OutReaders:2021-01
1/16/21 2-4 pm
Zoom
A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
Robert Allen was the coordinator. 8 people attended: Robert, Lloyd Beeson (new), Derek (new), Brad, Sophie, Leah, Ed, DeVon.
We went over these items:
- Welcome new people!
- Next meeting is February 20. The book is The Vines by Christopher Rice. Bil is the discussion leader.
Book discussion recap:
This is the second book in a series. We have read the first book (A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet) which we liked. In general, we liked this book even more. Some people loved it!
This book is easier to follow than the first book because it has fewer people and places. It also delves into the backstory of some of the characters. Since we were familiar with some of the characters already, we were more invested in them.
This book had more plot than the first and delved into serious issues more than the first. But it was still somewhat lacking in plot, and there was no bad guy.
There were parallels to the queer community: choosing your name, not necessarily identifying with the body you’re in, third-person references to self, a race with four genders, and found families.
We enjoyed the style of telling two stories at once and switching back and forth. Then converging at the end.
Expressions of love in this book were not romantic/sexual. Instead, love was familial/fraternal.
Verdict: Thumbs up!
March Book Nominations (winner in boldface):
- The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin - Robert and Leah
- A Luminous Republic by Andres Barba - Robert
- Middlegame by Seanan McGuire - Sophie
- Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire - Sophie
