Thank you for such a thorough and informative answer
Do the Sprawl, Bridge, and Blue Ant trilogies have anything to do with each other? I did hear the Sprawl Trilogy is only loosely connected, like you said, so I doubt they do, but just in case.
I think I'll read Snow Crash first, actually. I've heard nothing but good things about it, and the premise is just so silly, yet makes so much sense (and that's kind of terrifying to think about XD). I'll also be to sure to look into The Peripheral c: And would you recommend the Blue Ant Trilogy as well?
I'd suggest maybe The Difference Engine, actually: its separate from all his trilogies n written with Bruce Sterling. It's an alternate history, I don't remember everything; going by synopsis-concerns a real invention in our history called The Difference Engine, which was not fully built at that time. Can't remember much else about the story but its complete by itself, so you might try find a more complete description n read it if it interests you.
The Sprawl, Bridge n Blue Ant trilogies: the Sprawl n Bridge r kinda obsolete in a way cos of internet n cell phones kinda but might still be interesting. I do like the Blue Ant trio but mostly the second book Spook Country.
You could go backwards if you like each book this way-Peripheral, then go to Blue Ant 1,2,3. If you like that, go Sprawl1,2,3 or Bridge1,2,3 or reverse Bridge1,2,3 then Sprawl1,2,3.
I read them all but not remember much n not gonna read them again rn, or soon. I'm going to read the Agency cos I liked the Peripheral a lot.
Or if you read Snow Crash, you could read (a)Diamond Age; (b)Cryptonomicon; (c1)Quicksilver; (c2) Confusion; (c3)System of the World. (d)Anathem; (e) Reamde (f) Seveneves ; (g) Fall; or Dodge in Hell.
These are mostly separate except (c) has events abt 300 years earlier than (b) set in the same continuity. All the others seem separate including Snow Crash n Diamond Age.
You could skip Anathem n Seveneves unless you read a description n like the description. People complain those are overlong or other things but you might like them. I haven't read Fall cos it just came out this year n I hvnt bought it. I really like Reamde n you could read it without reading any other of his books. thats my memory of those two authors cyberpunk related science fiction, mostly they've moved away from it later.
And science fiction n fantasy books r my interest since I was a kid, so....but not all fantasy cos there's too many new now i hvnt read. Same with more recent science fiction after I started working n had less time, also newer books aren't to my taste as much.