Impression Parade Book Club discussion

After the overwhelming success of Ready Player One, Ernest Cline's Armada was on a lot of people's "Most Anticipated Books of 2015" lists. Here we are! I've seen some mixed reviews regarding this book, but I think it's important to separate this novel from Ready Player One, and approach it without massive expectations. It sounds like a fun science fiction adventure read, so I'm hoping to enjoy Armada for what it is :) Who else is with me?

Yay! I'm with you!

It will be hard not to have expectations after loving Ready Player One, but this book is a totally different premise, so I think I should be ok. I think I'll be starting this after I finish Cloud Atlas.

Has anyone started Armada yet? I'm burning through it today, and I have to say, I'm not sure why this book is getting a some negative feedback. I'm really enjoying it so far, and I actually think the pop culture references in Armada are easier to relate to than the ones in Ready Player One simply because they're more resent. I've actually caught myself laughing out loud a few times (which isn't something I normally do when I read). Things did take a little longer than I expected to get going, but I was still on board from page one. Maybe I'm just extra nerdy?

I agree with you! I think part of why I'm enjoying it so much is because of Wil Weaton's narration. I definitely recommend you guys checking out the audiobook for this particular title. I'm not sure the jokes would actually make me laugh out loud if I was reading the physical book.

Either way! I agree, I don't understand why the negative hype. I really like the video game references and I'm glad they are bit closer to my age demographic than Ready Player One. Can't wait to keep going with it tonight :)

Lindsay wrote: "I agree with you! I think part of why I'm enjoying it so much is because of Wil Weaton's narration. I definitely recommend you guys checking out the audiobook for this particular title. I'm not sur..."

I think Wil Wheaton definitely adds to the experience (let's be honest, he's an amazing narrator and I would listen to his read a grocery list), but I think we would know if we weren't actually into the story. Also, it's actually easier for me to imagine this in movie format than Ready Player One (apparently, the rights have been sold already).

Marianna wrote: "Lindsay wrote: "I agree with you! I think part of why I'm enjoying it so much is because of Wil Weaton's narration. I definitely recommend you guys checking out the audiobook for this particular ti..."

I think the only real problem I have so far is how reminiscent of Ender's Game this is so far. I'm hoping that things get taken in a different direction than that book/movie.

Lindsay wrote: "Marianna wrote: "Lindsay wrote: "I agree with you! I think part of why I'm enjoying it so much is because of Wil Weaton's narration. I definitely recommend you guys checking out the audiobook for t..."

I thought it's reminiscent of Ender's Game after reading the premise blurb, but having read (and disliked) Ender's Game I'm glad that the writing/characters are very different. What surprises me so far is that I'm actually on board with the gaming/fighting parts, which is something I thought could potentially not work for me because I always have trouble imagining the big picture. Somehow, this isn't an issue here.

P.S. all of the Queen references are making me so happy!