MAX by James Patterson

Maximum Ride is back in MAX by James Patterson. This book is the latest installment in the Maximum Ride series or Bird Kids as some of you might know it. It is about six children who were genetically mutated with bird DNA and now possess wings and other powerful traits that vary from child to child. These "Superpowers" are very helpful when they find themselves in difficult or dangerous situations--which you will find happen very frequently.

This book finds Max's mother kidnapped, the other bird children growing up and becoming more independent, and Max falling in love and feeling confused and happy and all those other emotions that come with that.

Even though this book is about children it is a book that will interest all ages. It is fast paced and keeps you reading and reading.

All I can say is: When does the next book come out?

Nine Lives: Death and Life in New Orleans by Dan Baum

Nine Lives: Death and Life in New Orleans by Dan Baum was a very interesting book. I can't believe here I am reading another non-fiction book. What is wrong with me? Not that there is anything wrong with non-fiction books, it's just that I don't usually read them.

For the past several years I have been interested in visiting New Orleans. I'm not sure what draws me there. The pictures I've seen of the architecture and the cemeteries really intrigue me.

This book tells a story of the city of New Orleans from several different people starting in the 1960's and follows them and the story of the city thru 2007. Hurricane Katrina was devastating to many people's lives and the place they called home. Even though I don't think that the hurricane is the central focus of the book, I was waiting for it to happen. Some of the people showed such spirit and determination to get back to their homes so they could start living their lives again, others were just too overwhelmed by the obstacles they now faced.

It is unimaginable to me what the city looked like after the water receded. I try to picture it in my head and I know that I don't come close to what the true devastation was. I hope someday to visit and see a New Orleans that has bounced back from one of the worst natural disasters in our country and enjoy the historical significance of the town.

I really enjoyed the insight into New Orleans this book provided.

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult will be another bestseller for this author. If you have ever read any books by Picoult you will know that there will twists and turns that make your heart break and keep you reading until the very end.

I have to admit after reading only 50 pages of this book I was convinced I was going to stop. I 'm not sure what made me continue on. There is something about her books that make me so unsettled. Having read many of her previous books I know there will be some kind of conflict that would twist you inside out if you were in the same position and that makes me very uncomfortable.

This book is about a little girl who is born with a bone disease called osteogenesis imperfecta, a disease of the bones that makes them very susceptible to breaks. If a child is diagnosed with this disease and survives birth they are in for a life of many broken bones. The little girl, Willow, is such an optimistic child, who charms you with all her knowledge and her sunny personality despite her physical difficulties. Once again though, Picoult, shows how one person in a family and their problems can affect the rest of the members of the family, especially when that one person has something that is so overwhelming and requires so much special attention.

Read this book and let me know what you think!! I'd really be interested in your perspective.

Emma by Jane Austen

Well I can finally say now that I've read a Jane Austen book. Emma was a selection for my classics book discussion. I've often wondered in the past several years what all the hoopla was about Jane Austen with the movie Jane Austen's Book Club, and several other fiction books written about Jane Austen's books and people's love of her writing.

It is unbelievable to me that Emma was written in 1815. I just read a book that is almost 200 years old and I got thru it. It was not an easy read, but the story itself wasn't too bad. In certain parts I found myself not reading fast enough because I wanted to know what happened. It is about a young woman, Emma, who thinks she is a great matchmaker to her friends. She is actually pretty oblivious to the fact that she really doesn't see people and their feelings the way they truly are.

She attempts several times to set up her "friend" Harriet with a few men, but it always backfires. Finally, during the last attempt she realizes something about herself, which I won't tell you, but I would say it makes the story complete.

There are many characters throughout the book and some I liked and some I didn't. After reading the notes at the end though I was surprised to find that Emma's character is mostly unliked by alot of readers. I didn't necessarily feel that way.

This book is definitely worth the read. I would consider reading another of her books, especially since this was deemed her most difficult read of all of her works.

The Forever War by Dexter Filkins

The Forever War is an interesting book. We decided in our staff book discussion group to read books each month from a different culture or country. One of my co-workers suggested this one.

The book is about the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. A news reporter tells the story of his time spent in both of these countries. He gives many details of the soldiers daily lives and also befriends many of the people who call those countries home. It is very interesting that our news media for the most part tells us the people there are grateful for our presence. Reporters see a different side of the story--at least this reporter did.

The people there are torn between needing the money the United States is providing to upgrade their cities and infrastructure and the real desire to see the soldiers gone. Many say they did not necessarily like the way Saddam ruled, but with no "real" government in place yet, they just want their country back to the way they remembered it.

It was definitely an eye-opening book. It takes great courage or stupidity, I'm not sure which, for reporters to risk their lives each day to bring us reports from over there.