Sunday, September 24, 2017

Sunday's with Sam - The Sunday Post

Sundays with Sam is a combination of Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

My Week in Review

This week flew by, as September winds down, and I begin counting down the days until I see my daughter. I am excited, because I have not seen her since June, and that is the longest I have gone in 22 years without seeing her.

I was super busy this week with family stuff and whatnot, so I did not get to troll the internet too much, but I did see this little post, which made me super happy:


I know I have mentioned this before, but in case you missed it, Legend is one of my favorite series, and it ended in such a way, that you can make a decision about what happened, but you never really knew. Imagine my delight that Marie Lu wrote a short story for us fans. It was a bonus with a Warcross pre-order, but she confirmed in this post that it will be available for purchase at some later date. Yee haw! That makes me happy. 

I am pretty excited about a TV adaptation of the Raven Cycle books. Let's hope they do it justice. 



Also, My mom told me that she bought the book below, because my cousin is profiled in the book, and she is even on the cover. I thought that was pretty cool. 


On the Blog:
Stacking the Shelves

I went a little nuts with romances this week. There were a ton of great ebook sales, and I could not resist. I also had to request the ARCs. I loved Roehig's debut, and am really excited to get my hands on his next book. I am also a fan of Jen Doyle's Calling It series, and squeed when I saw this book. 

Bought













Free
ARCs

What I Read Last Week

So, Tuesday, I was at the bust stop, waiting to ride the bus to the train station. I was so absorbed in A Short History of the Girl Next Door, that when I checked the time, I realized the bus was already 6 minutes late. Then I looked around and I was alone at the bus stop. So, I ran the four blocks back home, and drove to work. This meant I did NOT get the three hours that I normally have to read, and I did NOT get to finish A Short History until the next day, which was a shame, because it was by far my favorite read of the week. (In case you are wondering, the other two women who are always at the bus stop with me were BOTH off on Tuesday, so I don't know if the bus ever came. )

  • Shooting for the Stars by Sarina Bowen (audiobook): This was the final book in the Gravity series, and it was wonderful. The ending was so good and such a gift. 
  • My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella: This was Kinsella being Kinsella. Such a fun and quirky story filled with humor, warmth, and hijinks. I enjoyed it immensely. ★ 1/2
  • A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck: The book! I get really emotional just thinking about it. Wait, gotta dry the tears. There are too many things I loved about this book. I am still trying to write the review, but I am struggling to capture my thoughts properly, while not giving too much away. 
  • Approximately Yours by Julie Hammerle: This series has been really cute. I am a fan of North Pole, and this one had a great Christmas gingerbread competition, and the heroine attempting to complete all the plans her late grandmother had in her day planner in order to honor her memory. You know that got me right in the feels. ★ 1/2
  • Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis: I love Shalvis. I love this series. Some great reveals about Spence in this book, and an ending that left my face hurting from the big smile I wore. 
  • Remember When 2: The Sequel by T. Torrest (audiobook): The first book stood on its own, but Torrest decided to have Tripp and Layla cross paths again. The ending was quite painful, and I just realize Hoopla only had the first two books. DRAT! 
What I Am Currently Reading

I am almost finished with Salvaged. It's sort of bittersweet as this is it for the Marked world. I like how Crownover is bringing all the past characters into the story in some way, and how we get to see Poppy heal and take charge of her life. I just started After All, and the beginning was so dramatic! So far, so good.


What I Plan to Read

I have one more library book to read, and then it is all ARCs. I am excited about Haunting the Deep, because I loved How to Hang a Witch so much (and Kiersten said the book is great too).










How was your week?
Let us know in the comments!

46 comments:

  1. Lots of awesome books you got this week! I hope you enjoy them all!

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays!

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  2. Very cool about the librarian book, and great news about the Lu story too. Sorry to hear about the train though! Always hard when some planned reading time doesn't happen! :(

    Hope you have a great week!

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    1. You don't understand. I actually thought I lost time or something and the bus came, but I didn't notice. I was sort of relieved when I saw those two women on Wed and they both said they weren't there Tuesday. I thought I was losing my mind.

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  3. Yay for the short story and how cool with the librarian book. Oh man how did I miss the new Roehrig book on NG?!? Just requested but usually don't have luck with that publisher but we will see!! Hope you have a great week ahead!

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    1. The only publishers that I never get ANYthing from are Disney (who when they reject me, they send me at least 5 reject emails for the one request), Harlequin (who just lets all my requests time out), and Bonnier Zaffre (who always reject me within 2.5 seconds). Otherwise, I get pretty lucky. I hope you get it, so we can discuss.

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  4. Ooh nice new reads!! Some new to me ones in there! So excited for Marie Lu's Life After Legend! I still need to read the little short from Veronica Roth's Divergent series, though I told myself I had to read Four first! Hope you enjoy your newest additions!

    Here's my STS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. After Legend made my day, week, month! I cried somewhat happy tears there at the end, but I would love to know what really happened (not just what happened in my head). I gave up on Divergent after the last book. The very end was nice and sweet and all, but the who series just seemed like such a deception after the reveal in that book.

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  5. So many pretty and wonderful books! I felt so conflicted about Salvaged because it was beautiful yet it was the end of marked men and thats sad!
    Have a great week!

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    1. I know. I am sad it's over, but Jay did such a solid thing giving us all those updates and including so many of the characters from the previous books. I heard really good things about the new series, Getaway, and I want to continue the Point books, because I liked the first three a lot more than I expected.

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  6. That is totally awesome that she wrote a story just for the fans :) sounds totally great.
    Have a great week!

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  7. I hope you're enjoying Salvaged. Glad to hear about your daughter's coming home. So happy for you. I miss my mother and am so excited to hear that she'll come here in November. :)

    Anyway, enjoy your books and have a wonderful week. :)

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    1. My daughter unfortunately will not be coming home, I will be going to her, but at least we will be together. It is so hard when families are geographically separated. I hope your countdown to your mother's visit goes quickly.

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  8. I've been eyeing My (Not So) Perfect Life. Must add it soon!

    Congrats on your cousin being profiled in the book.

    Have a great week, and thanks for sharing. Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. My cousin made such a bold move to a foreign country in order to pad her resume and it paid off in a big way. I really admired her when she did that. She didn't even tell us about the book, we heard about it through the family grapevine. She's so modest. Kinsella still has that magic. I really liked Perfect Life. Fun and adorable and everything I expect in a Kinsella book.

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  9. I haven't read the Raven Cycle books, but I'm excited for the TV show! I hope to have it read by the time it starts air, which may take some time C:

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    1. I am weird about adaptations. I will watch a movie/TV show if I have read the book, but I won't read a book after I have seen the movie/TV show. I feel like there are no big surprises left. I think this could be a fantastic show, if done properly. Hopefully the fine folks at SyFy don't mess it up. I thought they did a good job with the Magicians, so I am hoping for the best.

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  10. Wow, you got some really good books this week. I am definitely curious about Haunting the Deep. Have a wonderful week and enjoy the new books.

    Jenea's Book Obsession's Sunday Post

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    1. I reading it right now, and so far, so good. I just find it so incredible that Mather has such a rich family history.

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  11. Oh I'm so glad that you enjoyed the Legend series so much! I bought the first book in the series a couple weeks ago and haven't had the chance to read it yet, but I will soon. I can't wait! :) I'm also so excited for that Raven Cycle tv show, even if I am a bit nervous about it. I mostly wonder if they'll manage to have that right, particular atmosphere we get in the books.
    I hope you'll have a lovely week! :)

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    1. I didn't enjoy the Legend series, I loved it! Adaptations are a little scary (Shadowhunters is still trying to work out the kinks). I am hoping they do The Raven Cycle justice.

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  12. Wow, that's quite a haul. Your bus adventure sounds like something that would happen to me when I'm in a book.

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    1. I thought I had like a seizure or something. I was so shaken from the entire experience, but then the driver was 7 minutes late on Friday. I stayed then, because there were other people at the bus stop that day. I guess I am lucky that my train is late every day.

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  13. Ohh man missing the bus it must have been a great book!!! That is exciting that you get to see your daughter soon. I haven't read The Raven Cycle books, but I need to get on that ASAP. Have a great week!

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    1. A Short History is fabulous, though quite heartbreaking. It had my sobbing on the train, and when I was telling my co-worker about the book, I started crying again. I have to write the review, and I know I will shed even more tears.

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  14. That is exciting about Legend. I only read the first book and liked it. But it's been so long I need to read it again and finish the series. That is really cool about your cousin in the book and on the cover. I hope you have a great week and happy reading!

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    1. If you get around to finishing the series, you will understand why I NEED this short story. My cousin is such rock-star librarian. I was pretty excited for her when I heard about the book, because she worked really hard to get where she is.

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  15. I feel like September is flying by in the blink of an eye.

    Confession time: I *still* haven't read the Legend trilogy, despite owning all 3 books. I've been meaning to read them for years but keep pushing them aside for other books. That's awesome that Lu is coming out with the short story! I love extra content after a favorite book or series has ended. Getting more info or just checking in with favorite characters is the best.

    So many great looking new books this week!

    Yikes, wonder if the bus never came... or were you so absorbed you completely missed it. LOL

    I'll be sad to reach the end of the Marked series. I've come to love those characters.

    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

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    1. I suspect the bus was late, because he was really late on Friday. It is sad to say goodbye to the Market world, but it was a pretty good send off.

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  16. I really want that librarian book - that's awesome your cousin is on the cover!! I'm excited about The Raven Cycle series; I think SYFY is a good channel for it! :)

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. My mom ordered the book, so i am excited to read my cousin's profile. I think Syfy is a good fit for the Raven Cycle too, since it is totally inline with their content

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  17. I hope your reunion with your daughter goes well! I am sure she is looking forward to seeing you again as well. :-) I haven't read the Legends books, but I think I might want to, especially if I end up enjoying Warcross as much as I think I will. That's so cool that your cousin is featured in a book!

    Romance is in the air . . . I always start craving romance novels around the holidays. I don't know what it is. I hope you enjoy your new books! Haunting the Deep looks really good.

    I hope you have a great week, Sam! My daughter can't stop talking about how she's looking forward to Monday and all I want to do is hold onto the weekend a bit longer. Haha

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    1. Legend is such and awesome series, and I heard the graphic novels are really great too. I crave romance novels all the time. My greedy weeks are where I read romances exclusively. Haunting the Deep was great. I just finished it. Good witchy bits, ghosts, and a bunch of cool Titanic history too. Wow! Your daughter loves Monday. Who knew those people existed. =)

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  18. Oh yes! And did you know Marie Lu had a new book released? I just found out about it today.

    Have a great week!

    Anne @ The Reading Life

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    1. I have a had Warcross for a while, but I was saving it for a reading challenge. My co-blogger said it was great (so did everyone else). I am very excited to read it.

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  19. I've heard so many good things about Legend - I really want to pick up that series.

    That's really cool about your cousin!

    What a lot of books you got in! I hope you enjoy them all!

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    1. Legend is awesome. I bet your library even has it, since it was pretty popular. AND the trilogy is complete, so you don't even have to wait. I know. The books. My one-click finger was out of control.

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  20. I must say that it is kind of funny but not funny about missing the bus (maybe?). I would totally do that but I know it was terrible that things didn't as planned that morning. How cool is it that your cousin is in the librarian book. Have a great week and enjoy all of your new books!

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    1. That is worst part. Did I miss the bus? Since my normal bus-mates were off that day, I will never know. The book actually came today, so I did can actually see her picture, and her profile is amazing. So proud of her.

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  21. That's kinda funny about missing the bus. That sounds like something I would do. I can't tell you how many times I have been late of flat out missed things when I was absorbed in a good book.
    I haven't read Sophie Kinsella in a long time, but it is nice to know that she is still spinning out fun and quirky characters.
    I haven't read the Legend series yet, but I definitely will.
    All of your new books/latest reads look great. Have a great week and happy reading!

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    1. My commute is the bane of my existence. I like my job, love my management team, but I hate my commute. Books make it tolerable. I will always grab a Kinsella. Even my least favorite book of her's left me smiling and laughing. Legend is so awesome. I have much love for that series.

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  22. Oh wow, sounds like you must have a bear of a commute if you can get in three hours of reading. Thank goodness for books, right?

    Looks like you've got lots of great reads coming up soon too. I looked at your new purchases --- so many abs, haha! :)

    Hope you have a wonderful week!

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    1. My commute is horrible. Train was late coming back both days this week, which means it took me over 2 hours to get home, but I did get my books read. I am laughing, because it's so typical of romance books to feature strong torsos (not that I'm complaining).

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  23. That bus story is hilarious because I continually worry this will happen to me, that I'll be absorbed in reading and potentially miss my bus. And it's awful not knowing whether it didn't show or you just missed it. Sucks you had to drive and didn't get your usual reading time but glad you enjoyed the book.

    Seems like you read some good books this week and got some good books. Hopefully your reads for next week will be good.

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    1. The not knowing was making me crazy. You know I am getting older...I didn't get to read while I drove, but I did get through my audiobook. So, that's something (silver lining, gotta look for that silver lining). My reading week is starting off strong, and I anticipate it getting better.

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