Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2018 Challenge Prompts-Advanced
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2. A cyberpunk book
Does Little Brother by Cory Doctorow work for this prompt?Also, what about Moxyland by Lauren Beukes?
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Nadine wrote: "Cinder is barely cyberpunk, so that would be a good choice for people who just want to dip in a toe. Alif the Unseen doesn't FEEL "cyberpunky " at all, it's all genies and magic and city back alley..."Thanks, Nadine.. What about the books that I just mentioned.. 1) Are they cyberpunk? And 2) Do you know anything about them?
Little Brother or Moxyland?
Nadine wrote: "Cinder is barely cyberpunk, so that would be a good choice for people who just want to dip in a toe. Alif the Unseen doesn't FEEL "cyberpunky " at all, it's all genies and magic and city back alley..."Thanks, Nadine!
I think I might do Moxyland by Lauren Beukes if that is considered cyberpunk?
Crumb wrote: "I think I might do Moxyland by Lauren Beukes if that is considered cyberpunk?"It is. At least if you use the definition Google gives you:
cyberpunk ˈsʌɪbəpʌŋk/ noun
noun: cyberpunk
a genre of science fiction set in a lawless subculture of an oppressive society dominated by computer technology.
It has the trademark combination of low life and high tech.
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I really liked Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? when I read that, but there aren't many other cyberpunk books that look appealing to me. I think I'll probably read Cinder.
Therese wrote: "Nadine wrote: "Minority Report (Philip Dick) is literally a short story, you can read it in an hour, it fits this category well, it's a classic, and I thought it was really good."For some strange..."
Nadine and Therese, I've been finding a LOT of free reading on Overdrive (both regular and audio, the latter is best for me, because I can knit or crochet while reading). I read from my laptop, but there's an option to download to a device. Overdrive is offered through THREE of my local library systems and I'm on them all!
I think I will read Warcross, as the Kindle edition was on sale, but I might also read the Ghost in the Shell manga.
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I haven't read it so I can't be sure, but it looks like a dystopian paranormal novel, not a cyberpunk novel.
I haven't read it so I can't be sure, but it looks like a dystopian paranormal novel, not a cyberpunk novel."Thank you. I'm very confused by this prompt. The description talks about using computers so I wasn't sure. This is a difficult prompt to fill.
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Thank you. I'm very confused by this prompt. The description talks about using compute..."
Oh I'm sure you're not the only one! That's why this group is so great, when we need help!! Sofie posted a helpful link to a Tor article, above, listing some good titles.
Goodreads listopia lists aren't as reliable, but still can be helpful to browse: https://www.goodreads.com/genres/cybe...
Just downloaded audiobook Minority Report and Other Stories- free via Overdrive from NYPL. Thanks for the suggestion! I was really bummed by this prompt as I read cyberpunk as my unfamiliar subgenre for 2017 and was not enamored - readSnow Crash. While I loved the tough smart badass 15 yr old heroine, there was a lot of dated settings and way too many long unnecessary infodumps. Sci Fi not my thing.
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Theresa wrote: "...and way too many long unnecessary infodumps. Sci Fi not my thing. "Clunky infodumps is pretty much a no-no in modern sci-fi, unless it's hard sci-fi maybe. The genre is so much better than that!
In case anyone is interested in a book with a tv tie-in...Altered Carbon. (Others on this list have already recommended it.)I haven't read it myself, but friends love the series. The thing that will probably get me to read the book is that there is a tv series based on the book, premiering in February. It has a cast filled with actors I love from other sci-fi series, but the most exciting name might be Renee Elise Goldsberry, who won a Tony for originating the role of Angela Schuyler in Hamilton.
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I haven't read it myself, but friends love the series. The..."
I loved Altered Carbon and I recommend it! But I really was disappointed with the sequel, Broken Angels, and I doubt I'll continue with the series after that.
I have read a little steampunk but am less familiar with this category. I think I'm going with The Windup Girl because it's written by a local author and I've been wanting to check his stuff out for a while.
Railhead by Philip Reeve would probably work for this (also takes place on other planets so would meet prompt 27)
and this is why I'm already loving this entire challenge -- I love sci-fi but don't know much about it, so this prompt is perfect. I'm going to dive right in with Mona Lisa Overdrive. thanks for your list, Nadine!!also I'm a bit disappointed that my 500,000 pop. city with a dozen library branches does not have this book! wtf. at least my local Barnes & Noble has it in stock. I'm determined to check this one out.
I think I will try Blue Pills
by Armand Vespertine ...mainly because it is available on Kindle Unlimited, so I don't have to pay any $$! Everyone is broke in January, eh?? --Jen from Quebec :0)
I went to the library today and I think I found a cyberpunk book. The Diamond Age: or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer I hope this fits the prompt.
Does anyone know if End of the World Blues by Jon Courtenay Grimwood is cyberpunk? I'm planning on reading that this year and am wondering if it fits. The description says "futuristic noir."
How about Daniel H. Wilson's excellent "Robopocalypse" and follow-up "Robogenesis?" Robots evolve to acquire AI leading to societal upheave, Should work, yes?
Lorry wrote: "How about Daniel H. Wilson's excellent "Robopocalypse" and follow-up "Robogenesis?" Robots evolve to acquire AI leading to societal upheave, Should work, yes?"I've read both of those, and while they have certain elements of Cyperpunkiness, I don't think of them that way. More dystopian than cyberpunk.
I've read both of thos..."What is the difference between dystopian and cyberpunk?
Kerry wrote: "I've read both of thos..."What is the difference between dystopian and cyberpunk?"
Cyberpunk: a genre of science fiction set in a lawless subculture of an oppressive society dominated by computer technology.
Dystopian: relating to or denoting an imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one
Wilson's novels may have technology, but that technology is out of the control of the people and is causing the totalitarian circumstances that the survivors find themselves in.
Just my 2 cents.
Michelle wrote: "I guess it's time to read some William Gibson... My boyfriend will be thrilled!"Some of his stuff is pretty darn good. My partner introduced me to his works a couple of years ago. I really enjoyed Neuromancer, and the Blue Ant trilogy. His characters are pretty interesting, and I don't find the books as difficult to relate to as some other cyberpunk books I've tried.
Mike wrote: "Kerry wrote: "I've read both of thos..."What is the difference between dystopian and cyberpunk?"
Cyberpunk: a genre of science fiction set in a lawless subculture of an oppressive society domina..."
I see. Thank you. I'm hoping 'The Diamond Age' by Neal Stephenson is cyberpunk.
I am reading #2 in the Mortality Doctrines for this one (#1 is also cyberpunk, but I already read that). by James Dashner (author of Maze Runner)
Kerry wrote: "I'm hoping 'The Diamond Age' by Neal Stephenson is cyberpunk. ..."I haven't read it, but from the description, and extrapolating from the Stephenson books I have read, it sounds like a great fit. I may read it for this prompt myself!
It's not a genre I typically read but I am finding it interesting.
I already had Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini on my list for musical or play but wonder if I should switch it to this prompt... Think it would qualify?
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The Completionist
I think it qualifies as cyberpunk?"
it's hard to say of course since we haven't read it, but from the blurb, it sounds more like a straight up near-future dystopian, and not particularly cyberpunk.
@NadineThanks! This prompt is a hard one for me.
http://bestsciencefictionbooks.com/be...Has a cyberpunk list and a definition.
Their top 25 list is:
Snow Crash
Neuromancer
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
The Stars My Destination
Altered Carbon
Count Zero
Tea from an Empty Cup
Boneshaker
Fairyland
Mindplayers
Islands in the Net
Blood Music
Hardwired
The Anubis Gates
The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer
Accelerando
Perdido Street Station
The Windup Girl
Crashcourse
The Fortunate Fall
Schismatrix
City of Golden Shadow (Otherland series)
Chasm City
Anathem
Vurt
Also, I have read Alif the Unseen and I loved that book! it´s a bit in between genres, but I definitely think you could read it for this. It has elements of mystery/ fantasy and suspense, so if you think you´ll struggle with the genre, this might be a good choice.
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Has a cyberpunk list and a definition.
Their top 25 list is:
Snow Crash
Neuromancer
Do Androids D..."
those are some great books! But I'm having a really hard time getting my head around anyone listing Boneshaker or Perdido Street Station as cyberpunk. I've seen them both listed as steampunk in the past, and that I can understand (well, Perdido really defies categorization, but Boneshaker for sure is steampunk), but cyberpunk? Nope. Don't get it. No wonder why people are confused!!!
Yeah, genres and subgenres are generally confusing, because there is no 'set' definition and the genre boundaries move. They defined steampunk as a subgenre of cyberpunk, which I wouldn't agree with, but they are definitely related. Hmmm what to do. I didn't read all the books on the list and just copied it, but I think the majority of th will work.
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Altered Carbon (other topics)Altered Carbon (other topics)
Party Discipline (other topics)
Sound & Fury: Shakespeare Goes Punk (other topics)
Once More Unto the Breach: Shakespeare Goes Punk 2 (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Cory Doctorow (other topics)Nick Clark Windo (other topics)
Jon Courtenay Grimwood (other topics)
Armand Vespertine (other topics)
Pat Cadigan (other topics)
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Hi Eujean.. I am not a big sci-fi person.. I don't read much YA either.. but do you think Cinder would be a good choice for me? I do enjoy fairytale retellings.. and I'm open-minded,