A Geeky Must Read: Geekerella

One of my New Years resolutions was to read more this year and I've been sloooooowly doing that! It is April and I've only skimmed one book and read one book. Geekerella was my first book of the year and it did not disappoint.

First off can we talk about how Instagram worthy this cover is?! I had such a great time playing around with the book while I was reading it. It has plenty of coffee stains now...that's how you know I loved it!

Geekerella tells the story of Elle. A geeky girl just trying to get to her 18th birthday so she can escape her horrible step-mother and twin-step sisters and compete in her father's convention's cosplay contest to win tickets to her dream home LA. Whew! All the while texting with a strange boy she doesn't even know the name of!

Can you get any closer to all of our geek girl dreams?! Throw in some of our favorite fandoms {Doctor Who, Firefly, Star Wars, etc} and one BIG new one you are going to LOVE and you have a fun, can't put down re-telling of the classic Cinderella story. And I know all you Dis-nerds will love it too!

You can pick up Geekerella by Ashley Poston on April 4th, 2017 published by Quirk Books.

My Top 5 Favorite Goosebumps Books!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I am a huge book nerd as you can see in my In The Racks series. Of course my love of reading goes back way before this blog! When I was younger, I couldn't get my hands on enough of the Goosebumps series! I even wrote a fan letter to R.L. Stine and a picture of me with all my Goosebumps books {I should try to find that for you!}. He is the master at a cliffhanger chapter ending! I never wanted to stop reading!

Horror and I have a weird relationship. I love it, yet it scares me to death, and I like it, kind of. Weird yes, healthy no, fun YES! So with Goosebumps I can get my slight scare on and still sleep with the lights out!  Here are my five favorites!

5.  The Haunted Mask - I am super claustrophobic so this totally played into my fears!

4.  Say Cheese and Die! - As a photographer I found anything on the subject fascinating.

3.  A Night in Terror Tower - My love of the times of yore began.

2.  The Cuckoo Clock of Doom - Me + time travel = squeeeee!

1.  One Day At Horrorland -  My top pick because the rides sounded awesome and who doesn't love an amusement park?!

What are your favorite Goosebumps books?!  Please share in the comments below!

Nerd Crafts: Crafting With Feminism

I've been a huge fan of Bonnie Burton since I began my blog. I was on the search for women who were nerdy like me and Bonnie was a perfect example of that! She doesn't shy away from her love of all things nerdy and is a great example of what it takes to stand up for the women of our community.

That is why I am so excited to share here NEW book with you Crafting With Feminism! Crafting has been a big part of my blog. I love creating Nerd Crafts and Bonnie now has an entire book full of them!

Her Super-heroine Wrist Cuffs are the perfect choice for an easy and fun Halloween costume! You have 4 days people! I just had to have a little craft party of my own so I could have a cute little something to wear to work for the holiday!

And so, I went to my very first Hobby Lobby and got lost in there for an hour! There were so many great goodies and insperation! But of course I had to pick up the supplies I needed for my craft night!

Super-heroine Wrist Cuffs

Supplies:

Felt
A Glue Gun {best invention ever for crafting!}
Star Stickers
Toilet Paper Tubes {saved from home! You know we go through them quickly! LOL}

I loved this craft because it was super easy and they came out so chic!

Step One: Cut a slit in your TP roll.

Step Two: Lay it flat onto your chosen color of felt and trace the size of the TP roll. Cut out your felt shape. Glue it onto your TP roll.

Step Three: Create your design! I chose red white and blue. I added a red stripe down the middle with my glue gun and added on some silver star stickers. Secure the star stickers with a tiny dab from your glue gun!

Step Four: Rock them!

Bonus tip: You can secure your wrist cuffs to be as tight as you need them for your wrist with a hole punch on each side of the opening and some string!

Crafting night would not be complete with out some homemade pizza made by Ocean Eyes! He makes my favorite brussel sprout and balsamic!

AND to finish up crafting night, we did some pumpkin carving for our Halloween party tonight!

Thank you Bonnie and Quirk Books for sending me such a fun Halloween treat! I cannot wait to share more crafts with you in the coming months. Especially a highlarious one that Ocean Eyes requested for our Christmas tree! If you have the book, turn to page 59. If you don't you will just have to wait and see!

You can follow Bonnie on Twitter @bonniegrrl & Quirk Books @quirkbooks.

Pick up your copy of Crafting With Feminism HERE!

Killing It: The Action Girl's Guide to Saving the World (While Looking Hot)

Have you been following Super Space Chick and I's Instagram photo challenge? If not...get over there! If so, you might have seen Killing It: The Action Girl's Guide to Saving the World (While Looking Hot) by Devastator Press.

I love sharing nerdy thinks with you and this book is a fun, pretty and funny summer read!

"Killing It! is a secret weapon for the modern day action heroine. This savagely hilarious guide covers all the fashion, etiquette, and ballistics tips every woman needs, according to all the blockbuster movies written and directed by men! Joan will help you perfect the impossible balancing act of being an all-powerful badass while remaining vulnerable, sexy, and super chill about men getting all the glory." - From the back cover

The opening quote for the book that hooked me from the start?! "We can talk sexism in survival situations when I get back." Dr. Ellie Sattler, Jurassic Park. What a perfect way to introduce the premise of the book. Nerd style!

So ladies as you can tell, it is a satire book! Joan Ford, helps us not to take all of the action movie stereotypes to heart. Instead she makes us be able to laugh at them together! This book is girl power at it's finest!

My favorite part? Chapter seven! Which is all about dating as a super bad ass action spy. It walks you through dates one through six! Chapter five even goes through how to find that date! 

I find the chapters that end with a quiz are my favorites! I love quizzes, I use to take them all the time, first Mad Libs...does that count? Then Disney Adventures and Nickelodeon Magazine and followed by Teen and then Cozmo!

Heading to San Diego Comic Con? Go check out The Devastator Press booth at E-05, which is in the exhibitor table section! You can pick up Killing It: The Action Girl's Guide to Saving the World (While Looking Hot) or any other of their comedic books! Tell them I said HIIII!

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Put My "Heart In A Box" Please

The day I told my husband I was leaving him, was the first day at my very first full time job. In these past seven months the theater and my co-workers have become my family. I don't know how I would have gotten through without them. Hugs, hand holding and alllllllll the feelz.

Enter one crummy Saturday morning. I was feeling down on myself. Which isn't always. There are up days and down days, and this was a down. Saturdays are usually myself and another manager, Mr. Johnson. I proceeded to lay on him my woes.

"I wish I could take my feelings out for just a moment and see what that would feel like. I feel so much all the time, it would be nice to have a break from my emotions."

He looks up from his iPhone. I thought he was just uh-huh-ing me these past few minutes. But he wasn't. His eyes lit up and he told me about Heart In A Box, by Kelly Thompson, one of his favorite graphic novels. I ordered it on the spot.

Emma lives in LA. Emma has relationship issues. A gay BFF who talks her out of her despair. Emma wants to not feel anymore.

Sound like someone you know? I about died.

"If the man with no name can't understand what a fucking treasure you are, then he's just not even worth it in the first place."

THAT is page 14.

I about lost it.

Funny thing is, all of these guys I've dated, I've made up names for. Number One. Gay Chris. Insta Greg. Irish Guy. I began reading in a diner in Silver Lake. But really wanted to finish it in my favorite LA spot Griffith Observatory.

I read a few chapters at the diner, I then chased the sunset to plop down in the grass and finish this novel that spoke deep into my soul. It was exactly what was happening to me. Emma doesn't want to feel anymore. Bob comes and takes her heart away. Emma is ready to have it back after nine days but comes to find out it is now in six pieces and she must go on this journey to make it whole again.

I am on a journey to be whole again. I feel like my heart is in more than six pieces. I'm not sure I'll ever get a couple of those pieces back and I'm not sure when it will be whole again. But I'm on this journey. I'm embracing this journey. And like Emma, maybe one day I'll run into my Pete and let him keep the rest of my heart.

I read it again straight away! Thank you OJ and thank you Kelly.

Who Would YOU Want To Sit Next To You On A Plane?!

I told myself that this year {2015} I was going to start reading more!  I had been re-reading the Harry Potter series and got to book 3 before wanting something new.  I watched Twilight on New Year's Day and decided to start re-reading that, then my good friend Chelsea gave me The Rock Star In Seat 3A.

I fell so hard for this book last night that I couldn't stop reading it.  I told myself that I couldn't go to sleep until I was halfway through and as I closed my eyes I began writing my review.  Yes I'm not even done yet and I had to start writing about it.

Hazel is a highly successful PR person for Badass Games {thing Rockstar and Grand Theft Auto}, lives in NYC and has the sweetest, cutest and best chef in the city as her live in boyfriend.  The night of her thirtieth birthday party ends with a game of who would your significant other give you a free pass with.  Hazel's has always been, but never admitted out loud, Finn Schiller of the rock band The Void.

That night before she is to leave for work trip to LA, she discovers that her boyfriend is about to propose.  She dodges the subject and heads to her early morning LA flight, where she gets the shock of a lifetime.  Her seat mate is none other than the celebrity crush of her adult life Finn Schiller.

What happens next?  Well what do your celebrity fantasies look like?  Hazel's are just like that and in The Rock Star In Seat 3A the reader gets to live vicariously through Hazel in a fantasy come to life!  Ok now to go back to reading and see what happens!!!

Will Hazel leave her secure, safe and happy life with her boyfriend?  Or will she let caution fly to the wind and take off with her dream love?  I'm off to find out....

Ok back, after only a couple hours and without giving away any spoilers....I'm still not sure how I feel!  The first half of the book was a huge blur of...W.O.W!  Then the ending, almost made me feel bad for falling so hard for it.  I personally read books for an escape and fantasy world...don't you?!

What ends up happening doesn't seem like it would happen in the real world and breaks the reader out of the fantasy aspect of the novel.  DO STILL read it!  I want to know what you all think!  It is a super short read at only 200 pages and I did enjoy it very much so, please give it a try and come back and let me know your feelings!  Was it just me?!

Now for the important question...who would I want to have be stuck next to me on a long plane ride?

• Ewan McGregor
• David Tennant
• Matt Smith
• Benedict Cumberbatch
• Louise Tomlinson
• Matt Healy {My Finn Schiller}

All British...yes!  Now YOUR turn....who would YOU want to sit next to you on a plane?!  Let me know in the comments below!  If you haven't checked out The Rock Star In Seat 3A you should!  Then let me know what you think, I need someone to fan-girl with! 

Runaway with The Lunar Chronicles!

By:  Nerd on the Run Els

One of the things I love most about being a nerd is my unabashed adoration of books.  You will often catch me carrying my latest read around wherever I go, just in case I get a spare moment to soak up a few pages.  Lately I have been swept up in the Young Adult genre...practically reading any book that will be made into a movie or any series that is popular in the ever growing YA category.

By complete accident I found out about The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer.  Her series was casually mentioned in an entertainment article and the blurb about it piqued my interest.  A futuristic twist on Disney princesses & fairy tales?  Sure!  And so I found myself at the bookstore the next day, picking up the first book in the series - Cinder.  

Cinder spins the tale of the classic Cinderella – but set in the science fiction/futuristic era.  To add even more of a twist, Cinder is a half human/half cyborg mechanic.  With the basic plot lines of the original story…the stepfamily, the ball, and catching the eye of a dashing Prince…Meyer still creates a unique world.  The additions of mysterious pasts, a rocky political climate, and a deadly disease keep the story fresh.  (Plus, if you loved Firefly...Cinder reminds me a great deal of our beloved Kaylee. And bonus, Meyer is a self proclaimed Browncoat! Squee!) 

The next book in the series, Scarlet, takes on the story of Little Red Riding Hood.  With the mysterious disappearance of Scarlet’s grandmother, she embarks on a journey to get the truth about her life, past, & family.  Scarlet enlists the help of a street fighter, Wolf, who also has secrets of his own.  Together they must face an intense expedition and formidable foes to gain answers.  Again, Marissa keeps the basics of the original story while adding her own flair.

Cress, a story about Rapunzel is the most current book in The Lunar Chronicles.  Locked in a satellite since childhood, Cress is an excellent hacker.  All she has in the rotating satellite above earth is tablets & active imagination to keep her company.  (And yes of course, she has the long untrimmed hair!)  After knowing only the space of her small confines, Cress ventures beyond her tower and goes on a thrilling & gripping adventure of self discovery and confidence.

While these are the only three books out currently, there are plans for two more by Meyer in this series.  Coming out in January 2015 is Fairest – a prequel about Queen Levana, the main villain who has overarching story arcs in each book.  And finally in November 2015, Winter (Snow White) hits shelves!  This will follow Queen Levana’s stepdaughter, and her journey to escape from Levana’s rule. 

The Lunar Chronicles is one of the best series I’ve picked up.  It is the perfect blend of nerdy AND girlie!  With sweet romances, lovable characters, intense action, and all the science fiction you can imagine – this series truly puts the twist on fairy tales in the BEST way.  And plus, Meyer is hysterical.  Her wit and ability to fashion character arcs is so refreshing.  These books are generally light-hearted and an easy read….And ones I HIGHLY recommend!

Killer Instinct: Book Review

Killer Instinct by S.E. Green, tells the story of a teenage girl, Lane, who is surrounded by a loving family, excelling in her high school studies and taking joy in an after school job at the local vet.  Under all this normality, lives something not normal. Lane has a desire to kill and when the notorious serial killer The Decapitator  begins sending her personal messages, that desire begins to evolve into action.

The first thing I thought, when I read the synopsis for Killer Instinct was Dexter for the Young Adult genera.  I have been a HUGE Dexter fan for years and once discovering the show, turned to the books it was based after.  I couldn't help but see the entire first season of Dexter in Killer Instinct.  It was almost like I was reading Darkly Dreaming Dexter all over again.  There were just so many similarities, that I don't want to divulge if you decide to read Killer Instinct.

Even though there are so many similarities in the two novels, that did not stop me from quickly reading through Killer Instinct.  For all of you who know me, I always say that I am THE slowest reader.  But with Killer Instinct I finished it within only a few days.  I found it to be enticing and mysterious and kept me guessing until the very end.

The book is being marketed to ages 14 and up, but I defiantly don't think a book about a teenage serial killer is for kids quite that young.  There is a lot of graphic detail in the book.  I know that teenagers these days are exposed to a lot of things, but I think retaining our innocence as long as possible is a good thing.  That being said, I will send this book over to The Gamer Geek who is almost 17.  He has watched the entire Dexter series and I think he would enjoy this.

Yes I did like Killer Instinct and yes I would recommend it to you, it is a good mystery story and kept me guessing until the very end!

Killer Instinct will be released on May 6, 2014.

How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity: Book Review

How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity.  Something that is happening A LOT these days.  Grumpy Cat, Nyan Cat, Keyboard Cat, and one of my favorites {well they ALL are} Surprised Cat.  So can this book make MY cat an internet celebrity?! Patricia Carlin maps out all the steps needed to send your cat into internet celebrity, so let's give it a go!

*Step one catchy cat persona:  First I needed to figure out what special gifts my cat had to offer the universe.  Turns out, he is pretty boring and does whatever he wants.  So then Boring Cat was born!

Catchy name in place, it's time to get down to business and capture Boring Cat being boring.

*Step two photos:  I am always taking pictures of Boring Cat.  He is very photogenic. So this part was super easy!  Make sure you share your cute cat photos through all of your social media outlets {more on that below}.

*Step three awesome videos:  I tried to make a video of "Boring Cat" but he is pretty boring.  So enjoy his boring encounter with a Trader Joe's bag.

Step four social media:  Time to get your client out there and with social media! Create their account and watch their fan base grow!  Check out @The_Boring_Cat antics over on Twitter!  Other cat friendly sites:
*Catster
*Catmoji
*Instagram with the hashtag #CatsofInstagram
*Twitter

So how did it work out after a week?!
Followers on Twitter: 26
Followers on Instagram: 47
Likes on Instagram: 645!  I thought that was pretty good!

@The_Boring_Cat can we use this picture on our blog?! Email eric at quirkbooks dot com. We'd love to put it someplace. :-)

— Quirk Books (@quirkbooks) March 21, 2014

On our first day of Tweeting for Boring Cat, Quirk Books asked to use our picture on their site!  Stardom is on the horizon!

Pick up YOUR copy of How to Make Your Cat an Internet Celebrity: A Guide to Financial Freedom by Patricia Carlin with adorable cat photography by Dustin Fenstermacher from Quirk Books on April 1st {this is not a joke!}

Meant To Be: Book Review

If you love London as much as I do, this is the book for you!  Meant to Bewritten by Lauren Morrill is fantastic!  Morrill transports you London with her words.  Having just been there, I could imagine everything through her descriptions.  My entire trip was so surreal, I had a hard time putting it into words, Morrill gave me the words I was looking for!

"I practically press my nose against the windowpane.  I refuse to miss a single second of England."

This one quote describes my trip in a nutshell.

"For a minute I'm disappointed; we could be in Cleveland, Ohio.  Then we veer off the busy motorway, and the street suddenly gets narrow, the buildings more opulent. This is the London I've always imagined."

"Dad use to joke that Paris was the city of love for unimaginative folks."

Meant To Be follows the story of Julia's first trip to London.  She is on her junior high school trip and this is her trip of a lifetime.  She is an Anglophile to a T, caring around her pocket Shakespeare guide, her copy of Pride and Prejudice {which she has read ten times} and a Beatles song in her heart.

Julia is a good girl, dragged into "bad" things by her trip buddy Jason.  Together they argue, grow and learn about what is MTB {Meant to Be}.

This was another book that I could not put down.  I saw it while browsing the book shop and again it was another book that had me at the cover!  I am so excited to share Meant to Bewith you, so make sure you go check it out!!

*5 out of 5 stars*