Book Nerds Across America

 

Immerse yourself in the world of the spectacular The Twilight Saga film series. Written and designed in collaboration with the entire cast and crew who brought all four of Stephenie Meyer's celebrated novels to the silver screen, this official treasure trove delivers an enchanting experience, transporting readers to the vampire world by sharing filmmaking secrets, never-before-seen candid set photography and artwork, and exclusive stories from the stars.

Flo's Review
This book is AMAZEBALLS. Seriously. It's really cool! I was lucky enough to find it on clearance and was so happy that I did! It has tons of pictures. There are comments from cast members, directors, production. Best if all, it has very authentic looking replicas of set call lists (I think that's what they're called), premiere tickets, and signed posters! These items are placed in little envelopes throughout the book and I was always super excited to find a page with one so I could see what was inside. Very very cool! I hope they do this for all my movie series that I've come to love recently.

A personal, behind-the-scenes look at the making of the blockbuster filmTwilight from groundbreaking director Catherine Hardwicke! This intimate full-color "notebook", designed to replicate the one director Catherine Hardwicke kept on and off the set, takes you through the creative process that went into making Stephenie Meyer's breathtaking novel come alive on screen - from casting to costumes, stunts to story boards. With never-before-seen notes, sketches, and photographs taken directly from the visionary director's personal notebook, this book includes everything from her visual inspirations, to step-by-step breakdowns of action sequences, to a behind the scenes look at some of the most pivotal moments in the creation of the film, and much more. Get the inside story - this collectible notebook will be a must-have addition to every Twilight fan's bookshelf! (from Goodreads)

Flo's Review
I picked this up on a whim when I was visiting my parents over Easter. It's a great little read! These books always astound me because they remind me just how much thought and planning goes into every little thing about a film. I really liked seeing some more of Catherine's thoughts about how to translate the book to film, especially since this one laid the framework for the rest of the movies. If you're a Twilight fan, this is definitely worth spending some time with! 

We LOVE LOVE LOVE our Fictional Boyfriends and we thought it would be nice to do a "12 days of Fictional Boyfriends".  It is like the "12 Days of Christmas" but with hot men!

I had to...because none of the other Book Nerds will....


First, we swoon:



Okay, breathing yet?!?! I know! It was hard to choose just one picture, I assure you!! Also, I just want to point out this that Google's "Related Searches" list for when you Google "Jacob Black" includes "jacob black new moon," "jacob black shirtless," "jacob black twilight," and "jacob black shirt off." LOL.

But, alas, there's more to Jacob that just complete and utter hotness, so let's showcase his awesome personality via some great quotes from and about the series:

Jacob, to Bella
"It's just that, I know how you're unhappy a lot. And, maybe it doesn't help anything, but I wanted you to know that I'm always here. I won't ever let you down — I promise that you can always count on me. Wow, that does sound corny. But you know that, right? That I would never, ever hurt you?" (New Moon)

"I'm exactly right for you, Bella. It would have been effortless for us - comfortable, easy as breathing. I was the natural path your life would have taken... If the world was the way it was supposed to be, if there were no monsters and no magic..." (Eclipse)

Jacob, on imprinting
“It’s not like love at first sight, really. It’s more like… gravity moves. When you see her, suddenly it’s not the earth holding you here anymore. She does. And nothing matters more than her. And you would do anything for her, be anything for her… You become whatever she needs you to be, whether that’s a protector, or a lover, or a friend, or a brother.” (New Moon)

Bella, to Jacob:
"I used to think of you that way, you know. Like the sun. My personal sun. You balanced out the clouds nicely for me." (Eclipse)

Stephenie Meyer, on Bella and Jacob's relationship:
"Bella actually falls in love with Jacob in New Moon. It's understandable why this fact didn't occur to her: Bella had fallen in love only one other time, and it was a very sudden, dramatic, sweep-you-off-your-feet, change-your-world, magical, passionate, all-consuming thing. She didn't recognize the much more subtle falling-in-love she experienced with Jacob. She was only aware that she preferred being with him over everyone else, that he was constantly on her mind, and that his happiness was essential to her own. She also enjoyed being physically close to him in a way that she didn't with her other friends. But it took her a while to add up all the pieces."

*sighs* I just love him!! 
Okay, where are my Team Jacob pack mates?!?!

How could the 12 Days of Fictional Boyfriends pass without one of us mentioning Edward Cullen? 

He is described as exceptionally good looking, but that is the least of his desirable qualities.  He is strong, loving, immortal, well read, appreciates music, and is sensitive to Bella's needs. He quotes poetry, plays the piano, and listens to classical music.  Throughout the series, 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 loves Bella with every part of his being and would go to the end of the Earth for her.  He wanted nothing more than for her to be happy and to have every life experience that he was not able to enjoy as an immortal.  How could anyone not love a man who writes you a lullaby and sings you to sleep?

Edward is not only a vampire, but he has an exceptional talent.  He can read minds, with one very significant exception...Bella's.  This proves to be extremely useful in sensing impending danger as well as communicating with the wolves, Volturi, and others throughout the books.  He also dazzles, sparkles, and has morals...which many characters today are lacking.  He held onto his "virtue" for over 100 years just waiting for "his Bella" and is determined to protect hers until they are married.    

Who all is excited about the release of the Twilight Breaking Dawn movie today?! Did anyone go at midnight to see it? (Besides BookNerds Jacque and Teri?) In honor of this fabulous day, we thought we'd just share a couple of our past Twilight-themed posts. (Think of it as a Twilight Flashback!) First, the BookNerds managed to get all the way through a re-read of the first part of Breaking Dawn. It was pretty fun to do, as the 4 of us all have different perspectives on this one! To see our thoughts on the book click here:

http://booknerdspoilers.blogspot.com/

Speaking of different perspectives, remember one of our favorite features, BookNerds in Love Triangles? I believe the idea came from the fact that we are divided among Team Edward and Team Jacob. Click the link to read our teams and rationales:


http://booknerdsacrossamerica.blogspot.com/2011/04/booknerds-in-love-triangles-twilight.html

To avoid posting spoilers on the blog we created a separate page for our Breaking Dawn Re-Read Along reviews.  Please take this as fair warning.  The following link CONTAINS SPOILERS.  If you have not read the book and do not want to have it ruined for you, you SHOULD NOT click on this link.  I can't imagine that there are any BookNerds that have not read the book, but I wanted to make sure this was crystal clear ahead of time.

Here is Teri's synopses of the Breaking Dawn Chapter 3 - 5 .  We would LOVE to hear your comments.  As I am sure you have noticed, the BookNerd Admin. don't always have the same opinions about the books we read.  I am sure our followers have additional opinions that could lead to some great discussion.

http://booknerdspoilers.blogspot.com/

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.

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.