Paul’s Comments (group member since Jan 06, 2016)

Paul’s comments from the Universal Geek Book Club group.

Late but quick thoughts about Welcome to Night Vale. I read the book a few months ago for The Chicago Nerds Book Club and this time I decided to listen to the audiobook to see if I missed anything and get a different experience.

While I did enjoy the story overall but I still think it takes too long for the main story to get started. And the only thing I really got out of the audiobook version was Cecil's dramatic voice whenever "King City" is said.

I was a little let down by the book and was hoping for more and better. I thought the personal stuff was the best, like his movie theater job, Canadian comedy job and D&D where the best parts but was meh to a bunch of the rest.

Your overall impressions?

Kristen wrote: "If you haven't read Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore you should check it out. It's nerdy-geeky-adventure-fantasy with a wonderful story."

That may one of my next books since I'm kinda worn out by dystopian books. Also I picked up Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson since I really loved Nimona.

As for the Expanse I have heard nothing but good things but my to read pile is getting to large to handle. But I may move it up in the queue to watch the series.

So lets breakdown Cyberpunk, cyber refers to technology, and is most often associated with cyberspace and most times cybernetic enhancements to the body. Also main characters in cyberpunk tend to be anti-heros, outcasts, criminals, dissenters, and misfits.

So while Koko has the cybernetic and anti-hero thing going for her I think the novel might be better placed as the subgene Biopunk because of the lack the cyberspace that most cyberpunk includes. It's a different view of many of the same ideas.

Just my musing and I"m probably wrong.

Do you think this book qualifies as Cyber Punk?

The violence didn't bother me since it is established that Koko's world is ultra violent in other regards. What did bother me was Depressus was being made into a big deal then dropped, both literally and figuratively.

Last year I read half of The Dresden Files and the Land of Oz books so I plan on finishing both of these series this year. Also trying to work on all of the new cannon Star Wars books. And what ever book club books come along.