Light, by M John Harrison (based on the first 22%). I'm finding it genuinely hard to read - a bit like The Quantum Thief or The January Dancer, but more so than either of them. I can't yet say it's good per se - in particular the three narrative strands show very little sign of converging at this stake - but it's a striking, provocative experience.

I just read The Flux by Ferrett Steinmetz, the sequel to his novel Flex. Short review: Like its predecessor, The Flux is the literary equivalent of a summer blockbuster film: it doesn't feel like High Art, but it's action-packed, suspenseful, and a heck of a lot of fun. Recommended for anyone looking for a good time; 4 out of 5 stars.

• The Wind-up Girl (review)
• The Great Gatsby (review)