2010 | Book Nerds Across America

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

I wanted to read this book because I knew that it was going to be a movie, and I believe that knowing it was going to be a movie affected the way I read it.

The book starts with a warning: “The events in this book are real. Names and places have been change to protect the Lorien Six, who remain in hiding. Take this as your first warning. Other civilizations do exist. Some of them seek to destroy you.”

Whoa. What an intro! Left me thinking, “What is he talking about?!” Left me wanting to jump right into the book — which I did.

I wrote this review for The Young Folks. Click here to read the rest of it on their website.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Do you Twitter?

Here is something that you may not know about the Book Nerd Blog......we all met on Twitter! That is right! We became close friends and started this blog. The funny thing was it started all over The Hunger Games! *True Story*

So it is only fitting that the BOOK NERDS ACROSS AMERICA have its own Twitter account

If you are on Twitter please follow us at @booknerdsblog

We have a Midwinter's winner!

Thanks to everyone for entering our giveaway! Without further ado, do your thing Random.org....

The winner of Elsewhere is.....

SiNn!!!!

SiNn will have til Monday morning to respond. If we don't hear from SiNn by then, another winner will be chosen. But wait -- just for fun, we picked another number, and this person wanted Immortal. So congratulations to......

AEKZ2!!!!

Thanks to everyone who entered. And STAY TUNED to Book Nerds -- we have something BIG coming with the New Year!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop

Hey book lovers! Book Nerds is participating in our first hop! Whoo! This one is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not a Writer and lots of other blogs are participating. Lots. Like more than one hundred. It's pretty cool! Anyway, here's what we have to offer you: a choice! Choose one of these two:

It's Immortal, edited by P.C. Cast or Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin. I haven't read either one, but they both look pretty good to me! Just fill out this form and we'll choose a winner at random (random.org, name in hat, paper-rock-scissors, or something equally as scientific, we promise.) Thanks for stopping by!

In My Mailbox - Dos!

I wasn't going to post today, but I got so much fun stuff in the mail over the past 2 days that I just kinda have to ;-)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, who says, "The idea of In My Mailbox is to bring books to the attention of our blog readers and to encourage interaction with other blogs."

Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr, which I won from Harperteen and The Iron King and The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa, which I won from A Casual Reader. I have heard great things about both of these series and am looking forward to reading them! :)

Friday, December 17, 2010

Read Along

Ok I have wanted to do a read along for a while and I have not been able to decide on which book so I have chosen 2 books to do for the month of January!

I have chosen two books that have been turned into movies and will be coming out in 2011.

The first book is called: “I AM NUMBER FOUR”. I was not sure about this book until one of my booknerd friends told me about and I cannot wait to start this. This is already turned into a movie and will be in theaters in February 2011.

The second book is: “Jane Eyre”. This book is a pure classic. I read in high school (as I am sure lots of people have done) but I have realized here lately that the books I was “forced” to read are probably my most favorite. However, here recently I have been reading the “older” classics and I realized how much they really pertain to my life. The struggles, the love, the heartache, and even the happy ending all of this is part of life. Even if the book was written 100 or 200 years ago it is still the same (the difference is Wi-Fi, Twitter, and Facebook). I also chose this because they have redone this and will be out in theaters in the spring of 2011! I cannot wait to see this one!

So, get ready starting January 01, 2011 – let the read a long begin!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Ranking Harry Potter

Flo here. As I was home with the flu all this past weekend, I had the chance to re-watch Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In doing so, I was reminded of two things: first, that Prisoner of Azkaban is still my favorite of the series; and second, of a blog post from T, where she ranks her favorite HP books and movies.

How would I rank them? I wondered. It's tough, isn't it?! Well, I pondered it (and I really did do some serious pondering -- lol!) and here is my list:

1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Always my favorite. The trio is really starting to grow up and come into their own, and we learn so much that lays the foundation for the story to really start unfolding in the books ahead.

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Epic. That's all there is to it. What a conclusion! I recently re-read it, and I devoured it like it was the first time. This is the summit. This is where it all was leading. And it does not disappoint.

3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: I believe this is the first book I ever pre-ordered on Amazon.com. I was in college and it was coming out during a school break, so I had to ship it to my parents' house. I just remember explaining all this to them at the time, and them being like, "Wow...." Also -- what an ending! It left us questioning characters we'd followed throughout the series and discussing all kinds of possible outcomes.

4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Because it was the beginning of the world. I remember I got it from my Secret Santa eleven years ago and thought when I opened it: "Ok. What's this book?" I hadn't heard of it. Little did I know that eleven years down the road.... ;-)

5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: I love the challenges and the regular teenage dramas.

6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: The D.A.! *Love* I have to admit, though, this one was hard for me to read because of Harry's moodiness. I fully understand it and appreciate it, but it was still hard for me to read.

7. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: Honestly, if there's one book that I need to re-read, Chamber of Secrets is it.

Phew! That was hard.

You try it!!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Matched by Ally Condie

Can you imagine a world where you can’t even think for yourself? When the BookNerds and I decided to read Matched, I thought it was going to be a little bit like The Hunger Games; but I was so wrong and glad about it too.

Meet Cassia. She is young, bright, and follows the rules of The Society. Her best friend Xander is the one she will be “matched” with as her husband. She is so please about this, until another picture flashes on the screen. This picture is of a boy named Ky Markham. Cassia knew Ky also but he had a harder life them Cassia and she did not know the whole story.

As the story progresses (and I do not want to give too much away) Cassia begins to feel the Society is not always right. She sees the pain they are bringing to her family and friends. She feels that they all are being wronged.

After reading this story I realized what a great country I live in and hope that I never have to live the way Cassia did. True the Society provided for them but could you imagine living in a place where food is delivered at meal times (and not good stuff), people could not even walk into your house, you were told what job you will be doing and where to live, plus they chose your spouse and chose the day you die.

It’s amazing how sometimes a book or author can really make you think about how good you really have it in life and this book does that. However, there were parts of the book that just dragged and I felt that it could be summed up easier. At this point I am unsure if I will read the sequel to this book series.

*****Mary*****

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Conversation By Mary

I recently got into a conversation about “book series”. I am a lover of book series! I would rather read a series of books than just one book. I have my reason why – and if you want to know them read my previous blog posts.

Anyway, this person asked me to think about which book series that I have read explains me in the best way.

First my heart raced at thinking about the Twilight series. You see I have found my Edward, only he isn’t 110 years old or a vampire. Plus, I am a very independent woman and nothing like Bella. As much as I love my “twilight” series I can complete a sentence (well sometimes). So, I wouldn’t be about to compare myself to the twilight series.

Then I consider then Sookie series (I am sensing a pattern of vampires here…hhhhmmmm). Then again I am not telepathic or in love with such a southern gentleman.

So, what about Harry Potter – the boy who lived! Ok, I might be a little bit like Hermione but I don’t think that I can defeat Lord Voldermort to save the world. (I would not want to break a nail)

Could I be Grace from the Mercy Falls series? Nah, I am not very sensitive and I would not want to “comb” out my true love every night. (Ok that was a bit mean but Grace and Sam are meant for each other)

There is always Clary from the Mortal Instruments series. Could I fight evil to bring my mother back from a coma from my evil father and be in love with my brother? (There is more to that story then that little summary)

Then I figure it out……………….Katniss from the Hunger Games. The hunger Games has to be my all time favorite series. Katniss (in short) is what every good human being should be – male or female. I think I am like Katniss because of these reasons:

· She volunteer herself to save her little sister – I would save anyone in my family

· She fought to the death without using her weapons all the time – I have the common sense to do the same. I might not want to but I could to survive.

· She try to save her homeland (or district 12) – I think that I am involved with every local community group that exist in my area to help clean it up and save it from drugs, prostitutes, and crime.

· She fell in love with someone that she wasn’t sure about at first – well that is my boyfriend and me. My boyfriend and I did not even really like each other at first. Then he did something very sweet for me and I never looked at him the same and soon I was in love.

This is why I think I would compare that series to my life than others.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Mockingjay is my favorite

Last month I wrote to Muttations to tell them why Mockingjay is my favorite book in the Hunger Games trilogy. My response won me this really nifty poster that's now hanging on my wall:

I thought I'd share my thoughts with you....don't worry, they're spoiler free. But if you haven't read The Hunger Games trilogy yet, may I recommend that you go do that RIGHT NOW?!

"My favorite book....at first it was Catching Fire -- until I read Mockingjay. The Hunger Games was amazing because it brought you into the world and made you fall in love with the characters. As soon as I finished it, I picked up Catching Fire -- which I read in one day. By Catching Fire, you are engaged with the characters and the upcoming revolution....you turn the pages almost feverishly because you want to know how it all unfolds.

Mockingjay takes it all to a whole new level. The same suspense as Catching Fire. The same great depiction of the world as Hunger Games. Same great writing as both novels. But Mockingjay makes you THINK HARD. I read Hunger Games -- I loved it right away. Catching Fire -- I loved right away. Mockingjay....at the end I was a little...dissatisfied. Because I had to take time to reflect and let it sink in. I had to have hours of conservation with friends, old and new. I had to re-read it. I've laid awake at night thinking about Mockingjay. I've spent many waking hours thinking about and talking about Mockingjay. I cannot put into words how great a novel it is. It is REAL. It is HEARTBREAKING. It is POWERFUL. IT IS EPIC.

By far, Mockingjay is my favorite."

Monday, November 22, 2010

Book Series

I just love book series. Twilight, Harry Potter, The Mortal Instruments, House of Night ( I could go on and on). I love them because: 1) you really fall in love with the characters and 2) you get the WHOLE story. The first series I ever fell in love with was The Babysitter Club. I know that seems lame now but back in the day it was a big deal. Every time I would go to the bookstore with my mom and dad I would always rush to the children section just to see if there was a new number on the spine of the book that I did not have at home. The one thing that I also loved was that my parents would never deny me a book if I wanted it. They would always encourage my “book-nerd” ways.

Well back to my point of the book series – I just love them. At the end of a book there is always an urge to want more. I just don’t want it to end. i want to be a Cullen, that goes to Hogwarts, with my House of Night handbook, and search for the Mortal Cup. I know that is a bit crazy but that is what an imagination is for.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Notable Quotables: A new meme!

Notable Quotable is a new meme hosted by Bewitched Bookworms. I love it! Basically, a simple & sweet way for us book bloggers to stay connected.

Here's our first quote:

"After all this time?"
"Always," said Snape. (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling)

"Stay with me."
"Always."
(Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins)

I know, our first time doing this meme, and we cheated with 2 quotes! Both these books are top of the radar lately, and the use of this one word in both scenes is so extremely powerful and revealing about the characters that utter them. Now anytime I even hear the word, it brings a smile to my face :)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Bewitched Bookworms
2. Splash Of Our Worlds
3. Rhys

4. Guen @ Ezine of A Random Girl
5. Bethsheba
6. Book Nerds Across America

Monday, November 15, 2010

In My Mailbox - Numero Uno

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, who says, "The idea of In My Mailbox is to bring books to the attention of our blog readers and to encourage interaction with other blogs."

Several of us Book Nerds have recently gotten or are about to get new ereaders. I have to admit that I've kind of went on a downloading spree (Free - $3! Count me in!) this past week. These are the titles I downloaded today...

I had checked out the audiobook of Shiver from the library, but decided to buy it so I can read it. Reckless, Black Silk and Child of the Northern Spring were all free Nookbooks that sound pretty good.

Friday, November 12, 2010

#FridayReads

Happy Friday, booknerds!

A little background....#FridayReads was started by Bethanne Patrick (@thebookmaven) on Twitter to promote.....(wait for it.....) --- reading. (Because it's awesome!) Quite simply, people will tweet the hashtag #FridayReads and let everyone know what they're currently engrossed in.

So, all us booknerds are tweeting away, and it turns out that 3 of us are reading the exact same book! Unplanned! It's like the time we were all reading & talking about Mockingjay (aka The Best Book Ever!)

What book was it that caught all three of our attentions? Drumroll.....

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.

You know what this means: multiple reviews of the same book at the same time! Fun, right?! It's the beauty of blog collaboration: different views, one webpage :)

So stay tuned for that! In the meantime, happy Friday! What are your #FridayReads?

Thursday, November 4, 2010

YA Series I'll Soon Obsess Over

UPDATE: I'm gonna cross off and date these as I read them...wonder how long it will take me to get through the whole list?!

I just finished the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series last night and I absolutely LOVED all 5 books in it. So this morning I was jotting what series I want to read next to help myself remember, and thought I'd share them with you. These are my YA To Read List, if you will:

~~1. Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare (#1 - Clockwork Angel)~~ 1/6/11
~~2. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore~~ 12/12/10
3. Maze Runner & Scorch Trials by James Dashner
4. Hush, Hush & Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
5. Fallen & Torment by Lauren Kate 8/16/11
~~6. Wolves of Mercy Falls by Maggie Stiefvater (#1 - Shiver and #2 - Linger)~~ 11/28/10
7. Beautiful Creatures & Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

In other words, I'll be busy for awhile ;-)

What books series, YA or otherwise, are you excited to start reading?

Thursday, October 28, 2010

15 Books That Have Really Stuck With Me

I stole this idea from Ignorant Historian:

"I found this meme on Facebook, and I thought it’d make a great post. The idea is to list 15 books that have really stuck with you. I’m going to type these just as they come to my head. Here goes…"

So -- off the top of my head -- the lucky 15:

The Bible by Various Authors

Just As Long As We're Together by Judy Blume

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Any John Grisham (I know, that's kinda cheating)

Sphere by Michael Critchon

Are You There God, It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume

Christopher Pike, R.L.Stein & Lois Duncan (cheating again...but I went through a phase where these were all I read)

Harry Potter 1 - 7 by J.K. Rowling

Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan (my current read)

Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins

I know, that's 17 and I cheated. These were totally off the cuff, so with a little reflection, might be different. But don't they always say that your inital reaction is the true one? (Man, I should've added Blink by Malcolm Gladwell to the list! 18...)

What are yours?

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Girl With the Dragon Tattoo review coming soon!

Get excited! :-p

Monday, October 11, 2010

City of Ashes By Cassandra Clare

**********Contain Spoilers***************

I read City of Bones (book 1) in about two days. I could not put it down it was so good.

So, I assumed City of Ashes would be the same. However, this one was a little bit harder to get into. It was all the same character: Clary, Simon, Luke, Alec, Isabelle, and JACE. (I am so Team Jace). There were just some parts that seem to drag on for me and it took me a little bit longer to read it.

However, towards the middle it started to pick and I really got into again. I really enjoy these characters. I think that Cassandra Clare is wonderful writer.

There were some shocks this time. For example, Maryse is meaner than what I thought she would be. I thought she would protect Jace not send him to the Inquisitor. Then she sent him to jail. Simon gets turned into a vampire, then dies, and then Jace saves him. Clary discovers that she has Shadow hunter talents and she can create runes. Valentine is still bad and using his children instead of protecting them.

There are more twist and turns but I do not want to give it all away. There is also a big war scene at the end of the book and I think it was great.

I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to pick up City of Glass. I know this review is shorter that others that I write, but I do not want to give it all away (wink:wink)

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Club Dead By Charlaine Harris

****************Contains Spoilers**************************

Book 3 of the Sookie Stackhouse series is Club Dead. I like this book a lot because there was more, of what I call, “Sookie Independence”.

In the beginning, Bill and Sookie are still in a relationship but they have become “comfortable” in their relationship. Bill has not been spending much time with Sookie because he has been working on a project for the Queen of Louisiana. Bill leaves for a business trip and heads to Seattle. Well He tells Sookie that is where he is heading. Bubba (who I think is the most loyal of all the vampires) stays to protect Sookie. It takes no time for Eric to show up at her door. This time he comes bearing bad news and tells her that Bill was not in Seattle but in Jackson, Mississippi. Now he is missing and no one knows where he is.

So, Sookie heads off to Jackson to save Bill. (Why is the human always saving the vampires and not the other way around)? She could not just take off to Jackson and find Bill with no help. So, Eric was able to set her up with a werewolf, Alicide Herveaux. (I liked him right away and I think Sookie did too). So, off to Jackson they go.

The club they head is Club Dead. The Weres but to everyone else it is Josephine’s. Of course Eric was not too far away. It is soon that Sookie figures out that Bill was leaving her for a woman that Bill was with before many years ago, named Lorena. Even thought Sookie knew all this she still went on and search for Bill, even though now she was having mixed feeling about Eric and Alicide. (Poor Sookie)

However, Eric and Bubba were able to help Sookie find Bill. Sookie got to stake Lorena, because Lorena was the one who tricked Bill. Nonetheless, Sookie was able to free Bill. But, it was Eric that drove Sookie home to Bon Temps. Of course, Sookie is never drama free, but Eric and Bill were able to clean up that mess.

Next book is Dead to the World.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Book Nerds Across America

This is the first post for Book Nerds Across America!

Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )