So, I've now read something like six or seven of John Scalzi's novels, along with several years worth of his Whatever. And I am pleased, you know, that he is so successful, both in sales and awards. But I don't really get the critical praise for Zoe’s Tale.
It's not a bad book. It's just that it's not that good a book, either. I enjoyed it, and all. But I certainly wouldn't grab anybody and say Here's a book you might really like. I've got to figure that if you like this sort of thing, you know about it already, and if you don't, this isn't going to change your mind. And if you've never read this sort of thing, Zoe's Tale isn't a good place to start.
On the other hand, if you do like this sort of thing, and YHB does like this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing you like. Nothing wrong with that. And it may be the case that there really isn't that much of this sort of thing being written and published, and therefore a perfectly good example (although not a stellar example) is an occasion for buttonholing people.
Tolerabimus quod tolerare debemus,
-Vardibidian.