Book Nerds Across America

Book Summary
Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.

Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts.

Flo's Review
Well, I just flew through that one! But, I mean, it's a John Green book, so not surprising. Actually, it did take a little bit to get into at first. I'd forgotten about John Green's style of writing, where you are intimately learning the characters more so than following an action-packed plot. But there was so much to love about Turtles. I'll probably be more articulate if I go with list form, so here we go:

1. The portrayal of mental illness: This is something I cannot relate with, but while reading this book I could understand how it happened for Aza. John Green did such a good job going into her mind, that I could clearly understand how the thought spirals worked and how she ended up where she was every time. It will be interesting to see if they try to make a movie out of this one, though, because so much of it takes place in Aza's thoughts. I'm not sure how that would translate on-screen.

2. It reminded me of The Fault in Our Stars: It did. Davis and Aza are both introspective characters, like Augustus and Hazel. Both couples are broken individuals who find their way to each other and are learning how to be broken together. The dynamics of how the two couples found each other aren't similar, but at the same time they are. I absolutely see this as its own distinct story, but it did remind me of Fault, and I was okay with that. It gave me a similar feeling.

3. The ending: I'll be spoiler free, but I will say that the ending wasn't necessarily happy or sad. It was just real. It was just life. At the end of the period, everything does not tie up with a perfect bow and all the loose ends cut off. Because people go on living, continue with all the parts of their lives. And that's how this ended. The story "ended," but it didn't close. It became part of the continuing life of the characters. Some might have even found it anti-climactic, but I liked the realness and the honesty of it.

4. Daisy: What did you guys think about Daisy? I'm trying to decide. I didn't necessarily like her? I see how she is a good friend for Aza, because she is "out there" and Aza is internal. So she makes sense. But nothing really attracted me to her character. I guess in order for the story to start, though, you needed an impetus, and Aza wasn't in a place where it could have been her. So it had to be Daisy. Like I said, I understand Daisy's role in the plot, but I just wasn't enamored by her character. Thoughts??

Overall, Turtles is another signature John Green masterpiece and I enjoyed reading it. 

I explain these at the bottom of the post... :)

You may or may not know that we have been blogging for more than 5 years! And we're still here! We just love it so much.

In 2012, the Book Nerds decided to do different challenges for Lent. We had a lot of fun with it! Here was mine: Read a Stand Alone book. I picked that because trilogies and series were all over the place (they still are!) and I wanted to enjoy a single book with a single story that ended there. As you can see, I hit the jackpot with my choice of The Fault in Our Stars. This was the first John Green book I read, and the rest is history! I encourage you to click on 2012 on the sidebar at the right hand side of the page, and then click into March to see what Jacque, Mary, and Teri did.

We had so much fun with the Lenten challenges that we decided to do them again for 2016! Lent this year starts on February 10th and goes until the end of March. (If you are interested in the religious explanation behind Lent, you can read that here.) This year, for my Book Nerd Lenten Challenge, I am going to...

****Drum roll****

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?

This Challenge was brought forth by Jacque. It's no secret that the Book Nerds all love our series books, and there are plenty out there for us to choose from! But sometimes it just seems like every time I want to add a book to my TBR, I really have to plan to add 3 books, because I am actually starting a new trilogy. There is something to be said for reading a book and know that the you have completed the story. No frustrating cliffhangers with yearlong waits for conclusion. Just a few hundred pages and you know everything you're going to know.

For this Challenge, I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I had read a chapter or two before Lent, but had to set it aside. Now, I had a perfect excuse to come back to it. I wanted to read this book because so many people on my Twitter timeline read it right when it came out and gave it amazing reviews. I heard stories of many tears shed, and for this girl who has likely read and certainly loved almost every single Lurlene McDaniel book, I knew it would be right up my alley. It was. The book contained so many elements that made me love it: it broke my heart until I shed literal tears. I fell in love with the cute and quirky lead guy. The two main characters were clever word nerds. I couldn't make myself go to bed, even though it was way pst my bedtime, because I had to finish it. I admired the writing so much, I now want to go read every single thing John Green has ever written. Most importantly, it made me think about why I believe the way I do. Even though I read the majority of the book in a day, it will stay with me forever. ~Flo~