Martin finished reading Julia: A Novel by Sandra Newman
This was really well done -- retelling the events of Orwell's 1984 from the point of view of the second main character, Winston's "girlfriend" Julia. Personally, I think this is much more interesting than 1984, and provides a richer character to everyone. Unfortunately, it ends up being one of those books that is hopeful and pessimistic at the same moment. Still, it's particularly relevant for our time.