Requst for information

[brixtonbrood]

I'm trying to get up to date with my sf reading and, in particular, cover the Hugo novel shortlist. Having never read any China Mieville, can I just dive in with Iron Council, or should I start with Perdido Street Station, which I happen to own?
Also, if I didn't really like Singularity Sky and find that plots involving closed time-like curves make my head hurt, am I excused from reading Iron Sunrise?