Writing Prompt #158: The ABC Book Challenge (The Letter N)

The ABC Book Challenge - K


Memorable Books that Start with the Letter “N”:

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Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America

  • I was introduced to Barbara Ehrenreich in my freshman year of college by way of this book. I plan to re-read it soon. It’s a powerful book regarding minimum wage, and how a lot of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and sometimes not even that.

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Night

  • I first read this book in eighth grade. We were studying the Holocaust, and it left a profound impact on me. Everyone should read this book.

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Nineteen Eighty-Four

  • This book creeped me out for quite a while. However, I feel the need to read it again soon.

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November Blues (Jericho #2)

  • I really like and enjoy Sharon M. Draper’s books. I’ve gained a greater perspective of African-African teenagers through her fiction. The Jericho trilogy is one of my favorites.

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Number The Stars

  • I was assigned this book in fifth grade. Originally, I really struggled with this book. It was one of the first times that I read so fast that my comprehension suffered. Through this book, I learned to slow down in my reading, especially assigned books, and my comprehension improved. Also, Lois Lowry is one of my favorite authors!

Books I’d Love to Read Starting with the Letter “N”:

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The Night Circus

  • I’ve wanted to read this book for several years. The author wrote this book during NaNoWriMo!

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North and South

  • I’m part of a Facebook group called The Book Drunkard. This book has been recommended to me several times, so I need to find it at the library soon.

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A Northern Light

  • I’ve heard so many good things about this book!

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Northanger Abbey

  • I learned about this book from Wishbone! I know I have a greater appreciation for Jane Austen now than I did years ago.

What books have you read, or want to read, that start with the letter N? Let me know!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Writing Prompt #157: “‘Celebration Party’ January WIP Writing Challenge!”

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Image found on Didi Oviatt’s blog.

If you haven’t checked out Didi Oviatt’s AWESOME, and, frankly, kick-ass blog, do it!

Here’s the link to her challenge post:


Before I got to the end of Didi’s post, I knew which characters I wanted to use!

So, without further ado, please enjoy my “Celebration Party” scene!


Fireworks weren’t illegal to purchase in Maine. Every summer, like clockwork, the camp counselors were able to fill their cars and SUVs at the ready. The closest firework stand to Camp was only ten minutes away.

Not everyone approved of the idea, however. Emily, the Camp nurse, was naturally uneasy. Belinda Barnes, the Camp director, never thought it was the best idea. But, as long as everything was done safely, that’s all she cared about.

The counselors wanted the fireworks to be a complete surprise. Most summers, the Bangor fireworks spectacular could be witnessed in full from certain areas of Camp. Sadly, this year’s spectacular had been cancelled due to severe thunderstorms in the area – The first cancellation in quite a few summers. Camp’s atmosphere on Independence Day was just as stormy, with disappointed and grumpy campers. It had rained and stormed five out of the last six days, and rainy-day activities were running out of steam. So was a lot of people’s patience.

July 6th dawned sunny and beautiful, and everyone’s spirits naturally lifted. The day was full of lake activities, nature hikes, and a bit of mischief. Kristin and Brennan bent the rules a little, and stole away to their secluded picnic table spot for some hanky-panky. Counselors Andy and Melissa almost went skinny-dipping in the lake. And Ashley and Stephanie enjoyed their first true romantic moment together, which felt like fireworks to both of them.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, one of the most spectacular sunsets stretched out across the sky. Everyone was in awe, which gave Andy, Melissa, and a few other counselors enough time to set up the surprise.

The crickets started chirping, and everyone tuned in to the bullfrogs along the lake. They knew a surprise was being revealed, and everyone waited with bated breath.

Andy and Melissa shared another kiss right before the fireworks show was about to begin. All safety measures were reviewed and checked. The spot along the lake shore was perfect, and they couldn’t wait to see the camper’s faces light up.

Andy, the oldest counselor, was in charge. The first three fireworks were disappointing duds. But, Emily, of all people, kept the crowd hyped. The fourth firework finally shot off with a brilliant burst, and hearing the crowd’s cheers and whistles made it all worth it.

Melissa, right by Andy’s side, winked. “Let’s give them the best show ever.”

Andy nodded. The next 30 minutes felt like Camp had their own fireworks spectacular. Fireworks of every shape, size, and color were shot off in rapid succession. The noise across the lake only increased, and the counselors felt incredible. It was a great celebration all its own.

Minutes after the grand finale, through the hazy smoke the counselors could still hear the cheers and whistles. Kristin and Brennan were dancing in ankle-deep water of the lake, and so were Andy and Melissa. Ashley and Stephanie shared a kiss, not caring who saw. Everyone was celebrating in their own way, and it felt great. The atmosphere of Camp that night turned completely around. All thanks to roughly $1,000 of fireworks.


So, there you have it!

Thanks, Didi! Looking forward to February’s challenge!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Writing Prompt #156: The ABC Book Challenge (The Letter M)

The ABC Book Challenge - L


Memorable Books that Start with the Letter “M”:

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Macbeth

  • We studied Shakespeare in high school. This one was significant to me.

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Madame Bovary

  • I believe this was assigned reading when I was a senior in high school.

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The Man in the High Castle

  • I’d wanted to read this one for quite a while, and finally did in the summer of 2017. It sparked my interest in not only the author, but in alternate reality, as well.

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Mansfield Park

  • I need to re-read this, but I’ve read most everything that Jane Austen wrote.

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Misty of Chincoteague

  • I read this one several times as a kid. I live about three hours from Chincoteague!

Books I’d Love to Read Starting with the Letter “M”:

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M. C. Higgins, the Great

  • I remember seeing this book in the school library, but I’ve never read it.

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The Minority Report

  • I knew this short story was adapted into a movie (2002) and a TV series (2015), but I didn’t know until much later that it was written by Philip K. Dick.

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Les Miserables

  •  Despite having seen the most recent movie adaptation (2012), I’ve never read the novel.

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Misery

  • I vaguely remember parts of this book, so I think it deserves a re-read.

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The Mosquito Coast

  • I’ve been interested in this novel since I heard about the movie adaptation (1986). I haven’t seen the movie yet, and I don’t plan to until I read the book.

What books have you read, or want to read, that start with the letter M? Let me know!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Writing Prompt #155: The ABC Book Challenge (The Letter L)

The ABC Book Challenge - L

Here’s the link to Tiana’s post:


Memorable Books that Start with the Letter “L”:

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A Light in the Attic

  • Shel Silverstein is a household staple.

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Little House in the Big Woods (Little House #1)

  • I absolutely loved Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books when I was younger.

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Little Women

  • I had to read this for a project during my freshman year of high school, and ended up falling in love with it.

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Lock and Key

  • Each one of Sarah Dessen’s books has made an impact on me.

Looking for Alaska

  • I was introduced to John Green by way of this book, in my Young Adult Literature class in the spring of 2011. It’s one of my all-time favorite books.

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The Lorax


Books I’d Love to Read Starting with the Letter “L”:

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Life As We Knew It

  • I’ve read other books by Susan Beth Pfeffer, but not this one.

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Little Children

  • I want to read everything that Tom Perrotta has written.

Little & Lion

  • This book’s cover looks beautiful. Plus, I’m always interested in books that have mental health representation.

Little White Lies

  • Like Tiana, I don’t know much about debutantes, but I really want to read this book!

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Lolita

  • I’ve always wanted to read this!

 


What books have you read, or want to read, that start with the letter L? Let me know!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Writing Prompt #154: The ABC Book Challenge (The Letter K)

Here’s the link to Tiana’s post:


Memorable Books that Start with the Letter “K”:

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Keeping The Moon

  • Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors!

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Kristy and The Snobs (The Baby-Sitters Club #11)

  • I loved everything Baby-Sitters Club (BSC) when I was younger!

Books I Wish to Read that Start with the Letter “K”:

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Kids We Were

  • I want to see if my library has this!

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The Kitchen House

  • This looks so interesting!

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The Kite Runner

  • I’ve heard really good things about this one, for years!

What books have you read, or want to read, that start with the letter K? Let me know!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Writing Prompt #153: The ABC Book Challenge (The Letter J)

ABC Book Challenge - J 2

Here’s the link to Tiana’s post:


Memorable Books that Start with the Letter “J”:

Jacob Have I Loved

  • Written by Katherine Paterson, author of Bridge to Terabithia, this is a great historical fiction novel.

James and the Giant Peach

  • Roald Dahl is one of my favorite authors. If you haven’t seen the movie adaptation (1996), I highly recommend it.

Jane Eyre

  • It took me a long time to be able to digest and appreciate Jane Austen, but Jane Eyre is one of her books that hold a permanent place on my shelves.

The Joy Luck Club

  • I resented reading this in high school as assigned reading. I actually want to re-read it at some point.

Jumanji

  • Chris Van Allsburg is another one of my favorite authors. The movie adaptation (1995) is one of my all-time favorite movies, and the recent sequel (2017) was also, surprisingly, well-made.

Just Listen

  • Sarah Dessen was a defining author throughout my high school and college years. I’m pretty sure this book is one of the first of hers that I read.

Books I Wish to Read that Start with the Letter “J”:

Jamaica Inn

  • I want to read more from Daphne du Maurier!

Jaws

  • I’ve seen the movie (1975), but I want to satisfy my curiosity by reading the book.

Jellicoe Road

  • I was very intrigued by the synopsis of this one!

The Journal of James Edmond Pease, A Civil War Union Soldier, Virginia, 1863

  • I love collecting the Dear America and My Name is America series!

Jurassic Park

  • Same story. I’ve seen the movie (1993) and sequels (1997, 2001, 2015, 2018), but I’ve never read any of Crichton’s work.

Just Between Us

  • I’ve read quite a few books by Susan Beth Pfeffer, but I don’t remember reading this one. Hopefully my library will have it.

What books have you read, or want to read, that start with the letter J? Let me know!


Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Writing Prompt #152: LB and K’s Blockbuster Challenge – Day 31

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Welcome back!


Day 31 – Favorite blockbuster flop? (Film that should have been a blockbuster hit, but didn’t make it)?

  • The Postman (1997) – I saw this movie on TV the last time we went to the farm. It was a really interesting dystopian look, but it flopped, hard. I’ve always been a Kevin Costner fan, too.
  • Stealth (2005) – I think I saw this in theaters? I can’t remember. Regardless, I was surprised to see how badly it did at the box office.
  • Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) – While not a true flop, it didn’t make nearly as much money as many expected. People gave it so much hate. We liked it!

What about you? What’s your favorite blockbuster flop?


Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Writing Prompt #150: LB and K’s Blockbuster Challenge – Day 29

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Welcome back!


Day 29 – What TV show should have its own movie?

  • 30 Rock (2006-2013) – Al and I binge-watched the show for several months. It would be a great movie!

What about you? What TV show should have its own movie?


Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

Writing Prompt #149: LB and K’s Blockbuster Challenge – Day 28

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Welcome back!

Day 28 – Your guilty pleasure movie?

  • Dirty Dancing (1987) – I didn’t see it until I was in college, but I love it. I’ve also been to Mountain Lake in Virginia, where part of the film was shot.

What about you? What’s your guilty pleasure movie?


Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂