Heartland

Rules:

1. Must have been first published in 2011 (first paperback edition counts)
2. No more than 3 books per Heartlander
3. A very brief summary of each book (1 sentence) would be useful for other people looking for recommendations

So with the rules clearly defined, here are mine:

Embassytown by China Miéville
A novel set in the far-future that examines the role of Language from a philosophical point of view, which sounds very dry until you add in Miéville's fantastic storytelling ability.

The World That Never Was: A True Story of Dreamers, Schemers, Anarchists and Secret Agents by Alex Butterworth
A potted history of revolutionary movements (and the secret police that fought and/or encouraged them) across Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Rule 34 by Charles Stoss
Rule 34 is a generally accepted internet rule that states that pornography exists for any conceivable subject. Rule 34 (the book) is a near-future novel about just that.

Not a big reader myself, but as a footie fan very much enjoyed :

The Management : Scotland's Great Football Bosses by Michael Grant and Rob Robertson
Readable, fair and detailed analysis of the reasons why so many great managers came from the Greater Glasgow area

only book I read that was released this year, and that I'd recommend

Reamde by Neal Stephenson
Less steam punk than his usual, set in the present day. More of a fun read than his normal stuff.

Embassytown by China Miéville is amazing!

lazarus corporation wrote: Rule 34 by Charles Stoss
Rule 34 is a generally accepted internet rule that states that pornography exists for any conceivable subject. Rule 34 (the book) is a near-future novel about just that.

You mean Charles Stross? didn't realise he had another book out! loved the fuller memorandum

Gary wrote:

lazarus corporation wrote: Rule 34 by Charles Stoss
Rule 34 is a generally accepted internet rule that states that pornography exists for any conceivable subject. Rule 34 (the book) is a near-future novel about just that.

You mean Charles Stross? didn't realise he had another book out! loved the fuller memorandum

Argh yes, uncorrectable typo. Rule 34 is actually the first Charles Stross book I've ever read, but it certainly won't be the last.

Gary wrote:only book I read that was released this year, and that I'd recommend

Reamde by Neal Stephenson
Less steam punk than his usual, set in the present day. More of a fun read than his normal stuff.

Embassytown by China Miéville is amazing!

Reamde was on my shortlist, and I certainly enjoyed it, although maybe not as much as Anathem. I like how Stephenson (like William Gibson) have moved their settings to the present day, with the realization that's there's enough 'science fiction' around us now.

lazarus corporation wrote:

Gary wrote:only book I read that was released this year, and that I'd recommend

Reamde by Neal Stephenson
Less steam punk than his usual, set in the present day. More of a fun read than his normal stuff.

Embassytown by China Miéville is amazing!

Reamde was on my shortlist, and I certainly enjoyed it, although maybe not as much as Anathem. I like how Stephenson (like William Gibson) have moved their settings to the present day, with the realization that's there's enough 'science fiction' around us now.

I was going to mention Gibson's Zero History, but think that came out last year. Nice to see Hollis and Bigend back, strange to think how fast science fiction has become reality, and augmented reality just around the corner.