Thursday, February 19, 2015

FEBRUARY 2015 BOOK SELECTIONS: MATCHED & WATCH ME

Two books this month and they couldn’t be more different.


My first choice was Matched by Ally Condi. Matched is the first book of a Young Adult Trilogy which continues with Crossed and concludes with Reached. Because I write Middle Grade, Young Adult and Adult fiction, all of these genres interest me. I like keeping up with what is popular and selling to a particular target audience, thus Matched

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I love when reality exceeds expectation. The story takes place in a Dystopian society in which individual choice has been removed. Everything, from food and occupation to your mate is selected for you. Even your dreams are not your own. The author created a believable, fully realized world… no easy task. The heroine starts to question her life because of a verse of poetry by Dylan Thomas, “Do not go gentle…,” given to her by her dying grandfather. Well-written and fast paced, it was an interesting and well-crafted read. Kudos to Ally Condi. I’m intrigued.
Recommend.



My next selection was the memoir, Watch Me by Anjelica Huston. I have always admired Ms. Huston’s acting talent and thought her life story would be interesting.  Apparently this is her second memoir, the first being A Story Lately Told: Coming of Age in Ireland, London, and New York which concentrated on her early life. 

Watch Me centers on her life after moving to Los Angeles up to the present. More than anything this memoir is a series of chronological incidents and memories with very little transitional material. It is fascinating to peek into the world of the very rich and glamorous and Huston definitely had/has a roster of famous friends and acquaintances. 

Initially, I enjoyed the gossipy tales but eventually found no real insight into the woman herself. I lost interest over time. The most I can say is it’s a fun read.

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