Book Nerds Across America

The one thing that I love about the Blogging Community is that we support each other.  No matter what.  So, what I was contact to join this tour I jumped at the chance!



Derinda Love is one of the owners of Young Adult and Teen Readers and this is a big THANK YOU to her.  I just want her to know that we are so appreciative of her hard work.  With that being said I am going to share my favorite poem with everyone.

Phenomenal Woman is by Maya Angelou and is by far the greatest poem!


Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

On top of that there is also a giveaway! Be sure to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Flo, Teri, Jacque and Mary

WOW! We are almost 2 years old! I cannot believe it! If you had told me 2 years ago that Book Nerds Across America would have been this successful I would have said "No Way!"

Let me tell you the story of how this started, because I don't think I actually have ever told this story (haha).  It all started with Twitter and Mockingjay! (#Truth) I had just purchased Mockingjay and was tweeting about it when @FloeticFlo began talking to me about the book.  She was a Peeta-girl and I am a Haymitch-girl, but it was love at first book (or Tweet)!

Soon after that Flo and I began talking ALL THE TIME! We found out that we had so much in common.  We loved books, New Kids on the Block (even though she is a Joe-girl *eye roll* and I am a Donnie-girl *swoon*) and traveling.  It was not long after that when we both became members of Down With The Captiol. This lead me to an idea of starting a blog about books and I wanted to start one with Flo.  After contacting her about the idea she was on board.  We called each other Book Nerds and "Across America" just came to us because, well, we live in different states.  (I didn't say it was rocket science! haha).

I never imagined that we would add more to our group but soon after that Flo and I invited Jacque and Teri to be Book Nerds with us.  Since starting this site I have met more incredible people.  From authors, other bloggers and traveling to amazing conventions this has been the greatest time in my life.  I don't think I can imagine my life without my three dearest Book Nerds.

This is my thank you to them.

Flo:  It is so strange that you and I think alike so much but at the same time it is great!  I can count on you day and night, no matter the issue.  You are so kind, sweet and a very dear friend.  I truly cannot imagine my life without you!  I hope that you know how dear you are to me and I truly love you Book Nerd!

Jacque:  I don't think I have ever told you that you are an incredible person! You have truly enriched my life. I am so happy to call you  my friend.  I have seen you go through RN school, be the greatest mother ever and I have seen you trying to steal my fictional boyfriend Edward Cullen (that's okay, though, I don't mind sharing).  I am so glad that we have become such good friends and cannot wait to see what the future holds for us!

Teri: Girl, you crack me up! I love your sense of humor and you have shown me some of the greatest music that I would have never known before.  Yes, I am talking about the Arctic Monkeys!  I can't imagine my life without your funny comments and amazing FaceBook pics *hehe* You have always been there for me and I will always be grateful.  I love ya, girl!!