The Russel Middlebrook Series

[Anthony]

I really enjoy reading this series of Brent Hartinger's books. After reading Geography Club (and watching the movie), I became increasingly interested in following the Russel Middlebrook character. I think many of us can relate to his experiences, and we all must have our own story to tell. I've read all the books in this series except, Double Feature (Attack of the Soul Sucking Brain Zombies & Bride..), which I am reading this weekend. I skipped to book 4, The Elephant of Surprise, because I wanted to see if Russel and Kevin get back together. I just wanted to share my thoughts on these books. I would be interested to hear other thoughts on this series. Thanks very much. Anthony

[Brent]

Anthony wrote: "I really enjoy reading this series of Brent Hartinger's books. After reading Geography Club (and watching the movie), I became increasingly interested in following the Russel Middlebrook characte..."
You skipped a big plot twist, Anthony! :-)

[Gervan]

A big plot twist is an understatement. I read it in the waiting room at the doctor's and had to take a moment.

[Cynthia]

Yeah you should really have read it before The Elephant Of Surprise. It makes reading the last even better!

[Cynthia]

I understand you, though I was dying to know if they'll ever get back together. Even though I loved Otto a LOT, my otp will Always been Russel/Kevin.

[Anthony]

I'm about half way through the third novel and really enjoying it. My favorite line:
"I guess it's like what they say about alcoholics. If there's booze around, they'll drink it. Kevin was my alcohol."

Anthony

[Cynthia]

Love that line but not my fav... My fav is Russel's reflection in the last book on how he couldn't breathe, but since Kevin's joined him at the gazebo everything felt back into place now, the earth gravitation, the air in lungs, everything back in full force.

[Cynthia]

This part « Remember when Min had told me the truth about Kevin and I'd said the planet had been sucked into a black hole, and gravity and air had all disappeared? It was all back now, stronger than ever. The earth had never felt so solid. I stepped forward and kissed him, breathing him in—he still smelled like leather from a baseball mitt and dollar soap. I didn't care who saw us: I'd kiss him in the shopping mall if I could. »

That part's so touching and perfect for me.

[Anthony]

Hello Cynthia,

I agree this part is the most special and perfect of all. Russel and Kevin reunite at the gazebo at the end of the 4th book. They stayed up all night talking and holding each other. Their story really comes full circle here. This makes me want to see these 2 characters together even more. (In the book and in the movie). Follow their journey, and see what the future holds. It's rare to find a love like this in real life.

Thanks,
Anthony

[Cynthia]

I'm like you Anthony and I totally agree, few people find that kind of love in life.

[Brian]

I'm reading 'The Thing I Didn't Know I Didn't Know' and loving it!

[Cynthia]

Cool but please do not spoil

[Brent]

Brian wrote: "I'm reading 'The Thing I Didn't Know I Didn't Know' and loving it!"Thanks, Brian. ;-)

[Brian]

Cynthia: It turns out Bruce Willis was dead the whole time and only Russel could see him.

[Brent]

Brian wrote: "Cynthia: It turns out Bruce Willis was dead the whole time and only Russel could see him."

So you still don't know that Min is Keyser Soze?

[Anthony]

Hello All,

Only 23 days left until the next installment of the Russel Middlebrook series. I'm excited. I can't wait. I'm still hoping and praying that there is another movie or TV series in the future. The movie had such a great cast! I would love to see that continue as well.

Thanks,
Anthony

[Brent]

Anthony wrote: "Hello All,

Only 23 days left until the next installment of the Russel Middlebrook series. I'm excited. I can't wait. I'm still hoping and praying that there is another movie or TV series in the fu..."

Thanks, Anthony! I confess, I'm getting nervous, the closer we get to the release date. I never know exactly how a book will be received. But I'm really proud of this one, so I'm excited too, to finally get it into people's hands.

[[deleted user]]

I'm confident it will be just as great, if not better, as the earlier books!!

[Anthony]

I agree Michael!!

[Anthony]

Only 11 more days until the next installment of the Russel Middlebrook series. I'm eager to find out what's next for Russel. Kevin comes back into his life. Are they destined to be together?

[Brent]

Today we're doing casting for a music video based on the book. Wish me luck! (It's always strange to see different actors audition to be "Russel".)

We're filming the music video next week, and it should be out the week after that.

[Cynthia]

Cool that's great news Brent can't wait to see the music video.

[Brian]

Here's my review of THE THING I DIDN'T KNOW I DIDN'T KNOW (here be spoilers): http://foreveryoungadult.com/2014/12/...

[Anthony]

That's great news Brent! I love this promotion for the novel and movie. More to come in the future. More Geography Club baby!!

[Brent]

Ha! Your reviews are wonderfully trippy, Brian. Thanks!

[[deleted user]]

Brent wrote: "Today we're doing casting for a music video based on the book. Wish me luck! (It's always strange to see different actors audition to be "Russel".)

We're filming the music video next week, and it ..."

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT!!

[Anthony]

Good luck with the casting Brent! There is no doubt in my mind that the video is going to be awesome!

[Helen]

Wow, that's really exciting. Good luck!

[Brent]

I have no idea how it'll turn out, but the shooting today looked amazing. I hired a very talented team!

[[deleted user]]

That's Awesome!!

[Anthony]

This monday, the waiting will finally be over. Russel Middlebrook's journey continues, in Brent Hartinger's new novel.✏️

[Cynthia]

And what will you say then: FINALLY!!!!!

[Anthony]

Anthony wrote: "This monday, the waiting will finally be over. Russel Middlebrook's journey continues, in Brent Hartinger's new novel.✏️"

I''m not quite sure what you mean Cynthia??

[Cynthia]

That the book is finally here to read and the waiting's over is what I meant!!!!

[Anthony]

Thanks for explaining. I haven't had morning coffee yet. !!:)

[Cynthia]

Haha yeah you should definitely have it then. Morning ☕️ is the most important one in a day.

[Anthony]

It's 1 AM. I just downloaded "The Thing I didn't know I didn't know" to my Ibook app. Started reading. I can't put it down. But, I should be sleeping since I have to be up at 4 AM to go to work. I decided to keep reading.

[Anthony]

2015 is going to be special.

[Brent]

Ah, Anthony, get to bed! I don't want to be responsible for your not getting enough sleep. :-/

[[deleted user]]

LOL now THAT is dedication! A true fan!!

[Anthony]

Finally had a chance to read, "The Thing I Didn't Know, I Didn't Know." It is so thoroughly enjoyable. Looking forward to the next installment. Now onto "Grand & Humble".

[[deleted user]]

That book was great! Can't wait for the next one. You're gonna love "Grand & Humble"!

[Brent]

Glad you liked it, Anthony! (Whew! That's a relief. Seriously, I'm tickled that most of the people who've read it so far seem to like it. I think it's the best thing I've ever written, but -- full disclosure -- I always think that about a new book.)

Hope everyone had a great holiday. I certainly did -- spent it with family and friends. Now my partner Michael and another couple have rented a cabin on the water, and we're going away for the weekend. Should be great!

[Ondřej]

I also just finished The Thing. I must say I didn't like it as much as I liked previous Russel Middlebrook books, maybe due to a little bit lengthy chapter about the Bigfoot trip or maybe because I personally haven't been in such bad mental state the Russel is through the book.

However, at least I've learned about PrEP (It looks like this term haven't been imported to Europe yet) and had some fun counting the number of Russel's on-line hook-ups :) I also liked that Russel's work as a lifeguard, which makes a nice connection to the Project Sweet Life :)

I'm also looking forward to the next book in the series and I'm glad it is already planned :)

[Brent]

Thanks, Ondrej! ;-)

[Anthony]

Hello All,

A couple of comments. My favorite part of "The Thing I Didn't Know..." has to be the last chapter of the book. It was definitely the ending I'd hoped for. I read the last few pages over a number of times. That's how much I loved it.

I finished reading Grand & Humble. Excellent story. Thank you Michael for the suggestion. Now I can't decide which of Brent's books is my favorite.
Next up, Project Sweet Life. Thanks, Anthony

[Brent]

Thanks, Anthony. I did enjoy writing that last chapter (I wrote it twice -- the first time, you didn't "see" their reunion). But my favorite scenes in the book to write were all the "Vernie" scenes. Originally, she was an elderly Indian American man. But once she morphed into Vernie, and I started to understand the character, I really enjoyed finding out what she was all about, and what she could give to Russel.

[[deleted user]]

No problem, I knew you'd love it!! The ending was the best part but I really wanna know what happens next.

I don't know what my favorite part in "The Thing I didn't know..." was...probably all of it. I was telling Brent that I've never been to Seattle but now I definitely wanna travel there after reading this book.

No Wait!!...I do know what my favorite part is (spoiler alert!!) The date with Felicks where Russel sees the gun under the coffee table. That was so completely random I had to laugh. I think it was the shock value...I mean who the hell keeps a gun under the coffee table? lol

@ Brent: Vernie is a really cool character

[Gervan]

Vernie was definitely my favorite character. I hope I get to meet my own Vernie :D

[Brent]

Ha. True, @Michael. I rewrote that scene about four times until that thing with the gun occurred to me. For a while, Felicks was a drug addict, but that seemed way too cliche.