Monday, May 3, 2010

Awesomeness: Into The Wild Nerd Yonder

YAY!!! It's The Week of Contests, Games, and PRIZES!!!

Are you guys excited? I'm excited. I have some fun things in store for you this week, so stay tuned to win books, critiques, drawings, and...nope, that's pretty much it right there.

Today, The Elana Johnson has organized a massive spread-the-love for authors. She asked a ton of writers to recommend books that they absolutely 100% adored, and so you'll probably be seeing a bunch of posts like this one today. Or you can just go here to see them all.

I offer up Into The Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern. I've already talked about how much I love this book here, but it immediately came to mind again when Elana said to pick a book I'd give 10 stars to because I loved it so much.

Quick Summary: Jessie is in between social groups, what with her friends going punk while she'd prefer to sew skirts out of pikachu fabric. But when her supposed best friend does the unthinkable, the nerd crowd starts looking way more appealing than it should...especially that freakishly cute boy with the flooded pants and white sneakers.

It's hard for me to talk about this book without going, "I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!" I get this fluttery feeling just thinking about it, which makes it hard to say anything intelligible. So this won't be much of a review, just a straight up love fest.

I loved this book because I felt like I could have been Jessie. No, I WAS Jessie at one point in my life. I wish wish wish I had this book to read as a nerdy teen girl. I want Jessie for a best friend for my 16-year-old self. We would have gotten along so very well.

I love that Julie Halpern got this reaction out of me. Her writing is so real and quirky and easy on the eyes. I loved that she addressed that awkward period between friendships. I loved the normal and yet awesome family Jessie had (Especially the relationship with her brother. [I was very close with my brother, too!]). I loved that she wrote a book about finding real friends no matter where they happen to be socially.

Just...LOVE.

Into The Wild Nerd Yonder is also one of a few books that totally sucked me into contemporary YA fiction. It made me love a genre I didn't quite gel with before—it taught me that contemporary can be just as magical as fantasy. It made me want to try, to learn, more about it. It made me want to grow as a writer and experiment.

For that I want to thank Julie. Times ten.

AND I want to spread the love! So for this Day 1 of The Week of Contests, Games, and PRIZES, I'm giving away a copy of Into The Wild Nerd Yonder.

This is my first book giveaway, guys. I'm stingy with the monies, so you must know that I really love this book.

TO ENTER: I only ask two things—be a follower (on Twitter or the blog) and leave a comment. I know, you don't have to pimp me or anything! Easiest contest ever! (Especially on this blog, am I right?)

I will draw one winner TOMORROW AT NOON MST, and, uh, they'll win Into The Wild Nerd Yonder. Duh.

As part of this whole author love day thing-a-ma-jig, I have been asked to direct you to the fabulous Jamie Harrington for the next book recommendation. Enjoy.

98 comments:

  1. At first I thought that was just another funny blog post title created by you. Sounds like a great book though, please enter me in the contest.

    Thanks Natalie!

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  2. Ooh, this sounds awesome!! Love new books. Already a follower so I'm in!! Just visited Shannon's site. Love the book she's highlighted, too. Good day and thank you.

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  3. O,o, I wanna win because that's a sweet cover and your summary has put the book on my TBR pile!

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  4. Sounds like a good one! I'm in! And of course I already follow you! =)

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  5. I had never heard of this book before now, and now I'm excited to read it!

    Thanks for the contest!

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  6. Sounds awesome and right up my alley (I've said this so many times to this morning. I have many alleys, evidently.) :-)

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  7. You sold me. I will now probably check this book out no matter what. Although winning it would be fab. ;)

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  8. I'm in. The d20s on the cover still pique my curiosity (even if the dress and the pink don't so much). And hey, if it turns out it is too girly for me, I can always give it away and pass on the love, right?

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  9. This book sounds wonderful. I wish I had this book to read while I was a nerd in high school too. I definitely want to read it, whether I win or go out and buy it myself! ;)

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  10. Oh WOW! Now this is a book I HAVE to read. Seriously, this sounds like an AWESOME story!

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  11. That sounds like a great book! I just love it when I'm reading something and I go, "whoa! That girl is ME!"

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  12. Did I read "Nerd" in that novels' title? I'm in. :)

    (You don't remember me, but I was among the unlucky unable to get in your class at the AF Writer's Conference. There were tears shed and I contemplated wrestling a few of the weaker-looking attendees for their chair, but, defeated and dismayed, I went across the hall.) LOVE your blog--thanks for all the tips.

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  13. You should write jacket flap copy, Natalie. In addition to all the ten thousand other things you have to do every day:)

    INTO THE WILD NERD YONDER sounds great. I'll definitely give it a read.

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  14. Oh fun! I have been wanting to read this since the last time you raved about it. :)

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  15. Ooo sounds like another good one for my list! :) And yep, I already follow you :)

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  16. This book sounds so original. I'd love to read it. :-)

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  17. I wonder how one could make this book required reading in high school...who knows how many people could be helped?

    And of course enter me in the contest! With all this awesomeness going down Monday just got a little less icky.

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  18. I'm already a follower...fun contest. You made me grin--will check it out, regardless.

    Thanks!

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  19. The title and the cover are oxymoronic - love it! Will definitely add to the TBR pile.

    *waves* Hi Natalie! We missed you at LDSSM.

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  20. yay for contest! I hope i win since i've wanted to read this book for awhile

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  21. Sounds great! I was definitely a teenage nerd. Enter me por favor. :)

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  22. Long live the nerds! Hope I win!!! =)

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  23. Want it! Give it! :) (and it's about time you follow me...just kidding, I didn't realize it either)

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  24. I adore this book. I already own it, so leave me out of the giveaway, but I had to say it. :)

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  25. Oh my gosh. I love the cover. I am a nerd, so does that count? =)

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  26. That book sounds so good! Even if I don't win, I'll have to pick it up. Question: I'm a Twitter follower, but I don't have the Google friend connect...does that still count? I read all your posts, I'm just a Wordpress girl and don't know much about the Google way for following people yet.

    (I'm @olsonkayla, FYI.)

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  27. As a fellow nerd and nerd appreciator, I will have to check this one out. Thanks.

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  28. owlandsparrow, I'll take Twitter followers as well:) I know not everyone has blogger.

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  29. That cover looks totally sweet. Is it wrong that I totally want to own and wear such a dress on a regular basis?

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  30. Already a follower through my Google account. :) Normally I leave a comment under my wordpress name "inthewritemind" but I'll leave it under my Google/Blogger one today.

    Anyway that book sounds pretty awesome!

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  31. Sounds like a fun book! Whenever I get that sense of recognition when reading a certain character or a story as a whole, it makes it that much easier and more fun to read it.

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  32. I would love a copy of this, Natalie. Thanks!

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  33. Well lookie that, I already follow you and here's a comment!

    This book sounds great, and it sounds like Jessie and I will get along great, too.

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  34. What a great sounding book! LOVE IT!!!

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  35. This book sounds fantabulous! I can't wait to read it.

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  36. This book sounds so fun and I LOVE the cover. I'm a follower and I'd love to win it.

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  37. sweet! Yet another reason I love your blog.

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  38. Great review. I am loving the title of the book!

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  39. I love your blog and pimp it on my blog already.

    This looks like a funny book. Who couldn't use a little funny? Please enter me in.

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  40. As a former nerd, well, maybe former is the wrong word...Anyway, love the title of this book. Sounds like a great read. Enter me please!

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  41. Unfortunately this follower's comment is lacking in the wit/content department, but here it is.

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  42. Gotta see this one!! Thanks for not making me work at pimping today. Mondays are so not pimp strong. :0)

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  43. That is the cutest title EVER! You definitely have me in love with this book and I haven't read it yet, but I have to now!

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  44. I hope it's not too late to enter! (and yes, I am a follower)

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  45. I haven't heard of this book, but it sounds great! I hope I win! :-)

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  46. New books! New books! I'm always interested in expanding my TBR pile.

    - Rebecca

    rebeccaswells(at)gmail(dot)com

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  47. I'd love a chance to win this book! Anything you love I'll probably love, too!

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  48. I have a daughter who will soon be a teenager. This sounds like a perfect book for her!

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  49. Janel, actually I would say this book would be for an older teen. It deals with some more mature issues, like STD's, etc.

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  50. Ooo, how have I NOT heard of this book before? Thank you so much for pointing it out. I'm not a huge YA contemporary fan either--but your take on it tells me this is SO the kind of book I would love (um...I was kind of a nerdy teen too. Okay, not kind of. I WAS). Can't wait to read it and I will be adding it to my TBR list if I don't win.

    Thanks for the post!

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  51. The book sounds cool! Thanks for the awesome review!

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  52. How could I possibly not want to read this after your glowing review?!? Even the title of the book rocks! Thanks for the recommendation!

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  53. Sounds like a great book. I 'll have to try to find a copy (if I don't win hehe). Thanks for sharing! :)

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  54. I'll have to look that book up---thanks for the recommendation!

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  55. Awesome recommendation! I'd love to win a copy. ; )

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  56. This sounds like a fun one! I'll have to add it to my list.

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  57. This book sounds right up my alley. Thanks for sharing, Natalie. I'm so glad I found your blog through the tour AND this great reading reccomendation!

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  58. This one sounds like a GREAT book! Thanks for the recommendation.

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  59. Awesomeness! Thanks for the review. it's always good to hear about a new book, especially one that sounds like a truckload of geeky fun!

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  60. Sounds like a terrific book. I already follow you, so I'm in!

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  61. What a great title -- and the cover is gorgeous!

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  62. 0o0o0o....I might look more into this book :P

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  63. Yay! This book sounds so great - it's on my TBR list and I'm dying to read it. I would so LOVE to win a copy. I'm already a follower. :-)

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  64. What a recommendation! Must. Read. Now.

    I'm also giving away Maggie Stievfal's SHIVER on my blog: www.sarahenni.com

    Looking forward to the rest of the contests and prizes this week!!

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  65. Can I try to pimp you anyway :--) sounds GREAT!! I am having so much fun hopping around today! Now that I can--for the whole day I couldn't get on Blogger and check on my own contest--sigh. But now I'm a happy camper!

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  66. Yay for contests! Thanks, Natalie! I think that I follow this blog, (I sure hope so) but I know I follow you on Twitter. This book really looks fantastic. Why have I never heard of it before? Hmm... well, off to Google I go!

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  67. That book looks really good! I'd like to win it! I'm a follower!

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  68. I love it when you come across a book that packs that kind of punch. This one sounds just so sweet and funny and adorable. And how very cool that you're giving a copy away! Yay!

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  69. Had you as a teacher at the AF Writer's Conference and had to look you up as I do with A LOT of authors. Lucky day to check in because I want to win this book. I'm a follower now!

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  70. Oh, I've been looking to read this book for a while now1

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  71. I follow and would love to read this. Your description is really enticing and fun.

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  72. How have I not heard of this one. I swear that I read nonstop, but I've found more books today that I can't wait to read than ever before! :) Thanks for sharing.

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  73. sounds like a terrific book! I'm a follower on your blog and twitter/facebook.

    Thanks for the great review!

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  74. What? Like I don't love you already? And this book wasn't even on my radar and now, I have to have it!

    ;-)

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  75. Wow! Yes, please count me in! I need need need a new book to read and your description was great!

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  76. I also wish that this book would have been around when I was in school and all nerdy, lol! I'm excited to read it, thanks for the post! I follow your blog and your twitter :)

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  77. Great review. I'd never heard of it but it's now on my list, if I don't win it. I follow your blog. :)

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  78. You had me at "pikachu fabric"! Haha! I'm a new follower.

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  79. Tis sounds awesome. I'd love to read it, and of course you know I follow you. ;)

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  80. I'm always on the hunt for a new book and this sounds like a great one.

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  81. This one sounds like fun! I am a new follower of your blog and twitter.

    Thanks!
    Corinne

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  82. Oh I am all over this one! Count me in!

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  83. Sounds awesome - I'd love to read it ;)

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  84. This looks so good! I'm definitely putting it at the top of my TBR list. Thanks for gushing so much. I <3 contemporary YA and I would write it if I could figure out how. ;o)

    Oh, and I am now following you. As if you need more followers. LOL.

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  85. What a great idea! Please count me in (even though I'm a new follower)! :)

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  86. So, what you're saying is that you really loved this book. Right? I might have to read it, since it left such a great impression on you. Thanks for the gushing.

    Oh, and I'm a follower, so sign me up.

    Nichole

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  87. Assuming that I'm still in time (Time zones really mess with my head since I came to the Eastern hemisphere) and assuming you'd mail a book this far, I'm in!

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  88. Who doesn't love contests and prizes? I enjoy following your blog, even though I am not a YA writer.

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  89. Thanks for a great recommendations!

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  90. I really need to read this! I love the cover and title and summary and... yeah, why haven't I read this?

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  91. This book sounds awesome!!!

    So glad I follow you on twitter AND blogger! (Do I get double points?) ;-)

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  92. Ah, darn it! I think I missed the contest, but this is going on my read list.

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  93. Missed the contest, too. BUT man what a fantastic idea. The TBR list is growing, and finding some great blogs, too!! Thanks for doing this (LOVE the look of your blog, btw)

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  94. Shoot, I guess I missed your contest, but thanks for the awesome suggestion. I've definitely got to get this one for me and my 14 year old daughter to read. By the way, you have such a cool blog! Very cute!!

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