Tag Archives: Books

02.25.19
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Writing Prompt #192: The ABC Book Challenge (The Letter U)

The ABC Book Challenge - I

Memorable Books Starting with the Letter “U”:

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Uglies (Uglies, #1)

  • I had never heard of this book before my Young Adult Literature class in 2011. I ended up really liking it. I have yet to read the rest of the series, but I want to.

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The Underground Railroad

  • I first heard about this book when the author was interviewed by Terry Gross for Fresh Air. By the end of the interview, I knew I needed my own copy. It was not a disappointment.

Books I Would Like to Read Starting with the Letter “U”:

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Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption

  • I’ve wanted to read this for quite a while. I’m in a fun Facebook group called The Book Drunkard. As part of a fun book and chocolate swap around Valentine’s Day, my swap partner sent me this book and yummy chocolate. I can’t wait to read it soon.

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The Uncoupling

  • I first head Meg Wolitzer’s name when one of the critics for Fresh Air reviewed her newest book at the end of a podcast episode. It led me to research her other works. I need to pick it up at the library.

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Under the Banner of Heaven

  • Jon Krakauer has been on my watch list for a while. I’ve heard good things about several of his books. This one is especially intriguing because of its focus on faith. I want to see his take on religious beliefs and its extremes.

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Uninsured in America: Life and Death in the Land of Opportunity

  • It may be a bit dated now – The book was first published in 2005 – but I still want to read it. As someone who works for a regional health system, I’m always curious about other people’s perspectives on insurance and health care.

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

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

02.20.19
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Tag #75: The 80s Movie Tag

80s Movies

Image Credit: The Hunt

This looked like such a fun tag from Jenna at Bookmark Your Thoughts!

Here’s the link to Jenna’s post:

A BOOK THAT KEPT YOU UP ALL NIGHT

  • Any of the Harry Potter books! Not a nightmare, but I did stay up late most nights to keep reading!

A WONDERFULLY QUOTABLE BOOK

  • The Great Gatsby

A CHARACTER WHO LOVES BREAKING THE RULES

A COUPLE THAT TOOK AN ETERNITY TO GET TOGETHER

A BOOK INVOLVING TIME TRAVEL

  • The Time-Traveler’s Wife

A CHARACTER WITH A UNIQUE STYLE

FAVORITE BOOK INVOLVING THE TRAINING/MENTORING TROPE

A BOOK WITH A TRIP THAT DOESN’T GO AS PLANNED

  • The Vacationers

A BOOK WITH THE CENTRAL CHARACTER’S NAME IN THE TITLE

A FEMALE CHARACTER WHO COMES OUT OF HER SHELL

A DEATH THAT TOOK YOU BY SURPRISE

  • Rue, The Hunger Games

AN ENDING THAT LEFT YOU BOTH HAPPY AND SAD

  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Tag – You’re It!

  • Sara at The Bibliophagist
  • Kristian at Life Lessons Around The Dinner Table

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

02.20.19
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Awesome Authors #18: Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen Quote

Image Credit: Quotefancy

I’m long overdue for an Awesome Authors post.

I inhaled Sarah Dessen’s books when I was in high school and college.

Dessen was born in June 1970 in Evanston, Illinois. Her parents, Alan and Cynthia, taught classicism and Shakespearean literature at the University of North Carolina.

When she was 15, Dessen became involved with a 21-year-old man. She realized it was a bad idea, and cut ties shortly thereafter. In an interview, she said she took the blame for the situation and relationship for years afterward. When she herself turned 21, she made a point to look at teens and ask herself whether or not she wanted to hang out with them, or even date one. The answer, she said, “was always a flat, immediate no. They were kids. I was an adult. End of story.”

She first attended Greensboro College in Greensboro, North Carolina. She dropped out quickly to enroll in the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She graduated with the highest honors in Creative Writing.

While launching her writing career, Dessen worked as a waitress at a restaurant called Flying Burrito. Her first book, That Summer, was published in 1996.

The 2003 movie How to Deal, starring Mandy Moore and Allison Janney, was based on Dessen’s books That Summer and Someone Like You.

Several of her novels have been named the American Library Association’s (ALA) “Best Fiction for Young Adults” selection. Along for the Ride (2010) made the New York Times Best Sellers List.

In 2017, Dessen received the Margaret A. Edwards Award as a result of seven of her novels, published between 2000 and 2011. Her newest book is Once and for All (2017).

Just Listen (2006)

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Image Credit: Wikipedia

I’m pretty sure this is the first book of Dessen’s I remember reading, although I’m not 100 percent sure.

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Lock and Key (2008)

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Image Credit: Wikipedia

As someone who has struggled all her life to ask for help, this one cut deep.

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That Summer (1996)

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Image Credit: Goodreads

I think I’ve read this? I’m not sure. This is Dessen’s first novel.

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Dreamland (2000)

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Image Credit: Wikipedia

I passed by this book so many times at the library, and then once I finished either Just Listen or Lock and Key, I knew I needed to read it.

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This Lullaby (2002)

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Image Credit: Wikipedia

I remember this one, since having faith and learning to leap is something I’ve worked on for years. The cover also caught my eye at the library.

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Along for the Ride (2009)

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Image Credit: Goodreads

I don’t remember reading this one, but I know I want to.

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Keeping The Moon (1999)

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Image Credit: Wikipedia

If I have read this, it was early on. I distinctly remember the cover, and I know I saw it on the library shelves. Regardless, I do want to pick it up and re-read it.

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Saint Anything (2015)

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Image Credit: Goodreads

This is one I definitely haven’t read. I’m pretty sure the last new release I read was Lock and Key.

What about you? Have you read any of Sarah Dessen’s works? Have you seen How to Deal?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth  🙂

02.19.19
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Tag #73: “Two Truths & A Lie” Tag

Two Truths and a Lie

Image Credit: Howling Libraries

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

Here’s the link to Destiny’s post:

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And then I was tagged for it by Sara at The Bibliophagist. Thanks, Sara!

Here’s the post where I was tagged:

How To Participate

  • Create a post with your two bookish truths and one bookish lie – but be sure to keep it a secret so your readers can guess!
  • Reveal the lie in a spoiler at the bottom of your post (you can use this HTML code! Just change the “S” in Summary to a lowercase)
Reveal the Lie

Lie Revealed

Two Truths & A Lie

  1. When I was in elementary school, I almost had to pay $25.00 to replace a lost book from the local library.
  2. I’ve never highlighted or underlined a book, except for The Bible or textbooks.
  3. I’ve visited libraries in Florida, New York, North Carolina, Virginia, England, France, Spain, and Russia.

Are You Ready for the Answer?

Reveal the Lie

#3 is the lie! I’ve visited libraries in most of those places, but not all. I have been to Russia, Moscow specifically, but I didn’t visit a library there.

 

Tag – You’re It!

Let me know your answer in the comments (but no spoilers!)

This was such a fun and unique tag! Thanks again, Sara!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

02.18.19
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Writing Prompt #184: The ABC Book Challenge (The Letter T)

The ABC Book Challenge - K

Memorable Books that Start with the Letter “T”:

Maryellen - amazon

Taking Off: A Maryellen Classic 2

  • I love Maryellen’s books. They remind me of what my mom’s childhood was like in Florida in the 1950s.

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Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

  • Judy Blume’s books defined my childhood!

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Things Fall Apart

  • I was assigned to read this toward the end of high school. I remember struggling with it, but the discussions we had in class were good.

This Is Where It Ends - Goodreads

This Is Where It Ends

  • This was a tough book. An important subject, but tough to read when The Pulse nightclub shooting happened in Orlando, Florida.

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To Kill A Mockingbird

  • I was assigned to read this in high school. It quickly became one of my favorite books. I re-read it every year.

Image Credit: www.shapingyouth.org

Tornado Warning: A Memoir of Teen Dating Violence and Its Effect on a Woman’s Life

  • Another powerful book. It was put into my life at the perfect time. Buying my own copy was perfectly timed and orchestrated, too. The coolest part was when the author, Elin Stebbins Waldal, found my Book Review in July 2015, read it, and took the time to comment on my post!

Books I’d Love to Read Starting with the Letter “T”:

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The Tales of Beedle the Bard

  • I want to round out my collection of Harry Potter texts with this one.

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That Was Then, This Is Now

  • The only book I’ve read by S.E. Hinton is The Outsiders (1967). I really want to read this one soon.

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The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

  • I really do want to read all of the Bronte sisters’ work, someday. This one looks fascinating!

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Tex

  • Another book from S.E. Hinton. I really need to capitalize on my local library.

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The Time-Traveler’s Wife

  • I’ve heard good things about this book for years!

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Treasure Island

  • I remember learning about this classic through Wishbone (“Salty Dog”), and then Muppet Treasure Island (1996).

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Tropic of Cancer

  • This book was on the list during my year-long reading challenge, but I never got to it. Another one I should look for at the library.

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

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

02.16.19
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Tag #72: Dreamy Book Covers Tag

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Thanks, Jenna, for tagging me! After reading this post, go and check out Jenna’s amazing blog, Bookmark Your Thoughts!

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

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I discovered I did this tag way, way back in March 2017. I think this was right after Tiana first posted it. But, I’m happy to do it again! And Jenna was so sweet to tag me!

Here’s the link to my first post:

The Rules

  1. Thank the lovely person who tagged you, spread the love.
  2. Mention Tiana @ The Book Raven as the creator of this book tag.
  3. Use the original tag image in your post. (However, feel free to add whatever other graphics your heart desires.)
  4. At least tag 1 fellow blogger for this tag.
  5. List the rules.

No Ideas but in Things

A book cover that perfectly expresses the novel inside it.

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Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins.

The colors symbolize fire, and the mockingjay is a significant symbol on its own.

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Dark and Lovely

A book cover that is so creepalicious you just want to eat it up.

Fallible Justice, Laura Laakso.

I was so thrilled to receive this book as an ARC. I was definitely skeptical at first, but this cover drew me in almost immediately.

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Sugar Sweet

A cute cover that is so fluffy you want to give it a hug.

Love and Loyalty

Love and Loyalty: A Felicity Classic 1, Valerie Tripp

How could you not love a girl and her horse?

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The Simplistic Aesthetic

A book cover that stuns with the most minimalistic of design.

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Columbine, Dave Cullen.

I really to need to re-read this and review it for the blog. I had the opportunity to listen to Dave Cullen lecture at my university, and then I interviewed him about the lecture and the book for the student newspaper. It was such a powerful experience. He also signed my copy.

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Cover Envy

A book cover you wish you had on your shelves, but don’t yet.

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On The Come Up, Angie Thomas.

I just bought The Hate U Give during my most recent trip to Barnes & Noble, so this is a lesson in patience.

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Travelling Abroad

A beautiful book cover featuring a country outside of your own.

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Anna and the French Kiss, Stephanie Perkins.

I love the Eiffel Tower! Plus, I’ve heard so many good things about this book. I think it’s time I add it to my upcoming TBR.

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The Color Wheel

A cover that showcases one of your favorite colors.

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Emerald Green, Kerstin Gier.

This is gorgeous! I think I need to further investigate this book, and the other two in its trilogy …

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Switching Gears

A cover change that you absolutely adore.

Image result for to kill a mockingbird book cover

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To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee.

I love the cover change for the 50th Anniversary of the book’s publication.

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Oldie but Good

A favorite book cover of your favorite classic.

The Great Gatsby - Complex

The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald.

This was the cover that drew me in, that started it all. I was assigned to read Gatsby in 12th grade, and I fell head over heels. I was drawn into Fitzgerald’s own world as well, and wrote a research paper that year on his other books and his experiences as an American expatriate.

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And the winner is…

Which cover mentioned above is your favorite?

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This one. It’s just gorgeous. I’m definitely looking closer at this book, and the Ruby Red Trilogy.

Tag – You’re It!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

02.11.19
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Writing Prompt #176: The ABC Book Challenge (The Letter S)

ABC Book Challenge - D

Memorable Books that Start with the Letter “S”:

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Samantha Saves The Day: A Summer Story

  • I read all of Samantha’s books first. I love the lake and forest setting of Piney Point!

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Sarah, Plain and Tall

  • This is one of the first chapter books I remember reading in elementary school.

Image Credit: www.karynbosnak.com

Save Karyn: One Shopaholic’s Journey to Debt and Back

  • I found this gem at a thrift store several years ago. It was a very interesting and insightful work on shopping, lifestyle, debt, and gaining your life back.

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The Sky’s The Limit: My Journey with Maryellen

  • As much flack as American Girl has received for revamping their books, I like the choose-your-own-adventure books for the historical characters. It’s fun! Maryellen and her world remind me a lot of my mom, who grew up in Florida.

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Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood

  • I’ve had this book for half of my life. I found it at a thrift store on a whim. I’ve re-read it at least three times since then. It’s a sobering (no pun intended) story about alcohol and its effects on one woman, coupled with statistics and stories about underage drinking that will scare anyone straight.

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Summer of My German Soldier

  • I think this was one of the summer reading books in middle school? I didn’t like it the first time, but I re-read it a few years later. It’s one of the better middle-grade historical novels I’ve read.

A Stand for Independence

A Stand for Independence: A Felicity Classic 2

  • Al bought me the first two Felicity BeForever books for my birthday. I loved the original Felicity books growing up, especially since her world is set in Colonial Williamsburg.

Stars Stripes and Surprises

Stars, Stripes, and Surprises: A Molly Classic 2

  • I’ve raved about Samantha and Felicity, but Molly has always been my favorite character from American Girl. Her BeForever books were no different, transporting me back to 1944.

 

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Stepping on the Cracks

  • I devoured Mary Downing Hahn’s books when I was younger. This is another WWII-era novel, and a powerful one.

Story of a Girl

  • I was assigned to read this as part of my Young Adult Literature class in college. I loved it.

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

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The Secret History

  • I’ve heard about this book several times.

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Sense and Sensibility

  • One of these days, I will be able to claim I’ve read everything by Jane Austen.

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Specials (Uglies #3)

  • I read Uglies in my Young Adult Literature class. I’ve wanted to read the rest of the books since then.

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Stargirl

  • I remember trying, and failing, to read this book many years ago. I think it’s time I pick it up again.

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A Study in Scarlet

  • How I can turn down Sherlock Holmes?

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

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

02.10.19
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Book Review #69: “All The Missing Girls”

All The Missing Girls

Image Credit: Amazon

It took a long time to get to this place, let me tell you!

This book was originally a Christmas gift from Al in 2017. I first started reading it in the summer of 2018, and then abandoned it about halfway through.

However, abandoning it started to bother me several months later, so I committed to pick it back up. Finally, after about a month of effort, I finished it!

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Part of the reason I abandoned it at first was due to the story structure. Told in reverse, Miranda presents quite a complex set of characters, all trying to piece together the reasons why certain events occurred ten years prior.

The main character, Nicolette, known as Nic, was hard for me to grasp at first. She appears likeable, but as you get deeper into the story, it gets muddled and messy. Almost all of the characters have darkness in their pasts. Some, in their present, too.

On the surface, it’s a mystery story. Everyone in Cooley Ridge, or mostly everyone, is trying to find out what exactly happened to Corinne Prescott ten years earlier. Is she dead? Is she still missing? What the hell happened to her?

Then, just as mysteriously, Annaleise Carter vanishes off the face of the Earth. Everyone is a suspect. And Nicolette is at the center of it all.

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This was not my favorite book in the world. It was a good idea, a decent mystery. Once I finished reading it, I started to better understand why I originally abandoned it. Nicolette was a tough main character for me, and it was almost too much trying to keep up with everyone else in her world. There were too many people involved in the story, and it got muddled and confusing from the first chapter. And maybe that was part of the point? To make it confusing to add to the story.

However, I’m glad I stuck with it. Miranda did a good job building the world of Cooley Ridge, and made the past and present blend together well. At the same time, I feel like she tried to accomplish too much in one novel, her debut for adults. I felt exhausted after just 1-2 chapters in a night, and struggled to read more than that in one sitting.

If you’re a fan of suspense and solving mysteries, this is a good read to try when you’re on vacation, or wanting a different book to read. Other than that, it’s a challenge for me to recommend it higher.

3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

02.04.19
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Writing Prompt #168: The ABC Book Challenge (The Letter R)

ABC Book Challenge - G

Memorable Books that Start with the Letter “R”:

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Ramona Quimby, Age 8

  • I devoured every title that Beverly Cleary wrote! I particularly loved the Ramona series.

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Really True Ruthie

  • Kit’s story is one of my favorites from American Girl, set in 1930s Ohio. I loved this individual story about Ruthie, Kit’s best friend.

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The Red Badge of Courage

  • I first learned about this book from Wishbone! It’s a good historical novel about the Civil War.

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The Rescue

  • I haven’t read this Sparks book in quite a while. Time to re-read it!

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Romeo and Juliet

  • I’ve read this several times. It’s a true classic from Shakespeare.

The Runaway Maryellen

The Runaway: A Maryellen Mystery

  • I love Maryellen’s series, set in 1950s Florida. This particular book was well-written, but a hard read for an animal lover like me!

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The Runaway Jury

  • How can I not list at least one Grisham novel?

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Ryan White: My Own Story

  • I stumbled upon this book at the local library when I was in middle school. I knew who Ryan White was, thanks to an episode of 3-2-1 Contact. But, reading his autobiography was even more powerful. I think I read this book at least five different times between middle school and college. I’m actively trying to get my own copy!

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

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Ready Player One

  • My understanding is the book is vastly different from the movie adaptation (2018), but I’m excited to read it. Once Al finishes it, I’m borrowing his copy!

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Rebecca

  • I’ve heard about this book for years, but haven’t read it myself.

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Revolutionary Road

  • I think I have a copy of this? I haven’t read it, though. I look forward to reading this account of life for a couple in the 1950s.

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The Road

  • Again, another book I’ve heard good things about for a long time, but haven’t read it yet.

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Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian

  • I’m fascinated with true crime, and most anything related to the criminal justice system. This one sounds very interesting!

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

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

01.29.19
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Tag #71: A to Z Book Tag!

a to z book tag

Image Credit: Howling Libraries

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

The tag was was originally created by The Perpetual Page Turner.

Here’s the link to Destiny’s post:

a | author you’ve read the most books from:

  • Ann M. Martin. More than 150 books between The Baby-Sitters Club series, Baby-Sitters Little Sister series, Mysteries, Super Mysteries, and a few others! I also had the Baby-Sitters Club Friendship Kit computer software in the mid-1990s.

b | best sequel ever:

catching_fire

c | currently reading:

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d | drink of choice while reading:

  • Nothing. I don’t want to spill anything on my books.

e | e-reader or physical book:

  • My heart lies with physical books! However, I’m not against e-books.

f | fictional character you would’ve dated in high school:

  • Either Ron or Neville from Harry Potter.

g | glad you gave this book a chance:

  • WHO KNEW? … Reflections on Vietnam, J. Holley Watts. A powerful book / memoir of a woman’s service in Vietnam with the Supplemental Recreation Activities Organization (SRAO) program of the American Red Cross.

h | hidden gem book:

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  • Story of a Girl, Sara Zarr. I was assigned to read this in my Young Adult Literature class in the spring of 2011, and I fell in love with it. If I don’t have that copy at this point, I need to buy another one. I want to re-read it and review it here.

i | important moment in your reading life:

Image result for harry potter and the deathly hallows book

  • Finishing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows during the summer of 2008. I wasn’t interested in the series originally, even though a lot of my friends and classmates devoured them the minute the new book came out. However, I caught on quickly, and enjoyed all seven books. Finishing Deathly Hallows was really hard, and I clearly remember not picking up a new book for nearly two weeks that summer. I needed to heal first.

j | just finished:

evicted

k | kind of books you won’t read:

  • Anything that is truly horror, or glorifies abuse (Fifty Shades of Grey, for example).

l | longest book you’ve read:

  • The Bible.

m | major book hangover because of:

  • I don’t think this has happened to me in years. See the letter I for more context.

n | number of bookcases you own:

  • In my house, just one! It’s six-feet-tall, and I love it.

o | one book you’ve read multiple times:

The Great Gatsby - Complex

p | preferred place to read:

  • In bed before going to sleep, or a comfortable couch/chair if I’m reading during the day.

q | quote that inspires you/gave you all the feels from a book:

  • “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” ~ Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird

r | reading regret:

  • I can’t think of one.

s | series you’ve started and need to finish (all books are out):

t | three of your all time favorite books:

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A Walk to Remember (Hardcover).jpg

  1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, J.K. Rowling
  2. Looking for Alaska, John Green
  3. A Walk to Remember, Nicholas Sparks

u | unapologetic fangirl for:

Pleasant Company Catalogue Holiday 1991

The Smugglers Treasure Cover

  • All of the American Girl books. I started reading them as soon as I could, and I learned a lot about history through these characters. I’ve re-built my childhood collection (Samantha, Felicity, and Kirsten), and added plenty more. I’m also on a quest to own all 22 History Mysteries. Also, I highly recommend The Care and Keeping of You series for girls. There’s a book for boys, too!

v | very excited for this release:

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w | worst bookish habits:

  • I buy more books before reading my current stack. I can’t let a good book pass by me.

x | x marks the spot! start at the top left of your bookshelf and pick the 27th book:

The Lady's Slipper

y | your latest book purchase:

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  • Last week, I bought four books from Barnes & Noble with a generous gift card from my mom for my birthday last year:
  1. Janesville: An American Story, Amy Goldstein
  2. Mosquitoland, David Arnold
  3. The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas
  4. A Sky for Us Alone, Kristin Russell

z | zzz-snatcher book—last book that kept you up way too late:

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

Tag – You’re It!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂