On the irrelevance of awards

[Rev. Bob]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Even if they are strictly a "popularity contest," they tend to include more "sleepers" that didn't win the 5-star super-hype treatment from one of the major publishers. And they're rarely completely devoid of really good books.

The point where things go south is when people start WANTING to win, or start thinking that books that they like not getting nominated can be construed as some sort of personal affront. I call it the "Books I Like HAVE to be Award Worthy, Right?" fallacy.

Agreed on the value of sleeper nominees. I may be way off, but I've perceived a tendency of late (see: since the rise of Amazon and the fall of brick/mortar) for people's views to narrow into ruts. Award shortlists give us an easy way to look beyond whatever rut we happen to be in, to discover new things with less risk. That's exactly why I dislike the slates that have come about; if that becomes the norm, all of that wonderful chaos that leads to sleeper books getting nominated is likely to slip away, and the culture of the entire genre will be poorer for it. All we will have are already-popular books getting more attention, and the new voices with interesting tales to tell will be drowned out by the clamoring hype.

As for popularity vs. award-worthiness... I like popcorn. I like ice cream, too. They're yummy, and I know what to expect from them. They're comfortable snacks. However, if I want nourishment, I need something more substantial. I need something that'll challenge my mind, expand my horizons, and make me think - not just another rehashed adventure with the serial numbers filed off and the jet packs repainted. Sure, I'll go see the latest Michael Bay things-go-boom movie, and it'll rake in money at the box office - but it's not a contender for any awards. It's just popcorn, a fun way to spend a couple of hours.

[Apache]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

Thanks for posting the link to the article.

Mildly related:

There is a new song out on Mark Knopfler's latest album (Tracker is the name of the album). The song is called Beryl -- a rather nice tribute to a woman who never got the Booker -- until she was dead. Knopfler mentioned in an interview the wide gulf between Beryl and her upbringing/education and those who were judging her work. Knopfer is a GREAT storyteller. He manages to get so much across in each song. I loved the Beryl song. It kind of captures a bit of the whole "small, elite group voting" thing.

Originally Posted by Apache

Thank you for the information. I did not know Mark Knopfler had a new album out.
Apache

Going to see Mark Knopfler in concert at the St Augustine Amphitheatre tonight. It is a outdoor venue and there is a chance of rain.
Apache

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Apache

Going to see Mark Knopfler in concert at the St Augustine Amphitheatre tonight. It is a outdoor venue and there is a chance of rain.
Apache

OMG, we saw him here in Austin. I cannot even tell you how great it was (But of course I will!!!!) YOU WON'T NOTICE THE RAIN!!!!

Okay, okay. I'll just post a link to my blog post on the concert so as not to bore everyone who doesn't care: http://www.bearmountainbooks.com/hom...and-band-2015/

Yes, yes, I know I sound like an idiot fan-girl. But honestly, they put on an amazing show. JUST AMAZING and they have such fun on stage you can only watch in awe.

Do you have the set list? My husband found a list before we went so we had an idea of what was coming. They add a lot to the songs for the concerts, really fill things out with all the various instruments along.

I predict a lot of fun!!!!

[Apache]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

OMG, we saw him here in Austin. I cannot even tell you how great it was (But of course I will!!!!) YOU WON'T NOTICE THE RAIN!!!!

Okay, okay. I'll just post a link to my blog post on the concert so as not to bore everyone who doesn't care: http://www.bearmountainbooks.com/hom...and-band-2015/

Yes, yes, I know I sound like an idiot fan-girl. But honestly, they put on an amazing show. JUST AMAZING and they have such fun on stage you can only watch in awe.

Do you have the set list? My husband found a list before we went so we had an idea of what was coming. They add a lot to the songs for the concerts, really fill things out with all the various instruments along.

I predict a lot of fun!!!!

Oh yeah, I am psyched. We have rain suits to wear and yes the music is better live. They definitely put a lot of extra effort into their live play.

My wife is from Texas. She grew up in Houston and graduated from UT Austen. If I had bought tickets to the show in Austen she would have thought she was in heaven. She does miss Austen and wants us to retire there.
Apache

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Apache

Oh yeah, I am psyched. We have rain suits to wear and yes the music is better live. They definitely put a lot of extra effort into their live play.

My wife is from Texas. She grew up in Houston and graduated from UT Austen. If I had bought tickets to the show in Austen she would have thought she was in heaven. She does miss Austen and wants us to retire there.
Apache

Austin is so big now. The area is so built up she'd probably only recognize downtown and the university area! I actually live in Cedar Park--which used to have at least a short drive of trees before you arrived. When we moved in 15 years ago, there was one grocery store a mile away on a corner and the "main" street didn't go through to 1431. Now you don't know you've left Austin for Cedar Park or Leander and you can KIND of notice it before you go towards Lago Vista or Liberty Hills.

If she closes her eyes during the concert she won't know WHERE she is. Hell, with her eyes open, she'll be transported somewhere else. They really put together a great show and it's awesome the way Mark gets other musicians involved. Don Henley was here to tape Austin City Lights (we only saw that on tv--found out too late!) and while he is STELLAR and had many guests for the show, I found myself wishing he had worked the guests in more just because after seeing what it can do, you want to take all that talent and never let it leave the stage, not for a single song! Henley's new album is pretty good too. He does some oldies that I've heard before, but I like his new stuff on the album better. Like Knopfler he tends to write good stories and mix rock and roll into his country. Love those hybrid songs!!!

[BearMountainBooks]

Well???? How was the show??? I didn't hear of any rain...!!!

[Apache]

There was a little rain at the beginning of the show. It lasted about 30 minutes. More like heavy misting rather than rain. My wife and I brought rain suits but only used the jackets and removed them after it cleared.
My wife has a handicap sticker and we got to park at the curb in front of the venue. you could not park any closer unless you actually drove into the venue.
The show was wonderful. Mark Knopfler may be 66 years old but he does not sing nor play like it. The band played the Dire Strait's songs better than Dire Straits ever did. The venue is not large and all of the seats are good seats. We brought binoculars and that was as good as sitting in the front row. We had a wonderful time and did not get back home until 2:00 AM. I went to work at 6:00 AM and I am tired. I will go to bed early tonight.
If anyone gets the chance to see Mark Knopfler in concert I highly recommend going.
Ron

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Apache

There was a little rain at the beginning of the show. It lasted about 30 minutes. More like heavy misting rather than rain. My wife and I brought rain suits but only used the jackets and removed them after it cleared.
My wife has a handicap sticker and we got to park at the curb in front of the venue. you could not park any closer unless you actually drove into the venue.
The show was wonderful. Mark Knopfler may be 66 years old but he does not sing nor play like it. The band played the Dire Strait's songs better than Dire Straits ever did. The venue is not large and all of the seats are good seats. We brought binoculars and that was as good as sitting in the front row. We had a wonderful time and did not get back home until 2:00 AM. I went to work at 6:00 AM and I am tired. I will go to bed early tonight.
If anyone gets the chance to see Mark Knopfler in concert I highly recommend going.
Ron

I totally agree on all counts. They have a lot more resources and years of talent behind every song they play so every one is a standout. One thing about Mark is that he never did jump around the stage and gyrate and stick out his tongue, etc. So when you watch him play now, it's the same style--he just lost some hair and has a few wrinkles. It was always about the song and the sound. I think the guitar sound and the music itself is richer for the years of experience behind it. But then, my ears and experiences have changed over time too.

Still, it's a great show, great music!!! Really glad it didn't rain much and that you loved the show. I hope he comes to Austin again.

[Chaiwala]

I do kind of like it when books have awards. Trophies look nice and it shows at least someone read it and gave an opinion. I guess some awards, or lots of them are probably kind of bunk though.

[Cinisajoy]

I watched the Tonight Show last night.
They had a New York Times best seller on. My first thought was how many weeks and so what.
Her Golden Globe meant more to me.

[jhowell]

Originally Posted by Apache

If anyone gets the chance to see Mark Knopfler in concert I highly recommend going.
Ron

I'll be seeing him Friday night in Clearwater. The concert hall is only a 10 minute drive away so no late night needed for me.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by jhowell

I'll be seeing him Friday night in Clearwater. The concert hall is only a 10 minute drive away so no late night needed for me.

WOOO!!!!