“I think I’d probably tell you that it’s easier to desire and pursue the attention of tens of millions of total strangers than it is to accept the love and loyalty of the people closest to us.” William Gibson, Idoru
2016 has been the year of Dick for me, Philip Kindred Dick. Taking part in Bookpunks’ mind-warping “Exegesis with a Side of Fiction: The PKD Read-Along” has brought me closer to Dick. I regularly found myself questioning what was real after being submerged in the latest book. Despite struggling through the dense and diffuse Exegesis, I looked forward to my monthly dose of PKD paperback, wondering what kind of bizarre and unhinged world I would discover inside. It was also a great opportunity to focus on the work of one writer, to see the different worlds they had imagined and built, to compare the later stories with the earlier ones.
So, I propose spending 2017 in William Gibson territory. One book per month, commencing with his collection of short stories Burning Chrome.
The Reading Schedule
January – Burning Chrome (1986)
February – Neuromancer (1984)
March – Count Zero (1986)
April – Mona Lisa Overdrive (1988)
May – The Difference Engine (1990; with Bruce Sterling)
June – Virtual Light (1993)
July – Idoru (1996)
August – All Tomorrow’s Parties (1999)
September – Pattern Recognition (2003)
October – Spook Country (2007)
November – Zero History (2010)
December – The Peripheral (2014)
Some of these will be rereads for me, but I’m really looking forward to rediscovering Gibson’s Sprawl, Bridge and Blue Ant worlds. It will be my first time to read Gibson’s collaboration with Bruce Sterling, 1990’s The Difference Engine, a book I always passed on in the past. I’m not sure why. *Please feel free to join me at any time. It would be great to be able to compare thoughts and reviews on any of these books. *
I’m also thinking of including Gibson’s recent foray into comic book territory, IDW Publishing’s Archangel. It’s a five-issue limited series and has been garnering praise in the blogosphere.
Wakizashi's Reviews 
I was just thinking last night, “When am I ever going to read Count Zero?” I have no idea what my reading year is going to look like, as it seems my reading momentum has vanished lately, but I will certainly sign up and try to read along during some of the months!
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Brilliant! I remember your reviews of Virtual Light and the Peripheral. They’ve inspired me to do it, as well as a general desire to read the earlier novels I missed first time round. As you said, Gibson’s dialogue is always good.
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I’m currently enjoying Burning Chrome a lot, only two stories to go. I may join you for a reread of Neuromancer, I don’t think I approached it the right way the first time…
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Your review has increased my anticipation of this collection. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Thank you for posting a link to this Gibson Challenge. Much appreciated:)
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Love the idea, though as this year’s PKD challenge has shown, I’m less than capable of actually following through on read-alongs 🙂 I’ll try to join along for Count Zero, Burning Chrome, Mona Lisa Overdrive, and maybe The Difference Engine and Spook Country if I can find my copies! (I have no idea which box they are in.)
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I know how difficult it is to commit to a year-long reading challenge. I almost gave up on PKD in the summer, particularly his Exegesis. It would be great to read your take on Gibson’s books. I miss yours and Megan’s PKD reviews!
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