Aye, it might just be 'not in the mood'. Shades is a vaguely humourous but not actually 'funny' book, unlike his others, whcih TBH have begun to lose their appeal, the joke's good, but not good enough for a massive series.

But it was well written, clever, and intriguing, while not being too heavy going.

I'm reading another book at the moment, some sort of alt history steampunky Pullmanesque thing, and it has neither intrigued me nor grabbed me, I think I'll just dump it in favour of something else, I got out Rendezvous with Rama for a reread, but I'm worried that might destroy my childhood memories of a damn fine book.

Hopefully, the library'll get the new Stross in soon, then I can read that and be happy.