So behind...

It's been awhile since my last post, and for that I'm sorry. I've had several things going on recently, but I will be posting soon so please stay tuned!

Fun Facts about Youth In Revolt by C.D. Payne

Here are a couple of fun facts about Youth In Revolt...

Before Youth In Revolt became a movie...

• The author, C.D. Payne actually self published this book. In fact, he has self-published all of his books. I found that out when reading the "about the author" section at the end of Youth In Revolt.

• The year after the book was released (1994), a stage production was made based on the book. It was made by Carl Hamilton and Bob Warden and was seen on stage in San Francisco. It was highly unsuccessful, but later had a little more success in different cities.

• A TV pilot was filmed in 1998 based on the book. It was created by MTV and Fox Productions, but unfortunately didn't go any further than the first episode.

Did you know that?

Youth In Revolt By C.D. Payne - THE BOOK

Before I started reading Youth In Revolt, I wasn't even aware that it was a book. I had seen the movie trailers starring Michael Cera, and thought that the movie looked funny, but never once thought the story came from a book. I guess I have Hollywood's recent pumping of "geek" comedies to blame for that. 

Before allowing my fiancé to rent the movie, I decided to double check to make sure it wasn't based on a book. To my surprise, there is a whole series of books revolving the main character, Nick Twisp. I immediately downloaded the sample chapter onto my Kindle and started reading.

The book is written from the perspective of Nick Twisp, a teenaged boy who is obsessed with sex (learn more about Nick Twisp in my past posts). It is written in diary format. Since I had just recently read the Georgia Nicolson series, that is also written in diary format, I didn't have as much trouble getting into this one. It is also written a bit more like someone telling a story than completely like a diary as the Georgia Nicolson series was. For example, Nick's diary almost always writes in conversation format, where Georgia's diary quite often was written from one view point.

As I read the first chapter, I was starting to question whether or not I would really enjoy this book. I found that the author was trying almost too hard to be humourous at the beginning of the novel. I remember thinking as I read, this isn't really all that funny. I think it was lucky that the sample chapter was so long on the Kindle though, because it almost forced me to read through it, and I grew to appreciate the humour. It became legitimately funny. I ordered the book, and continued reading.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book, was that the conversation was never dumbed down just because the story surrounded teenagers. Not only was Nick perceived as an intelligent fellow, but the people he considered friends, kept up with his vocabulary, and level of intelligence.

Now, some would argue that Nick wasn't all that intelligent considering the trouble he got in to, but I think he was just too smart for his own good. 

The magnitude of trouble Nick got in to during the novel just seemed a bit absurd. At first it was funny, but later on it just got to the point where you're reading and thinking "how could anyone ever get in this deep?". It also made you wonder how the author was going to resolve everything before the end of the book. 

Now, I don't want to give anything away, because I'd really like my blog readers to read this book and post their own opinions about it. But, I found the end of the book a bit disappointing. I think C.D. Payne had no idea where to go with the character and suddenly he had to resolve things quickly! It was a little bit of a stretch,  and I would have liked to see it end differently, but unfortunately this wasn't a "choose your own ending" book.

Even though the ending wasn't quite what I expected, I still grew to appreciate the development of the characters, and found the plot entertaining. I am still interested in continuing to read about Nick and his craziness in the rest of the series. 

To those interested in reading this series or buying the books as a gift...I would say these books classify as late teen to early adult reading. Even though they are about a 14-year-old boy, they are sexually explicit. 

I'm really interested in seeing how they told the story in the movie. There are so many elements to cover from the book, so I have a feeling the movie may differ quite a bit. Hopefully it will still be entertaining.

Have you read Youth In Revolt by C.D. Payne? If so, please leave a comment as to what you thought.

A Successful Follow Friday!

Hello!

I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who participated in Follow Friday and stopped by my blog! It is very exciting that our followers doubled and almost tripled over the weekend.

I've tried to visit every blog on Friday's list, but still have about 30 or so to go through. I'm really enjoying seeing what everyone else is up to, and how other people have designed their blogs. I'll try to get through the rest of the list before this Friday's follow.

And to our new followers! Welcome, welcome, welcome....I hope you guys find some stuff you like on my blog, and participate by commenting on posts! Every comment whether full of insight, controversy, or just to say "hi" is tremendously appreciated!

Thanks again everyone!

Characters in Youth In Revolt by C.D. Payne

I've just finished the book Youth In Revolt by C.D. Payne (review coming soon). If you decide to read the book, one thing you'll notice is that there are a lot of characters in this book. So, to make it easier for you, I've decided to create a post listing some of the characters in the book, and a brief one to two line description of each character. I haven't included all of the characters, since there are so many of them, and haven't put them in any particular order. I hope you find this helpful! 

Nick Twisp - 14 year old, sex-crazed teenaged boy. He is very smart, but gets into all kinds of trouble. The book is written in his words, based on his diary.

François - A rebellious and outspoken alter-ego created by Nick. François is constantly talking Nick into doing things he shouldn't.

Carlotta - When Nick gets into trouble with the FBI he creates this female alter-ego to help him still live a normal life, even though he is in hiding. Carlotta is sweet, innocent, and dresses like a grandmother. She is sometimes called Carly.

Sheeni Saunders - The object of Nick's affection. A popular girl with strict parents. She uses Nick's admiration for her to her own advantage.

Vijay Joshi - One of the first friends Nick make in Ukiah, a recently immigrated Indian boy who goes to highschool with Nick. He later becomes one of Nick's enemies.

Lefty - Nick's best friend from Oakland. He was at the centre of one of Nick's bigger schemes at the beginning of the novel.

Fuzzy - Nick's best friend in Ukiah. His nick name is Fuzzy because he is very hairy.

Albert - Sheeni is given a very ugly dog (from hell according to Nick). She falls in love with the dog but her parents won't let her keep it. In order to please Sheeni, Nick keeps the dog for her. Sheeni refers to Albert as Nick and her "love child".

Dwayne - Dumb neighbour of Nick Twisp. He later becomes Nick's roommate when Dwayne's mother becomes Nick's father's housekeeper. Nick quite often uses Dwayne's lack of brains to help scam money out of him.

Bruno Modjaleski - The school's star athlete. He, also, is unintelligent and develops a crush on Carlotta (Nick's female alter-ego).

Lacey - Lacey is Nick's father's 19-year-old girlfriend who later dumps Nick's father and becomes Sheeni's brother, Paul's girlfriend.

Mr. Furguson - Nick's mother's extreme communist neighbour. He later moves in with Nick's dad in Ukiah and marries Dwayne's mother.

Jerry - Nick's mother's love interest at the beginning of the book. He is an overweight, unintelligent, horny, truck driver. He later dies of a heart attack, but before he does, he manages to get Nick's mother pregnant.

Wally - Nick's mother's highly intelligent boyfriend after Jerry. He is described in the book as a giant. He gets along with Nick, but is later pushed out of Nick's life by Nick's mother's new love interest.

Paul Saunders - Sheeni's hippy brother. He speaks in riddles, and always seems to know what's coming next for Nick. He later begins to date Nick's father's ex-girlfriend, Lacey.

Lance Wecott - A police officer with the Oakland police. He comes to Nick's house to investigate a break-in, and later ends up dating Nick's mother. He later becomes Nick's step-father.

Heather - Heather lived in the dorms at the French school Sheeni attended, and later became Fuzzy's girlfriend.

Joanie Twisp - Nick's flight attendant sister. She does not get along with her parents, so she does not see them often. She helps Nick out when she can.

Bernice - Nick's assistant in one of his ploys to get Sheeni to move back to Ukiah. Nick met her at Sheeni's dorms, and she helped him by becoming a spy for him, and also carrying through some of Nick's plots.

Taggarty - Sheeni's sexually experienced roommate at the French school she attended. She is a know-it-all and tends to get on Nick's nerves.

Apurva Joshi - Vijay's younger sister. She is beautiful, but must stay true to her indian customs to avoid angering her parents. She helps Nick to make Sheeni jealous. Apurva is in love with Sheeni's ex-boyfriend, Trent.

Sonya - An overweight and unpopular classmate at Nick's highschool in Ukiah. She later becomes obsessed with Trent Preston.

Mrs. Crampton - Dwayne's, slow, mother. Nick's father's housekeeper, and later Mr. Furguson's wife.

Trent Preston - Sheeni's ex boyfriend, and Apurva's current love interest. Nick thinks of Trent as a rival for most of the book. Trent is a poet, good looking and one of the most popular boys at school.

Mrs. Saunders - Sheeni's strict, church-going mother. She is described as "500-years-old".

Mr. Joshi - Apurva and Vijay's strict Indian father. He likes to maintain control of his children's lives, and often threatens to send Apurva to India if she does not behave.

Mario - Joanie's roommate, Kimberly's, boyfriend. He later makes a business deal including Nick.

George Twisp - Nick's negligent father. He is a bit on the alcoholic side, and has very little appreciation for Nick.

Kimberly - Nick's sister, Joanie's roommate. She is studying business, and uses any opportunity to make money. Even going so far as to rent out her couch to Nick for $3.00 a night.

Mrs. De Falco - Fuzzy's mother. She later has an affair with Nick's father which does not end well.

Estelle Twisp - Nick's mother. She worries about Nick, but when Nick is around she is constantly getting her patience tested.

Please feel free to add to the character list if you've read the book! Place the character name and description in a comment.

Follow Friday!

Follow Friday Fun!

Suggested, Future Reading...

As I've stated before, I'm ALWAYS up for reader suggestions for books and movies that I should review on my blog. This suggestion came from @Readnotsleep via twitter (you can follow them there, and/or check out their blog at http://readnotsleep.blogspot.com/ ).


Book: It's Kind Of A Funny Story
Author: Ned Vizzini


Movie: It's Kind Of A Funny Story
Release Date: September 2010


I read the summary on Amazon.com, and this is what I got from it... 
The book is about a teenaged boy who suffers from depression and takes it to the extreme when he tries to commit suicide. Since the children's ward of the psychiatric hospital is closed due to repairs, his only choice is to be admitted to the adult ward. The book is a journey through his thoughts, his relationship with the other patients, and his recovery.


It sounds like a good read, and I look forward to reading it closer to the movie release date. Thanks for the suggestion @readnotsleep ! and let us know how you enjoyed the book.

According to my Kindle....

I'm 60% finished reading Youth In Revolt. I didn't think that it would take me this long to read, but then again I didn't realize that the first novel is actually comprised of 3 books.

The books are titled as follows:
Book 1: Youth In Revolt
Book 2: Youth In Bondage
Book 3: Youth In Exile

As far as I can tell, the 3 books were never published as separate books.

Once you're finished reading those books, there are actually other books in the series as well.

They are:
Cut To The Twisp: The Lost Parts Of Youth In Revolt and Other Stories (this book is of content that was edited out of the original book)
Revolting Youth: The Further Journals of Nick Twisp
Young and Revolting: The Continental Journals of Nick Twisp

The series then finishes off with the journal of Nick Twisp's younger brother (his mother is pregnant with him in the first book):
Revoltingly Young: The Journal of Nick Twisp's Younger Brother

I'm working my way as quickly as I can through Youth In Revolt. A lovely, red, Netflix envelope arrived yesterday and is waiting with the film inside. I really can't wait to see this one and see how it compares to the book. As soon as I'm finished reading Youth In Revolt, I will write my review and watch the movie. I will follow up the movie with the rest of the books in the Nick Twisp collection. I didn't think it would happen, but Nick Twisp has definitely got me hooked.

Meet Nick Twisp...

I've been reading the book Youth In Revolt by C.D. Payne for a few days now, and I figured it's time to introduce you to the main character in the book, named Nick Twisp.

Nick is a 14 year old boy who lives in Oakland California, just across the Bay from San Francisco. The book is written in diary format, and right from the first entry you can see that Nick is hormone crazed, sarcastic and highly intelligent.

Nick's parents are divorced, and he does not have a strong relationship with either one of them. At the beginning of Youth in Revolt, Nick lives with his mom, and her sometimes present, trucker boyfriend, Jerry. He spends some weekends with his dad and his "bimbette", 19-year old girlfriend, Lacey.

Not unlike most 14 year old boys, Nick is curious about sex, and makes every attempt to satisfy his curiosity. His interests peak as he meets Sheeni whose character seems to toy with Nick's known desire for her.

Nick also has an alter-ego named François. He was created to fulfill Sheeni's desire to marry a French man. François is a rebel, and talks Nick into doing things that he normally wouldn't do.

To sum Nick up, he is a highly intelligent, resourceful, trouble-making, sex-crazed, nerdy, teenaged boy who will stop at nothing to win the heart of the girl of his dreams.

Featured by Fangs Wands and Fairy Dust

We're a little more than a week old, and we've just been featured!

Please check out Steph's blog, Fangs Wands and Fairy Dust to see us mentioned in her Monday Pay It Forward post.

http://fangswandsandfairydust.blogspot.com/

A special thanks to Steph for helping us get noticed!

Read with ME!

From now on, I will be announcing which book I am currently reading so that if you choose to, you can participate in my reviews by leaving comments about your thoughts on the book.

Currently I am reading Youth In Revolt by C.D. Payne, and it's being read on my Kindle.

Now in theatres....

I've compiled a list of movies that are currently in theatres that are based on books (I know some of them are old, but I went by moviefone.com's "now in theaters list"). I've spent a few hours researching each movie to make sure it is in fact based on a book. If I've gotten anything wrong, or if I've missed any, please let me know in a comment, and I'll update the list.

Please note, I intend to add descriptions of each movie as soon as I get a chance.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Based on the poem by German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
(I know this isn't technically a book, but I've added it anyway)

Eclipse
Based on the book: Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
From the Twilight series

The Girl Who Played With Fire
Based on the book The Girl Who Played With Fire: by Stieg Larsson
The second novel in the Millennium Trilogy

The Killer Inside Me
Based on the book: The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson
A 1952 novel

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky
Based on the book: Coco & Igor by Chris Greenhalgh
A 2002 fictional novel

Shutter Island
Based on the book: Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane

Sex and the City
Based on the book: Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell
The movie was actually based on the television series, but the tv series is based on the book.

Shrek 4
Based on the book: Shrek! by William Steig
The first Shrek was the one based on this book which was an illustrated fairy tale.

Alice in Wonderland
Based on the book: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll
Lewis Caroll's read name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson

Extraordinary Measures
Based on the book: The Cure by Geeta Anand

How to Train Your Dragon
Based on the book: How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
Loosely based on the book.

The Runaways
Based on the book: Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway by Cherie Currie
Cherie Currie is the band in the movie's original lead

The Secret in Their Eyes
Based on the book: La pregunta de sus ojos by Eduardo Sacheri
The English name of the book is The Question in Their Eyes.

The Last Song
Based on the book: The Last Song by Nicolas Sparks

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Based on the book: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
This is the first book in the Millennium Trilogy

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Based on the series: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

The Ghost Writer
Based on the book: The Ghost by Robert Harris

The Misfortunates
Based on the book: De helaasheid der dingen by Dimitri Verhulst
This book is by a Flemish author

The Perfect Game
Based on the book: The Perfect Game by W. William Winokur

Winter's Bone
Based on the book: Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell

Anton Chekhov's The Duel
Based on the book: The Duel by Anton Checkhov
The Duel is a novella written in 1891

Mercy
Based on the book: Mercy by David L. Lindsey

John Rabe
Based on the diaries of: John Rabe



Which ones have you read or seen?

How much should I read?

I don't know if I was just living in the dark, or if others were naive to it too, but until just recently, I didn't know who Nick Twisp was.

My fiancé has been bugging me because he really wants to see the movie Youth In Revolt, so I was looking for it on Redbox.com one day, and I stumbled upon the synopsis. I had no idea, nor would I ever have thought that Youth In Revolt started off as a book, developed into a series of books, and then continued to become a movie.

Well, once I found that out, you know what I did next... I quickly went on amazon, looked up the book for my kindle and downloaded the sample. I discovered that this book, not unlike the Georgia Nicolson series I just reviewed, was also written in diary format, but this one was from the perspective of a teenage boy named Nick Twisp.

I'm looking forward to reading the Youth In Revolt series by C.D. Payne, but would like to know from anyone who has read the books and seen the movie if the movie is based on all of the books in the series or just the first one (my fiancé is itching to see the movie).

Did you know that Youth in Revolt was created based on a book?

Follow Friday!

It's Follow Friday!


Since we're pretty new to the blogging world, we've decided to participate in Follow Friday (hosted by parajunkee.com) to get more people to notice us!
If you'd like to participate with your book blog, click on the image above!
Here are some of the blogs you should check out and follow!

Parajunkees View {Host} Once Upon a Chapter {Feature} Blog with Bite Anyas Room (PJVs Children Book Site) Jessica @ Confessions of a Bookaholic The Nerds Wife Welcome to Lsrissas Bookish Life Stephanie and Athenna @ Paranormal Haven Carly (Writing From the Tub) Eloise and Her Books Bella (Obsessed!) Today & Everyday Divas Bookcase Missys Reads & Reviews Moonlight Reviews Black Fingernailed Reviews Okapi and Rica @ The Smarty Owl Must Love Books The Book Junkies Bookshelf About Books Blog The Readings of a Busy Mom Natalie @ Mindful Musings The Ramblings of a Book Addict My Neurotic Book Affair Caitlin (Vision Quest Fail) Ashley- Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing Sara (Along For the Ride) Christina @ Books Are Life (YA reviews) Literary Cravings Cade (Braintasia Books) VampAngels Reviews: To Read Or Not To Read It? Reading on the Darks Side Dad at the Chalkboard Lisa (A Life Bound By Books) Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews Badass Bookie Bewitched Bookworms E-RomReader Janna My 5 Monkeys Ex Libris Manga Maniac Cafe Under A Star Studded Sky Jessheartsbooks, random ramblings of a book addict Katie @ Its Time to Read Erika Breathes Books Rachel @ In the Library of LadyViolet Eep! Geek! Among The Muses Emma-The Bookworm Sassy Brit and her Gang! (Alternative-Read. com) Leanna (Daisy Chain Book Reviews) Happily Ever After Reviews From the TBR Pile Book of Secrets (adult romance, any subgenre) Thats What Im Talking About (PNR, UF) For What Its Worth

Fangs, Wands & Fairy Dust PNR UF fantasy CONTEST! Books With BITE! In the Hammock Blog Community Bookstop Alleluialu at Bookend Crossing Ramblings of a Book Bitch Patricias Particularity JL @ An Avid Readers Musings Becks Book Picks Readaholics Anonymous Melissa @ Mels Books and Info What Miss Kelley Is Reading Marquetta(Love To Read For Fun) Tinasbookreviews Blkosiners Book Blog Ashley(Ashleys Bookshelf) The Romance Reviews artisticallybrilliant. blogspot. com Read Sam, Read! Lus Book Blog The Unread Reader Emily @ The Ninja Librarian SusanKMann Michelles Book Blog (PNR, YA, UF) Through The Looking Glass Tasha @ Confessions of a Bookaholic Booksnob Aimee @ Coffee Table Press Tattooed Books Tica Tattleteller Book Rants by Rebs Trini @ A Book Lovers Reivew Crazy Book Reader Mevurah (The Heart of Dreams) Faye @ Ramblings of a Teenage Bookworm Paula - Tomes Devotee, book bimbo ;) Kathy @ Bags, Books & Bon Jovi! Star Shadow LBR: A naughty romance researcher at play Finding My Muse loony reads Kelsey Ketch @ Ketch Tavern Paromantasy Reading Angel Book Lovers Delight Rex Robot Reviews, Book Reviews & Giveaways Ms. Bs Book Swarm TicToc Debut Author Emma Michaels Thats Swell! Books and Things, YA, UF, PNR Jessica @ A Fanatics Book Blog Vampire Book Club (UF/PNR/Fantasy) Teens Read & Write (We love all things YA!) Read it OR See it Kelly Bookend Diaries