The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

This is the group thread for The Murderbot Diaries!

This thread is open for discussion beginning September 1st! Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed (mark as a spoiler) in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days of the month can be used to catch up if needed! Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads.

All Systems Red
Week of 09/01
September 01: Pages 1-15
September 02: Pages 16-30
September 03: Pages 31-45
September 04: Pages 46-60
September 05: Pages 61-75
September 06: Pages 76-90
September 07: Pages 91-105

Week of 09/08
September 08: Pages 106-120
September 09: Pages 121-135
September 10: Pages 136-end

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Artificial Condition
Week of 11/10
November 10: Pages 1-16
November 11: Pages 17-32
November 12: Pages 33-48
November 13: Pages 49-64
November 14: Pages 65-80
November 15: Pages 81-96
November 16: Pages 97-112

Week of 11/17
November 17: Pages 113-128
November 18: Pages 129-144
November 19: Pages 145-end

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Rogue Protocol
Week of 11/20
November 20: Pages 1-16
November 21: Pages 17-32
November 22: Pages 33-48
November 23: Pages 49-64

Week of 11/24
November 24: Pages 65-80
November 25: Pages 81-96
November 26: Pages 97-112
November 27: Pages 113-128
November 28: Pages 129-144
November 29: Pages 145-end

You can read the group book at any time during the month and at your own pace. This is the pace the group will be using, but if you read ahead or will be giving spoilers, please mark them (click the "some html is ok button"). If you have any questions a mod or another member can help you.

Hi, has anybody else read these in the past few weeks or is currently reading? Would have loved to start this at the beginning of the Group Read in September but unfortunately the waiting times at my library vary between 6 and 22 weeks for this series.

I'm now about a third into part one and so far it is a quick, easy read. Both the main character as well as the glimpses into the world-building so far are intriguing. Murderbot seems well developed as a character in regards to the inner conflicts of an android being and there is quite a lot of potential for building relationships with the human companions the book has introduced as of yet.

Artificial Condition - Chapter 1+2

(view spoiler)[ Interesting to get more of an inside into the workings of this universe like the space travel and the news distribution, especially from Murderbots POV with understandably always being cautious around humans.
The transport system is a fun new character and the way their expression of emotions is characterized bears so much potential for future development. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3-5
The bickering between Murderbot and ART is so much fun, they make a great partnership both with slightly different views on their own existence as well as the world surrounding them.

The way Murderbot almost immediately starts caring for his new clients even though they were only supposed to be a convenient way onto the planet. Surely there will be some way the humans can also be helpful for Murderbots own mission.

Chapter 6+7

I wonder how much deeper Murderbot can dig into the events of the mine to finally get some real closure or if they just have to live with what they did even though it wasn't their fault.

Both ART and Murderbots exasperation at the humans stupidity towards danger was quite hilarious at the same its good that they can learn more about humanity, and how to deal with the irrationality of it, this way.

Rogue Protocol Chapter 1+2

It was a bit sad to leave ART at the end of book 2 but Miki also seems to be an interesting choice for a new robot-companion for this story. The way Murderbot cannot believe that Miki might have found actually decent humans is a bit heartbreaking. I do hope it stays true, that would bear a lot of potential for Murderbots onw emotional developments.

Looking forward to circling back to part one and Murderbot trying to take down the big bad company that was willing to commit murder for its own profit without any remorse.

Chapter 3+4

The way the two security people don't seem to communicate with each other is rather suspect and of course whatever is the matter with their weapon bags. Athough the creatures on the station seem rather alien than to work with the security team.

I do hope Mikie does not lose their innocence, its good to have a character who wants to believe in the good of everyone because they have never been hurt before. At the same time the naivety might become a problem if they trust too much into the wrong people.
Good thing Murderbot only ever wants the best for "its" humans, as soon as they can get past their own emotions and sarcasm 😂

Chapter 5+6
Noooo not Miki...The ending was quite gut-wrenching and while it was becoming obivious from the way Mikis behaviour developed throughout the story the way it was written was rather heart-breaking.
I think its good that the author stayed on the line of there being a pure friendship between Miki and its human team, the way Abene reacted to Miki being injured showed that this was definitely not a one-way-street in regards to the trust placed in each other.