilfoile and John Warner, for their remarks.
Today in the 2012 Tournament of Books
The 2012 Pre-Game Primer
Booth commentators Kevin Guilfoile and John Warner introduce the eighth annual Tournament of Books, sponsored by Field Notes.
Here Comes the Rooster
It is time to announce the contestants, judges, and brackets for the original, one-and-only, full-combat, oddly-predictive-of-the-Pulitzer-Prize, eighth annual TMN Tournament of Books, coming March 2012, presented by Field Notes.
The 2011 Tournament of Books
Announcing the contenders, judges, and Zombie Round for the bloodiest award in publishing: the Seventh Annual Tournament of Books, presented by Field Notes.
The 2011 Tournament of Books Long List
In the spirit of yuletide blood sport, we present the 2011 Tournament of Books Long List.
The 2010 Tournament of Books
Six years and growing, this year's Tournament of Books will debut in March. Until then, we've got judges, the shortlist, and your shot at picking Zombies.
The 2010 Tournament of Books Long List
Now is not the time to look backward over a decade. Now is the moment to look forward: to the 2010 Tournament of Books.
Rooster Shirts, Judges, and Brackets, Oh My!
The Fifth Annual Tournament of Books is preparing to launch in a few weeks. Here are this year's brackets for your office-gambling pleasure, as well as information about the 2009 judges and our brand new Rooster tees.
The 2009 Tournament of Books
We interrupt our regular publishing schedule to bring you news of one feisty Rooster. Enjoying its fifth year, the 2009 Tournament of Books is coming soon, and we've got the nominees to prove it.
Judges for the 2008 Tournament of Books
We interrupt our normal publishing schedule to bring you further news of the following sponsored event: The 2008 Tournament of Books is just one week away, and we've got some judges we'd like you to meet.
The 2008 Tournament of Books
We interrupt our normal publishing schedule to bring you news of the following sponsored event: Now in its fourth installation, the 2008 Tournament of Books is coming soon, and we've got the nominee list to prove it.
The 2007 ToB Brackets and Book Bloggers' Office Pool Contest
The 2007 Tournament of Books will begin this Thursday, but before then we have the brackets, the judges, and a contest for a lucky reader to win every book involved in this year's bloodshed, courtesy of Powells.com.
Announcing TMN's 2007 Tournament of Books
Ladies and gentlemen, book nerds and illiterates, here are this year's candidates for the Rooster Award in the 2007 Tournament of Books, sponsored by Powells.com--and we need your help in setting up the brackets.
The Seven Veils of Self-Importance
The bets are in, the brackets are filled out, and the judges have sharpened their knives. Welcome to the 2006 Tournament of Books, sponsored by Powells.com.