Critics rubbish the ABC’s expose on Cranbrook School days before it goes to air.
Tournament of Books: “But it’s not really a contest. We’re not even sure it’s a “tournament.” What the ToB has been and will be, as long as we’re putting it on, is a month-long conversation about novels and reading and writing and art that takes place on weekdays in March. Here’s how it works. Throughout the year, we gather, read, and assess the works of fiction we think would make worthy Tournament competitors.
In December we present our findings in the form of a “long list.” We then cull it to a final shortlist of 16 or so books. (Some years we expand the list beyond the core 16 to include an extra set of two or more books that compete in a pre-Tournament play-in match.) When the Tournament of Books begins in March, each weekday two works of fiction go head to head, with one of our judges deciding which book moves forward in the brackets, according to whatever criteria matters to them. Along the way, the judges reveal their biases and interests, any connections they have to the participating authors, and, most importantly, an elaborate explanation of how they decided between the two books. Following that day’s decision, we have color commentary in the form of a dialogue between two experts.
From the beginning, our ToB Chairmen, authors Kevin Guilfoile and John Warner, have cracked wise, but we’ve also invited into the booth our favorite literary podcasters, independent booksellers from across the country, and novelists like Elliott Holt and Laura van den Berg. Think of it as a bigger-picture view of the proceedings from people who not only have read a ton of fiction, but who are also familiar with the way that the publishing industry makes the sausage, to bastardize a phrase. Then we leave it up to you, the readers, to add your own passionate thoughts and rebukes to the mix in the comments…”
Forbes [unpaywalled]: “Many people feel like they’re experiencing “time poverty,” which is when it feels like there’s a lack of time to fulfill responsibilities, pursue interests or engage in activities that contribute to your well-being. Heavy workloads, long commutes and other factors can lead to this feeling of not having enough time in the day to accomplish the things on your to-do list. As Forbes contributor Mark Travers recently wrote, time poverty also encapsulates a subjective sense of being overwhelmed due to constantly feeling rushed or pressured. Even if there is objectively enough time available to a person, multiple obligations competing for their attention can become draining and make them feel a lack of control over their own time. Time poverty is also a factor in the workplace, when our busy jobs make it feel like we don’t have the space in the day to develop a new skill, attend a seminar, or start tackling that personal passion project. A 2024 study proposes a positive psychological model of time use that describes a number of ways to use time mindfully and fight the effects of time poverty:
- Align actions with core values: Begin by identifying the principles or beliefs that are most important to you in your career, clarify what you want to achieve in the short-term and long-term, and look for opportunities to realign your schedule to these goals by eliminating or delegating non-essential tasks.
- Create a balanced life: Establish clear boundaries between different areas of your life to prevent one from encroaching on the others excessively. This might involve setting limits on work hours, scheduling dedicated family time and carving out personal time for self-care and relaxation—no matter what.
- Unlearn procrastination: Procrastination often stems from underlying factors such as a fear of failure, perfectionism or feeling overwhelmed by tasks. By recognizing these triggers and addressing them, you can start to effectively organize, initiate and execute important goals..”
