The Lonely Hearts Club
Author: Elizabeth Eulberg
Publisher: Point
Publication Date: January 1, 2010
Pages: 290
Source: Purchased
About the Book: Love is all you need… or is it? Penny’s about to find out in this wonderful debut.
Penny is sick of boys and sick of dating. So she vows: no more. It’s a personal choice. . .and, of course, soon everyone wants to know about it. And a few other girls are inspired. A movement is born: The Lonely Hearts Club (named after the band from Sgt. Pepper). Penny is suddenly known for her nondating ways . . . which is too bad, because there’s this certain boy she can’t help but like. . . .
My Thoughts: This book is actually the reason I read Prom & Prejudice (my first Elizabeth Eulberg book AND one of the first books I reviewed when I really started blogging!) But… I had never actually read The Lonely Hearts Club! I bought it for my middle school library when it came out. I put it on my “New Books!” shelf and a student checked it out. She loved it and told a friend to check it out. They did. Then they had another friend read it and so on and so forth. Pretty soon it had a hold line. That has never happened with a book I didn’t book talk before (or since!) I knew I had to read it… and I finally have!
First, I feel like I should mention that I am a huge Elizabeth Eulberg fan. She is a Wisconsin girl like me (check back for more on that tomorrow!) I’ve met her a number of times and she is super fun to be around. Plus, her books are awesome. The Lonely Hearts Club is no exception. I would have adored it even if I’d never met the author.
I think one of my favorite parts about Elizabeth Eulberg’s books is the humor. This one was no exception. I loved the main character’s Beatles obsessed parents (and how the obsession was past to her, too!) I loved the jokes and banter between the girls. I loved the idea of the nondating club! It was all so fun! It really made the story fly. I read it in one sitting, almost without stopping. Eulberg’s writing is fresh and I just really enjoy her style. It left me feeling very content when I read the last page (not that I wouldn’t love more Penny Lane and company!)
The friendship between the different girls in the story was another aspect I loved. High school can be so mercurial. Friendships and relationships can change by the hour. Who didn’t know someone who dropped plans with her friends for a guy? Or someone who was just doing what everyone expected of them? I liked seeing how the events of this book and having the support of The Lonely Hearts Club helped the girls really focus on who they wanted to be and what they wanted in their lives. Be who you want to be, not who others want to see! That’s a message I want my students to walk away with!
If you’re looking for a delightful read full of friendship, romance and everything that comes with the two, The Lonely Hearts Club is for you. Also, how awesome is that cover?!?!?
Just Another Girl - YA Bibliophile
[…] yet to read an Elizabeth Eulberg book I didn’t like: The Lonely Hearts Club, Prom & Prejudice, Take a Bow, Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality, Better […]