And even though it’s not even noon, I highly recommend using this as a drinking game . . . Every time Judge Jeff looks directly into the camera, do a shot. And do a double if he looks in there and smiles.

In order of mention, here are the books that were discussed:

by Ayane Kawata, translated from the Japanese by Sawako Nakayasu (Litmus Press)

by Aleš Šteger, translated from the Slovenian by Brian Henry (BOA Editions)

by César Aira, translated from the Spanish by Katherine Silver (New Directions) (Why This Book Should Win)

by Albert Cossery, translated from the French by Anna Moschovakis (New York Review Books) (Why This Book Should Win)

by Romain Gary (writing as Émile Ajar), translated from the French by David Bellos (Yale University Press) (Why This Book Should Win)

by Marlene Van Niekerk, translated from the Afrikaans by Michiel Heyns (Tin House) (Why This Book Should Win)