What I Read: May 2015

So, I'm late again with my post on what I read last month. And once, again, I'm afraid I didn't read much. Well, I started quite a few, but, for various reasons, didn't get through them all. The good news is that unlike Annihilation last month, I actually plan on finishing the three I've set aside.

But, for now, let's talk about what I did read.


One Plus One, Jojo Moyes

This is the first Jojo Moyes book I've ever read, and she really is a very good writer. The book wasn't one of my all time favorites, but it's a solidly good read and I'd probably read her again. It's about a single mother struggling to raise her odd, outcast children on her own and the man who helps them out. A man who has some struggles of his own. And it's written very well by Moyes. The best thing that she does, in my opinion, is make the reader really care about the characters. I actually teared up a bit reading this book and laughed aloud as well (in different spots in the book; I'm not a sociopath). If you haven't read Jojo Moyes, I definitely recommend her, especially if you're looking for something a bit substantial but still easy to read. She does that very well.



An Object of Beauty, Steve Martin

This was another first for me; my first Steven Martin book. And, it was... fine. I found the behind-the-scenes discussion of the art world and what sells and why to be absolutely fascinating. I could have read another 200 pages of that. But, what made this book only okay for me was that I hated the lead character. And I hated the narrator a bit as well. The main character was criminally cruel and he was an idiot who enabled her criminal cruelty. I don't care that she was promiscuous. I don't even care that she felt entitled to success based on her looks. No, what bothered me was her complete lack of a conscious. Still, it was a very interesting book and in spite of my extreme dislike of a couple of characters, I still recommend it. Especially if you have any interest in the New York art scene.



Brave New World, Aldous Huxley

Brave New World was, hands-down, my favorite of the three books I read. I'm a bit embarrassed that I made it to 40 without ever having read it, but I'm so very glad I remedied that situation. This book is both terrifying and perfect. Aldous Huxley's vision of the future is horrifying but that's because it also makes a certain amount of sense. You can see how a society might think some of the practices in this book would be a good idea. And that is so very scary. And brilliant, especially considering that this novel was written in 1932. If, for some reason, you haven't read this book, please do.


And please join me on Tuesday for Literary Stylings. I know it's late notice, we can all just pretend that's part of the fun.


Happy Sunday, All!

Gracey