Nerd Update: Things I am Thankful For

I decided to create a video on things that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday. Watch. Enjoy. Post your ideas on things that you are thankful for in the comments. Have a great Thanksgiving.

Mr. Maurer

Book Review: I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President

I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to be Your Class President
by Josh Lieb
Age Group - 11 and up
Book acquired from local library



I was attracted to this book only because it was referenced a reviewed by both Jon Stewart and Judd Apatow. This book read as if it was created from the brainstorming sessions of The Daily Show and Superbad. Probably boys. Go figure since the author is the head write of The Daily Show. I don't know if I was in for a intelligent humorous read, but I found myself laughing out loud and really enjoying this story of a kid named Oliver. This book will appeal to more than just young adult boys. I think many adults will find humor in this book as their are some pretty intelligent bits of humor throughout.

Oliver is the main character. He is a lazy, geeky kid who everyone makes fun of for being "chubby" or fat. What nobody realizes is that he is a super genius and a multi-billionaire on the down low. He has crafted this massive underground empire. He keeps it all under lock and key and hence the dorky image that he has created. However, he decides to run for class president and finds himself in the most difficult campaign that he has encountered. Why does he care to be class president? Despite his tough guy image that he tries to get across to the reader I think he just really wants his dad to accept him and be proud of who he is(his dad has no idea that he is a genius and quite wealthy either)

I have once again read a book where the narrator is an unreliable character. I was awestruck by this concept when I read LIAR and now I have come across it again. He wants so bad to be evil and tough. He tries to be a bad guy by stating in one part that he does not love, but not even two sentences later he is discussing trying to make his mother smile. You see this repeatedly throughout. The whole premise of him trying to grab the attention of his father already throws his evil image out the window.

This book will make you laugh. It will make you think about whether we truly no the people around us. This book is perfect for middle school. I will warn that there is some mild language used, but nothing that I have not heard from middle school students before. There is some profanity and some quick references to talk of middle school life. I would not recommend this book to 5th grade, 6th grade I think most could handle and after that anyone would be game.

There are some pictures that are posted throughout the book. I love them. The one with the kid that has his finger in his nose makes me laugh every time I looked at it. As some other reviewers have mentioned, this reminds me of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It really follows the same logic, but just at a higher level. I think this could be another book that misses the radar of the popular books, but will still find a large following. I hope that it spreads because anytime a book makes me laugh out loud, then I know it is a good one. Once again, I recommend this book. It is a fast quick read that will help you waste away a few hours, but you won't be sad that you wasted those hours with this book.


P.S. By the way, you have to check out the website

Book Review: When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead

OMG! I thought novel covers of the 60's and 70's were over. Is this not one of the boring est covers of the year? The back of the book does not provide any information either. Why did I read this book do you ask? Well, this book has been receiving some great reviews online. This book was in my TBR pile about a month ago, but I never go to it. However, after reading some additional reviews I put it on hold at the library again and forced myself to read it.

It was a fast read. It is under 200 pages. The main character is a girl named Miranda who lives in New York in the year 1979. She is twelve years old and she lives with her Mother who is training for her spot on the $20,000 Pyramid game show. Miranda receives some mysterious notes that she is trying to figure out what they all mean. Her favorite novel is A Wrinkle In Time(a classic that I loved growing up). Yes, this book does deal with time-travel and has many ties in or themes with the book and also to the time period.

This is a well written and captivating book.I like how Miranda receives several mysterious and incomprehensible notes. Don't read the rest of this sentence if you don't want any important plot lines given out, but it turns out that she is receiving messages from someone in the future who is traveling back in time to save a friend of hers. The reader does not piece this all together until the end.

I am glad I read this book. I did enjoy it. It was an ideal read for a weekend read where I wanted nothing to involved. It was not the best, but not the worst. It took some reading to get to the first mysterious note. It was a bit slow. Many of you know me by now to know that I want blood, weird creatures, depressing, or just bizarre reading. This book does not really fit my mold. However, I do encourage you to read. I think many middle school students will really enjoy this book. It is one that can read in an afternoon.

Now after two books that are not my typical reads, I am off to my bizarre world of weird reads.

Time to read a good series AGAIN

Very rarely do I reread books. It would have to be a book that really holds a dear place for me and there are only three books that I can think of that I have read more than once due to my love for the words.

1. Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom
2. Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
3. Breakfast of Champions - Kurt Vonnegut

* I thought about placing Harry Potter in the mix as I read all the books twice, but that was due to refreshing my memory of events in anticipation of each new release.

I was on YouTube and found myself super excited about the upcoming release (Feb. 2010) of the book Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Lightning Thief. I was trying to remember all that went on in the book as I remember booktalking the book quite heavily and really enjoying the storyline. However, that was a couple years ago. I have decided to go ahead and read the series again amongst my massive TBR pile. One more thing to add to my list.

Here is the trailer that caught my eye. The movie looks quite good based on these couple minutes.

Fun With Toys: Loving Words According to Vacuum Cleaners

I was not going to post this on the blog because it is so not funny and actually quite dumb. However, people are watching it from my YouTube channel and I even received some comments and email from people. So, needless to say I have decided to post it here for you to waste 36 seconds of your life.

Book Review: Espressologist by Kristina Springer

The Espressologist
by Kristina Springer

*book acquired from the library*

For ages 12 and up

From the inside jacket

What’s your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you’re lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it’s a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it’s not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane’s Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She’s the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right?

I picked this book up because I saw the word Espresso in the title. I had to read the book because it dealt with coffee. For some reason I did not notice the froth on the cover was in the shape of a heart nor the little phrase that says, "Get a little love with your latte". I was oblivious to these things. They all made sense when I started to read about Jane and her matchmaking skills in love/relationships based on coffee drinks. This was a fun read. I am not into love and romance books, but I found myself really enjoying this novel. I think because coffee was involved and how she recorded the people who ordered certain drinks. Or the way that the author made everything light hearted and enjoyable, but not too cheesy. How can you turn away from a book that starts with an opening paragraph like this:

Large Nonfat Four-shot Caffe LatteCocky sex-deprived butthead guy drink. Expect only the utmost stupidity to come out of his mouth. So-so body, could stand to work out more. Crappy dresser. Dramatically stares at a woman who comes in with a boob job. He looks like he is going to hurt himself in the contortions he is twisting into…

I read this book in one sitting. I could not put it down for some reason. I can honestly say this is the first time I actually enjoyed reading about people hooking up and dating and/or falling in love. I was intrigued by the descriptions of the people based on their drink choice. I lived in coffee shops while in high school so I can just imagine this actually taking place. I am interested in knowing what I am based on my coffee drink selections. I am definitely a mocha cappuccino when I order at a coffee shop. However, when it is cold and snowing, then it is nothing but peppermint mocha. I will have to see what I can find out about myself based on my drink selections or try to interview the author. I have been told and also have read online that this book has overtones of Jane Austen's Emma. I have not ready anything by Jane Austen as that is not my cup of joe, but I know some of you are avid fans of Jane Austen and thought I would share this with you.

If you want a fun, easy, enjoyable read that deals with caffeine, coffee, and love, then give this a try. I guarantee you will be pleased with your selection. And by the way, I did drink a pot of coffee while reading and am drinking coffee now while I write this review.

Nerd Factory - Episode 8

This episode contains

The answer to TM Challenge #5

World Toilet Day
Unique Talent Day
Sinkie Day

New Characters for the show
Question of the Week
Upcoming Events

My Decision: Pirate or Ninja?

I told you that I would post my decision on this great nerd debate. Here it is. Let me know your thoughts on whether you would be a pirate or ninja.

Teacher Mystery Challenge #6

Here is the next teacher in our Teacher Mystery Challenge Series

What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Cherry

What do you think of hot dogs? Love ‘em

Favorite Holiday movie or tv special? A Christmas Story. “You’ll shoot your eye out kid.”

What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee with caramel

Can you do push ups? If yes, how many? Um…I think so.

Favorite hobby? Hiking

Middle name? Alec

Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I’m full. The bell is going to ring soon. Tonight is going to be awesome.

Current worry? My future schedule.

Where would you like to go? South

Do you own slippers? Yes

What color shirt are you wearing right now? Navy Blue

Can you whistle? Loud

Favorite color? Navy Blue

Would you be a pirate? Absolutely

What’s in your pocket right now? Keys, a flash drive, Burt’s Bees and my cell phone.

Best toy as a child? G.I. Joe

What is your favorite candy? Candy Corn

What are you currently reading? The God Particle

What is your favorite book of all time? Ishmael

Where is my Squidward Lego Figurine? Pt.2

I have taken a picture of my little Squidward Lego figurine. Your job is to tell me where he is positioned? It may be a location or on an object or some other category that I have not thought of yet.

Additionally, if you would like to BORROW my Squidward and take a picture for me to use, then please let me know. Or you could take a picture and I could crop him into the picture if that would be easier.

Let the new challenge begin.

Nerd Clansmen, don't let me down. Take a guess and use those brains.

I have posted the answer to the first challenge in the comments after all the guesses. You can access that post here or over in the sidebar.

Until next time............