Feed by M.T. Anderson

This book is a compelling read about a future world where people have a feed (computer chip) planted in their head. It is somewhat like having a computer connected to the internet. The feed tells you about news, items you can buy, latest trends and places to go. The story starts out with Titus and his friends going to the moon for spring break. Titus meets Violet there and a friendship begins. Violet cares about what is happening in the world and challenges everything Titus and his friends know and believe about the feed.

This book reminds me of 1984 and is somewhat scary, because I think it is actually possible we could end up in a world like the one described.

Highly recommended.

The Innocent's Story

This was an ARC I received through COLAPL. The book is to be released June 2007, written by Nicky Singer.

"OK. This is what I think happened: I got blown up. Boom, boom, explosion, Cassina Dixon, aged thirteen, is blasted limb from limb. I'm not trying to be funny about this (a characteristic of my father's) but to try and explain it, if only to myself. You see, I'm not quite the person I was at 5:11 p.m. yesterday afternoon. In fact, I may not be a person at all"

So the book begins with 13 year old Cassina narrating her story and her existence as a "para-spirit" after being killed in a terrorist bombing. She travels through various hosts listening to their thoughts and seeing the world as they see it, including the bomber. Very interesting book, with lots of questions and insights as to why we humans do what we do.

Highly recommended.