2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This is where we will discuss the book after we start reading it in December.

Please remember to mark spoilers by using spoiler tags: [spoiler]...[/spoiler], but replace [ by < and ] by >

A few questions to get us thinking about the book:

What do you think of the world building in the book?
Becky Chambers created a universe full of otherworldly cultures and characters—sapient and otherwise. Did you have a favourite culture? Favourite character?
Would you rather be stranded in a space capsule with Kizzy or Corbin?

I'm actually just a half hour from finishing this but I'll answer the mid-reading questions anyway!

World-building: (view spoiler)[I love it. This whole book is like an introduction to different planets, species, races, and characters. I love all of it and the history of each person/race. I'm worried the second book won't be as good because what I loved most in this won't be as "needed" in the second one. (hide spoiler)]

Favorite Culture or Character: (view spoiler)[It's hard to pick a favorite character. I want to say Sissix, but I also like Dr. Chef (we just haven't learned as much about him as we have of Sissix). The Sianat pair, Ohan, is actually the most intriguing though. (hide spoiler)]

Stranded: (view spoiler)[At first I thought well obviously Kizzy. But honestly, I love her in the book but being around her in real life might be a bit much for me. Corbin probably wouldn't like me though and I hate being disliked. So I think Kizzy wins this one. (hide spoiler)]

I am only a few chapters into listening to this book but so far I am adoring the world building! I'll comment again when I get further along and feel comfortable answering questions. Currently I am just meeting the crew and learning about the ship.

I just started re-reading the book and I am loving it! I find all the details of the world and characters easier to follow and remember this time.

I'm about 30% in now and really enjoying it as well. It's very well written and even if I struggle a bit to seperate all characters at all times I'm invested in it.

I've read about 66% so far.
Oh wow, this book is such a good choice for the theme of harmony. I love how (view spoiler)[diverse this book is. There are many different genders, sexualities, races, species represented and everyone seems so accepting of each other. (hide spoiler)] Thank you Ilona for nominating it!
World building: (view spoiler)[ so vivid. Becky Chambers includes a lot of detail but not so much that you feel overwhelmed by it all. (hide spoiler)]
Favourite character/culture: (view spoiler)[right now I'm going to say Sissix because I've just read the part where she has a brief visit home and it was so interesting to find out more of her backstory. The whole hatch/egg/feather family dynamic was so sweet and just shows that family is what you make it. To me, it is yet another sign of harmony/acceptance. (hide spoiler)]
Stranded with Kizzy or Corbin? (view spoiler)[I'm very introverted and while I like Kizzy's character a lot, I think her chaotic energy would exhaust me and we'd definitely end up arguing (or worse) if we were stuck together in a stressful situation like that for a while. So by process of elimination, it's going to be Corbin. I feel at this stage that I don't know enough about him - maybe we find out more as the series goes on? (hide spoiler)]

I’m at 54% and truly loving this book. (view spoiler)[ I just found out Rosemary’s secret, which was not a surprise. And Dr, Chef’s backstory almost moved me to tears. Such a good section of story! (hide spoiler)]

I’m at 50 percent. A quick, enthralling read. Humorous, touching and thought provoking so far. Now we know Rosemary’s secret, I’ll be interested to see where this is going. Has been fairly light in tone so far but I suspect it’s going to get darker before the end.

Rachael wrote: "I've read about 66% so far.
Oh wow, this book is such a good choice for the theme of harmony. I love how [spoilers removed] Thank you Ilona for nominating it!
World building: [spoilers removed]
Fav..."

I’m with you on who I’d prefer to be stranded with! (view spoiler)[ your comment actually reminded me of something that happened in real life during the huge storm on Everest that killed lots of climbers. One of the groups involved had one member who everyone hated. He was arrogant, self centred with no social skills. Their group got back to base camp safely to discover there was another group still out on the mountain in life threatening conditions. He was the only one who risked his life by going back out and successfully rescuing several climbers. Hidden depths. (hide spoiler)]

I am frustrated. I let last weeks winter storm get to me (didnt listen while i spent most of the day outside shoveling) and my audiobook expired with three hours left this morning. I have put the physical book on hold and hope to finish the book tomorrow. I think I can finally answer questions though!

(view spoiler)[ I absolutely adore the world building in this book! It is so well written that it doesn't feel like the description is droning on and on like in some book's I have read.
I think Sissix is my favorite character. I love the description of her, and I have yet to go find fan art to see what other's visualize as I am waiting to finish the book. Her Aandrisk culture sounds amazing to me. If my personal anxiety wasn't so bad, I'd love to live in this touch filled culture.
I would obviously love to be stranded with Kizzy, she reminds me so much of my favorite Serenity character Kaylee. I think she would be fun to hang around with, of course as long as I had coffee and snacks to keep up with her energy. (hide spoiler)]