Looking at the Hugo award nominations for this year... I've read none of the novels, novellas, novelettes, comics, or games.
I've read one of the short stories, one of the series, and seen one of the dramatic presentations (long); two of the dramatic presentation (short).
I've got three novels from the series nominations sitting on my bookshelf, and I've just started one of those.
Is this level of ignorance in the face of the shortlists typical? I feel inadequate.
@darkling I've never been to a UK Worldcon. The only European one I did was Helsinki.
Because it really is "world" con, I can tell you that the English and Scottish fans I've known have been really open and friendly. (The Finns were great, too.) I'm looking forward to it a lot. I skipped Chengdu for ... reasons, it'll be interesting to be back.
@darkling If I may recommend something I learned at my second #Worldcon?
Try to stay at a hotel near the venue. (There are several.) I like the ability to go back to my room and decompress after I get overstimulated, which definitely can happen at a 10,000+ person event. When I've stayed even a moderate distance (say, a 20 minute walk) away, like I did at BucConeer, that felt less like an option.
Hugo Mills
Carl (He/Him)
Blind Voyager