A few years ago I was reading a historical fiction novel set in the 17th century on my way to work. During a particularly evocative chapter describing a rat infected with the bubonic plague arriving at the city, I raise my eyes from the book and glance out of the bus window... just to see a freaking rat run across the street. I don't think I've even seen a rat in my city till then, though I knew there were some.

Even more chilling? The book I was reading was set in the same city I was at.

I like gifting people books, but it's hard, too. Most of my friends love reading, but all of us have wildly different tastes. So it's always a struggle to pick something I think they would enjoy. It's hardest with a friend who mostly reads classics, because I often have no idea whether she's read a particular one or not. With others, I tend to go for more recent publications to maximize the chances they won't have read it yet.

IMO, Recursion is his best work instead of Dark Matter. But yeah, he writes good page-turners. If you go in expecting groundbreaking stuff, you'll be disappointed.

Nope, can't do it. Any kind of music is just another distraction to me. I prefer to read in silence. When my fellow commuters or noisy teenagers upstairs have other ideas, I turn on he most generic, bland white noise I can find. It's the only thing I can tolerate while reading.

If there is a better description of this book, I don't know it.

I personally think it's a masterpiece, but it's extremely bleak. Do not read it while depressed as I did. Would not recommend.