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"Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules. Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone-one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship-tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next. Now Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming." (from Goodreads)

As soon as I finished reading Across the Universe, I tweeted the author Beth Revis that it was a "Whoa!" kind of book. She responded with, "That's what I was going for!"

So:  Whoa!

I took me awhile to get into it. I struggled because it is a science fiction book, and sci fi is not a genre I usually enjoy. But it's not just as sci fi book -- it's a young adult book and a dystopian book, and I think unique the combination of these three factors is what gives the book such appeal.

Elder was a character I really enjoyed. I could feel his struggles throughout the novel, and I admired the choices that he made because I could see that they were hard, but right.  I also really enjoyed Harley. And Eldest. Oh my gosh, Eldest! Every time I learned something new about him or discovered something else I thought, "Oh. My. Gosh!" 

While one aspect of the ending didn't surprise me, the rest did. And left me going, "Whoa!" 

A Million Suns, the sequel, is due out next year. I actually felt that Across the Universe reached a conclusive ending, so I am curious to see what else will happen on Godspeed.

~Flo~

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It is true that I love a good thriller/mystery novel.  I like the thrill of the "hunt" and the all the questions: "Who did it?" and "Why did they do it?".  This book selection was no different.  I had not heard of this book until I saw the movie trailer. 

Mickey Haller is an attorney who will represent just about anyone.  That is anyone who can pay and that is what Mickey needs right now.  That is when Louis Roulet comes along.  He is accused of attempted rape and attempted murder on a young female.  Mickey thinks that he will be able to get Louis a great trial and a very good payday through it too.  However, there are twists and turns (some that even I did not see) that Mickey and his team have to get through in order for everyone come out of this trial alive and well.

This was  a quick read for me because the second Mikey began putting the pieces of the case together is the second I could not put the book down.  I know that there are more books in this series and I would like to see how Mickey handles himself further.

I would recommend this book to others.


Jacque's Review:

The Lincoln Lawyer was recommended to me quite some time ago, but I have to admit, the fact that the movie was released starring Matthew McConaughey and Ryan Phillippe is what ultimately got my attention. 

Mickey Haller is a defense attorney in LA who represents a questionable group of clients.  Drug dealers, prostitutes, etc.  He will represent anyone who can pay his fees, but when he lands his "franchise case" (a case that will pay him six figures and will allow him to comfortably pay his bills for a while) he begins to question his choice of profession.   

Louis Roulet is a wealthy young real estate agent accused of attempted rape and attempted murder.  For the first half of the book I actually felt sorry for Louis as the defense attempted to prove that he was the victim of a setup.  As the book progressed and Mickey's investigator discovered additional information that connected this case to one of his previous clients, the truth behind the case became apparent.  Mickey ends up putting himself and his family in danger as he strives to do the one thing his father taught him about the profession, to always identify and protect the innocent.  "There is no client as scary as an innocent man."   

I have always enjoyed the John Grisham legal thrillers.  The one thing his books lack is a common element that makes you look forward to the release of his next book.  That is what drew me to the Kay Scarpetta series, which is next month's Sunday Mystery Corner.  When there is a character I can connect with that develops throughout a series, I am always excited to see what happens next.  This series is no exception.  Michael Connelly established a great character that we can continue to follow.  There are currently four books in the Mickey Haller series, which I hear only get better. 

What I liked most about this book is fact that the reader is able to unravel the mystery along with Haller.  Clues are exposed throughout the story and we can slowly see how Mickey plans to address the ethical dilemma that he is in.  With many legal mysteries, the reader is often blindsided with an unexpected ending.  Connelly left enough of a mystery to hold my attention, but provided enough clues to make me feel like I was an active participant in the discovery of the truth.


Flo's Review:

I was the last of the Book Nerds to finish The Lincoln Lawyer, amidst Mary and Jacque's "Keep reading!" Every time a new twist was introduced I frantically sent them messages with multiple exclamation points. I finished the book on Friday night and a few hours later I went to the see the movie.

As Jacque and Mary mentioned, one of the strengths about this book was that the reader was able to put the pieces together with Mickey Haller. And the more Mickey discovered, the more you wanted to read to see what else he'd discover and what he'd do about it. I think Mickey himself was the biggest strength of the book. No matter what was revealed or thrown at him, he always managed to have a great reaction, or redirect, if you will. This is evident in his actions both in the courtroom and outside of it. In the book, we also go to understand Mickey's motivations -- why he acted the way he did, and ultimately, why he was the was the man he was.

Unfortunately, it is always hard to translate inner dialogue to the big screen. Thus, I felt that all this personalization of Mickey was left out of the movie. Without the book, I would have come away from the movie not really knowing the character or his motivations. To me, the movie played as a series of events. It was a story, yes. It unfolded as it did in the book, with few and minor variations, but none of the background was there.

I'm curious to hear a review of the movie from someone who has not read the book. Is that any of you?

I closed the cover on City of Glass late last night, a lot had happened to the characters, but I know when I pick up the 4th in the series, it will keep me as riveted and probably wanting more...ON TO THE NEXT ONE...

As much as I love Jace, Clary, Simon, Isabelle, Alec and yes, even Mangus, I hated Valentine with the same passion. He was a constant force in all three books, but without him, there wouldn't have been the twists and turns that were needed to keep you reading. These books have everything you can imagine in them....angels, fairies, vampires, werewolves ( which, shhhh don't let Flo know, I really liked ) undying friendship and a tragic love story , yet there was plenty of humor spread throughout the book to lighten the sometimes tragic mood.

By Teri



Mary and Flo had DRASTICALLY different opinions of Cosmopolis, so I posted on the blog that I would cast the deciding vote.  Since this is an RPattz book to movie, I was sure I would love it and was sincerely hoping to tip the scale in its favor.

Unfortunately, I felt the book was simply ok.  I can't say that I liked it nor did I hate it.  Like Flo, I tried to envision Pattinson as Eric.  That is the only thing that enabled me to persevere. 

The first issue that I had was the lack of continuity.  The book to me seemed like a bunch of independent scenes in a movie that never really connected until the very end.  Second, I had a hard time determining who was speaking on a number of occasions.  The dialogue between characters was often mixed with paragraphs containing Eric's thoughts, which required careful deciphering to ensure I was following things accurately.  I anticipate that these issues will be resolved in the movie, which will allow me to enjoy the movie more so than the book, which is rarely the case.

The final issue that I had involved the numerous indiscretions that take place throughout the story.  I just could not relate to what was taking place.  How can this brilliant multi-billionaire make so many irrational decisions in one day?  I just didn't get it.  Rob is really going to have his work cut out for him with this one.  Will I go see the movie....ABSOLUTELY.  I would not miss the opportunity to see some of these outrageous acts brought to life.  I just wonder how closely the movie will be able to follow the book without losing its marketability.   
  

I came across this novel when some of my Twitter friends were talking about it.  Then I looked it up online and read through some of the reviews and thought it sounded interesting.  The one thing that I did not realize is that I would be sucked into a world that I never thought would exist.  I really cared about these characters.

The book begins with Thomas.  He is trapped in a sort-of elevator (or The Box) and he does not know anything but just his name.  When The Box reaches the top he is surrounded by a group of young boys and he finds out that he is in The Glade.  He is completely unsure of what to do, where he is, or why there are walls that move at night.  The one thing he does know is that outside the walls is a maze and when the boys figure out the maze they can go home. 

Then a girl shows up the very next day and tell all the boys there will be no more after her.  Teresa then falls into a deep coma but can talk to Thomas telepathically.  It is at that time that Thomas starts begin a Runner.  The Runners run the Maze everyday from the time they wake until the walls close at night to map out the Maze and see if it can be figured out so that they can go home.  It is not that simple because there are Grievers in the Maze and if you get "stung" then you go through something called Changing.  During this your memories begin to come back.  Thomas realizes that he has to get stung so that he can be able to solve the Maze. 

When he comes out of the Changing and Teresa out of her coma he is able to convince the others that the Maze needs to be solved and they have to get out of there.

However, I am not going to spoil the surprise of the ending.  But I will tell you that Scorch Trials is out and there is third book out soon!

This is a must read!

Be sure to follow her on Twitter @dirtybrit

Grigory!!!

Thanks to everyone who participated.  If you did not win this time, there is another AWESOME giveaway in the works.  Please keep checking the blog regularly and we hope that you will all join us for our read alongs next month.

I (Mary) will be contacting you shortly

Keep a look out for more contest!!!

Here are 10 fun facts submitted by Philana about herself.

I would like to thank Philana for taking the time to participate in our Tuesday's 10.  As an added bonus...She is giving away an autographed copy of Glitz, which she will personalize for the winner!!  The winner will be announced at her book signing in Toledo on April 23rd.  To enter the contest, please enter a comment to this post telling us why you enjoy YA books.  That should be easy enough for any Book Nerd.

If you didn't win this one, perhaps you want to try to win our Water for Elephants giveaway?