Category Archives: Tag

03.18.18
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Tag #38: The Fictional Family Book Tag

I saw this tag pop up in my emails recently, and I was already considering doing it on my own. But then, Jenna was so sweet to tag me in it – Thanks!

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

The creator of this book tag is Marrill at Books and Ravens.

The Rules:

  • Pick 8 books off your shelves (try to not pick just your favorites 😉).
  • Arrange them into a random order (randomizers are good for this).
  • In the order they are arranged, open them to a random page and write down the first name you see. Don’t mix up the names!
  • In the last book, find the name of an animal/pet and write it down.
  • Put the names in the right category.
  • Tag people (spread the love) copy and paste these rules in your post, or write them out yourself.
  • OPTIONAL: tag the creator. You don’t have to, but she would love to see people do this tag!

Parent One

Read All About It: A Kit Classic 1

Image Credit: American Girl

Roger from Read All About It!: A Kit Classic 1

Although he’s a kid in the story, I don’t think I would be very happy to have Roger as one of my parents. He’s snobby and a know-it-all!

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Parent Two

The Diary of a Young Girl

Image Credit: Goodreads

Anne Frank from The Diary of a Young Girl

Sadly, Anne never reached adulthood. However, I’m convinced she would have been a wonderful mother!

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Sibling One

Dallas “Dally” Winston from The Outsiders

I’m not sure having Dally as a sibling would be awesome, but it certainly would be interesting. The Outsiders is one of my favorite books, so I’ll take it.

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Sibling Two

the-underground-railroad

Image Credit: Goodreads

Cora from The Underground Railroad

I really liked Cora’s character, so I think she’d be a great sibling. She’s fierce and courageous, that’s for sure.

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Cousin

Aibileen Clark from The Help

Yes, this is awesome. I loved Aibileen’s character. I wish she could be my mom! But, I’ll take a cousin. She’s wise, and brave.

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Boyfriend / Girlfriend

The End of Everything

Image Credit: Amazon

Bobby Thornhill from The End of Everything

Ewwwww. I don’t think this would be a good match. I’ll pass!

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Best Friend

Oliver Wood - Pottermore

Image Credit: Pottermore

Oliver Wood from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Ummmm, yes. Definitely yes!

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Pet

The Runaway Maryellen

Image Credit: American Girl Publishing

Scooter the dachshund from The Runaway: A Maryellen Mystery

I think Scooter is one of the sweetest dogs, even though he’s chubby and lazy. He’s so sweet to Maryellen!

Tag – You’re It!

This was such a fun and different book tag!

Who would you want in your fictional family?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

02.02.18
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Tag #37: The “Me in Book Characters” Tag

Book Characters Quote - Favim

Image Credit: Favim.com

I was tagged by the amazing Jenna at Bookmark Your Thoughts. Thanks for thinking of me, Jenna!

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

The Rules:

  1. Thank the creators of the tag (Ash & Lo @ Windowsill Books).
  2. Thank whoever tagged you!
  3. List five book characters who you are most like and explain why.
  4. Tag your friends!

My Five Book Characters (in no particular order):

Hermione Granger – Harry Potter

How could I not pick Hermione? I’ve been a fan of her character since first reading the books in elementary school. Then, I absolutely fell in love with Emma Watson’s portrayal of her in the movies. She’s smart, bookish, clever, and cheeky. She keeps the boys in line, too.

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Molly McIntire – American Girl

I easily identified with Molly when I first read her books in elementary school. She loves adventure, reading, spending time with her friends, down to struggling with math! Her father is in the military, like I was.

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Matilda - Target

Image Credit: Target

Matilda Wormwood – Matilda

I loved Matilda’s personality from the beginning. She loves school and learning, and learning as often as possible.

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Jo March

Image Credit: Shoomp

Jo March – Little Women

I had to read Little Women for a project in my English class during my freshman year of high school. I had trouble with Louisa May Alcott’s writing style at first, but I found myself loving Jo. She’s a bookworm, a geek, and passionate. She also loves writing. I want to re-read the book soon!

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Karen - Scholastic

Image Credit: Scholastic

Karen – The Baby-sitters Little Sister series

Karen is the blonde girl in the image above. As I mentioned in my recent Awesome Authors post about Ann M. Martin, I found myself devouring all the Little Sister books in my libraries. I really identified with Karen – She went through a lot as an eight-year-old! She got glasses earlier than I did (I started in sixth grade), but she was teased like I was. She loves making mischief, playing outside, and reading. She has so many adventures with her family and friends. As an only child, there were many times that Karen felt like a friend!

That’s all! Are there book characters that are like you?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

11.13.17
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Tag #36: Currently Reading Book Tag

Mommy and the Books

Image Credit: Mommy and the Books

The amazing Thrice Read ladies did another tag! I’m always up for answering fun book-related questions!

Here are the links to Jenn and Eden’s posts:

How many books do you usually read at once?

I try to stick to one book!

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If you’re reading more than one book at a time, how do you decide when to switch books?

I typically don’t do this, but it happened this week. I had a long reading break / hiatus, and I felt it was necessary to switch books for the time being. The nice thing about books I own – They’re not going anywhere!

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Do you ever switch bookmarks while you’re partway through a book?

Not really. I love my Glee bookmark that I bought a while back.

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Where do you keep the book(s) you’re currently reading?

I try to keep them on my nightstand.

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What time of day do you spend the most time reading?

At night, before bed.

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How long do you typically read in one sitting?

These days, it’s typically less than an hour, since we go to bed so early. It’s really sad!

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Do you read hardbacks with the dust jacket on or off?

On. I hate taking them off!

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What position do you mainly use to read?

Sitting up, usually with a pillow behind me.

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Do you take the book you’re currently reading with you everywhere you go?

No, unless I know I’m headed to an appointment with a waiting room!

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How often do you update your Goodreads progress on the book you’re currently reading?

Sporadically. I’m lucky if I remember to do it once a month!

What are you currently reading?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

11.02.17
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Tag #35: My Name in Books Tag

Good e-Reader

Image Credit: Good e-Reader

Two of the ladies at Thrice Read did this really cool, yet challenging book tag. I wanted to see how I fared with the nine letters that make up Laura Beth.

Here are the links to their posts:

Here we go!

L – Looking for Alaska, John Green

A – A Great and Terrible Beauty, Libba Bray

U – Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, Laura Hillenbrand

R – Rosebush, Michelle Jaffe

A – Anthem, Ayn Rand

B – Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America, Barbara Ehrenreich

E – East of Eden, John Steinbeck

T – Thirteen Reasons Why, Jay Asher

H – Half Broke Horses, Jeanette Walls

What about you? Which books correspond with your name? Let me know!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

10.23.17
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Tag #34: Horror Movies Book Tag

Here’s another awesome book tag, courtesy of the ladies at Thrice Read!

Here’s the link to their post:

The Rules:

  • Please credit and link Princess @RoyalReader as the creator of this tag, and add the rules.
  • You can use the graphics provided in your post, or you’re welcome to make your own!
  • Thank the person(s) who tagged you and let others know of their fabulous blogs.

The Zombie Apocalypse

Name a book you’d save when civilization ends.

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald.

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The Vampire

A book you would stake through the heart.

Allegiant, Veronica Roth.

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The Haunted House

A book that still haunts you.

13 Reasons Why, Jay Asher.

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The Psychological Thriller

A book with a twist you did not see coming.

The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins.

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The Creepy Doll

A book that seems innocent, but isn’t.

Safe Haven, Nicholas Sparks.

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The Monster

A book you could barely tackle.

Angels & Demons, Dan Brown.

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The Comedy Horror

A book with mixed genres that worked, or didn’t.

I actually haven’t read any mixed genre books!

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The Cliched Teen Horror

A book you found super cliched.

Twilight, Stephenie Meyer.

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The Demonic Possession

A book so gripping you need an exorcist to escape it.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1), Stieg Larsson.

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The Science Fiction

A precious book you would sacrifice to aliens for the good of mankind.

I agree with Thrice Read, I would sacrifice The War That Saved My Life, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

What would you pick? Let me know your answers in the comments!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

10.19.17
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Tag #33: The Would You Rather Book Tag

would-you-rather-book-tag1

Image Credit: Dreamy Addictions

The lovely Jenna at Bookmark Your Thoughts participated in this awesome book tag!

Here’s the link to Jenna’ post:

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Ready?

Here we go!

Would you rather …

Have unlimited money for e-books, or a $5,000 Barnes & Noble (B&N) gift card?

download (9)

Image Credit: Barnes & Noble

I’ll take the $5,000 gift card, please! Without hesitation, I might add.

E-books are great for certain purposes, but I will always be a physical book kind of girl.

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Would you rather …

Meet any deceased poet, or J.K. Rowling?

JK Rowling

Image Credit: Goodreads

This one is also a no-brainer. I think I would freak out a little if given the opportunity to meet J.K. Rowling. I can picture myself asking her so many questions about writing, publishing, and wanting to know more about her life. Harry Potter was a big part of my life when the books were being released, and it still is, with the movies, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. She’s an amazing writer!

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Would you rather …

Write the world’s most famous book, or visit the world of your favorite book for one day?

a_readers_advice_to_writers

Image Credit: Salon

This is definitely a selfish choice, but since I’ve dreamed of being a writer since I was 10-years-old, I would want to write the world’s most famous book. I think it would be such a cool experience!

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Would you rather …

Choose __________ or ___________? (Insert characters from your favorite fictional love triangle).

I’m not a love triangle person, so I have no answer for this one.

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Would you rather …

Experience Hogwarts in a very realistic and accurate virtual reality, or travel around the world for a year, at no cost.

travel-022

Image Credit: VitalityToday

I’ve been fortunate enough to have traveled many different places already. But, if given the opportunity to travel around the world for an entire year, at no cost, that would be AMAZING. I’ve already started a list! In no particular order:

  1. Italy
  2. Everything touching the Mediterranean Sea
  3. Ireland
  4. Scotland
  5. Greece
  6. The Amazon Rainforest
  7. Costa Rica
  8. All of Canada
  9. Japan
  10. Australia
  11. New Zealand
  12. Antarctica
  13. All 50 states
  14. Puerto Rico
  15. Bermuda
  16. Scandinavia
  17. Jerusalem, Israel
  18. Germany
  19. South Africa
  20. The Galapagos Islands
  21. Fiji
  22. Tahiti
  23. Bali, Indonesia
  24. All of the National Parks
  25. Switzerland
  26. The Panama Canal
  27. Machu Picchu
  28. Easter Island
  29. Acapulco, Mexico
  30. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
  31. Santa Catalina Island

This tag was so much fun! Some of these questions were really hard.

What would you answer?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

10.09.17
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Tag #32: Fall Activities Book Tag

Fabulous-Autumn-Quotes

Image Credit: Parryz.com

The lovely ladies at Thrice Read did this awesome seasonal book tag! It doesn’t quite feel like fall right now here in Virginia, but the leaves are starting to change, we’re decorating for Halloween, and planning for so many amazing things!

Here’s the link to the original post:

Apple Picking:
A book on your TBR that looks so great you can’t wait to get into it.

The Hate U Give

Image Credit: Amazon

The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas.

I can’t tell you how many people have recommended this book, in blogs, in book reviews, and a few personal recommendations, too. This is the next one I’m getting from the library!

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Corn Maze:
A book to get lost in.

The Last Song

The Last Song, Nicholas Sparks.

I love most of Nicholas Sparks’s books. I remember eagerly awaiting for this book to be available from the library. I got it just in time to take it on a long trip to Florida, and the hours flew by in the car with this book. The movie actually wasn’t so bad, either.

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Haunted Houses:
A book that scared you.

Catalyst

Image Credit:

Catalyst, Laurie Halse Anderson.

I remember being shaken when I finished one. Anderson is an immensely talented writer, and I’ve read all of her books. It wasn’t a horror novel by any means, but it scared me in a real-life kind of way. I identified with the main character, Kate, in several ways, and I felt myself changing several things in my own life after reading this.

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Pumpkin Patch:
The latest book you picked up / purchased.

Camino Island

Image Credit: Amazon

Camino Island, John Grisham.

John Grisham is one of just a few select authors where I strive to own every book that he will ever publish!

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Scenic Drives:
A book that is lyrically beautiful.

Tuck Everlasting

Image Credit: Goodreads

Tuck Everlasting, Natalie Babbitt.

I was assigned to read this book in middle school, and we later saw the movie in theaters. I haven’t read it in years, bur I remember the impression it made on me.

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Pumpkin Carving:
A book you didn’t like and wouldn’t mind cutting up.

allegiant_novel_cover

Allegiant, Veronica Roth.

I don’t think I need to elaborate my disgust for this book!

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Drinking Apple Cider:
A sweet book to curl up with.

The Vacationers

 

The Vacationers, Emma Straub.

Although it took me a good long while to finish it, I ended up loving this book, and Straub’s writing style. I can’t wait to read more from her.

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Jumping in a Leaf Pile:
A book that reminds you of your childhood.

images (2)

Image Credit: Pinterest

The Baby-Sitters Little Sister series, Ann M. Martin.

I loved checking these out from the library, and I owned quite a few of them. I think I eventually read all of them!

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Scary Movie Night:
Your favorite spooky read.

The Lovely Bones

Image Credit: Goodreads

The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold.

Just thinking of this book gives me goosebumps.

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Costume Party:
A book with an eclectic cast of characters.

The Help

Image Credit: Goodreads

The Help, Kathryn Stockett.

If you haven’t read this book, I highly recommend it. I wanted to read it as soon as it was announced. I laughed so hard while reading it – It’s so funny, during a tough time in the American South. There are several generations represented, and the whole cast of characters makes for a great read. The movie was excellent, too.

I loved this tag!

What’s your favorite fall activity?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

10.03.17
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Tag #31: The Stationery Book Tag

stationery-book-tag

Image Credit: THE JOUSKA

Recently, Jenna at Bookmark Your Thoughts  did this amazing tag!

Here’s the link to the original post:

The Rules:

  1. Thank the creator: Sam @ River Moose Books
  2. Answer the questions.
  3. Add pictures, if you’d like.
  4. Tag about five people.

Pencils – Favorite middle grade or children’s book.

CM_polar_express

Image Credit: Wikipedia

The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg.

I literally grew up with this book. My mom read it to all her classes when she taught first and second grade in North Carolina – This was years before I was born. We still have the set with the hardback book, the audio cassette, and the bell. When the movie came out, we went to see it as a family, and the DVD came to our house that Christmas. It’s one of our traditions, and I’m excited to continue it when Al and I have kids.

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Pens – A basic staple for any reader.

Bridge to Terabithia

Image Credit: Goodreads

Bridge to Terabithia, Katherine Paterson.

I vaguely remember reading this book in elementary school. Then, I re-read it several times between high school and college. It had a profound effect on me, and it’s now one of my favorite books.

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Notebooks – What books do you own multiple copies?

Image Credit: Harry Potter Wiki

The only thing I can think of is my two copies of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, J.K. Rowling.

I was lucky enough to be in London on July 16, 2005, when the book was released. So, naturally, we trekked to Waterstones and waited until midnight! I have a paperback copy of the U.S. edition, and a beautiful hardback copy of the U.K. edition.

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Markers – A book with a beautiful cover.

Caraval

Caraval, Stephanie Garber.

I need to read this book! The cover is absolutely gorgeous!

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Glue – Two characters that work well together, even if they aren’t together.

download (8)

Image Credit: Pinterest

Argh. This is the hardest question!

My immediate thought was Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. I’m sure I’m not the only one who wanted them to be together?

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Scissors – What book would like to destroy?

The Scarlet Letter - B&N

Image Credit: Barnes & Noble

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again – The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne.

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Art Kit – What complete series do you own?

51qMJn9tcHL

Hunger Games

divergent-trilogy

Image Credit: The Book Wars

  1. Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling.
  2. The Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins.
  3. The Divergent trilogy, Veronica Roth.

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Bonus Question – Show us your desk / stationery that you own for each question.


I love gel pens – They’re so much better than ball-point pens! Since I’m left-handed, most traditional pens leave my hand incredibly dark, black and blue, and smudged!

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Tagging Time!

I’m not tagging anyone in particular, but if you love books, you should definitely do this one!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.25.17
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Tag #30: Burn, Rewrite, or Re-Read Book Tag

Ann posts some of the most interesting book tags! Here’s another!

Here’s the link to the original post:

The Rules:

  1. Randomly choose 3 books — I liked Ann’s idea of writing them down and placing them in a cup to randomly draw, so I totally did that. Great idea, Ann!
  2. For each group, decide which book to burn, which one to rewrite, and which to re-read.
  3. Repeat until you complete three rounds. (You can do more than three!)

Round 1

Image Credit: Goodreads
Image Credit: American Girl
Image Credit: Complex
  • Burn: Jake Riley: Irreparably Damaged. I read this book several times in middle school and high school, but I don’t think I’ll read it again. Jake’s character gave me the creeps!
  • Rewrite: The Runaway: A Maryellen Mystery. This was a tough choice. It’s a really good book, but I think I would be a tad more sensitive, given its target audience. Seeing animals in distress is never good, or fun!
  • Re-Read: The Great Gatsby. This is one of my all-time favorite books. I re-read it every year.

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Round 2

Image Credit: Wikipedia
Image Credit: Amazon
Image Credit: The Hollywood Reporter
  • Burn: Ender’s Game. Given the choices, I would reluctantly burn this one. This is one of the few science fiction books that I actually liked!
  • Rewrite: Fire From The Rock. This was a good book (I’m currently researching Sharon M. Draper for an upcoming “Awesome Authors” post), so I wouldn’t change much of the story. Maybe make it a little shorter, but that’s it. I really liked the characters and the structure.
  • Re-Read: To Kill A Mockingbird. Like The Great Gatsby, this is another book that I re-read every year.

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Round 3

Image Credit: John Green
Image Credit: Wikipedia
Image Credit: Amazon
  • Burn: Paper Towns. Again, this is a reluctant burn. I have enjoyed all of John Green’s books thus far.
  • Rewrite: The Notebook. This was a hard choice. I would make a few edits, but this is one of my all-time favorite books from Nicholas Sparks.
  • Re-Read: Story of a Girl. I read and analyzed this book for my Young Adult Literature class back in 2011, so I would love to read it again.

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Round 4

Image Credit: Goodreads
Image Credit: Veronica Roth
Image Credit: Goodreads
  • Burn: This Is Where It Ends. I would actually be okay with burning this one. I understood the author’s intent, but books about school shootings will always been unsettling to me.
  • Rewrite: Divergent. Out of the entire trilogy, I wouldn’t make a ton of changes. I would be okay with extending Divergent a little longer, and ending with Insurgent. No need for Allegiant!
  • Re-Read: The Pelican Brief. This is one of my favorite John Grisham books. I don’t re-read it every year, but it’s one that will always be on my bookshelf.

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I Tag

  • Anyone!

Have you read any of these books?

Would you change any of them?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

09.17.17
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Tag #29: “20 Questions Book Tag”

The lovely ladies at Thrice Read did another awesome book tag! It was created by someone on Goodreads.

Here’s the link to Thrice Read’s original post:

How many books is too many books in a book series?
Ooooh, good question. I love Harry Potter, so I’ve always thought that seven is enough.

How do you feel about cliffhangers?
Cliffhangers are decent, but a writer shouldn’t rely on them all the time.

Hard copy or paperback?
I hate it when the paperback spines crack, so I like hard copy.

Favorite book?
My all-time favorite is The Great Gatsby.

Least favorite book?
The Scarlet Letter.

Love triangles, yes or no?
Yes. It makes a book interesting.

The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?
Nothing comes to mind at the moment.

A book you’re currently reading?
The Girl on the Train.

Last book you recommended to someone?
I recommended The Unknown and the Impossible: How a research facility in Virginia mastered the air and conquered space.

Oldest book you’ve read? (Publication date)
Little Women.

Newest book you’ve read? (Publication date)
The Whistler.

Favorite author?
John Grisham, Nicholas Sparks, Jeanette Walls, John Green, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Buying books or borrowing books?
Can I say both? I’m trying to use my local library to borrow more, rather than buy.

A book you dislike that everyone else seems to love?
I can’t put my finger on a single book.

Bookmarks or dog-ears?
Bookmarks, all the way.

A book you can always re-read?
Any of the American Girl books. Childhood nostalgia for the win!

Can you read while hearing music?
Not really.

One POV or multiple POVs? (POVs = Points of view)
I’ll stick with one POV. I hated the way Veronica Roth attempted to write Allegiant, and that’s left a sour taste in my mouth ever since.

Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?
It would be so nice to read a book in one sitting. But, since my reading time is mostly limited to vacations, or before going to sleep, it usually takes me several days to finish a book.

Who do you tag? (You can invite them to the group to do the tag)
Anyone!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂