Player of Games by Iain M. Banks

This month's selection is the second novel in the Iain M. Bank's Culture Series, "Player of Games." Even though the book is part of a series, each novel is a stand-alone, so no worries if you haven't read book one ("Consider Phlebas").

Plot summary (from Amazon.com): Published in 1988, "Player of Games" is about The Culture, a human/machine symbiotic society, which has thrown up many great Game Players, and one of the greatest is Gurgeh. Bored with success, Gurgeh travels to the Empire of Azad, cruel and incredibly wealthy, to try their fabulous game...a game so complex, so like life itself, that the winner becomes emperor. Mocked, blackmailed, almost murdered, Gurgeh accepts the game, and with it the challenge of his life, and very possibly his death.

Our location: Bourgeois Pig is a cafe located a couple blocks east of the Fullerton Red Line stop. Street parking may be difficult, but I believe there are pay lots in the area. We will be on the second floor of the cafe. There will be a Meetup sign on our table, and I'll send attendees my cell number before we meet in case you can't find us.

Future book selection ideas are welcome. Criteria for books: has a science fiction theme, be 10+ years old, and under 500 pages (for us busy, slower readers).

Please be respectful of the group and your humble organizer by keeping RSVPs up-to-date. No-shows are no fun, so please don't be one, if you can help it. Two no-shows will have you removed from the group.