revenge of the girl with the great personality

Six Books To Get You Through Any School Scenario

Posted on July 9, 2015August 17, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Blog

I know school still seems pretty far off and some of you may even be done with school (me!) but there’s still time for some summer reading and what better to read then some books that will actually help you survive in school. Whether you’re in middle school, high school, or college you’ll probably face at least one of these situations. Here’s six books to help you with six different school scenarios. Good luck!

1. Mean girls

Got some mean girls trying to bring you down? The haters are still hating? Don’t fear because Reed Brennan has been there. In the Private series she goes through some terrible hazing just to fit in with the Billings Girls, the most popular group of girls at her new boarding school. Even better, however, she learns how to beat them at their own game and become a boss herself. Plus, she also solves some murders but hopefully that’s not something you’ll have to deal with.

2. New year, new you

You’re tired of not being seen and you’re read to make a splash. You want to be noticed and you’re willing to do what it takes to get there. Lexi gets that. She’s ready for her long time crush, Logan, to finally notice her and she’s ready to play the beauty game to get what she wants. Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality will give you tips on your makeover while also reminding you that looks aren’t everything and maybe you’re perfect just the way you are. But some lipstick never hurts, right?

3. New student

Being the new kid can be the worst. You have to make new friends, learn your way around the halls, and try to fit in with a new crowd. Well imagine trying to do all that while having a crazy ghost roaming the halls of your high school. Yeah, your situation sounds much better now, doesn’t it? In The Mediator series Suze Simon is a mediator with a lot on her plate. It’s her job to get ghosts onto their next step (whatever that is) and she still has to pass all her classes. Add in a hot ghost roommate and Suze’s new girl status is the least of her problems. Still, Suze’s boss attitude to facing a new environment is one you can learn from before you enter your new school.

4. Getting over a crush

Unrequited love is the worst and you’re over it. You’re sick of crushing and being let down. You want to move on and start this year off right, leaving that crush in the past. Sadie feels your pain. She’s had a crush on her best friend, Garrett, for far too long and now she’s done. She’s ready to move on and she’s got a plan to do it. Consider Getting Over Garrett Delaney as your guide to letting go and finding your own happiness. You got this!

5. First year of college

Leaving home for the first time? Staying home but all your friends are leaving? Trying the long distance relationship thing with your high school significant other? Yolo deals with all this and more. If you’ve never read the TTYL series I’d definitely recommend it before reading this one (plus there’s great advice in those as well). Besties Angela, Zoe, and Maddie have been friends all through high school but now that they’re going off to separate colleges they each face their own struggles and problems that almost any freshman will face. Lauren Myracle leaves no stone unturned and all the advice you’ll ever need to get you prepared (and excited) about college is in this novel.

6. First relationship

Falling in love for the first time can be hard. Especially when you’re a secret spy and the guy you’re dating has no idea. Of course, that’s probably not an issue for you. It is however, for Cammie Morgan, a spy in training who falls for Josh, a normal boy who knows nothing about the spy world. Although Cammie can speak multiple languages, kill someone with her bare hands, and track someone perfectly, when it comes to dating she doesn’t have a clue. In I’d Teel You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You, follow Cammie as she learns the ins and outs of flirting, kissing, and first dates. You may even pick up some dating tips and you’ll definitely relate to her first date woes. What do I wear???

Want more books to fit your school woes? Comment a problem or scenario you’re worried about facing this school year and I’ll recommend a book for you. Try me!

Author Spotlight: Elizabeth Eulberg

Posted on July 3, 2014May 21, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Author Spotlights

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If you’ve never had the chance to meet Elizabeth Eulberg you are certainly missing out. Besides being one of the sweetest authors I’ve ever met, she’s also very talented and very cool. Not only can she write amazing books, such as The Lonely Hearts Club and Revenge of the Girl With the Great Personality, she also knows how to play multiple instruments and is an exquisite traveler. Check out my interview with her below.

What first inspired you to start writing?

“I always enjoyed telling myself stories as a kid and thought it would be fun to write a book, but I was too intimidated to start. Then Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants) encouraged me to write. It was the boost I needed to start. I’m so thankful for him!”

What was the first book you ever wrote and what was it about?

“My very first book was The Lonely Hearts Club, which is about a girl who has decided to give up dating guys in high school because they aren’t worth the trouble. What started as something for her to get through heartbreak ends up taking over the school and craziness ensues!”

When will the sequel to The Lonely Hearts Club be released?

“We Can Work It Out is coming out early next year! There are going to be three e-short stories about Penny Lane and the Lonely Hears Club that will be online for FREE this fall [as well]. I can’t say much about them, but the first [one] is coming out Oct. 1 and will be Halloween themed. The others will be out Nov. 1 and Dec. 1. Hopefully I’ll get to share more soon!”

Besides the TLHC sequel, are you working on any other projects right now?

“I’m working on a couple different projects. Unfortunately I can’t say anything about them yet but I’m excited about them both!”

What was the best place you ever visited and where do you still want to go?

“Australia is one of my favorite places – it’s a gorgeous country with wonderful people. I got to scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef and hold a Koala – what more could you want! I really want to explore South America more – especially Brazil and Chile.”

Who is your favorite music artist?

“I’m a huge fan of CHVRCHES, Ingrid Michaelson, Tegan and Sara, Panama Wedding, Bastille, Ed Sheeran, and of course, The Beatles!”

What instruments do you play and what kind of music do you like to play?

“I play mostly the guitar and piano (although I can play the clarinet and drums, but it’s been awhile for both). I generally play rock music on the guitar (The Beatles, Oasis, OK Go, Snow Patrol, etc.), but play classical on the piano (Mozart and Beethoven are favorites).”

What do you like to do in your free time?

“What is this ‘free time’ you’re referring to? I’ve actually been working on one of my secret projects for nearly three years now in any spare time I have in between edits, but at night I go to concerts, read, or go to karaoke and pretend that I’m a rock star!

Who are some of your favorite writers and what are some of your favorite books to read?

“So many! I’m fortunate that I get to be friends with a lot of the writers I admire. Some recent favorites are Don’t Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski, The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith, Only Everything by Kieran Scott, and I’ll read anything by Ally Carter and E. Lockhart.

How do you come up with ideas for your novels?

“My ideas come from a lot of different places. The seed for Better Off Friends was planted by my editor, so that was the first book where the original idea didn’t come from me. Take a Bow was inspired by my love of music and my desire as a teen to go to a performing arts high school. The Lonely Hearts Club came from a friend who always dumps her friends when she gets a boyfriend. After I get the original idea, I start building the character and plot from there.”

Do you think you’ll ever write adult novels?

“There may be a possibility that one of my projects that I’m working on is not YA. That’s all I can say.”

What’s your writing process like?

“Everything starts with one idea. Then I work on building on the characters and the arc of the story from there. I spend a lot of time on the characters before I sit down to write. I use index cards to do a basic outline of the plot and I also have a notebook for every book that includes character profiles and chapter outlines. I usually have everything figured out before I sit down to write a single word. I’m a very fast first drafter (I believe in just getting to the end) and then I revise several times on my own before a single person reads it.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Write for yourself, first and foremost. Don’t worry about if anybody will like it or if it will sell. Write the story you want to read. And no matter what, do not give up!

Is there anything else you would like to add or say to fans?

Yes, a BIG THANK YOU! I get to have the best job in the world, which wouldn’t be possible without readers. XOXO

To learn more about Elizabeth Eulberg and her writing check out her website and Facebook page.

Book Review: Revenge of the Girl With the Great Personality

Posted on May 21, 2014May 21, 2015 by Zakiya N. Jamal in Book Reviews

I first fell in love with Elizabeth Eulberg’s writing when I read The Lonely Hearts Club a while back. I hadn’t read anything else by her since then until I picked up this book while I was at the Only Everything release party. I’m so glad I’ve gotten back into her novels because this one was a goodie that I enjoyed on my bus ride back from that awesome event.

The novel centers around Lexi, a girl that isn’t known for her looks but instead for her “great personality”. Though this could be seen as a compliment it’s often not taken that way because even though someone’s trying to be nice what they’re really saying is they don’t find you attractive but they think you’re a nice person. Ouch.

To add insult to injury Lexi’s little sister, Mackenzie, is a part of the pageant scene and seems to be all their mother cares about as she spends all their money on Mackenzie’s pageants, making sure she looks perfect. Well Lexi is sick of it. She’s tired of not being seen as one of the pretty girls. She hates that her long time crush, Logan, has never even considered her “that way” and only sees her as a good friend. Lexi is ready to break the “great personality” mold and step out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

What’s great about this novel is Lexi’s overall growth as a person. As Lexi becomes more and more into her makeover she begins to realize she likes dressing up and that maybe she shouldn’t be too quick to judge people. However, she also learns that it’s not all about looks and that having a “great personality” isn’t a bad thing. Additionally, she also gains the confidence she needs to start sticking up for herself and making the right choices for herself.

It’s rare that I read a book where I’m on the main character’s side for the whole book. Although there were definitely times when I said, “Lexi what are you doing??,” for the majority of the novel I loved Lexi. She’s this amazing girl who just wants this hot guy to notice her and her mother to care about her. Lexi wants what any teen would: to be noticed. I could relate and I think this book presents a great message about what makes someone truly beautiful without being preachy. I loved it and definitely recommend it.

Favorite Line: “So I can take off the makeup, but I’m still a good person. But there’s no such thing as bitch remover.”

Stars: 4 out of 5. As much as I loved this book it’s not one that I think I’ll reread over and over again. It was good but it wasn’t OMG, ah-mazing good.

Borrow or Buy: Buy. I still love this book and even though I’m not sure I’ll ever reread it I’m glad I have my own copy of it. Plus my copy is signed.

Other Reviews:

Chick Loves Lit

The Book Addict’s Guide

The Book Cellar