I picked up this 1001 Book YMRBYD from the benevolent fund book fair at work.

EDIT: 29th April - Moved up Mnt. TBR and will send onto tehuti once both KT-J and I have read it.

EDIT: 23rd June - I've embarked on this today..

EDIT: 27th June - I've read Part One: Culture Plate - this is basically an introdution to the world Gurgeh lives in and explains his decision to travel to the Empire of Azad. I'm enjoying the novel so far, I like Banks' style of writing and it's a interesting piece of sci-fi. One thing that is annoying though is why do Banks' and other authors use character names that are so difficult to pronounce - Dastaveb Chamlis Amalk-ney Ep-Handra Thedreiskre Ostlehoorp, Mawhrin-Skel, Meristinoux, Chiark-Gevantsa Jernau Morat Gurgeh dam Hassease, Loash Armasco-Iap Wu-Handrahen Xato Koum.... I mean come on what's the need.

EDIT: 16th July - Excellent sci-fi I finished this whilst on holiday in Morocco. It's a really enjoyable novel; I loved Gurgeh as a main character and I thought this was an interesting take on society. I've given this to KT-J to read now before sending this to tehuti.

Next: Carol Shields - Unless

I started this on holiday and I've almost finished it. I'm hoping to finish it this weekend.

I was slightly apprehensive about reading this as I didn't enjoy the last Iain Banks book I read (although I realise this is one of his sci-fi books). I was surprised though that I actually did enjoy this book. I found the story interesting and the idea of cultures colliding through a game, questionning the ideas of how societies should be run and develop. The main character was interesting and I enjoyed the other characters such as the drone Flere-Imsaho as well and the humour that was included.

Overall a good read. Stubee will be sending this on shortly.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off to tehuti... enjoy.