Category Archives: Tag

08.21.20
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Tag #97: “The Bookish Heavenly Virtues Tag”

Image Credit: Ebook Friendly

I spotted this tag on Destiny’s blog, Howling Libraries!

Here’s the link to Destiny’s post: The Bookish Heavenly Virtues Tag

Here we go!

CHASTITY: Which author/book/series do you wish you had never read?

The Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth. I liked Divergent and loved Insurgent, but Allegiant ruined everything for me.

TEMPERANCE: Which book/series did you find so good, that you didn’t want to read it all at once, and you read it in doses just to make the pleasure last longer?

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins.

CHARITY: Which book/series/author do you tirelessly push to others, telling them about it or even given away spare copies bought for that reason?

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I re-read it every year.

DILIGENCE: Which series/author do you follow no matter what happens and how long you have to wait?

Barbara Ehrenreich. I’ve learned so much from her books!

PATIENCE: Is there an author/book/series you’ve read that improved with time the most, starting out unpromising, but ultimately proving rewarding?

I honestly can’t think of one!

KINDNESS: Which fictitious character would you consider your role model in the hassle of everyday life?

I can’t think of one!

HUMILITY: Which book/series/author do you find most underrated?

Fallible Justice by Laura Laakso. I received an ARC from the publisher in the U.K. in 2018. I’m not usually a paranormal fan, but this book was refreshing. I could barely put it down!

Tag – You’re It!

Sara – The Bibliophagist

Kristian – Life Lessons Around The Dinner Table

Jenna – Bookmark Your Thoughts

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

07.28.20
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Tag #96: “Do I Have That Other Book Challenge”

This is my bookshelf in my office!

I saw this on Lori’s blog, All Things Momma Blog, and decided to make my own post! It’s not a traditional tag, but a fun challenge!

Here’s what Lori writes: “The original of this challenge was fun and stressful and now there is another one. Hooray. Part two was created by Keeping Tabs and Current Chapter on youtube. It is a scavenger hunt type challenge with 20 prompts. You’re supposed to time yourself and see how fast you can find all of the books, but I’ll just be picking at the prompts over a couple of days when I have time to do so.”

I had a lot of fun with this. I was able to look at my entire bookshelf in a new light.

1. Do you have a book with a fox on the cover or part of the plot?

No.

2. Do you have a book that was published the year you were born, or within a 3 year radius?

Meet Kirsten was published in 1986. I was born in 1988.

3. Do you have a book with music as a weapon or magic?

No.

4. Do you have a series with mismatched covers?

No.

5. Do you have a book with a shapeshifter?

Fallible Justice, Laura Laakso (ARC).

6. Do you have a book signed by the author?

Columbine, Dave Cullen. Cullen came to my school, Longwood University, in the spring of 2010 to speak and promote his book. I was lucky enough to interview him for Longwood’s student newspaper, The Rotunda.

7. Do you have a book with a mostly red cover?

Finale, Thomas Mallon.

8. Do you have a book between 287 – 306 pages?

True Stories of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Kevin Dwyer and Jure Fiorillo – 249 pages.

9. Do you have a book with a main character who wears glasses?

More Than Enough: Claiming Space For Who You Are (No Matter What They Say), Elaine Welteroth

10. Do you have a book with a title that has the same number of letters as your first name?

No. Since I go by Laura Beth, apparently nine-letter titles are difficult.

11. Do you have a book with cybercrime/technology as a plot point?

The Alpha Drive, Kristen Martin.

12. Do you have book written in another language or translated to English?

No.

13. Do you have a book written by an Asian author?

Everything I Never Told You, Celeste Ng.

14. Do you have a book with a moon on the cover?

No.

15. Do you have an illustrated children’s book?

Thank You, Mr. Falker, Patricia Polacco.

16. Do you have a collection of fairy tales or myths?

No.

17. Do you have a sci-fi/fantasy with an alliance between races?

No.

18. Do you have a book with a narrow front cover? (paperback with a front cover that is slightly trimmed shorter/narrower than the rest of the book)

No.

19. Do you have a book that includes the first chapter of the sequel?

The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins.

20. Do you have a book with a broken spine?

The Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank. I’ve had my copy since middle school, I think.

I’m not tagging anyone for this challenge, but feel free to participate!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

07.20.20
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Tag #95: The Mid-Year Freak Out, 2020

This is a consensus cloud of Books Everyone Should Read. Image Credit: Imgur

I’ve seen this tag on several of my book blogging friends’ sites, so I figured I would jump in and give my two cents.

Best book you’ve read so far in 2020?

The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity. It’s going to be hard to knock this one off the top.

Best sequel of 2020 so far?

I haven’t read any sequels in 2020.

New release you haven’t read yet, but want to?

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Most anticipated release of the second half of 2020?

Superman’s Not Coming: Our National Water Crisis and What We the People Can Do About It, Erin Brockovich (August 25, 2020)

Biggest disappointment?

Nothing so far, book-wise.

Biggest surprise?

Big Magic: How to Life a Creative Life, and Let Go of Your Fear. This was one of my Christmas gifts from Al. I hadn’t read any of Gilbert’s other books, although I was intrigued by Eat, Pray, Love. I read this book at the right time.

Favorite new (to me) author?

Neil Gaiman.

Newest fictional crush?

I’m not a fictional crush person anymore.

Newest favorite character?

Lettie Hempstock – The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

Book that made you cry?

Thank You, Mr. Falker.

Book that made you happy?

Big Magic.

Favorite book to movie adaptation you’ve seen this year?

I don’t think I’ve watched one yet. I do know that I want to watch Just Mercy after I finish reading Stevenson’s book. Wow.

Favorite review you’ve written this year?

The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity.

Most beautiful book you bought or received so far this year?

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

  • Buried Colony (ARC)
  • Educated
  • Sketch
  • Smashed *Re-Read*
  • The Hate U Give
  • The Nickel Boys

Tag – You’re It!

I’m not tagging anyone specifically. If you feel led, do this tag. I had so much fun!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

06.12.20
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Tag #94: “Books as First Dates Tag”

I’ve seen this blind date with a book idea in libraries and bookstores! Image Credit: Hawaii State Public Library

I was tagged by the lovely Jenna at Bookmark Your Thoughts! Thank you!

Here’s the link to Jenna’s post, where I was tagged: Books as First Dates Tag

Jenna discussed her ideal first date. For me, it’s definitely biased, but my first date with Al was absolutely magical. The original plan for September 4, 2010, was to go to dinner at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and then wait for Chicago to perform as part of the American Music Festival. We had a lovely dinner, and then strolled along the boardwalk. We kissed for the first time that night, and I legitimately saw sparks and fireworks. We talked for hours. I think he took me home at 1:30 a.m. Turns out, he knew he wanted to marry me after that first date, so I think it worked!

The Creator & the Rules

The creators of this tag is Alice @ Love for Words! The rules are …

↠ Link back to the original tag.
↠ Thank and link back to the person who tagged you.
↠ Tag 5+ bloggers.
↠ Have fun!

One. First and Last: A book/series you’ve read and enjoyed, but can’t bring yourself to read again.

Ghettoside by Jill Leovy. It’s a really good book, but I don’t think I’ll ever read it again. Some of the visual images I got will haunt me forever.

Two. With a friend of my friend: A book/series someone recommended to you that turned out to be different from what you had expected

The Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth. Many of you know my feelings about Allegiant, so we’ll leave it at that. I don’t have the books in my collection anymore. I was so disappointed. I haven’t picked up any of Roth’s other books since.

Three. Double date: A book whose sequel you immediately had to read

The Hunger Games! I didn’t have the sequel after finishing it, so I immediately went out and bought both Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

Four. Let’s go to the movies: A book/series that should be adapted to the screen.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware.

Five. Dreamy stargazing: A book that made you go ahhhh and ohhhh

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks.

Six. Fun at the fair: A book full of colours

Mosquitoland by David Arnold.

Seven. Amusement park adventure: A book that was a roller coaster

Smashed by Koren Zalickas.

Eight. Picnic with cherries: A book whose food descriptions made you feel all *heart eyes*

I agree with Jenna, the descriptions in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban always make my mouth water.

Nine. Trip to the museum: A book that taught you valuable stuff

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond.

Tag – You’re It!

Kristian – Life Lessons Around The Dinner Table

Destiny – Howling Libraries

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

05.18.20
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Tag #93: “The Stuck At Home Book Tag”

Image Credit: Ebook Friendly

I saw this amazing tag on Howling Libraries from Destiny!

I wasn’t tagged for this, but this is the link to Destiny’s post: The Stuck At Home Book Tag

Ellyn at Allonsythornraxx created this tag!

tag_therules
  • Thank the person who nominated you
  • Answer all the questions down below
  • Pingback to the creator: Ellyn @ Allonsythornraxx
  • Nominate 5+ bloggers you’d like to know more about, to do this tag

1) What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive World of Trivia Buffs by Ken Jennings, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, and Daily Guideposts 2020.

2) What’s your favourite ‘can’t-leave-the-house’ activity?

Writing, either on my laptop or in a journal. I’m working on the second draft of my first novel. I also have four other novels in progress.

3) A book you’ve been meaning to read for forever

You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott.

4) An intimidating book on your TBR

The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity by Axton Betz-Hamilton. I know the backstory behind this book, Betz-Hamilton’s memoir, from the Criminal podcast. (Make sure you listen to Episode 51 first, then Episode 125). I want it to be as amazing as I think it is, based on the podcast episodes that were so masterfully produced.

5) Top 3 priority books on your TBR.

The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Re-Read), and Educated.

6) Recommend a short book

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck (103 pages).

7) Recommend a long book

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (759 pages).

8) Something you’d love to do while stuck at home

Start pastel painting again.

9) What do you plan on reading next?

The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity

I’m not going to tag anyone, but if you want to do this, please do! I love reading people’s answers.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

05.06.20
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Tag #92: Spring Cleaning Book Tag

Image Credit: Fiction No Chaser

Thanks, Jenna, for tagging me! I haven’t done a tag in forever.

Here’s Jenna’s post, where I was originally tagged: Spring Cleaning Book Tag

The Creator & the Rules

The creators of this tag is Amanda @ Between the Shelves! The rules are …

↠ Link back to the original post.
↠ Tag as many friends as you want.
↠ Have fun!

One. Getting started: A book series you’ve been wanting to read

The Alpha Drive trilogy, Kristen Martin. I adore Kristen! I started listening to her podcast, That Smart Hustle, a couple years ago. I’ve listened to almost every episode. I read the first three chapters of Alpha Drive on Wattpad recently, and I’m hooked.

Two. Cleaning/organizing the closet: The best way to organize books

If I have multiple books by the same author, I organize it chronologically by release date. Otherwise, I categorize them by size.

Three. Getting rid of unnecessary things: Book/series you no longer need

I just donated about 5-6 books in my last thrift store drop-off. Most of them were one-time-read books that I don’t want to read again or were taking up space.

Four. Get some air: Your favorite light-hearted read

If I need a pick-me-up, I reach for something from American Girl. The entire top shelf of my bookcase is dedicated to these books!

Five. Clean out the kitchen cupboards: Favorite food-themed read

Because I feel like being literal, the first book that came to mind was The Hunger Games.

Six. Dust the shelves: What’s the fifth book on your bookshelf?

I have five shelves on my bookcase.

Shelf 1: Secrets on 26th Street (American Girl History Mysteries)

Shelf 2: All The Missing Girls, Megan Miranda

Shelf 3: The Journal of Jesse Smoke: A Cherokee Boy (My Name is America)

Shelf 4: Finale, Thomas Mallon

Shelf 5: Where The Sidewalk Ends, Shel Silverstein

Seven. Wishing for the end: A 2020 release you’re really excited about

The Best Laid Plans looks adorable!

Eight. Long but satisfying: The longest book series you’ve read

Like Jenna, it’s Harry Potter. I’m currently re-reading the series, the first time I’ve done so since I finished The Deathly Hallows in 2007.

Tag! You’re It! (No obligation to participate)

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

12.08.19
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Tag #91: “Cause I Love(r) Talking About Books – Taylor Swift’s Lover Book Tag”

Image Credit: Red Gal Musings

Here’s the link to Elizabeth’s post: Cause I Love(r) Talking About Books / Taylor Swift’s Lover Book Tag

alrighty, now to post the official rules for the tag. 

1. Link back to the original creator of the book tag

2. Thank the person that tagged you and link to their post. (who tagged me??? IDK! but i do know i saw Marie did this tag and that’s probably where i tagged myself)

3. TAG AS MANY SWIFTIES AS YOU WANT! (Or non-Swifties, maybe inspire them to listen to our Queen)

1. I FORGOT THAT YOU EXISTED: A BOOK THAT YOU WANT TO FORGET YOU EVER READ

Allegiant, Veronica Roth.

2. CRUEL SUMMER: A BOOK YOU TURN TO WHEN THINGS GETS ROUGH

Any of Nicholas Sparks’ earlier works.

3. LOVER : YOUR BOOK OTP

Katniss and Peeta.

4. THE MAN: YOUR FAVE KICK-ASS FEMALE PROTAGONIST

Tie between Hermione Granger and Katniss Everdeen.

5. THE ARCHER: A BOOK WITH GOOD MENTAL HEALTH REPRESENTATION

Mosquitoland, David Arnold. This is easily one of my favorite books of 2019.

6. I THINK HE KNOWS: YOUR FAVE FICTIONAL CRUSH

Michael Moscovitz.

7. MISS AMERICANA & THE HEARTBREAK PRINCE – FAVE ANGSTY ROMANCE

The Fault in Our Stars.

8. PAPER RINGS – BOOK WITH AN UGLY COVER THAT YOU ABSOLUTELY ADORED

Their Eyes Were Watching God. I was assigned to read it during my senior year of high school.

9. CORNELIA STREET – A BOOK OR SERIES YOU NEVER WANT(ED) TO END

Tie between Harry Potter and The Hunger Games.

10. DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS – A BOOK OR SERIES THAT DESERVED A BETTER ENDING

The Divergent trilogy.

11. LONDON BOY – YOUR FAVE BRITISH MALE PROTAGONIST

Karrion from Fallible Justice. I reviewed the book as an ARC, so I need to get my hands on a real copy at some point.

12. SOON YOU’LL GET BETTER – A BOOK THAT YOUR HEART WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM

The War That Saved My Life.

13. FALSE GOD – A CHARACTER YOU WOULD LEAP INTO THE BURNING PITS OF HELL TO SAVE

Alaska Young.

14. YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN – A BOOK WITH A POWERFUL MESSAGE

The Battle of Jericho.

15. AFTERGLOW – A BOOK YOU WANT TO GIVE A SECOND CHANCE

I eventually want to re-read Go Set A Watchman again.

16. ME! – BEST CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Margo Roth Spiegelman.

17. IT’S NICE TO HAVE A FRIEND – FAVE FRIENDS-TO-LOVERS STORY

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.

18. DAYLIGHT – IF YOU COULD ONLY READ ONE BOOK OR SERIES AGAIN AND AGAIN, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Harry Potter.

Tag – You’re It!

I’m tagging Kristian from Life Lessons Around The Dinner Table.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

11.03.19
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Tag #90: The NaNoWriMo Tag

Image Credit: The NaNoWriMo Blog

Here’s the link to the original post: NaNoWriMo 2019 and The NaNoWriMo Tag

1. How many times have you participated in NaNoWriMo? How many times have you won?

This will be my ninth NaNoWriMo. I have participated in five NaNoWriMo sessions in November (2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, and 2019). I have also participated in four Camp NaNoWriMo sessions (Twice in 2018 and twice in 2019).

2. Are you a pantser or a plotter?

Historically, I have been a pantser. This year, I started plotting the beginning of the novel.

3. What are the titles of the projects that you have attempted/completed for past NaNos?

2012: Experiences From Camp

2013: Specialton

2014: Discussion of Differences

Camp NaNoWriMo, April 2018: Continued draft of Experiences From Camp

Camp NaNoWriMo, July 2018: Continued draft of Experiences From Camp

2018: Tunnel Vision

Camp NaNoWriMo, April 2019: Continued draft of Specialton

Camp NaNoWriMo, July 2019: Continued draft of Discussion of Differences

2019: The Transformation House

4. What are you working on for NaNo this year?

I am writing a new novel about a woman, Angela Diaz, who decides to purchase a mansion, fix it up, and create a home for transgender people in the Midwest.

5. What is one tip that you’d give to someone else that is participating in NaNo?

I agree with what All Things Momma said: “Do not have any zero days. Even if you write only one sentence that day, that is so much better than having a big fat zero on your NaNo chart. Any progress forward is better than none.”

6. What was the inspiration for this novel? Do you remember when the inspiration hit you?

I listen to the StoryCorps podcast. In honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, they created a podcast series, and an initiative called “Stonewall Out Loud.” One of the episodes discussed a home for transgender people in Little Rock, Arkansas (“We’re Still Here”). I wanted to write a story that encompasses a modern version of this effort.

7. Read us the first sentence from your NaNo novel last year?

“No, no, no! Damn it!” Nicole smacked her hands against the steering wheel.

8. What do you plan to do with your manuscript after NaNo?

Like all my other novels, I will let this draft rest for a while. I might pick it up again during Camp NaNoWriMo, April 2020. It depends on how much progress I make this month.

9. Are you prepared for NaNo? Are you nervous?

I always get a little nervous. But, I’m ready to dive in.

Will you be participating in NaNoWriMo this November?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.09.19
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Tag #89: “3.2.1. Quote Me #5 – Inner Beauty”

Thanks, Kristian, for tagging me!

Here’s the link to Kristian’s post, where I was tagged:

Guidelines: 3.2.1 Quote Me!

Thank the Selector

Post 2 quotes for the dedicated Topic of the Day.

Select 3 bloggers to take part in ‘3.2.1 Quote Me!’

Here are the two quotes I picked for “Inner Beauty.”

Inner Beauty Quote 1

Image Credit: Quotabulary

Inner Beauty Quote 2

Image Credit: AZ Quotes

Tag – You’re It!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.07.19
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Tag #88: The Logophile Book Tag

The Logophile Book Tag - Page to Page

Image Credit: Page to Page

Jenna at Bookmark Your Thoughts is incredible in many ways. She’s a wonderful writer, bullet journaler, book reviewer, and a great woman!

Here’s the link where I was originally tagged:

From Jenna’s post:

Kelly @ Another Book in the Wall recently created her own book blog tag called The High School Stereotypes Book Tag. Always wanting to create my own book blog tag, Kelly has inspired me to give it a go!

The tag is called The Logophile Book Tag. A logophile is “a lover of words.” Since I’m truly fascinated with the concept of language and words, this seemed fairly appropriate. All the questions below are based off of remarkable yet seldomly used expressions or terms.

The Rules

  1. Thank the person who tagged you (you can skip me ha-ha)
  2. Pingback Bookmark Your Thoughts’ original post so I can see your lovely answers!
  3. Pingback the person who tagged you so they can see the post.
  4. Bonus: If you wish to, tag at least three people to do this tag.

Effulgent | Brilliantly radiant

A book with a beautiful cover

Caraval

Image Credit: Amazon

I think this book has been my standard answer for cover art/design. I keep circling around in terms of reading it. Maybe in 2020?

—

Metanoia | The journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self, or way of life

A character who goes through a major transformation

Image result for dr jekyll and mr hyde book

Image Credit: Amazon

I remember learning about the book through Wishbone.

—

Sockdolager | Decisive retort; mic drop

A character who always has a good comeback

The Sherlock Holmes Collection by [Doyle, Arthur Conan, Classics, ReadOn]

Image Credit: Amazon

Sherlock Holmes is one of my favorite characters of all time.

—

Sesquipedalian | Containing many syllables; long winded

The longest book you’ve read

Image Credit: Amazon

Image Credit: Amazon

  • The Bible, roughly 1,200 pages.
  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, 759 pages.

—

Ephemeral | Lasting for a very short time

The shortest book you’ve read

TheGreatGatsby 1925jacket.jpeg

Image Credit: Wikipedia

At 218 pages, this is a book I think everyone should read. I know some people don’t like it. I was assigned to read it in 12th grade, and I fell in love with it. I re-read it every year.

—

Serenity | The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled

A book that makes you feel calm and happy

Image Credit: Amazon

I love this book. It’s a childhood staple for me. It always reminds me of the Christmas spirit.

—

Oblivion | The state of being unaware of what’s happening around you

A novel with a complex plot

Image Credit: Amazon

This was another book I was assigned to read in high school. I ended up eventually enjoying it, but magical realism is a tough genre for me.

—

Rantipole | To be wild and reckless

A reckless character

Image Credit: Amazon

Alaska Young – One of my favorite characters! This is also my favorite book from John Green. Highly recommend.

—

Nefarious | Wicked, villainous, despicable

Your favorite villain

Image Credit: Amazon

Lady Macbeth!

—

Ineffable | Too great to be expressed in words

Your favorite book or book series

Image Credit: Amazon

Harry Potter. Always.

—

Trouvaille | Something lovely discovered by chance

A book you didn’t expect to love

The Battle of Jericho - Amazon

Image Credit: Amazon

This was one of the first books I read from Sharon M. Draper. I’ve read nearly every book she’s written since then.

—

Nostalgia | A wistful desire to return in thought to a former time in one’s life

A book or character that makes you feel nostalgic

A Walk to Remember (Hardcover).jpg

Image Credit: Wikipedia

As an author, Nicholas Sparks makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I read almost all his books between middle school and college. I did my college senior thesis on his books and the perceptions of love and romance with female readers. This book, in particular, reminds me of middle school, high schools, and times gone by.

Tag! You’re It!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂