Book Nerds Across America

Book Summary
Everyone mourns differently. When his older brother was killed, David got angry. As in, fist-meets-someone-else’s-face furious. But his parents? They got religious. David’s still figuring out his relationship with a higher power, but there’s one thing he does know for sure: The closer he gets to new-girl Bailey, the better, brighter, happier, more he feels. Then his parents start cutting all their worldly ties to prepare for the Rush, the divine moment when the faithful will be whisked off to Heaven…and they want David to do the same. David’s torn. There’s a big difference between living in the moment and giving up his best friend, varsity baseball, and Bailey—especially Bailey—in hope of salvation. But when he comes home late from prom, and late for the Rush, to find that his parents have vanished, David is in more trouble than he ever could have imagined...

Book Nerds Jacque & Flo with Jeri at the RT Convention a few years ago.

Flo's Review
The Book Nerds LOVE Jeri, so you know we were all over this book as soon as it came out! Like, I didn't even know what it was about and I put it on hold at the library -- and I was #1 in the hold queue, thank you very much! 

There were so many things I loved about this book -- I kind of don't know where to start. I loved that different points of view were given and all were given a chance. There were a lot of what some may call "fanatical" views that some of the characters held, but they weren't written about in a judgement kind of way. That's one of the best things about David and Bailey's relationship -- their views on religion weren't the same but she tried to understand him and he tried to understand her. And they learned from each other.

I felt really bad for David because he felt such responsibility for his parents. Understandable, but a lot for a kid to take on. I loved the ending for being realistic, happy, and hopeful. I loved that when David was all in something, he was ALL in. Bailey, baseball, Kane, even trying to help his father. I usually don't like stories that aren't told linearly and this one is not. But I understand why it was done that way, and I can see how that takes quite some skill on the writer. This book was such a breeze to read -- I got through most of it on a short flight, where the guy sitting next to me was like, "Wow! You almost read the whole book on this flight!" 

And, of course, I have to mention that my name is in the book! Yes, Jeri has suggested that this cat was named after the lead singer in Florence + the Machine, but in my happy bubble it's totally named after me:

Jacque's Review:

This is a free novella that is available on Jeri Smith-Ready's site. It is a VERY substantial story with about 125 pages. This is not just an extra scene, but an ESSENTIAL part of the story. It bridges the gap between the third and final book in the WVMP radio series.

There is A LOT that takes place in Let It Bleed. If you decide to skip directly from Bring on the Night to Lust For Life, you will be doing yourself a real disservice. Two characters are murdered, four new characters are introduced, and a main character is essentially removed from the series. I'm sure some of these details will be discussed in the final book for those who did skip the novella, but I can't imagine she will provide even a fraction of the detail.

There were a couple of events that greatly impacted the relationship between Ciara and her maker, Monroe. I don't think they will ever have the type of relationship Shane and Regina have, but they are establishing a more friendly relationship.

This book also contains Vital Fluid's first performance. Vital Fluid is Shane's new three-man nineties cover band and they totally rocked. More of Shane and his musical talent is always welcome.

I can't thank Jeri enough for advising me to read this before starting the final book in the series.

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.

While Mary was on vacation I took over her Fictional Boyfriend posts, so I already told you about Noah Shaw and Lucas Delos.

Since it is December 17th, I thought I would share my favorite forever 17 rocker...Logan Keeley from the Shade series by Jeri Smith-Ready.  I searched high and low for a picture that I thought represented him.  I am embarrassed to say that this picture of Niall Horan, one of the members of One Direction, is dead on.  I was not familiar with the band, so I googled his age because he looked too young to be Logan.  He is actually 19...so it was settled.  This is how I pictured Logan as I was reading the series.

Logan is the lead singer of an Irish band known as the Kelley Brothers.  He died  at the very beginning of the first book in the series, but he is still around as a ghost.

He is a cute, arrogant, immensely talented musician who has girls chasing him from every direction.  He, however, only has eyes for his longtime friend and now girlfriend Aura.  She was always paranoid about the groupies, so he decided to get her name tattooed over his heart.

If you have not read Shade, Shift, and Shine (the three books in this trilogy) I would highly recommend that you do.  Book Nerd Teri turned me onto this series and I am extremely grateful that she did.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart. (Goodreads Overview)

Jacque's Review:

For those of you who have read my review of Shade, you will not be the least bit surprised by my gushing review of Shift.  I am not usually one for over the top glowing reviews, even when I do give a book 5 stars, but I cannot help myself when it comes to the Shade Boys.

Jeri starts out this book with a captivating first two chapters.  I was immediately sucked back into the story and was shocked by the fact that I was once again brought to tears only 15 pages into this book.  I am not usually a crier like BookNerd Mary (not that there is anything wrong with that "sweetheart") but... I'm just not.  I think it has to do with the way Jeri allows her readers to connect with the characters not only through the books, but on twitter as well.  After months of conversations and chats with Logan and Zachary I feel like they are actually my friends.  What other fictional characters do you know who will allow you to discuss their books with them while you are reading?  NONE.  Not in the same way that Jeri has allowed her readers access to these AMAZING characters. 

The majority of the book involves Aura and Zachary working on a research project related to how the shift ultimately came to be.  Aura also spends a considerable amount of time trying to help Logan gain a sense of closure in his life, which will hopefully allow him to pass on.  Throughout the story it becomes increasingly clear that the knowledge and secrets they are discovering could ultimately put them and others in danger.  While Zachary may have been acting with the best of intentions, I DID NOT agree with some of his decisions.  Well...In one instance his actions were "dishonorable" to say the least, but I have forgiven him for this.

One of my favorite relationships that developed in this book was between Aura and Logan's younger brother Dylan.  He has grown up a lot since the start of the series and is considerably more self confident.  I do not want to give away any spoilers, but my favorite quote in this book was from Dylan.  WHEN you read the book, you will know exactly what I am talking about.  I emphasized the word when because I do not feel that IF applies in this case.  You really should read it, so it is just a matter of when you find time to enjoy it.

There are a lot of great authors and series that I have enjoyed over the years, but THIS series is an absolute MUST READ.  I was emotionally connected to this book from cover to cover and can't think of a single instance when I felt like the story was dragging or contained filler.  There are, however, a lot of unanswered questions that need to be resolved in the final installment in this series.  I am going to start reading Shine this evening and can't wait to discuss it with all of you.

Jacque's Review: (My first BN4Lent Challenge)

Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.
Well, sort of.
Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.
It doesn't help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.
As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart…and clues to the secret of the Shift. (Barnes and Noble Overview)

To borrow a quote from Logan..."WOW."  This book was AMAZING.  I have to thank Teri for recommending it.  The next time she recommends a book to me...I am on it ASAP.  None of this waiting for a BN4Lent challenge that prevents me from reading all of my existing mystery series.  Clearly, if she gives it 5* and tells me to read it...I should RUN to the bookstore or simply download it to my Nook.  I never should have waited this long to read Shade, but in a way, I'm kind of glad that I did.  I just bought Shift, the second book in the series.  By the time I finish it, I will have less than two months until I can get my hands on Shine (the third and final installment in the series), which is scheduled to be released May 1st.  I don't think I could have endured a year of waiting between each of these books.

Shade was an emotional roller coaster for me.  I have not connected with a book in this way since Twilight.  I absolutely fell in love with Edward and the Twilight Saga, as I'm sure many of you did, and he has been the measure of excellence ever since.  Several books have come close, but nothing has been able to capture me in that way...until now.  (Sorry to my DWTC BookNerds...not even the Hunger Games can compare.  I know I will catch A LOT of flack for that comment, but it is my post and my opinion...so there you have it.)

I am Team Zogan for the time being.  I absolutely loved Aura, Logan, and Zach.  Since Logan is dead, this is not your typical love triangle.  Aura is trying to come to terms with what has happened and Zachary is beyond sweet and supportive.  Any girl would be fortunate to find someone with half of his charm and compassion, so I was immediately drawn to him.  The fact that he has a Scottish accent and uses many British phrases/words just adds to his appeal.  To complicate things...Logan is still around.  He is still the cute, arrogant, immensely talented musician that Aura has known since childhood and loves.  Every time Logan would sing after his death...I was immediately brought to tears.  In fact...it is happening again now just thinking about Logan, so I need to bring this to a close. 

I can't say enough about this book.  Anything I could tell you would not measure up to the feelings I had while reading it and the sheer brilliance behind this story.  Jeri Smith-Ready is an outstanding author and I HIGHLY recommend reading this book.

Mary's Review

Teri made me read this book.  She kept going on and on about it until I finally agree. Well.........I will NEVER doubt her again!!! Talk about amazing!! We have all three BookNerds requirements;

1) Supernatural.  Check!! Logan is dead and is still in love with his girlfriend Aura. Plus there are other spirits walking around.
2) Love Triangle. Check!! We have Logan (dead but still in spirit), Zach (yummy!), and Aura (who likes both)
3) Series book.  Check!! Shift is already out and Jacque and I both cannot wait to read it.

I read this book in just a few days time.  Mainly because I could not put it down.  Not only was I sucked into Aura's world but I am thinking I am Team Zach! I still can see the benefits of Team Logan but I am still leaning towards Zach.  I could really feel the struggles that Aura, Logan and Zach went through.  I felt so bad for Logan and really was hoping that he could be helped (in some way).  Poor Aura, being in love with her boyfriend who died and became a ghost, constantly seeing him but not able to touch him in any form.  However, there was Zach, alive and she is able to feel and touch him.

I am dying to read book 2!!