Tag Archives: Fun

06.04.18
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Tag #56: My Bad Reading Habits Tag

Let's Talk Bad Reading Habits

Image Credit: She Latitude

Jenna at Bookmark Your Thoughts did this amazing tag recently!

Here’s the link to her original post:

Bad Habit #1

Not finishing books that I’m semi-interested in.

I don’t typically do this. I have definitely Did Not Finish (DNF’ed) a few books in the last year or so, but mainly because I was in a reading slump for a while and needed to set that particular book aside for a while. If I do DNF a book, I usually find my way back to it to finish it, eventually.

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Bad Habit #2

Switching between books but never finishing them.

I rarely do this. I’m a one-book-at-a-time person, so I rarely switch between books at all.

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Bad Habit #3

Buying books … because “I have nothing to read.”

THIS IS DEFINITELY ME!

I’m completely guilty of this. Ugh. I need to “shop my own bookshelf” much more frequently.

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Bad Habit #4

Not reading books on my TBR list.

I’m getting better at this … Slowly.

Doing my own version of “Down The TBR Hole” at the beginning of May really helped me with this habit.

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Bad Habit #5

Not getting out of a book slump.

My longest book slump, in recent memory, only lasted about two weeks. I was just physically and mentally exhausted by the time it was bedtime, so I had zero energy or desire to read.

Tag – You’re It!

  • I tag anyone!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

05.30.18
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Tag #55: The Writing World Tag

Rediscovering Life

Image Credit: Rediscovering Life

Kirstyn Todd tagged me in a unique tag that she created! Thanks, Kirstyn!

Here’s the link to her original post:

The Rules

  • Thank the person that tagged you and link to their website
  • Post the rules
  • Answer your tagger’s questions
  • Share your two favorite writing tips and where you got them from
  • Share two random story/WIP ideas you’ve never shared before (It would be cool to include covers, but you don’t have to) (And also they don’t have to be ideas you’re ever going to turn into anything)
  • But don’t spoil them for us 😉
  • Tag five people
  • Let the people you tag know that they have been tagged
  • Ask five questions
  • No, you can’t re-tag the person that tagged you

Questions I Was Asked

  1. What is the first story you remember making up?
  2. How and when was (were) your current WIP(s) inspired?
  3. When did you “get serious” about writing, if you know what I mean?
  4. What made you decide to write your current WIP and actually publish it?
  5. What has been your biggest accomplishment in writing so far?

My Answers

  1. I’m pretty sure it was something related to the Barbies I owned. I loved thinking of different stories and scenarios for Barbie, Skipper, and Chelsea.
  2. I currently have three WIPs. The first one, tentatively titled “Experiences From Camp,” was inspired by an idea that came to me during lunch in the cafeteria at Capital Group in early 2012, which was my first long-term “big girl” job out of college. I didn’t have any paper on me, so I kept the idea in my head until I was able to get home and scrawl out my ideas and first characters. The second one was inspired by my parents’ love of Frank Lloyd Wright houses around the U.S., and wanting to write a historical fiction story. The third one, tentatively titled “Discussion of Differences,” was inspired by real-life experiences with friendships from college. You can read more about all three with my Writing Wednesdays series from
  3. I knew I wanted to be a writer by age 10. In fifth grade, when I was 11, my Young Authors book, titled “Electro Girl,” was recognized by Chesapeake Public Schools. I think my parents still have the program from the ceremony – The theme that year was “Take Me To Your Leader.” I met my best friend, Melissa, through this recognition process, too!
  4. I’m working my 2012 WIP to completion right now. It was bugging me last year that I’d only written about 13,000 words. Thanks to my friend Madison Grace, who is just 14, she inspired me to do Camp NaNoWriMo for the very first time in April 2018. I hope to reach at least 50,000 words to complete it by the end of 2018.
  5. Aside from this little blog of mine, I have to say that my first Camp NaNoWriMo experience was a smashing success – I exceeded my goal of writing 20,000 new words! I can’t wait to do Camp again in July, and I’m also hoping to do NaNoWriMo in November for the first time in four years!

Writing Tips

  1. Use whatever tools work best for you to tell your story. For me, it’s a combination / mash-up of a handwritten composition notebook, the blog here on WordPress, and Microsoft Word. I’ve seen others have success with just the Notes app on their smartphones! However, I’m always looking for ways to improve.
  2. Expand your reading horizons. When I was younger, I would re-read a lot of books because I was scared to branch out. Now, I read a variety of genres, and I find myself loving reading now more than ever. It’s opened my eyes to new authors, new genres, and different writing styles. Expanding your reading horizons will benefit your writing – It did for me.

Random Story / WIP Ideas

  1. “Tunnel Vision” – Nicole, a tough female police officer, goes off-duty one night, just trying to get across the water to get to her 35th birthday celebration. The bridge-tunnel separating the precinct and Nicole’s friends is suddenly shut down, and Nicole is quickly enveloped into a bizarre murder mystery.
  2. “Adventures in the Amazon” – Two sisters, Amanda and Katie, enter the annual, much coveted National Geographic contest. The grand prize – A three-week adventure into the Amazon jungle. To their surprise, the sisters win everything, but encounter multiple obstacles along the way. Will they get to experience the Amazon jungle for themselves?

My Questions

  1. Do you journal?
  2. Have you ever published anything?
  3. If you have been published, how did you go about that?
  4. How long have you been blogging?
  5. What are you currently working on? No spoilers!

Tag – You’re It!

  1. Kristian – Life Lessons Around The Dinner Table
  2. Didi Oviatt
  3. Olivia – OP Writes
  4. Damyanti Biswas
  5. Brian Ojakapeli

What about you? Are you in the writing world?

I’d love to hear about it!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

05.28.18
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Tag #54: Fantasy Bucket List Tag

Fantasy Bucket List Tag

Image Credit: Dragons & Zombies

Thrice Read did it again! Here’s another fun tag!

Here’s the link to their original post:

A fictional world that you would like to tour.

Middle Earth.

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A specific place that you would like to visit.

Hogwarts.

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A character that you would like to meet.

Hermoine Granger from Harry Potter.

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An event you would like to witness.

The Tri-Wizard Tournament from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

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A sport/activity you would like to try.

Quidditch.

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A weapon you would like to wield.

The Elven bow that Legolas wielded.

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An item you would like to use.

Any of the wands from Ollivanders wand shop, please and thank you!

That’s all! What would you answer?

Let me know in the comments!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

05.25.18
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Tag #53: OMG That Song Book Tag

OMG That Song Book Tag - YouTube

Image Credit: YouTube

The Book Nut did another awesome book tag!

Here’s the link to their original post:

The Basics:

For each question I will be giving both song and book that go with the question. They don’t have to go together, but sometimes they may.

Let us begin!

My Jam: A song you have to listen to no matter how many times you’ve heard it and a book that you’ll never get sick of


Song: I agree with The Book Nut – “Sugar We’re Going Down” by Fall Out Boy. I almost instantly recognize it when it comes on the radio or a streaming playlist. And then I sing along. Badly, but I sing along every single time.

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

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Throwback: A song that reminds you of the cringeiest time in your life and a book you read that you would wouldn’t like if you read it now


Song: “Everytime We Touch” by Cascada. It was one of my ex-boyfriend’s favorite songs. Considering we were together from 2006-2010, I listened to it A LOT. I can hardly listen to it now.

Book: Ugh. I agree with The Book Nut again – Allegiant by Veronica Roth takes the cake!

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Replay: A recent song that you have on repeat and a recent favorite book


Song: I think The Book Nut and I are on the same wavelength. I love “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana. The whole soundtrack is great, but I love the message in this particular song.

Book: The Woman in Cabin 10, by Ruth Ware.

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Gets Me: A song that is literally me and a book that is me in book form


Song: “Mine” by Taylor Swift. It describes my feelings for my husband almost perfectly. I knew I wanted to incorporate this song into our wedding, somehow. I ended up singing it to him during our rehearsal dinner, complete with our bridal party holding handmade posters that spelled out “You are the best thing that’s ever been mine.”

Book: Ugh. This one. So unbelievably difficult.

If I had to pick just one, I’d pick Amelia’s Notebook, by Marissa Moss. I devoured these books as a kid. Amelia reminded me of me – She even looked like me. Totally 90s. Plus, it inspired me to keep journaling and writing, off and on, for years.

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WUT: A weird song that you liked anyways and a unique book that stuck out to you for some reason


Song: “Gangnam Style” by Psy. I love it!

Book: Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide, by Patrice Banks. I wanted to buy this book right after listening to her interview on NPR’s Fresh Air podcast. It’s packed full of information, true stories, and inspiration! As a woman, I sincerely appreciate her dedication to teaching women about their cars (and men, too) and making everyone feel more confident.

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Let’s Go: Pick your best pump up song and a book that inspires you


Song: “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars.

Book: Grace and Grit: My Fight for Equal Pay and Fairness at Goodyear and Beyond, by Lilly Ledbetter. I love memoirs. But, this one was eye-opening to me. It will stay on my bookshelf forever.

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Chill: Your best chill or relaxing song and a book you’d curl up with on a rainy day


Song: “Someone Like You” by Adele. Her voice is so soothing!

Book: Anything by John Grisham.

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Addicting: A guilty pleasure song and a light, trashy read you can’t help but love


Song: “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley.

Book: I hate to call any type of book trashy. But, guilty pleasure? Definitely Nicholas Sparks.

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Nostalgia: A throwback song you look back on fondly and a book you read and loved when you were young


Song: “I Want It That Way” by the Backstreet Boys. I spent many a time in front of my mirrored closet doors with my hairbrush as a microphone.

Book: The entire Baby-Sitters Club and Baby-Sitters Little Sister series, by Ann M. Martin. I read and re-read them between the library and my own collection.

 

Tag – You’re It!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

05.20.18
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Tag #52: Disney Song Book Tag

The Book Nut is awesome!

Here’s the link to their original post:

Part of Your World – What book world would you change yourself for so you could be a part of that world? 

 Harry Potter. I like to think that Hermione would be my best friend.

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Let It Go – What book did you not want to finish because you loved it so much?

 Wow. This is a hard one! I think it was either The Notebook or Nights in Rodanthe, from Nicholas Sparks.

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Beauty and the Beast – What book do you think is/will be timeless? 

Since I already answered Harry Potter, my next answer would be The Hunger Games.

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So This is Love – What book were you hesitant to read at first but ended up loving?

Probably Divergent. I was skeptical at first, but I really enjoyed it.

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Friend Like Me – Which character would you like to be your best friend?

Hermione Granger.

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Reflection – What book really made you think/changed the way you viewed things?

I have to agree with The Book Nut here – Looking for Alaska by John Green. It was assigned reading for my Young Adult Literature class during my last semester of college, and it changed me. I’ve adored Green and his books ever since.

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Colors of the Wind – Who do you tag?

I tag anyone!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

05.19.18
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Tag #51: Book Blogger Test Tag

Image Credit

Image Credit: Early Bookish Birds

I was looking for some ideas for a few books tags, and I found The Book Nut. They’ve done so many!

Here’s the link to their original post:

The Rules:

You must answer all of these questions truthfully and once you’ve completed this tag, tag 5 other book bloggers to answer the questions next.

What are your top three book pet hates?
Coverage changes, broken spines, and missing dust jackets.

Describe your perfect reading spot.
A comfortable chair or chaise lounge on a screened porch.

Tell us three book confessions.
I have more unread than read books on my shelf, I love organizing my books by author and publication year, and I’ve never read more than one book at a time.

When was the last time you cried at a book?
Prez: A Story of Love.

How many books are on your bedside table?
Ten. I need to put the six read ones back on my bookshelf.

What is your favorite snack whist you’re reading?
Nothing.

Name three books you’d recommend to everyone.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Show us a picture of your favorite shelf on your bookcase.
I don’t have a current picture, but I love my John Grisham shelf.

Write how much books mean to you in 3 words.
Reading is relaxing.

What’s your biggest reading secret?
I haven’t read many of Jane Austen’s works.

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

05.15.18
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Tag #50: This or That Book Tag

I wasn’t tagged for this one, but if you’ve read the blog lately, I love doing book tags.

When I saw Jenna’s new post, the author of the lovely Bookmark Your Thoughts, come across my email, I was definitely intrigued.

Here’s the link to her post:

Reading on the bed or the couch?

At the moment, it’s my bed. I try really hard to read for at least 30 minutes every night before going to sleep. Reading is one of the only things that really relaxes me.

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Male main character or female main character?

Like others, I used to be immediately drawn to female main characters.

Now, I’m finding myself seeking out more male main characters. It’s a different perspective. Plus, I tend to discover different authors this way, too.

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Sweet snacks or salty snacks when you’re reading?

Neither. I don’t eat while I read.

I have enough trouble multitasking in general!

Occasionally, I have a beverage by my side, but I’m always afraid I’ll spill it.

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Trilogies or quartets?

Trilogies.

However, I’m currently reading more stand-alone books, and I love the idea of duologies, too.

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First person POV or third person POV?

First person.

I honestly can’t remember the last book I read with third person POV.

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Reading at night or in the morning?

I read at night.

The only times that I’ve read in the morning were for, (a) Bible studies; (b) on vacation at the beach; or (c) traveling where I wasn’t the driver.

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Libraries or bookstores?

Toughest. Question. Ever.

Given that I’ve drastically cut my spending habits recently, I think a library sounds amazing right now.

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Books that make you laugh or cry?

It depends. I have been known to stop reading a book before finishing it, and change to a completely new one if the mood is too sad.

At the moment, I lean toward books that make me laugh.

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Black book covers or white book covers?

Black covers.

White covers are easy to stain or scuff.

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Character driven or plot driven?

Definitely character driven.

While I certainly appreciate a good plot, the characters make it or break it for me.

Tag – You’re It!

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

05.11.18
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Tag #49: Extraordinary Means Book Tag

Quotefancy

Image Credit: Quotefancy

Thrice Read posts some of the best book tags!

Here’s the link to their post:

I would give up the Internet for a month for a signed first edition of this book …

  • The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald is one of my favorite authors. It’s one book that I re-read every year, too.

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I would give up pizza for a year if it meant I could sit next to this author on a long plane ride …

  • J.K. Rowling. Hands down. I’ve always wanted the chance to meet her.

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I would sit through a thousand hours of commercials if it would ensure that Hollywood made this book into a movie …

  • One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It was assigned reading in high school. I’m usually not a big fan of magic realism, but I’d love to see Hollywood works their magic on this one.

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I would never read a new book again if it meant I could live inside this book …

  • I agree with Thrice Read. It would have to be Harry Potter. Period. No discussion. End of conversation.

 

 

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I would let my Google search history be made public if it meant I could be best friends with this author …

  • Too many choices! First author that popped into my head – Sarah Dessen. She was a key figure in my Young Adult Literature choices throughout high school, and part of college. Yes, please!

 

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I would donate everything I own to Goodwill if it meant I could date this book character in real life …

  • A modern version of Mr. Darcy.

 

This was such a fun and different tag! Keep ’em coming, Thrice Read!

What are some things you guys would give up for bookish opportunities?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

05.08.18
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Tag #48: Justice League Book Tag

Justice League Book Tag

Image Credit: J.W. Martin

Thrice Read did it again!

Here’s the link to their post:

The Rules:

  • Copy these rules onto your post
  • Mention creators of the tag: Angelica and Rosie @TheBookCoverGirls and link to the original post
  • Mention and thank the person who tagged you and link to their post
  • Answer all the questions
  • Since there were originally seven members in the Justice League, tag seven people
  • Also, you can use the images provided, but don’t have to if you don’t want to
  • Have fun with it!

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Batman: Your favorite antihero

Image result for justice league book tag batman

Image Credit: Inside Pulse

Jay Gatsby, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald.

One of my all-time favorite books. Also, one that I re-read every year.

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Aquaman: A book or character that turned out to be better than you expected (Because let’s be real, we did not expect Khal Drogo to make Aquaman cool)

Image result for justice league book tag aquaman

Image Credit: Comic Newbies

Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neal Hurston.

This was another assigned reading book, during our senior year in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. We were getting ready for our crucial exams, and everyone was super stressed out. I found this book to be especially pleasant to read during this difficult time, although my classmates likely disagree with me.

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Wonder Woman: Most bad-ass female character (Not necessarily in a physical sense)

 

Image result for justice league book tag wonder woman

Image Credit: Straitened Circumstances

Hermione Granger, Harry Potter.

Easiest choice ever.

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Cyborg: Favorite science fiction novel

Image result for justice league book tag cyborg

Image Credit: Inside Pulse

Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card.

I was not a big science fiction fan for a long time, especially in high school. So, I initially dreaded having to read this for summer reading. I think it was ninth or tenth grade?

I don’t know why I was worried. Ender’s Game is one of my favorite books now. I want to eventually read the whole series.

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The Flash: A book you sped through

Image result for justice league book tag the flash

Image Credit: Outright Geekery

The Last Song, Nicholas Sparks.

I know, I know. Cue the eye roll. But, I did my senior thesis in college on Nicholas Sparks’ books and the perceptions of love and romance. So, naturally, I’d read all the books published to that point!

I remember waiting what felt like forever for this book to be available through the library. It was the summer of 2009 (or maybe 2010), and I finally got my hands on a copy right before we trekked to Florida in the car. I remember burying my nose in it almost immediately, and hardly looking up while my parents were driving. It was good stuff.

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Superman: Saddest character death (Although we all know there’s no way Superman is going to stay dead)

Image result for justice league book tag superman

Image Credit: Comic Newbies

SPOILER ALERT!

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–

–

–

–

Alaska, from Looking for Alaska, John Green.

Looking for Alaska was the first John Green novel I ever read. It was for my Young Adult Literature class during the spring of 2011, my final semester of college. It gutted me, but it also made me want to read all of Green’s books after that.

I’ve done that, although I need to get my hands on Turtles All The Way Down, stat.

That’s it! I loved this tag!

Who’s your favorite member of the Justice League?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂

05.04.18
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Tag #47: Amazon’s 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime

Smedio

Image Credit: Smedio

I found this post through someone else’s post (Cannot remember who, however!). But, I wanted to share my list!

Here are other bloggers’ takes on the list:

Thrice Read also did this tag recently!

How many of Amazon’s recommended books have you read?

  1. Include the link to Amazon’s List
  2. Tag the creator of the meme (Perfectly Tolerable)

*The names of book titles U.S. versions, rather than U.K.

Title Author Read?
1984 George Orwell Yes
A Brief History of Time Stephen Hawking No
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius Dave Eggers No
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier Ishmael Beah No
The Bad Beginning Lemony Snicket No
A Wrinkle in Time Madeleine L’Engle Yes
Selected Stories, 1968-1994 Alice Munro No
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Lewis Carroll Yes
All the President’s Men Bob Woodward Yes
Angela’s Ashes: A Memoir Frank McCourt Yes
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Judy Blume Yes
Bel Canto Ann Patchett No
Beloved Toni Morrison Yes
Born to Run Christopher McDougall No
Breath, Eyes, Memory Edwidge Danticat No
Catch-22 Joseph Heller Yes
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl Yes
Charlotte’s Web E. B White Yes
Cutting for Stone Abraham Verghese No
Daring Greatly Brené Brown No
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney Yes
Dune Frank Herbert No
Fahrenheit 451 Ray Bradbury Yes
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Hunter S. Thompson No
Gone Girl Gillian Flynn No
Goodnight Moon Margaret Wise Brow Yes
Great Expectations Charles Dickens Yes
Guns, Germs, and Steel Jared Diamond Ph.D. No
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone J.K. Rowling Yes
In Cold Blood Truman Capote Yes
Interpreter of Maladies Jhumpa Lahiri No
Invisible Man Ralph Ellison Yes
Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth Chris Ware No
Kitchen Confidential Anthony Bourdain No
Life After Life Kate Atkinson No
Little House on the Prairie Laura Ingalls Wilder Yes
Lolita Vladimir Nabokov Yes
Love in the Time of Cholera Gabriel Garcia Marquez Yes
Love Medicine Louise Erdrich No
Man’s Search for Meaning Viktor E. Frankl No
Me Talk Pretty One Day David Sedaris No
Middlesex Jeffrey Eugenides Yes
Midnight’s Children Salman Rushdie No
Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game Michael Lewis No
Of Human Bondage W. Somerset Maugham No
On the Road Jack Kerouac Yes
Out of Africa Isak Dinesen Yes
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood Marjane Satrapi No
Portnoy’s Complaint Philip Roth No
Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen Yes
Silent Spring Rachel Carson Yes
Slaughterhouse-Five Kurt Vonnegut Yes
Team of Rivals Doris Kearns Goodwin No
The Age of Innocence Edith Wharton Yes
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay Michael Chabon No
The Autobiography of Malcolm X Malcolm X Yes
The Book Thief Markus Zusak No
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao Junot DĂ­az No
The Catcher in the Rye J. D. Salinger Yes
The Color of Water James McBride No
The Corrections Jonathan Franzen No
The Devil in the White City Erik Larson Yes
The Diary of a Young Girl Anne Frank Yes
The Fault in Our Stars John Green Yes
The Giver Lois Lowry Yes
The Golden Compass Philip Pullman No
The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald Yes
The Handmaid’s Tale Margaret Atwood No
The House at Pooh Corner A. A. Milne Yes
The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins Yes
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Rebecca Skloot No
The Liars’ Club Mary Karr No
The Lightning Thief Rick Riordan No
The Little Prince Antoine de Saint-Exupéry No
The Long Goodbye Raymond Chandler No
The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 Lawrence Wright No
The Lord of the Rings J.R.R. Tolkien No
The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat Oliver Sacks No
The Omnivore’s Dilemma Michael Pollan No
The Phantom Tollbooth Norton Juster Yes
The Poisonwood Bible Barbara Kingsolver No
The Power Broker Robert A. Caro No
The Right Stuff Tom Wolfe Yes
The Road Cormac McCarthy Yes
The Secret History Donna Tartt No
The Shining Stephen King Yes
The Stranger Albert Camus Yes
The Sun Also Rises Ernest Hemingway Yes
The Things They Carried Tim O’Brien Yes
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle Yes
The Wind in the Willows Kenneth Grahame Yes
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle Haruki Murakami No
The World According to Garp John Irving Yes
The Year of Magical Thinking Joan Didion No
Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe Yes
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee Yes
Unbroken Laura Hillenbrand No
Valley of the Dolls Jacqueline Susann No
Where the Sidewalk Ends Shel Silverstein Yes
Where the Wild Things Are Maurice Sendak

And it’s a “Yes” for Where the Wild Things Are.

Yes: 50
No: 50

An even split!

I have a lot more reading to do, apparently. But, I’m happy that I’ve read half this list. It’s inspiring me to re-read a few of these, too.

What do you think? How many of these books have you read?

Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂