Book Nerds Across America

There was a GREAT turnout for the Glitz book signing this weekend in my hometown of Toledo, Ohio...which also happens to be the setting of Philana's latest book.  She selected a number at random and the winner of the giveaway is....

Congratulations to:

Who does not love a good book? Who does not love a good movie?  Why can't we tie the book and movie together?  Oh, we can!

We, the Booknerds, recently got into a discussion about reading the books before we go and see the movie.  This got us thinking about another read-a-long (which we love to do). 

We will pick a book a month and read it before the movie comes out or just as the movie it released.  We are very excited about this because there are so many book-to-movies coming out this year!

For May's Pick we will be reading:


Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin. The movie will be released in early May and stars Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin.

Amazon.com Review

Hope everyone gets to join in with us!

For the month of May the Sunday Mystery Corner book is going to be:

The Lincoln Lawyer By Michael Connelly

We will begin this book May 1st

Hope to have everyone join in

On Tuesday, we posted a Tuesday's Ten with Glitz author Philana Boles. She was gracious to do that for us, and we learned some interesting things about her.

Now, let's learn more about Glitz. Here's the teaser trailer for the recently-released book:



In case you missed, it, we are giving away a personally autographed copy of Glitz! Just comment below with why you enjoy YA books and you'll entered to win!

Ginger over at GReads! has a regular feature called The Blogger Behind the Book, and this week the Book Nerds are featured! Click here to check it out. We had a great time participating, and many thanks to Ginger!

For this week's Tuesday's 10, I would like to introduce everyone to Philana Boles.  She is the author of Glitz, a YA book released February 3, 2011. The following is a description of the book from barnesandnoble.com.

Ann Michelle is tired of her boring, sheltered life. She longs for something real. Then she meets Raquel Marissa Diaz–Raq for short. Sassy, streetwise, and totally fearless, Raq is everything Ann Michelle isn’t. She has a voice to die for and the attitude to go with it, and she'll stop at nothing to be a star. All Ann Michelle wants is to go along for the ride. Even if that means leaving home to go on the road with Piper, both girls' favorite hip-hop artist. And shedding her identity along the way to become Glitz, a bolder– but not necessarily better–version of herself.
 
Crackling with authenticity, energy, and heart, Philana Marie Boles's first young adult novel is about the true meaning of friendship and the pitfalls of fame.

 

1. I was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. But I've lived in New York for so long that I feel like a native New Yorker, now.
2. I started writing poetry and short stories in the first and second grade and started sketching fashion then, too.
3. So far, as an adult, I have accomplished a lot of my writing goals.  Now I plan to conquer my fashion design dreams, too.  Stay tuned.
4. Of all the authors that I've had the pleasure of appearing at book events with, my most memorable one was with Kevin Clash, the voice of Elmo.  Unimaginably cool.
5. For the past ten years my favorite color has been black.  All of a sudden recently I've reverted back to my favorite colors as a child, which are fuchsia and orange.  When I see either of those colors it makes my spirit dance.
6. Sometimes I like to listen to movies without looking at the screen and re-imagine the scenes in my own head, even re-casting myself.  My favorite roles have been Baby in Dirty Dancing, Sandy in Grease, and Dorothy in The Wiz...ha ha.
7. Of all the things that I have accomplished, the one that brings me the most joy is inspiring children.  Kids are amazing, so honest and fun, and they don't yet know to be snobs.  That's the coolest thing and how we as adults should ideally be.
8.  I love music.  In fact, I will probably always work behind the scenes in some capacity.  I've done music p.r. for years, but I plan to segue into songwriting now.  Most musicians can be, um, let's just say... a challenge. ;)
9. Random things that make me happy: wind chimes, dolphins (I was once kissed by one), seeing my family, dogs, the ocean, sunflowers, pink roses, things that bling, and random gentlemen who hold open the door for me.
10. Despite all of the bad things in the world and misfortune that surrounds us as a people, I still believe good will always overcome evil and everything will be okay.


This thrilling sequel to the much-talked-about Nightshade begins just where it ended-Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer-one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack-and the man-she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive. (Book Description from Amazon.com)

As much as I enjoyed Nightshade, I was not sure if the sequel would live up to my high expectations.  Andrea Cremer managed to deliver everything I hoped for and then some.  We are introduced to several of the Searchers, who become instrumental in helping Calla and Shay uncover the truth about the magical world in which they live.  The new characters and setting provide an added dimension that was not present in Nightshade.  Calla is faced with several difficult situations as she tries to rescue her pack from the Keepers and in the process discovers who her true allies are.  While Shay is committed to his feelings for Calla, the Team Ren vs. Team Shay debate is still alive and well throughout this book, which will keep ALL of the Book Nerds happy.  Andrea once again managed to leave me on the edge of my seat anxiously awaiting Bloodrose, the third and final installment in the Nightshade series. 

The release date for Wolfsbane is July 26, 2011.  If you have not already read Nightshade, I STRONGLY suggest that you do.  As an added bonus, Andrea is currently giving away autographed bookplates to those who e-mail her proof that they have ordered the Nightshade hardback or pre-ordered Wolfsbane.  The e-mail address to use is andreacremerwrites@gmail.com.

Jacque

Hi everyone! It is Mary.  I wanted to take a minute and tell you about a new idea that I have come up with and would love to have you all join in. 

Even though we Booknerds love our YA and dystopian series and novels I tend to stray away and read others genres.  I love memoirs of people who are not in the tabloids every other day.  I love history especially world history.  However, my true addiction is mystery/thrillers novels.  I love them all.  I love the thrill of trying to figure out who did it, why they did it, and how they did it.  So, I came up with idea of the "Sunday Mystery Corner". 

Each month I will pick a book and hope others will suggest books too.  Then on the last Sunday of the month we will review and discuss it.

 I hope you all enjoy and will join in the Sunday Mystery Corner!

Mary's Review:

Twilight. Just saying that one word makes me think of one person. Well, at least one vampire. I am all the way TEAM EDWARD. I think that Edward is a perfect fictional character: strong, smart, loving, and immortal. I cannot imagine anyone being describe so perfectly. I could write forever on Edward (but the other Booknerds need to weigh in too). So, here is a few quick examples on why I am Team Edward. He saved Bella more times than I can count, James, Victoria, Riley, and the Voltori. He quotes poems, plays piano, and listens to classical music. He loves Bella with every part of his being and would go to the end of the Earth for her. Oh yea and he is a hot vampire!

Jacque's Review:

I was a Harry Potter fan who could not for the life of me understand why the first three Twilight movies were breaking all of the Harry Potter records.  Last November, I decided to find out for myself.  I reluctantly started reading Twilight.  As soon as I was introduced to EDWARD, I totally understood.  I ended up reading all four of the books and bought all of the movies in less than a month.  Edward is described as exceptionally good looking, but that is not what attracted me to him.  I was fascinated with how well spoken he is.  I would read and re-read just about every conversation he had with Bella.  While some may say that he is overprotective and controlling, I felt that he was simply trying to do everything within his power to protect her.  He wanted nothing more than for her to be happy and to have every life experence that he was not able to enjoy as an immortal.  He is brilliant, well read, appreciates music, and is sensitive to Bella's needs.  How could anyone not love a man who writes you a lullaby and sings you to sleep?  Edward truly is perfection.

Flo's Review:

It's fitting that I'm writing this today, because yesterday I just scored a TEAM JACOB messenger bag for $4 from a closing Blockbuster! And as I am writing this, I am relaxing in my Team Jacob yoga pants. A friend asked me earlier this year, "How can you be Team Jacob when you know how it ends?" A lot of people assume that I'm Team Jacob because of Taylor Lautner -- let's face it, he is an attractive young man. But I was Team Jacob even before I saw any of the movies. Jacob's body temperature is naturally warm because he's a werewolf, and I think this is a representation of his personality. To me, Jacob is always warm and loving. He loves Bella as she is and does not want or expect anything else from her except to be herself. "You wouldn't have to change for me, Bella," he tells her. She could be with him as she is -- she can completely be herself around him, and he can completely be himself around her. I think a part of my Team Jacob tendency comes from the fact that I tend to root for the underdog. (Pun TOTALLY intended!) Yet, even though Jacob knows that his chances are slim, he does not give up. His love is not dependent on her loving him in return. He swears to her that he will never give up on her, and even when she makes choices that hurt him, he is still the same -- constant, dependable, loving Jacob.

"Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers."  ~from the official book website
 

1. I didn't expect to like it -- The first time I heard of this book was while I was randomly roaming around the Internet and discovered that it's going to be made into a movie. Someone had commented, "How depressing! Why are they making this into a movie?" and I agreed. A book that's an extended suicide note?! But then I saw the CD at the library and for some reason I went ahead and got it. Fast forward to today, when I spent time sitting in my car outside a restaurant just so I could keep listening to the end of it.

True or False: Do the Booknerds love Water for Elephants? --- TRUE

True or False: Do the Booknerds love Reese Witherspoon? --- TRUE

True or False: Do the Booknerds LOVE Robert Pattinson? --- VERY TRUE

With all this LOVE going around why don't we do a give-a-way? 

How about this.......................