'Nerd Do Well' by Simon Pegg (TLC Book Stop) + Giveaway- reviewed by my son Marc

Pegg offers a hilarious look at the journey to becoming an international superstar, dotted with a cast of memorable characters, and you’re rooting for him all the way.










Review courtesy of my son Marc:


A few reasons really come to mind when I'm asked the question why I wished to read the novel Nerd Do Well written by Simon Pegg. The most prominent one is the amazing similarities between us. Simon and I are both extremely smart, witty, handsome and undeniably charming. Our bodies are also hot enough to fry eggs on. All joking aside, I jumped at the chance to read this novel because of the simple fact that Simon Pegg has been one of my all time favorite actors since I caught a clip of the trailer to the cult classic film Shaun of the Dead. All it took were a few scenes and a touching glimpse of matricide to solidify his place in my heart as not only a great comedic actor, but one with control of many of the spectrum's of emotion. After watching other films he stars in such as Hot Fuzz and Run, Fat Boy, Run, I knew that soon more research would be needed. Nerd Do Well is not exactly an easy book to read as the vocabulary is actually quite impressive in this book, but any faithful fan would find it more than entertaining enough to continue reading from chapter to chapter. Along with the serious sections of the book and I use the term serious lightly, there are short stories of Simon as a superhero who is much like his actual self...fantastic. Along with his faithful robotic butler and sidekick Canterbury, Simon goes on an adventure that includes references to movies such as The Shawshank Redemption and the entire Star Wars trilogy, which ends in a tragic showdown with the villainous mastermind Lord Black. Simply put, Nerd Do Well is a terrific novel which follows the life of Simon Pegg from his time as the little class clown to the blossoming and booming actor that he now is. The book delivers everything that you could ever ask from a story, evoking laughs, groans, tears and often a peek around to make sure no one sees what perverted line your eyes have just read and re-read.  Although I wouldn't advise this book to anyone looking for a light read, I would definitely advise anyone who considers themselves a film buff or in an ideal situation, someone who is a fan of redheaded, cheeky, and otherwise brilliant actors, this book should be added to your reading list. oh, and Mr. Pegg?....hi....just wanted to say hello. Have a great day.

Rating: 8.5/10

Author: Simon Pegg

Published: November 2010

Publisher: Century

Pages: 384

Genre: Autobiography

ISBN:  9781846058110

 

 Win a copy of this book!!

If you would like the opportunity to win

a copy of this book please leave me your email address

in the comment box. Open to U.S. residents only. 

Comments will close on June 21st at midnight. 

WINNER

Disclaimer:Thank you to TLC Book Tours for sending me a review copy. Marc was not compensated for his review. Marc's thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are his personal reflections based solely on HIS experience while reading this novel

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Six Sentence Saturday-

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.
At the end of each review I will post a
rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.
Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!
4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.
3 of Hearts- Glad I read but no big deal
2 of Hearts- Why did I finish this?
Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)

Running Loose- Chris Crutcher

High school student Louie thinks he knows everything he wants out of life.A starting place on the football team, a bunch of friends, and a nice girl to show off to mom and dad. Only after Louie's football coach directs his team to inure a rival school's star black player, does he start to question how he feels about the sport he worked all summer to perfect. The only things keeping Louie sane are his girlfriend Beth, his best friend Carter, his book Dakota and the people who always have his back, his mom and dad. Louie faces hard decision after hard decision deciding if he should play along with the coaches' ways or stand for what he believes to be right. Louie's feelings are genuine and will make you think ow strongly you've fought to prove what you know to be just.

The Astonishing Adventures of Fan Boy and Goth Girl - Barry Lyga

 Have you ever felt like you're on top of the world? Just feel like everything is going your way and all the pretty girls and cool kids want to hang out with you? Well, that's about the opposite of how Donnie has felt since his very first day of middle school. Donnie is the very definition of the word geek, but his personality dives much deeper than the freaky kid in tenth grade (might be wrong grade) who still likes comic book and old Star Trek episodes. When Donnie meets Kyra, he not only finds his second ever friend, but someone who understands his views and shares his love for graphic novels. Donnie's life is full of turmoil, but he still finds happiness in his artwork, his friend Cal and adventure and trouble from the new girl he might just happen to love.

Marc's rating for both books:

I would like to thank my son Marc who so graciously sat down yesterday after school and wrote these two reviews for me!! I think he rocks and am always amazed at how effortlessly his writing comes to him!! 

When I asked him where he saved these reviews he showed me the title he gave to the document- 

marcs contribution to mommas blog (i think you have a problem, blog addict!)

I love this kid!

Teen's Perspective: Hole in the Sky

Synopsis:
As the story opens, a fatal influenza has killed off most of the earth's population, leaving behind the unexposed and the Survivors, who are now immune but suffer losses ranging from sensory impairment to being delusional. Four successive narrators include 16-year-old Ceej; his friend Tim; his spiritual Hopi girlfriend, Isabella; and his mute, Survivor sister, Harryette, all living "at the edge of the world" (near the Grand Canyon). The plot unfolds gradually: the few adults in their lives are being murdered by a cult of Survivors who believe it their God-given purpose to infect people with the flu, offering them up to the "Judgment of the Divine"; led by the charismatic Mother K (who hears voices), the cult offers a sense of wholeness to the damaged Survivors and a lure for Harryette. Meanwhile, Isabella follows her unshakable belief in a Hopi portal that will lead her (and Ceej) to another, better world. The plot lines intertwine in a crafty climax that, like much of the novel, leaves it to readers to draw their own conclusions. Hautman's ability to tell a story while offering simultaneous interpretations should draw a strong response from teens.

I just finished Hole in the Sky, by Pete Hautman. This book is seriously one of my favorite books of all time. When I was reading this book there was never a moment where I couldn't see the scene in my mind. The story felt so real, almost like it had already happened. It was easy to see myself in the situation that the characters were in. If I could say anything about this book was that its idea made me believe the story within the story. That may make little sense to you, but if you read it you won't just understand, you will feel the same as me. Not reading this book is like a big old slap to the cheek.

Reviewed by Marc
He's #25 the one in the air tackling 29 in blue. Yes, he's crazy about football!!!