I'm With Stupid by Geoff Herbach

Title: I'm With Stupid

Author: Geoff Herbach

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: May 1, 2013

Source: ARC from Publisher

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository

Felton Reinstein has never been good with stress. Which is why he's seriously freaking out. Revealing his college choice on national TV? It's a heart attack waiting to happen. Deciding on a major for the next four years of his life? Ridiculous. He barely even knows who he is outside of football. And so…he embarks on The Epic Quest to be Meaningful.

Which leads to:

1. Mentoring a freshman called Pig Boy.

2. The state of Wisconsin hating him.

3. His track coach suspending him.

4. The funniest viral video the world has ever seen.

5. A whole new appreciation for his family, his friends, and what's really important in life. 

Here's the thing about Geoff Herbach's books: they don't get nearly enough attention. So far I have loved everything I have read by this author, and I'm With Stupid was no different. I loved seeing Felton's story come to an end, but I will admit, by the end of it all, it was bittersweet.

Now in his last year of high school, Felton Reinstein has a lot on his plate. Recruiters from all over the country are getting in touch with him by any means necessary. That's enough to drive anyone crazy. But for someone who doesn't do well with stress, the college recruitment process is enough to give Felton a heart attack. And if that wasn't enough, everything else in Felton's life seems to be on the verge of falling apart. Except that maybe things aren't so bad. Because this nerd-turned-jock's friends and family have his back. Even if Felton hasn't realized it just yet. 

Like I've already said, I sometimes feel like Geoff Herbach's books don't get nearly enough attention. Having read all three Felton Reinstein books, I can say that they are truly fantastic books. While I was reading the last book, I'm With Stupid, I couldn't help but think about how authentic the story sounded. And that's what is so amazing about this story. It just felt real, and even though I had very little in common with a lot of the characters, I could still find myself relating to what they were going through. And therein lies what is so great about Felton Reinstein's story. But beyond the authentic feel of the story, Geoff Herbach's story are also filled with humor. I just know that there will inevitably be moments while reading that i will be trying to wipe a stupid smile off my face. And while this was still true with I'm With Stupid, there were also some more serious moments in this book. I loved reading those deeper parts of the story because that they showed there was a lot more to this story than just a nerd-to-jock transformation.

Speaking of the nerd-to-jock transformation, I have come to love Felton Reinstein. What I've come to realize over the course of these three books is that despite the transformation that happened in the first book, Felton is still that same nerd he was before the growth spurt that made him a fantastic athlete. Everything he went through in I'm With Stupid showed me that Felton still has those same insecurities he always had, and if anything they are only amplified by the fact that everyone is that much more aware of who he is and everything he does. But the best part about Felton is his voice. His way of telling the story almost feels conversational and that's what allows the reader to connect with him. It's like having someone telling you about their day. And again, Geoff Herbach just nails that aspect of the book. The way he writes Felton makes him sound like someone I could have known at my own high school. And that just adds to how spot on this book is. 

If you haven't already picked up one of Geoff Herbach's books, then you are missing out. I have loved Felton's story from the very beginning and I couldn't have asks for a better conclusion than the one I got in I'm With Stupid. But I will admit I was sad to say goodbye to these characters. Because as you'll realize, they almost start to feel like they are part of your life. 

Summer Reading - 2013 Edition (1)

Among my friends, I'm known as the book person. As a result, whenever someone is looking for a book recommendation they come to me. This time of the year, this happens a lot since summer is fast approaching and a lot of my friends are typically seasonal readers--as in they read when they have time to do so and that time is often summer. Like I did last year, I thought I would post these recommendations--by genre--her on the blog as well. First up, some contemporary recommendations.

- Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally - Last year I recommended Catching Jordan and I would still stand by that recommendation for anyone looking for a great contemporary read. But this year I read Things I Can't Forget and I have to admit I loved it even more. Like Kenneally's other books, Things I Can't Forget is different from other YA contemporaries out there, so if that's what you're looking for then I strongly recommend this one.

- Just One Day by Gayle Forman - Everyone has been raving about Gayle Forman's Just One Day and that is totally warranted. If you're an older YA reader, then I would strongly recommend Just One Day. The story will pull at your heartstrings and take you on a crazy emotional ride. Be prepared to scream at the characters and want to throw your book across the room at certain parts. But it's totally worth it.

- Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach - Once again, if you are looking for a contemporary that is completely different from any other out there, than give Geoff Herbach's Stupid Fast a try. This one can also appeal to male readers as the story is very much boy-centric, with the may character being a slightly socially awkward teenage boy. And if you pick up this book, I can guarantee you will be in for a laugh.

- Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson - Second Chance Summer is one of those books that will pull at your heartstrings. There is no way you can read this book and not tear up at least a little. But it's not necessarily a depressing story, just a very emotional one. But be prepared to be greatly surprised by this story, because I was. But it's completely worth your time.

- Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry - Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry took me completely by surprise. This is an incredibly touching and surprisingly deep story that may or may not keep you up reading half the night. This is definitely one of those less happy contemps though, so be warned. But it's still a fantastic one.

This is by far not an extensive list of contemporary recommendations. There are just so many fantastic contemps out there and this list could go on forever. You can always check out last year's post for more contemporary recommendations. And be sure to come back next week for some paranormal recommendations.

Waiting on Wednesday (74)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine where book bloggers devote a post to an upcoming book release they are particularly looking forward to. This week I have two titles I am particularly looking forward to reading.

I'm With Stupid by Geoff Herbach
May 1st, 2013
Sourcebooks Fire

It's nerd-turned-jock Felton Reinstein's last year before college, and the choices he makes now will affect the rest of his life. That's a lot of pressure. So, he's going to make a list. What would he be if he weren't a jock? He'll try everything--comedian, partier, super student--and which ever identity he likes best he'll stick with. Poof. Stress gone.

Except not…Because the list leads to:

1. The whole state of Wisconsin hating him.

2. His track coach suspending him.

3. Hi mom moving out.

Before leaving home forever, Felton will have to figure out just who he is, even if, sometimes, it sucks to be him.

The other two books in this series made me laugh so much so I can't wait to be back in the world of Felton Reinstein. Seriously, if you are looking for some boy YA that will make you laugh while also tug a little at your heartstrings you should definitely check out Geoff Herbach's books.

How I Lost You by Janet Gurtler

May 1st, 2013

Sourcebooks Fire

There are a few things Grace Anderson knows for sure. One is that nothing will ever come between her and her best friend, Kya Kessler. They have a pact. Buds Before Studs. Sisters Before Misters. But in the summer before senior year, life throws out challenges they never expected. And suddenly the person who's always been there starts to need the favor returned. Grace and Kya are forced to question how much a best friend can forgive. And the answer is not what they expected.

Despite having a few of her books on my shelves, I have yet to read any of Janet Gurtler's books. But seeing as I've been on a major contemporary binge lately, I just felt drawn to How I Lost You. Maybe this will be the book that finally makes me pick up something by Janet Gurtler.

Truly, Madly, Deadly by Hannah Jayne

July 16, 2013

Sourcebooks Fire

Sawyer Dodd has it all. She's a star track athlete, choir soloist, and A-student. And her boyfriend is the handsome all-star Kevin Anderson. But behind the medals, prom pictures, and perfect smiles, Sawyer finds herself trapped in a controlling, abusive relationship with Kevin. When he dies in a drunk-driving accident, Sawyer is secretly relieved. She's free. Until she opens her locker and finds a mysterious letter signed by "an admirer" and printed with two simple words: "You're welcome."

This book sounds absolutely fascinating to me. Again, I love contemporary so this sounds right up my alley. But Truly, Madly, Deadly also sounds quite dark and mysterious which just makes me want to read it even more. July can't come soon enough so I can find out more about this book!

Sourcebooks Fire definitely has some exciting books coming out in the next few months. These all sound like they have the potential to be truly great reads so I can't wait to find out more about all of them!

Nothing Special by Geoff Herbach

Title: Nothing Special

Author: Geoff Herbach

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: May 1, 2012

Source: From Publisher

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository

Felton Reinstein thought he had it all--a great girlfriend, an athletic scholarship in the bag, and football friends he could totally count on. Wrong. Like an elephant storming a house of cards, it all comes crashing down. And it's Felton's fault. Turns out his little brother has taken an impromptu road trip to Florida (a.k.a. desperate flight from all the talented people) to make a bid for stardom (a.k.a. fronting a hotel rock band with escapees from a retirement community). What's a big brother to do but help pick up the pieces, even if it means giving up all the status, all the glory and once again facing a life of nothing special.

While I waited quite some time to read Nothing Special, I didn't make the same mistake with Nothing Special by Geoff Herbach. Much like with the first book, Nothing Special was hilarious with an added layer of depth that made me love it even more.

Felton Reinstein thought he finally had everything figured out. he was on the football and track teams, had a gorgeous piano-playing girlfriend and his mother was finally more or less normal again. But then he has a fight with Aleah before she leaves for Germany and his brother Andrew has run off to Florida to play music in a retirement community. And now it's up to Felton to get Andrew back home before everything spirals out of control. Again. But getting Andrew out of Florida and back home may be a lot  harder than Felton originally thought it would be. And along the way, maybe he'll find out more about his long-gone father.

After I finished reading Stupid Fast, I immediately picked up Nothing Special and started reading it right away. And just like with the first book, Nothing Special turned out to be a fantastic read. Once again, Geoff Herbach wrote a hilarious story that had me laughing on more than one occasion. But there was lot more to Nothing Special than a hilarious story. Beyond the ridiculous situations Felton Reinstein finds himself in, there is a layer of depth to the story that can be easily overlooked. But that added depth is what made me love the story Geoff Herbach wrote even more. I loved seeing how there were deeper issues present throughout the book and, beyond Felton's character, they were often what kept me reading.

Once again, Felton Reinstein was a hilarious character. I can't even begin to fathom how he gets himself into half the situations he gets into. But on top of being hilarious guy, Felton Reinstein has grown a lot since hte last book and also does a lot of growing throughout the course of this book.  It was really great to be able to see that Felton was more than just a funny guy. I also really liked getting to see more of Andrew. Andrew is just as quirky as his older brother. In Nothing Special he was responsible for a lot of the deeper moments and despite being younger, helped Felton grow a lot. The way he is sometimes brutally honest is what often will result in Felton seeing things in a different light, which made for an interesting relationship between the two brothers.

Despite the title, Nothing Special was a pretty special book. Geoff Herbach wrote a great story that was both hilarious and serious. Don't let yourself be fooled by the title, Nothing Special is a whole lot more than that.

Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach

Title: Stupid Fast

Author: Geoff Herbach

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: June 1, 2012

Source: Purchased

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository

My name is Felton Reinstein, which is not a fast name. But last November, my voice finally dropped and I grew all this hair and then I got stupid fast. Fast like a donkey. Zing!

Now they want me, the guy they used to call Squirrel Nut, to try out for the football team. With the jocks. But will that fix my mom? Make my brother stop dressing like a pirate? Most important, will it get me girls--especially Aleah?

So I train. And I run. And I sneak off to Aleah's house in the night. But deep down I know I can't run forever. And I wonder what will happen when I finally have to stop.

Despite the fact that I kept hearing how great and hilarious Stupid Fast was, it took receiving a copy of the sequel for me to finally pick it up. And then I realized I'd really been missing out. Because Stupid Fast really was a hilarious read.

Felton Reinstein has never really been anything extraordinary. But then he has a major growth spurt and discovers that he's actually a pretty great athlete. And now everyone wants something from him. That's how Felton finds himself spending his summer training for the upcoming football season, even if he's never played football before. But then his mom starts to slowly go crazy and Felton can't help but feel it might have something to do with football. But football is also what is helping him get the attention of the beautiful piano-playing Aleah. But when things really start getting out of control at home, Felton isn't sure what to do anymore.

So. Why I waited so long to read Stupid Fast has become a bit of a mystery to me. When everyone kept saying that Geoff Herbach had written a hilarious story they weren't lying. While reading Stupid Fast I pretty much always had a smile on my face when I wasn't outright laughing. And that probably had to do with how the story was told. The way it was written made it so it was like Felton was talking directly to the reader and the way he did that just made me smile and laugh. So basically Felton was why I laughed so much.

I don't think I've met a character that has ever made me laugh as much as Felton Reinstein did in Stupid Fast. He just has a way about him and thew ay he says things always seemed to put a smile on my face. And how he got himself in half the situations he got himself in, I can't even being to imagine. But it made a great character. And all the characters in the books were amusing to me. None of them were exactly completely normal and it ultimately made for some great entertainment. And all of them together made for some pretty funny situations though there was often a deeper undercurrent at the same time.

Stupid Fast was a fabulous and hilarious read. Geoff Herbach wrote an incredibly funny story that still managed to be serious at certain moments. Stupid Fast is a book I can't help but want to recommend, so if you haven't read it already, I strongly recommend you do so.