Book Nerds Across America

Karen over at For What's It's Worth has us featured in her "Better Know a Blogger." Click here to check it out! Thanks Karen!

Do you remember your first love? The way you felt when they would look at you, when they walked into a room, or even the way they said your name. *sigh* It was a wonderful feeling!

Do you remember your first heartbreak? You knew the whole wide world was ending because that person was not around anymore. It is because of this feeling that Lena is looking forward to be “cured.” In Lena’s world there is no “LOVE” -- the government has taken care of that. When a person becomes close to the age of 18, they go through a procedure and become “cured” of love or deliria (as it is known in the book). Then the “regulators” match them to potential mates. The government believes that everything will be better because love was always an “issue.” Lena believes this because she read all the horrors of deliria. Lena likes the way her life is and the way the government protects them.

"In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees."

(I just love this first line.)

Unearthly is the story of Clara, a Quartarius (quarter angel). Clara's mother (a half angel, Dimidius) has explained to her that all angels are on the earth to fulfill a specific purpose. When we enter the story, Clara is just starting to see bits and pieces of her purpose in a repeated vision that gets richer with detail each time she experiences it. There's a boy. He's in the woods. There's a fire. She's supposed to save the boy?

As soon as Clara sees enough in her vision for her and her mother to figure out that it will happen in Wyoming, they (along with Clara's brother Jeffrey) make the move. It doesn't take long for Clara to meet the boy she is supposed to save along with several other surprising and interesting friends as she continues to unravel her purpose.

So, I did some quick math and realized that Darkest Mercy comes out in exactly 10 days! Which means ...time for a contest!

 

When I realized that I needed to post this contest today, I applied one of these tattoos on myself with the idea of posting the picture with me & the tat to give you an idea of what it looks like...well, several hi jinks and very bad pictures later, I discovered that won't work. (Note: If you ever want to try it, choose another location for the tattoo besides the small of your back.)

 

Anyway, we have a whole lot of these temporary tattoos that we are going to be giving out via Twitter over the next ten days. So keep an eye on @booknerdsblog for your chance to win!

-Mary-

The book starts off with hottie jerk Wesley telling Bianca she is the Duff (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) of her group. This hurts her, and she spends the whole book cringing at the word.

Problem is, hottie jerk Wesley is a fabulous distraction from problems Bianca is having mainly with her family and a little about her ex-boyfriend. So, Wesley is her (glorious!) diversion. And it turns out, he's also a good listener. And maybe a friend. And maybe...?

I read this book in one night. It's a very light, easy, fun read, which is exactly what I needed. I really enjoyed the journey Bianca goes through in her thinking and perception of herself and others throughout the book. Also, I want Jessica for my friend! She just sounds adorable!

Continuing on that thought train, I really enjoyed the relationship between Bianca, Casey and Jessica. The three have completely different personalities, but they balance either other out and they know it. They are quick to protect and to forgive each other.

Wesley was also easy to relate to, because really -- so many of us have had that member of the opposite sex that we don't *think* we like, yet for some reason or another that person really gets under our skin...

So, if you want a cute, easy, fun and honest read, I'd recommend you pick up The Duff!

~Flo~

Book Nerds is participating in Follow My Book Blog Friday for the first time! It's hosted by Parajunkee and is a fabulous idea!
The question from Vision Quest Fail is --

What is the book you are currently 'pushing'? (Pushing mean trying to get people to read it)

Well, the Booknerds became friends over The Hunger Games trilogy. We'll always be pushing that epicness! Also, Flo needs Mary to finish the current Mortal Instruments trilogy stat! (Yes, I did just call her out on our blog... #LOVE!)

P.S. If you have Twitter and you're not following us there, you can find us @booknerdsblog

P.P.S. Happy Friday! =)

OK, I know it's not Sunday or even Monday, but I'm (Flo) having the BEST In My Mailbox week and I just have to share! In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Here's why my IMM is so fab this week -- first, I won a couple of awesome contests right before I went to Australia for a week, so I knew the prizes would be waiting for me when I returned. Secondly, I got goodies from the awesomest co-admin ever Mary for this blog, and lastly, because I splurged on some international books, which are just so neat! Here, let me show you....


The top three books are the UK editions of The Hunger Games trilogy. Splurge! I saw The Hunger Games and thought I should at least get the first book. Then the only other one that store had was Mockingjay, which was my favorite read of 2010, and one of my favorite books overall. I had to get it, too! I found Catching Fire at another bookstore, and, you know, I needed to complete the trifecta.

Next to Mockingjay are some of the new Book Nerds cards! You'll see these when we send you prizes =) The second row starts with the special edition Twilight, with the red pages and white cover. It's gorgeous. I kind of regret not getting the rest of the series. The middle book is The Key to Rondo, and I got it because it's a short-listed book from The Children's Book Council of Australia. It looks like a Chronicles of Narnia type adventure. Above it, though it's a little hard to see in this picture, is my new "I'm a Book Nerd" keychain. Fitting, huh?!

The Hunger Games is for the winner of our First in a Series contest. Bottom row: an autographed audiobook of Linger by Maggie Stiefvater!! =D I won it in a Twitter contest. Finally, Playing the Field is Australian chick lit.

Most fun IMM ever.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this contest! We are super excited to give away these books, because we absolutely love them all -- and the rest of the books in the series!

Stay tuned to the Book Nerds Across America blog and Twitter account this month for some more giveaways! And don't forget...2011 --  MAKE MORE TIME FOR MYSELF AND READ! 

Random.org has spoken, and the winner of the First In The Series Contest is.....is......