April 2026 Reading

2026-05-01 4:47 PM

#books #reading #steinbeck #grant #compton

I can't believe it's already May. I finished three books in April.

Farewell, Earth's Bliss - DG Compton

24 convicts are exiled on an automated ship for a one-way trip to Mars. Along the way, new names are adopted and they do not discuss their crimes. Once on Mars, they're faced with the harsh reality of the environment as well as the harsh reality of the Settlement.

The narrative focuses on nine main characters, each with a unique perspective of their new life in the Settlement. The reality of starting over isn't as appealing as it sounds as their assimilation plays out in unexpected ways. The ending was heartbreaking, but understandable.

Feed - Mira Grant

Set about 25 years from now, the world has been overrun by zombies created by a cure for the common cold. But, good news - the Internet still works, there is portable, super high-tech recording equipment, and bloggers are now on equal footing with traditional media.

I almost didn't finish this book. The blogger-as-underdog theme is heavy at the beginning, but considering it was written in 2010 when blogging was becoming a little more mainstream, so the portrayal of bloggers as edgy alternative media fit in with the larger plot. I kept reading because the narrative moved away from bloggers reporting on zombies into more of a political thriller, which was nice.

The story moved along at a good pace and kept my attention. It's part of a trilogy, but I'm not planning on reading the next books. This one wrapped up well enough on its own.

Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

I had never read this book, even though I'm pretty sure I was supposed to in high school. I was drawn in by the descriptions of the setting and the complexity of everyone involved. Each character is trapped in their own way and they all are looking for ways to escape. I wish I had read it earlier in my life, but I'm not sure I would have understood it.