The craziest road trip ever continues as Mibs and colony continue to travel along in the second half of Savvy. Mibs starts to figure out her savvy and how to control it, but at this point they’ve been taken away from their parents for over 24 hours so that’s not going to end well. We follow the kids on the rest of their trip in an effort to grow up, free Lil and Lester from social restraints, and get back to Papa Beaumont which was the original point of the whole quest. We continue to enjoy the book, the family relationship, and just the whole tenor of the story so we’re thrilled to keep reading in this savvy world.
Next week we will be reading chapters 1-18 of book 2 in the series, Scumble.
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New series time on Throwback Paperback! We are reading Savvy by Ingrid Law, and it’s a Charles pick that Asia likes. We are just as surprised as you are. The Beaumont family all have special gifts, or savvies as they call them, and Mibs is about to turn 13 and receive hers. Unfortunately a bunch of things go wrong, and Mibs is now on a bus traveling with her brothers, her friends, and some random adults. This book so far is heart-warming and entertaining with likable characters and a fun premise. Hopefully this enjoyment can continue!
Next week we will be reading chapters 19-37 of Savvy, book 1 in the series, The Savvy Trilogy. 
It’s time for another Neal Shusterman book as we cover Full Tilt. This book was another Asia recommendation, and once again it’s a personal recommendation from Neal directly. This book is more of a thriller, and follows Blake, his brother Quinn, and his friends. They go on amusement park rides and eventually dive into a transformative psychological experience. Ultimately this book takes the protagonists on a deep exploration of trauma with a moral to melt your heart. However, this does end up catering more exclusively to a younger audience, as it leaves both hosts with a sense of lacking. How did you feel after reading it?
Next week we will be reading chapters 1-18 of Savvy, book 1 in our new series, The Savvy Trilogy. 
We’re entering the life after death, as we cover Elsewhere. This time we explore another take on what happens after death. Liz, our 15 year old protagonist gets hit by a car and comes to terms with loss. This book is another tender story that both hosts enjoy. It’s an excellent book that leaves both you, the reader, and our hosts satisfied. You will enjoy the themes and Liz’s journey, so you should definitely join us in Elsewhere. (See what I did there?)
Next week we will be reading a new book in one week, Full Tilt.  Asia and Charles are about to hit 100 episodes of Throwback Paperback, and we're choosing one winner to win a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble to stock up on some new books! We wanted to say thank you to all of our listeners for supporting us for the past 100 episodes! Head over to @thenerdparty on Instagram to check out all the details on how to enter!
TW: This episode includes topics of graphic violence, rape, and murder. Please take care of yourself and only listen if these are safe topics for you. If you need to talk to someone or need further resources, the national sexual assault hotline is: 1-800-656-4673. Please listen at your discretion.
In our possibly heaviest book ever covered on Throwback Paperback, this week, we read The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. Susie Salmon watched her hometown from heaven after her violent murder. She follows her family’s deterioration and breakage, her friends‘ forlorn futures, and her murderers efforts to evade justice. Susie slowly comes to terms with the tragedy in her life as she lives vicariously through her sister and loves her family from a distance. This book is poignant and heavy and takes a new approach to discussing tragedy. The focus is on the aftermath for those left behind, and we commend the effort to build a realistic response to unspeakable tragedy for each unique character. Next week we will be reading a new book in one week, Elsewhere. 
Today we’re starting a new unit of sad fiction picked by Asia. To start off this set of four single books we’re starting with cult classic Looking for Alaska by John Green. A once controversial book for introducing young adults to young adult appropriate content, this book follows teenagers at boarding school as they rebel against a repressive system and search for the meaning of life. Miles, the Colonel, and Alaska are coming of age when an unfortunate tragedy strikes. They go through classic teen angst and hormonal development. The book accurately and humanly deals with the struggles of adolescence, and both hosts enjoy this book and its ultimately hopeful conclusion.
Next week we will be reading a new book in one week, The Lovely Bones. 
We are finally here, at the ending of Narnia. This week we cover The Last Battle, as the last king of Narnia along with Jill and Eustace try, and fail, to save the world. This book is heartbreaking because of all of the lies and deceit, but we do get a reunion with almost all of our main characters from the last six books. Asia has a lot to say about the ending and the overall message of the book, while Charles is much less critical. The whole world ends with a big judgment day, so there are Christian metaphors abound. It’s a dramatic and shocking ending to the series.
Next week we will be reading a new book in one week, Looking for Alaska. 
We’re beginning the end of the Chronicles of Narnia as we cover book 6, The Silver Chair. This book might be Charles’ favorite while it definitely does not impress Asia. Eustace is back, with a new companion, Jill, as they quest for Caspian’s long lost son. They travel out of Narnia, and it turns out they’re both frequently stupid. We all know how Asia responds to stupid characters. Luckily, they are able to find and rescue the prince, and surprisingly enough they do it without Aslan swooping in to save the day. We can definitely feel the ending of the series coming.
Next week we will be reading a new book in one week, The Last Battle, book 7 of The Chronicles of Narnia. 
It’s time for an adventure as we cover book 5, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. This book is an undisputed fan favorite, and possibly Asia’s favorite book in the series. Shocking! We meet Eustace who is a pain, and we see the return of two Pevensie children, Caspian, and the indisputable best character, Reepicheep. The gang are traveling east to find Aslan’s country, and boy does Asia have something to say about that. Aslan makes frequent appearances as they move east and find more islands and trials. This book definitely feels like a highlight of the series for both co hosts.
Next week we will be reading a new book in one week, The Silver Chair, book 6 of The Chronicles of Narnia. |
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