2022 Get to Know You Challenge

[Jemppu]

Ryan wrote: "Issues regarding availability basically ruled it out as an option... I investigate plenty. :)..."

Excellent. (That stone off my heart *ha*)

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

LOL Have no fear. There's at least three reasons for everything I do. Though I'll shift blame on to others at a later date, for now I'm happy to take full responsibility for this decision.

[DivaDiane]

LOL, Kirsi! It’s good to know that we have similar tastes. I read Neuromancer pre-GR and I don’t think there’s an actual review. But I agree -boring!

[DivaDiane]

I read Mission Child earlier this year and while I found it really depressing, in the end, I was really moved by it. The pronoun thing didn’t bother me, naturally (I think) and I do not know enough about Finnish culture to take issue with any of that. It created atmosphere. For more specifics as to why I liked it please see my review. I also discussed it with a buddy from another group and his review does a much better job of explaining what is good about the book. His name is Lindsay. (Sorry, on the app, so no links).

[Dj]

So looking at the people that are involved, it looks like I will be reading from Diva Devine's list as well. For the Five Star book I am taking on Red Mars and for the low rank, it will be Consider Phlebas. I suppose that this is a bit of a cheat in a way since I have started both, in so far as I have read the first few pages for the group bookshelf read, but I was interested in her ranking and want to see if I agree.

[DivaDiane]

I’m honored DJ! I have a feeling you’ll like Consider Phlebas better than I did.

[Dj]

DivaDiane wrote: "I’m honored DJ! I have a feeling you’ll like Consider Phlebas better than I did."

Anything is possible. So far I am more in the wait-and-see mode with that book. I liked the introduction, but then the next chapter went into a full-
on shift of subject, so I am not sure what is what yet.

[Dj]

So I started reading Consider Phlebas a book that DivaDiane gave one start.

I am not sure how I will rate it, since I just got into chapter one, the prolog was interesting if somewhat standard for a sci/fi book of its possible type. But I have to say going from a well-written prolog to the nasties execution scene ever wasn't what I was expecting for a follow-up.

A very heartfelt suggestion, do not read chapter one while you are eating. And if you are listening to it on audio, maybe do it when no one else is around.

[Levi]

Dj did you ever finish Consider Phlebas ? I'd love to discuss w you and DivaDiane.

I gave it 3 stars. I was intrigued with the worldbuilding, that's what drew me in. I loved getting to know the two very assymetrical societies that are duking it out for the galaxy, as well as Horza's reasons for siding with the Idirans. This is maybe the first three-star book that actually still leaves me intrigued enough to try another book by the same author.

The difficulty for me was the (view spoiler)[ fact that all the characters that you might have cared about die in the end...it made it feel futile and pointless. But on second thought, maybe that's a bit of what the author was going after: the pointlessness and brutality of war and by extension life? Still. (hide spoiler)]

Curious also how you guys reacted to the...what would you call it...grotesque? Of various sorts. I have a love-hate relationship with the grotesque in what I read. I crave intensity. And if the grotesque feels like it is thematic or fitting or something, that it is realistic and it adds to the intensity in an appropriate way, then I can kind of "appreciate" it even while being grossed out. On the other hand...in this book I wasn't exactly sure how warranted all the grotesque stuff was and so tbh I made a little bit of a judgment about the author based on it.

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

You have to read The Player of Games at the very least! I think it's a better place to start in the culture series though I'm yet to finish it.

[Levi]

Ryan wrote: "You have to read The Player of Games at the very least! I think it's a better place to start in the culture series though I'm yet to finish it."

I'll check it out!

[Levi]

Olga, I’d be interested in getting to know you through this challenge. I can already see that we like some of the same books—Leviathan Wakes, The Way of Kings, and Animal Farm to name a few.

For your five star reads I found a few that I’m already interested in reading:
Foundation
Atlas Shrugged
The Invisible Man by HG Wells
Hyperion
Wuthering Heights


I only found one book you rated two stars though:
A History of Britain: At the Edge of the World?


Do you have any other suggestions?

[Dj]

Levi wrote: "Dj did you ever finish Consider Phlebas ? I'd love to discuss w you and DivaDiane.

I gave it 3 stars. I was intrigued with the worldbuilding, tha..."

Nope, because of how many books I read about a chapter since then. Although I will be working harder on it next year since I think I put it in the TBR challenge. Those I generally work on finishing faster. I will say after the torture/Execution chapter it seems to be picking a better path for readability.