Did you finish Kraken? If so, cool, but we didn’t get to hear about it. If I have no insight, it’s because I wasn’t informed. Sorry you’re upset about whatever.

All I did was merely state a reason why it might be a good idea to bin book club. Seemed like a good one to me. Apologies if you took exception to it.

More than happy to carry on with book club on a here-and-there basis.

Anyone up for Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir for June’s book? Or summer’s book? Or whatever we’re doing - maybe a 6 week turnaround?

I’m up for Project Hail Mary in June or whenever.

I've been wanting to support local bookshops some more, now they're open again. But this was like £20.

I haven't read anything in the last couple of months. I keep meaning to catch up in here, but haven't had time.

Honestly, I think it would be more interesting if there was more discussion after each book. It might motivate more of us to finish books in time as well.

Hm, the library only has that as an ebook and I don't read those. So I either have to buy it, or go on ebay which will probably not be cheaper.

Currently about 130 pages into Senlin Ascends, and I just learned this is actually part of a series... Feels like that could become a bit of a drag. It feels very busy and cramped to read after the beautiful open-ess Piranesi treated us with.

If I can finish that this month, I might see how I feel about actually buying a book, otherwise I'll start my really thick Susanna Clarke book with the long title that I forgot.

For some reason there's suddenly 25 copies now, all checked out though. 48th in line, 57th for Leave the World Behind. Might not get to it in time, but will read it.

Turns out I did get this in time, am almost halfway through, it's a pretty easy read so far. Haven't read or seen The Martian, and can't say I'm blown away by this so far. 

Would like to read Questor's and Boris's opinion about this, it seems really popular.

The Daddy wrote:

I think the Martian’s a much tighter book. This one’s a bit overindulgent. Still enjoying it. Got just a few pages left.

Agreed. I’m about 90% in.

Edit - I think there are a lot of conveniences and the main character is a walking Deus Ex Machina.

Positives are that the overall setting and the challenge is very well imagined. And  some of the supporting characters are interesting and memorable.

I’d put his books in order of best to worst as he’s released them.

1. The Martian
2. Artemis (really enjoyed the world and would enjoy another story in this setting)
3. Project: Hail Mary

I watched the movie first but still enjoyed the book. That is not necessarily a recommendation. The book adds nice detail to the film which I liked. But really like Matt Damon’s performance. It’s a very rewatchable film imo.

With Hail Mary there’s too much of…

IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. THE FIRST TIME YOSSARIAN SAW THE CHAPLAIN HE FELL MADLY IN LOVE WITH HIM. YOSSARIAN WAS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A PAIN IN HIS LIVER THAT FELL JUST SHORT OF BEING JAUNDICE. THE DOCTORS WERE PUZZLED BY THE FACT THAT IT WASN’T QUITE JAUNDICE. IF IT BE- CAME JAUNDICE THEY COULD TREAT IT. IF IT DIDN’T BECOME JAUNDICE AND WENT AWAY THEY COULD DISCHARGE HIM. BUT THIS JUST BEING SHORT OF JAUNDICE ALL THE TIME CONFUSED THEM. EACH MORNING THEY CAME AROUND, THREE BRISK AND SERIOUS MEN WITH EFFICIENT MOUTHS AND INEFFICIENT EYES, ACCOMPANIED BY BRISK AND SERIOUS NURSE DUCKETT, ONE OF THE WARD NURSES WHO DIDN’T LIKE YOSSARIAN. THEY READ THE CHART AT THE FOOT OF THE BED AND ASKED IMPATIENTLY ABOUT THE PAIN. THEY SEEMED IRRITATED WHEN HE TOLD THEM IT WAS EXACTLY THE SAME. “STILL NO MOVEMENT?” THE FULL COLONEL DEMANDED. THE DOCTORS EXCHANGED A LOOK WHEN HE SHOOK HIS HEAD. “GIVE HIM ANOTHER PILL.”

Same, but I can pretend I’ve just read it if it helps.

I’ve just finished American War. Was a solid and thought provoking book. Enjoyed it.

I can't read Catch-22 of it's all in caps.