In which Carly and Dusty undertake a new challenge -- to determine the best / their favorite of eight recently published novels. 2 Pulitzer winners + 3 selections each from their long lists of books to read.

Criteria (5 points each):

Literary quality, theme/message, entertainment value & overall impression.

Round 1 Contenders:

All the Light We Cannot See (Pulitzer '15) vs. Animators (Carly's choice)

Book of Unknown Americans (Dusty's choice) vs. Sympathizer (Pulitzer '16)

Gangster Nation (Carly's choice) vs. Homegoing (Dusty's choice)

Hag-Seed (Carly's choice) vs. Last Ballad (Dusty's choice)