Better Than I Expected

Shopgirl by Steve Martin
This book surprised me a little. It was actually probably a little more enjoyable for me than the better-regarded The Feast of Love (see below). Martin's writing is a sort of large vocabulary minimalism. It's underwritten if anything—a pleasant contrast to Baxter's overwriting. And, while it may not be nearly as polished as Baxter's book, it is far more earnest. You can tell Martin isn't trying to impress anyone; he's just writing. That carries weight with me. That said, I probably won't pick up another book of his on my own, I may try him again if something is strongly recommended.