Have I got a couple of great reads for you! I just came back from our family vacation and, since it was over eight hours away, I finally had some time to catch up on some of my favorite authors’ newest books.

The first one I would like to recommend is “Maximum Ride: Final Warning” by James Patterson. This is the fourth book in this series. It’s about these kids who are the results of experiments that some scientists tried, crossing the human gene with a bird gene.

They thought by crossing the genes they could come up with the perfect genetically altered breed. These kids look like normal humans, but have wings tucked behind their backs so whenever they want, they can fly away.

Now, I have to admit, the first time I heard someone talking about these books, I thought to myself, “That sounds really stupid!” I am not a sci-fi reader at all, but I ended up just “loving” this whole series.

The four books cover everything from the very beginning of their lives when they had to escape from cages where they were being held like animals, to years later when they are still on the run to stop the scientists from finding them again.

There are, of course, lots of twists and turns in the books as you find out who their real parents are and, as the kids have gotten older in this last book, there is even a little bit of a romance going on.

I think this author really does a great job in making you feel like you are right there with the “birdkids” trying to get out of every dangerous situation they encounter. It really is a fun series.

The second book I would like to recommend is “Fearless Fourteen” by Janet Evanovich. As you can maybe guess by the title, this is actually the 14th book in this series. If you get into this series, you will find out that she can make you just sit there and laugh out loud.

These books are about a bond enforcement agent, also known as a bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum. You will not believe the trouble this lady can find. She usually ends up finding the bad guy, but finding a whole lot more trouble along the way.

Now, as you can probably imagine, after reading 14 books in a series, by now I really feel like I know the characters. I have been having some fun here at the Bangor library after this last one came out with other fellow Stephanie Plum fans, and we have came up with the people who should star in this if a movie is ever made.

I thought I would share this with all you other Stephanie fans out there. Here is what we have come up with: Ranger, who we have visions of being this big muscle-man hunk, should of course be played by The Rock. Lula, who is Stephanie’s sidekick, should be played by Whoopi Goldberg. Tank, the huge bounty hunter who hardly ever talks, should be played by Michael Clarke Duncan. (you know, the really big guy in the “Green Mile” movie).

Grandma Mazur should be played by Robin Williams dressed up like an old lady. Morelli the cop, I think should be played by Jon Bon Jovi, but others seem to disagree on that one.

Now if you have the perfect match for Stephanie, stop in to the Bangor library and let me know. It’s always fun to get other fellow reader’s ideas. And if you have never read any of the books in this series, give them a try. I really think you will like them.

And remember, if you don’t have the time to do much reading over the busy summer, try our audio books. They are great to listen to in the car.

Shari Axelsen is a La Crosse County Library System staff member at the Bangor branch.