My 2012 Reading Challenge: May reads!

Happy June, everybody! Can you believe the year is almost halfway over? Hope everybody's new years resolutions are going well. In addition to reading 50 books this year, I also want to be able to master the crow pose in yoga. It looks like this:

 

And today I finally was able to balance...and then fell over 1.2 seconds later. But that doesn't matter! I'm getting close. And believe me, when I finally tackle this pose, I'll get a pic and post it for the world to see. I guarantee you I won't look as good as the woman above.

I read some amazing books this May, all should be added to your Summer Reading list asap! (Click on the title for the author's webpage and description of the book.)

OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF TIME by Ally Carter

Anytime I'm asked about my favorite young adult authors, Ally's name is always at the top of the list. I love her books for many reasons, one is that they feature very strong female characters who don't need a guy to save them. Actually, most of the time the girl does the saving!! I've been eagerly anticipating the new Gallagher Girl book and Out of Sight, Out of Time did not disappoint - it's my favorite in the series! I'm super against spoilers and I don't think you can talk about this book without giving anything away so I'll just say this: go run out now and get this book. And if you're new to the Gallagher Girl world, start with the the first book I'd Tell You That I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You. You can thank me later.  ;-)

WHEN IT HAPPENS by Susane Colasanti

I've been a huge admirer of Susane's writing for years, but I (shockingly) had never read her first novel, When it Happens. So I wanted to read it before her newest book, Keep Holding On (which is next on my t0-read list), came out. I guess I should do a full disclosure that I've been lucky to become good friends with Susane in the last couple years and she's awesome. We have a lot in common so I went into reading the book knowing that I would love it. And boy did I! Susane perfectly weaves a compelling, funny, and at times heartbreaking love story through two points of view. Each voice was unique and authentic. And believe me, it really annoyed me that this was her first book. Come on Susane, stop making the rest of us look bad!

THE DISENCHANTMENTS by Nina LaCour

Um, hello? A book about an all-girl rock group and boy best friend touring after graduation that has heart, surprises, and ah, Heart (the group)? This book should've been called: Written Especially for Elizabeth Eulberg. But I do agree that The Disenchantments is a better title from a marketing point of view. I loved this book right from opening lyrics of "School Days" by The Runaways. It's no secret that I LOVE MUSIC so I appreciate anybody who can capture that passion in the written form. But this is about more than just a roadtrip book, it's also about coming into your own and discovering the kind of person you want to be. Oh, and it's written from the point of a view of a boy who I now have a crush on. Hey Colby, call me! 

UNBREAK MY HEART by Melissa Walker

One of the best experiences I ever had on vacation was spending two nights on a sailboat traveling around the Whitsunday islands in Australia. So I brought along a lot of great memories when I read this book and quickly became thankful that I wasn't trapped on a boat with my family for the entire summer. But Clementine's family was the kind of family that I would want if I was a teen who had her heart broken and felt lost. I think a lot of readers can identify with beating yourself up over something, especially when you don't have a group of friends to rely on. Even with the heaviness inside Clementine's heart and head, Unbreak My Heart was in turns hopeful and healing, with a very good dose of cute boyness.  (I think I just made up a word.)

I'm now realizing that all these books are contemporary/realistic fiction. And some people think our genre is on the downswing! I'm also very excited that I'm doing events this month with Susane and Melissa so hopefully we'll see some of you out on the road. I'll try to not ask them all the questions about their amazing books and leave some for the rest of you.

16 books down, 34 to go (gulp)! Happy summer reading! Anything good on your list?

XOXO, Elizabeth

My 2012 Reading Challenge: The Name Drop Edition

Hello all! As some of you may remember, my new years resolution was to read 50 books this year. I started off pretty well: three books in January and three in February. And then in March, I read, um, one book. Yikes! I was on deadline for most of March. And while it is possible for me to read while on deadline, the last thing I can handle after 10-12 work days is sitting down with a book. Usually I curl up on my sofa (or under my desk) and let that glowing box called TV entertain me. BUT! I'm happy to report that I was able to read FIVE books in April (thank you Take a Bow tour and your many flights)! I'm making a comeback! So without further ado, my March and April reads. (Click on the individual book title for the author's webpage and synopsis of book). 

THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

This was my one March read, or more appropriately, reread. I first read this book years ago (before the book even came out) and LOVED IT. I've wanted to reread it for a long time, but haven't gotten around to it. So with the movie coming out, I knew I wanted to read it again. I got surprised with an invite to a screening, so I didn't have a chance to read the book before seeing the movie. And I'm glad I didn't. While I remembered so much of the book, I ended up enjoying the movie without comparing it so closely to the book. So then I read the book and watched the movie again. (Yep, I'm a HUGE Hunger Games fangirl and Team Peeta, obviously!) I love this book so much and (name drop alert!) Suzanne Collins is one of the nicest people, so I'm EXTRA happy for all of the success of the book and movie. I'm hoping to get to revisit Catching Fire and Mockingjay this year as well.

THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater

I've wanted to read this book since I heard Maggie read a teaser last spring at Scholastic (name drop #2!). This book is astonishing and several times I thought, "Yep, that Printz honor sticker so belongs on this book!" First, Maggie created such a well-founded world that was in turns familiar and foreign. Yet, I resonated with the characters and their different challenges and wants. And then there's the action! There were times I was literally holding my breath wondering what was going to happen. I really wanted to close my eyes toward the end, but that would've been hard since I needed to, you know, READ the book. And it had humor in just the right places. Oh, and it really made me want to eat sticky buns. And since I haven't named dropped enough yet (just you wait!), I got to go on tour with Maggie in Texas and we had a blast (read her tour blog here). She has officially become one of my favorite people EVER. 

CONFESSIONS OF AN ANGRY GIRL by Louise Rozett (coming August, 28, 2012)

One of the many cool things about being an author is that you get asked to read books coming out for a possible blurb. I've only been able to do this a couple of times due to pesky deadlines, but when my friend TS told me about this book I wanted to read it from the title alone! It did not disappoint. I found myself laughing, cheering on the main character, and nodding a lot while reading this book. I think the blurb I gave sums up my feelings best: "Confessions of an Angry Girl gives readers a refreshingly honest character with Rose, a smart, sassy heroine with heart. You'll cheer Rosie on through the many ups and downs of Freshman year: first crushes, loss, and just trying to fit in. Louise Rozett delivers a debut novel that is in turns sweet, heartbreaking, and empowering."

I was given the green light to share the cover with you (LOVE IT).

WHATEVER AFTER: FAIREST OF ALL by Sarah Mlynowski 

I love Sarah (name drop #3!). I was so excited when I found out she was doing a middle grade series that mixed up well-loved fairy tales. The first one takes on Snow White. I was cracking up while reading this book. It is hilarious, and adorable, and clever -- everything I love in a good book! I don't have it pictured above because I was on the road and gave it to a middle school librarian after I finished reading it. It's so important to (legally!!) share book you love! 

THE STORY OF US by Deb Caletti

I was on a panel with Deb at the Texas Library Association (name drop #4!) and was given her newest book before our panel. I found myself stopping myself a few times while reading this book and studying how Deb lets the story unfold (it appeared seamless, but I know there must've been a lot of work involved). I always try to take note when I'm awed by an author's storytelling ability and I'll hopefully be a better writer for it (I learned a lot from ALL these books). 

PURITY by Jackson Pearce

So...I'm going on the road with Jackson this weekend (ding! ding! ding! Name drop OVERLOAD!). I was looking forward to reading Purity since I've heard so much about it. I devoured it in two sittings. I'm so impressed with how Jackson was able to tackle a very personal topic, losing your virginity, with such wit, humor, and sensitivity. What makes this extra impressive is that fact that this is a pretty big departure for Jackson (who's previous novels, Sisters Red and Sweetly, have been best described as "twisted" fairy tales). I'm looking forward to seeing what's next from her!

Phew! So that was March and April. Can I just say, how cool is my job that I get to hang out with these authors and get to read books before they come out? Let me answer that: VERY.

As I'll be on the road, I'll hopefully get more reading done in May. I still have a lot of catching up to do. But fortunately (?), I have a HUGE to-read pile waiting for me to dive in.

Happy reading!

XO, Elizabeth

Homecoming

Greetings from Portage, Wisconsin! A very important event happened during the craziness of Take a Bow's release: my dad turned 75! While his birthday is technically April 13th, he postponed his birthday party because one of his children couldn't make it. (That would be me, but I had a blast in Texas...just ask Peeta!)

I flew directly from Houston to Wisconsin just in time to make it to my dad's birthday party.

Since I was in town, my old high school asked me to come and speak. At first I was a little nervous, going back to high school? Yikes! But then I realized that the high school is in a different building than back when I went, so it almost didn't feel like my high school. One of the first things I saw upon my arrival were all these adorable flyers promoting my visit:

Then I arrived in the library (now called the iCenter). My mom was my high school librarian and retired five years ago. She accompanied me today and it meant a lot for me to share this with her. I did notice that the library had a certain yearbook on display and it was opened to my senior high school photo. And since I have no problem embarrassing myself, please enjoy a seventeen year old Elizabeth:

I HAD A BLAST! I first did a writing workshop for about twenty students first, and one of them was already published -- impressive! Then I moved to the auditorium to give a larger talk. The students ROCKED. They were so supportive and kept applauding me AND my mom. Seriously, anytime I mentioned my mom, they clapped for her. It was very, very sweet.

The students had such great questions as well. I got to meet with a bunch of them afterwards while I signed books. It's always great to talking with people who are so excited about reading and writing, especially ones from my hometown.  And I got a little teary when I went by the PHS Hall of Fame as both my dad and grandfather have been inducted.

I'm very proud to be from Portage. So it seems that you can go home again.

I want to thank everybody who came out in Texas and here in Wisconsin. I've been blown away by the response to Take a Bow - it really means the world to me. After my Portage Public Library event this evening, my mom and I are off to Chicago for an event tomorrow at Anderson's in Naperville, then I'm home for a week, before heading off to Boston, Atlanta, and Nashville. Looking forward to even more adventures on the road, hopefully will less embarrassing photos.

XO, Elizabeth

The Peeta Incident

Greetings from Austin! I'm getting ready for an event tonight with Siobhan Vivian (The List - which I raved about here) and Maggie Stiefvater (Shiver, The Scorpio Races) at Book People. Our editor, the legendary David Levithan, will be moderating and it will be sure to be a fabulous time.

I've been having an absolute blast in Texas. I started off in Dallas and did some awesome schools with the beyond fabulous librarian Rose Brock (it's been decided that Rose and I are basically the same person). Needless to say, I was excited to finally get out there and talk about Take a Bow.

After Dallas I headed to Houston for TeenBookCon. I was on the panel Reality Bites with Siobhan (my new BFF), Lisa McMann (Dead to You), Ruta Sepetys (Between Shades of Gray), and Jesse Andrews (Me, Earl and the Dying Girl). I don't want to brag, but we were AWESOME. I don't think I ever laughed that hard on a panel.

The laughter wasn't reserved only for the panels. On our way back from lunch, I saw that they had a bunch of cardboard standees from various YA movie adaptions, including Peeta from The Hunger Games. I gave Lisa my camera and asked her to take a picture of me with Peeta. I ran up to him and well, apparently you weren't supposed to touch the standees since they could break. And as you can see from this brilliant photo, I got in trouble (see the woman waving at me frantically). 

Oops. After I was reprimanded, I took another, more appropriate, photo. Notice that I'm not touching Peeta at all.

This is further proof that I really shouldn't be allowed out of my house. Ever. I can report that I pretty much behaved for the rest of the day (mostly). I LOVED meeting everybody at the festival and putting Twitter handles to faces. I also was asked to sign my very first shoe, this made me VERY excited. Thanks Ami!

After tonight in Austin, I'm heading back to Houston for TLA, then more events to come in Portage, WI; Naperville, IL, Cambridge, MA; Atlanta, GA; and Nashville, TN. See my EVENTS page for details. Hope to see you out on the road!

XO, Elizabeth