Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

I just got out from the library, to fit with the prompt "a genre you've never heard of" - it is an example of ergodic fiction, evidently. It looks involved, and I was wondering if anyone else was thinking of reading it and would like to do a little book discussion?

I have this. It looks lovely, but intimidating. I'm scared to read it. LOL. Actually, I don't know HOW to read it.

Never heard of it but it looks interesting. I'll be following to see how you like it ;)

That looks kind of awesome. I'd totally read that.

Always been interested in maginalia so I'll give it a look,too!:-)

Yeah, the HOW is the question,.. I saw some hints somewhere, maybe in one of the GR reviews. It seems like you are meant to go through more than once. I could start anytime as early as tomorrow I think, or wait a little bit for people to get a copy. When works for you all?

Here is a link to a spoiler-free beginners reader's guide, there is an intermediate version linked within as well as links to other sites.

https://whoisstraka.wordpress.com/the...

Also, there's a suggested method in the first Q&A on the book's GR page.

So you've intrigued me and I just ordered it online! I'm not sure how I'll start but I'll figure it out and I'll be following along here too!

I've reserved an "available" copy so might have it tomorrow! (Tuesday in NZ :-) )

Sounds fascinating. From reading up about it, though, it seems that it should be read about 5 times, and at 472 pages, sounds like it would take ages to get through, no?

But it would fit a couple of possibly difficult to fill categories! Genre you haven't heard of (for many of us I think), set in more than one time period, multiple authors.

It's fantastic! I've read it before and I'm about due for a reread, so I'd be in to buddy read. It's definitely worth a couple reads. I know there's a lot I missed the first time around.

I'm so excited to have reading buddies! I am going to start tomorrow, and I think I'll read the main text with just the pencil notes for a first pass.

No idea how to measure my progress for GR - normally I am addicted to updating my % completed! I'll just have to learn to relax a bit on that front.

Has anyone started yet? I read the first 3 chapters yesterday, including just the first round of notes in pencil. It was hard, especially at first, to ignore all the other notes, but it is getting easier.

Very minor spoiler ahead.
I've already noticed (view spoiler)[that the translator's footnotes are all ridiculous, and likely mean something other than their literal meaning - there are some notes about codes that I'm ignoring for now. It is kind of disconcerting to be aware that codes and puzzles exist, but not knowing where... (hide spoiler)]

This book is on my list this year but I haven't ordered my copy yet. I want a nice, sealed copy to be sure all the bits are there and in the correct place.

Yeah, I just double checked, and one of the inserts is missing from mine along with the decoder ring. If anyone is willing to scan and send me a copy of the insert that is meant to be found at page 20 (a copy of a book page), let me know.

I may end up ordering my own anyway, not sure.

If you don't get it before my copy gets here I'll copy it for you

I'll start on Thursday. I want to finish up the book I'm currently reading and, well, I have to go see ZZ Top tomorrow night (yay!).

I finished the main text today. Very weird! I'm really not sure I understood what the heck was going on. Next, I'm reading the blue/black notes - they are quicker and interesting.

Anyone else started yet?

No haven't received mine yet, I have to finish Underground Railroad and then my book club book and hidden figures but hoping to start it not too long after I receive it! How difficult is the main text?

Is it worth the effort or-what I suspect-is it just a load of pretentious twaddle?

I wouldn't say it's pretentious, nor that hard to read. Fair bit of symbolism, which could be a plus or a minus depending on your tastes. I am liking the marginalia a lot so far, but I'm not that far in.

My copy is waiting at the library-will probably pick it up Wednesday and find out for myself :-)

I got my copy today Chrissy I'll probably be at the library tomorrow morning so I can scan that insert and email it if you still need it. It was so cool taking it out and opening it, just flipping through the pages! It's beautiful and so cool! What a concept!

I finished yesterday. In the end, I really enjoyed it, and I think I'll probably buy a copy so I can reread at some point. There's a lot to absorb, and it's the kind of book I think would reward a second read. As others get into it, I'm excited to talk more!

For those wondering, I ended up going through it 5 times, but the last 3 took less than a day because there were so many pages with no new words to read.

REALLY intrigued now!Starting tomorrow....

How did you read it Chrissy? I know your first time you did text and pencil notes? Then what order?

I followed the suggestions and order in the Q&A I mentioned above. Second pass was blue and black, then green and orange, then red and purple and the final pass was black and black. THere weren't that many notes in that layer. I also think I would recommend reading the foreword and footnotes in line with the text, and probably rereading footnotes on the second pass because a lot of the conversation is around figuring out what the footnotes' purpose is. Finally, you might try to ignore the inserts until something in the margin notes indicates, because they weren't "always there" and can spoil some of the plot and mystery if you look at them outside of their chronology.

One of the fun things for me was trying to guess some stuff before getting to the point in time where the readers were figuring it out, so if you like solving puzzles or guessing about mysteries then try to keep unspoiled as you go.

As I'm just about house-bound my lovely neighbour collects my library books.A wonderful batch but no " S".!"!
You will have to wait for my brilliant insights for a bit longer.:-):-)

I checked this out of the library in January, at first I thought they'd given me the wrong book, because it really looks like an old forgotten book! I've looked at some reader's guides, and they mention inserts, but my library copy did not have any inserts or a decoder guide, just lots of margin notes in different colors. At the time I had a lot of other books I was reading and never got to read this before returning again. But I've been wondering if it's worth it, since there weren't any inserts. What are the inserts, and can you still appreciate/enjoy the book without them?

Nadine I'd ask the library about it because there are a bunch of them. I don't know how important each one is by itself but as a whole I'd imagine they would be significant.

Spooky!!!!My copy is shown as being checked out to me but it has DISAPPEARED.When I spoke to my librarian she pointed out that bits of the paraphernalia were already missing-the decoder for one.
Just GETTING the book is turning into a saga.....:-):-)

Most of the inserts are just flavor text, but a few of them are longer letters and add to the story. I'd ask the librarian, in case they took them out for safekeeping.

The librarian has marked "S" as missing......

FYI, Amazon has a lightning deal today on S. for $21. I ordered a copy and am hoping my husband will read it.

The library copy hasn't turned up! Will consider buying it when my overdrawn credit card is a bit healthier.
Until then have little to contribute..:-(

Mystery solved-"S" also called "The Ship of Theseus" so I will look at it after reading some bestsellers like Harlen Coben's "Home".
:-):-)

Oh you got it but didn't realize that's what it was? Lol I get it! The bought copy is in a jacket with S on it.

Yes-sheepish grin.When I first got this load of books wondered what SoT was doing there.I hadn't ordered it.......but there were so many goodies that I didn't exam it again til today..:-)
And I got another load of wonderful books so I'm going to have to discipline myself.......at which I am not particularly good...:-)

The copy I bought cam today! I got all excited about it even though I already finished reading... there are still puzzles left to find and solve!

Pat that is so funny :) no shame, it's a very easy mistake to make without a doubt!

It is "S" in the catalogue-no mention of a longer title.
All we need now,Tara,is for me to decide it IS a load of twaddle and :-)....Ah..books....