Book Nerds Across America

We had the chance to attend Thursday night's Night on the Towns event for the Paper Towns movie and had a blast! The movie was fantastic, and I definitely recommend it. Don't know what it's about? Check out my review of the book here: http://www.booknerdsacrossamerica.com/2012/05/paper-towns-by-john-green.html.

They were giving away posters and these super cute lockets at the event, and we were able to snag one for you guys! Want to win it? Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BookNerdsAcrossAmerica and leave a comment on the giveaway post.

Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. Then he heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.

After. Nothing is ever the same.

Flo's Review
Where do I start with this book? There is SO much I love about it. I finished reading it awhile ago, but I couldn't write this review right away because I had to process it first. Yup. One of THOSE type books. 

Okay, first -- I love John Green and everything he does is gold. The end. He is one of my favorite authors, I had heard lots of great things about this book, and I wasn't let down. I came into the story knowing nothing about it -- I hadn't read the synopsis or anything, and I think that's a great way to come into something. Because I had no clue what I was going to read about. And I stepped into greatness. I mean, any book that starts with a concept as amazing as "I go to seek a Great Perhaps" is going to be amazing. 

As always, John Green's characters shine. Just like with Paper Towns, I basically wanted to hang out with these kids. Can I please go to the woods and smoke with Pudge and the Colonel and Takumi and Alaska and the Russian? Because they just seem like FUN! And underneath it all, John Green's characters are always deep and complex. I loved seeing the Colonel's home, for example. 

In the notes at the end of the book, John Green says one of the reasons he wrote it was because he wanted to write about or discuss or bring out thoughts on these big questions. You could tell he did his research with the three major religions and their beliefs on different matters and I loved how that class tied into everything that was going on in the story. 

I could go on and on, but it would just be more gushing about the amazingness of this book. I don't care who you are -- you need to read this book! Go!

To celebrate the 8 days of Hanukkah, the four book nerds will each select an author or book series that is meaningful to us to share with all of you.

Today I am going to talk briefly about an AMAZING author who I just discovered in 2012...

One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical. Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won both them both legions of faithful fans. (from Goodreads)

Okay, I am about to gush over another John Green book! As you know from my reviews on The Fault in Our Stars and Paper Towns, I really enjoy his clever writing and his realistic, lovable characters. I can also say the same thing about David Levithan, having read Dash & Lily's Book of Dares and seeing Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. So, let me tell you all about the FABULOUSITY of Will Grayson, Will Grayson book in true Tiny Cooper fashion.

Green and Levithan wrote this story in alternating chapters, each one a different Will Grayson. I immediately liked the first Will Grayson from the get-go. I did not like the second Will Grayson from the get-go. Then, a little more than halfway through the book, I decided I didn't really like the first Will Grayson that much and I simply adored the second Will Grayson. In the end, adored them both. Both Green and Levithan did an amazing job portraying real, flawed teenage boys who are struggling with tough life issues and trying to fit in and make sense of their world. They both needed hugs. I wanted to give both Will Graysons hugs and re-assure them that life does get better after high school.

The character of Tiny Cooper played a big part (pun intended) in both Will Grayson's stories. He helped them both to get closer to realizing their true selves and what was important to them. He was also the comic relief and the right amount of optimism that the Wills needed. If you haven't read the book, Tiny Cooper is a large gay man who is writing a musical about his life entitled Tiny Dancer. What's not to love?!?!

If you get the opportunity to listen to the audiobook -- do it! Both the narrators made the story come alive with their delivery -- the pacing was ON KEY and they even sing! At the same time, I was happy to have a copy of the book on hand as well, because  the style of writing was also part of the characters. For example, the second Will Grayson only wrote in lowercase and his conversations were portrayed in IM (Instant Messaging) fashion. In an interview at the end of the book, Levithan explains that this is how Will sees himself.  I was also glad to have the book because eventually it got to the point where I didn't want to stop enjoying the story just because I wasn't driving around anymore. I abandoned the audiobook and read the last 30%. Although, honestly, now that I am done with the book, I am going to keep listening to the end of audiobook.

I loved this book from the first page. If you follow my status updates on Goodreads, they pretty much go like this:

"I am looking forward to loving this book!"
"I love this book!"
"I love this book so much!"

I am not even exaggerating -- those were my updates. Anyway, please do yourself a favor and pick up Will Grayson, Will Grayson. You will laugh at Tiny, you will love the Wills, then hate the Wills, then love the Wills again. You will get misty and its poignancy, feel crushed when the Wills feel crushed, and cheer for certain characters to get together. 

As for me, I am now off to continue my quest of reading everything John Green has ever written. And David Levithan, too. Have you read any of their books? Which ones do you recommend?

When Margo Roth Spiegelman beckons Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night - dressed like a ninja and plotting an ingenious campaign of revenge - he follows her. Margo's always planned extravagantly, and, until now, she's always planned solo. After a lifetime of loving Margo from afar, things are finally looking up for Q . . . until day breaks and she has vanished. Always an enigma, Margo has now become a mystery. But there are clues. And they're for Q. Printz Medalist John Green returns with the trademark brilliant wit and heart-stopping emotional honesty that have inspired a new generation of readers. (from Goodreads)