2012 Reading Challenge - Slow and Steady...

Happy August! Well, I'm starting to think those people who thought I was crazy for trying to read 50 books this year may be right. At the end of August, I'm at 24 books read. A little behind, but I swear August is going to be my month! I'm traveling this upcoming week, which always means I get reading done. I'm declaring, right here, right now that I'll have AT LEAST six books read in August (gulp). 

I also recently came across "FiftyFiftyMe" on Twitter, where other people have promised to read 50 books and watch 50 movies this year. I'm pretty sure I'll see 50 movies this year, but I may also see 50 concerts! As anybody who follows me on Twitter and Facebook knows, I like me some concerts. I decided to keep track and counting tonight's Miniature Tigers concert, I'll have been to 23 shows so far. I've got two more this month and five planned, so far, in September. So we shall see!

But now to the matter at hand - my July reads! I wanted July to be the month of reading fall ARCs. Um, well, I read two. But hey, better than none, and I REALLY loved those books. So here they are, my July reads (click on the title for details on the book since I've realized I'm horrible with synopsis).

EVERY DAY by David Levithan (coming August 28, 2012)

Full disclosure: David is not only one of my closest friends, he's also my editor. I've been eagerly awaiting this novel since I heard about its premise: "A" wakes up every day in a different body, then he falls in love with a girl, and everything changes. I gobbled up this book in one sitting. I was in turns mesmerized by how the story unfolded, not knowing what the future held for A (but then again, neither did A), and my conflicting emotions about what would be best for all involved. Um, I don't want to say too much, so I'll just stop there and simply say that this is my favorite book of David's - and that's saying A LOT! And there's been so much buzz about it, if it isn't on your to-read list for fall it should be!

THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST by Emily M. Danforth 

This was my book group's July read. And it's really hard to talk about this book without giving anything away. I discovered this at book group when only two of us had finished the book (it's nearly 500 pages long - I so think I should get credit for two books!). I will say that the book was beautifully written - I'll fully admit that I'm not a great writer in terms of description, and Danforth is a great descriptive writer.

THE SHADOW SOCIETY by Marie Rutkoski (coming October 16, 2012)

I want to preface my review by saying that counting Every Day, I have only read four books this year that could be counted as either fantasy or science fiction. What usually happens is this: I hear about great fantasy or sci-fi books then drag my heels to read it. When I finally sit down to read, I love it! You'd think I would learn by now that I like all kinds of books and stop being unadventurous!

That being said, I was super excited about Marie's book because I adore Marie (oh look, I'm name dropping again, as I do). I was hooked on this book from its first sentence. It read like a contemporary adventure book with plenty of romance (CUTE BOY ALERT!) and humor (some awesome banter and hilarious human friends). Oh, and it just so happens that there is an alternate universe. The details and layers of this book were so impressive from a storytelling perspective and it's such a fun, enjoyable read (I read it in two days). It's really accessible to those of us who just don't think they can "get" into fantasy. And like Every Day, this book really made me think about the choices we make and decisions that define us. So you'll definitely want to add this to your fall reading list as well! (I know! TWO fantasy-ish book recommendations from me - who knew?!?!?)

Oh, and clearly the cover in the above photo was just for the ARC. I love the final cover:

 So that's July! Hope everybody is enjoying their summer! Now I'm off to finish reading Jennifer Weiner's The Next Best Thing - I told you August is going to be my month!

XOXO, Elizabeth

Feelin' HOT! HOT! HOT! A cool book giveaway!

Hot enough for you? Well, hopefully this little contest will help as I'm giving away SIGNED books by two of the COOLEST authors I know: Siobhan Vivian and Terra Elan McVoy! And because I'm selfish like that, I'm throwing one of my books into the mix!

THE LIST and BEING FRIENDS WITH BOYS are two of my favorite books this year. I've already properly gushed about them in my Reading Challenge blog, but I love talking about these two books!

I got to tour with Siobhan this spring and we had a blast! THE LIST was one of those books that I devoured in two sittings. It follows eight very different girls and the aftermath they face after being put on "the list" of the prettiest and ugliest girls in each class. This book is everything a great book should be: it has heart and humor, it's clever with a little mystery thrown in. (Oh, I also got to read her upcoming fall book, Burn for Burn with Jenny Han, and it's equally amazing.) 

I first met Terra Elan McVoy years ago when we both worked at Scholastic: me in publicity, Terra in editorial. I adore Terra and have been following her author career with great enthusiasm and pride! When I heard the description of BEING FRIENDS WITH BOYS, I knew I was going to love this book. Um, hello? An awesomely cool girl who's in a band with a bunch of guys? Sign me up! I absolutely loved this book. Terra and I keep joking that BEING FRIENDS WITH BOYS and TAKE A BOW are fraternal twins. I only wish that I could capture the magic of being in a band half as good as Terra!

And because I like to do anything with Siobhan and Terra, I'm including a signed copy of TAKE A BOW as well! 

TO ENTER GIVEAWAY TO WIN ALL THREE BOOKS: simply answer this question below in the comments: What cool books are on your summer reading list? One winner will be chosen from random at 10pm EST Sunday, July 8, 2012. US ONLY (sorry!). Please note, I do approve comments from new users so it may take a couple hours for your comment to appear, but I promise I'll check often.

Good luck! XO, Elizabeth

UPDATE: THE CONTEST IS CLOSED! Thanks for all the entries! The winner is Alejandra! XO

2012 Reading Challenge: The Halfway Point

Happy July, everybody! It's crazy that the year is already halfway over. And since I declared I was going to read 50 books this year, I'm just a tad behind with 21 read. But I'm hopeful I'll get a lot of reading done this summer even though I've begun writing my next novel (that would be book number FIVE - say wha?). 

So without further ado, the five awesome books I read in June (click on the title for details on the book since I'm horrible with plot synopsis). 

KEEP HOLDING ON by Susane Colasanti

I've been eagerly anticipating this new novel from Susane since it's her most personal book to date. While this book is about bullying, it's also about the importance of realizing your worth. I seriously think this book should be required reading in school. Not just for people who are being bullied, but for people who stand by and watch someone getting bullied. This book broke my heart and then put it back together again.

CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS AND THE TERRIFYING RETURN OF TIPPY TINKLETROUSERS by Dav Pilkey (coming August 28, 2012)

Talk about a 180 in terms of reading material. Who goes from a book about bullying to a book about a superhero who fights for all the is preshrunk and cottony? -->THIS GIRL!<-- I am a HUGE Captain Underpants fan. It was my favorite series I ever worked on as a publicist so I was excited to get an ARC of the new book coming this fall. It is HYSTERICAL! It even has a reference to one of my favorite movie titles (and constant punchline for sequel titles): Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo. I can't even get into all the things I love about this book as it has a ton of plot twists. All I can say is "Welcome back, Captain. I've missed you!"

BURN FOR BURN by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian (coming September 18, 2012)

I squealed when I got this ARC at a BEA party. I love both Jenny and Siobhan so the fact that they were writing a book together made me doubly excited. And they did not disappoint. Everybody needs to put this on their fall reading list NOW. Who doesn't love a good revenge tale? (Please, please have people be interested in books about revenge!) The three main girls in this book couldn't be more different, but in a way extremely relatable. And just when you think you've got everything figured out, a new surprise was waiting for you on the next page.

But here's the problem with ARCs. While you get to read a book before it comes out, which is super cool, it means you have an even longer wait for the sequel! GAH! Fortunately, I have Siobhan's number so I texted (some may feel the word harassed is more appropriate) to get some scoop on the next book as I CANNOT WAIT. But these lips are sealed.

WHERE THINGS COME BACK by John Corey Whaley

I was so happy that this was my book group's June selection. I've wanted to read this book since it won the Printz. And then I met Corey and love him. This book is the definition of a page turner. I was hooked from the very beginning. It had lots of twists and turns - I gasped out loud toward the end when everything started coming together in a very surprising way. I love it when award committees get it right!

CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS AND THE PREPOSTEROUS PLIGHT OF THE PURPLE POTTY PEOPLE by Dav Pilkey 

Did I mention that I'm a big Captain Underpants fan? I got this book for my friend's two sons who have recently discovered the Captain. I got them this book because (BRAG ALERT!) it's dedicated to me. Yep, I'm super cool. It was the first time I've read a Captain book to kids. It was awesome to have these two young boys sit still and listen to the story. They did ask me to reread one page over a dozen times because the words "poop" and "pee" were repeatedly used. Then I taught them "Na-na-na-na, boo-boo, stick your head in doo-doo" right before they went to church. I'm such a responsible adult. And yes I'm counting this as a book because a) I read it, b) it's 170 pages long, and c) it's a book! I never said it had to be a YA or adult novel. So, na-na-na-na, boo-boo stick YOUR head in doo-doo. Are we all seeing why I'm such a big fan?

I've decided that July will be my month of reading fall ARCs. You know, so I can braggy brag that I get to read books before they come out. Then get annoyed I have to wait over a year for any sequels. 

Happy reading!

XO, Elizabeth

Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality cover and summary!

Hi y'all! While March 2013 is still months and months away, information about my next book is slowly starting to make its way out into the world. So I wanted to be sure to post the cover and synopsis about the book. I'm going to wait until later this year to talk more about it and post an excerpt, especially since I have THREE books that are already out and need some lovin' (hint! hint!).

So without further ado, the cover and summary for REVENGE OF THE GIRL WITH THE GREAT PERSONALITY!

From Point/Scholastic:

A hilarious new novel from Elizabeth Eulberg about taking the wall out of the wallflower so she can bloom.

Beauty is a beast, and it's been making Lexi's life miserable. Her mother is spending all the family's savings on her sister's beauty pagaent "career" -- and her sister is only seven years old. Then there are the girls at school who think their appearance gives them the divine right to everything -- including the boy Lexi has a crush on. Lexi's always been on the periphery -- the girl best friend, the girl who guys never think of kissing, the girl with "the great personality." But enough's enough -- Lexi is going to stop wallflowering and start blooming.

So that's Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality! Can't wait to share more with you in the next few months. Until then, happy reading!

XOXO, Elizabeth