Book Nerds Across America

Book Summary
On Christmas Eve five years ago, Holly was visited by three ghosts who showed her how selfish and spoiled she'd become. They tried to convince her to mend her ways.

She didn't.

And then she died.

Now she's stuck working for the top-secret company Project Scrooge--as the latest Ghost of Christmas Past.

Every year, they save another miserly grouch. Every year, Holly stays frozen at seventeen while her family and friends go on living without her. So far, Holly's afterlife has been miserable.

But this year, everything is about to change. . . .

Flo's Review
I don't want to say too much about this book, because I went in knowing next to nothing about what to expect -- and I think that's one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much. Every time a new aspect was presented I kept thinking, "How creative! How clever!" I really enjoyed the Project Scrooge storyline. It was just so interesting to me to see how the whole operation unfolded.

This was also a delightfully easy and addictive read. I literally read it in two sessions. Usually I don't do well with unlikeable protagonists, but I was just so intrigued with the story that I didn't really mind Holly. I just took her as she came. And, of course, her attitude was in line with the story.

The Unearthly trilogy by Cynthia Hand was one I really enjoyed (Team Tucker! Who's with me?!??), so I was definitely happy to pick up another one of this author's works. I checked this book out from the library, but I just might have to buy myself a copy. This is one I could possibly see myself enjoying in my Christmas To Come.

Throwback to my review of Unearthly: http://www.booknerdsacrossamerica.com/2011/02/in-beginning-theres-boy-standing-in.html.

I've had the opportunity to go to numerous bookish events over the years, but I have never been to any ALA (American Library Association) ones. Over the years I have heard many good things, so I decided 2015 was my year! So much of the fun of this conference was in the planning. I am a Florida girl, as you may know. ALA Midwinter 2015 took place in Chicago. In January. You have no idea how many times I heard, "You're to Chicago? in January??" But I pulled out my biggest coat and all my winter gear, and I hopped on the plane Friday evening.

I was lucky enough to be sharing the experience with some amazing bloggers -- Ana from Owl Always Be Reading, Leydy from Once Upon a Twilight, and Danielle from Love at First Page.

My beautiful partners in book obsession.

The end of another trilogy. There was Unearthly. There was Hallowed. And now Boundless. Clara's world of visions and fierce devotion to the humans and angels she loves will be missed by me. This book wasn't what I thought it was going to be, honestly. I guess with it being the last book and all the talk about a war coming, I guess I thought there would be a war in it? There's not. And unfortunately, I felt it dragged on a little too long. Around the middle I was kind of in a spot where I didn't want to abandon the end of this story I've followed through three books, but at the same time there wasn't that much going on. I felt it could have been tightened a bit. However, the end did pick up and I did like the way it ended.

Can I just say: Christian Prescott and Tucker Avery. I mean...both of these guys are amazing. My favorite Christian line ever is in this book: "It doesn't matter," he says into my mind. "I don't mind you seeing what's inside of me." Christian, I love you. But even with that, my heart has belonged to Tucker Avery since Unearthly. Cynthia Hand really did a great job writing both of these men with such depth, conflict and devotion that I loved to see them every time they made an appearance.

And guess what, y'all?! This is a #ChallengeOf3 book! Woop woop!

So, I have been noticing a bad rut that I've gotten myself into. As you all know, a lot of great books come in 3s these days. Trilogies are the way to go, and I love them -- I do. But what I've noticed lately is that I will read the first book and most often love it. I'll read the second book and I'll either love it or I'll think it got the Middle Book Syndrome. (I can expand on this point, if you'd like to know more of my thoughts here -- just ask :) Then I'll have to wait the year for the final book to come out. And by that point, I've already been wowed by a shiny new trilogy. And while I may have absolutely loved the first two books, for some reason, I never make it to reading the third.

So, with all of YOU as my witness, my 2013 Book Goal is to conquer the Challenge of 3. Below are a list of  trilogies in which I have read the first two books, but not the third. Honestly, this list is kind of embarrassing. I know for a fact that I'm going to get called out for not having read some of these yet. But I will endure that, because I need the motivation to make time to get them read! So, without further adieu, here are my books on the Challenge of 3:

Boundless by Cynthia Hand
Requiem by Lauren Oliver
Reached by Ally Condie
Shades of Earth by Beth Revis
Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready
The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter
Sever by Lauren DeStefano

So, my vow is to have all of these trilogy conclusions read by the end of the year. I'll be hashtagging it over on our Twitter #Challengeof3. Do you have any trilogy conclusions that you haven't read yet? Let me know in the comments if you're up for the challenge and/or tweet us @booknerdsblog with the hashtag #Challengeof3.

"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.