Sunday, October 8, 2017

Sundays 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, and by this time next week, I will be in North Carolina, which makes me really happy, because I do miss my child. I am sad this marks the end of our jeans weeks at work, but at least they gave us cupcakes on Friday to soften the blow. I went to the dentist on my birthday, and the streak continues - no cavities!

There were so many cover reveals this week. I was drooling all over the place. I was really excited to see the Dumplin' sequel cover:
As well as the reveal for Kami Garcia's new contemporary romance and Carlie Sorosiak's second book:


On the Blog:
I was really proud of myself for doing a Stuffed Animal Saturday. It's about time I support my own blog's meme. 

Stacking the Shelves:

I am really excited about so many of the books I got this week. First of all, I love winning things, and I love it even more when I actually receive my prize. I got a bunch of great romances from authors I love, and I even got a CWW pick.

Bought

Won from Goodreads
For Review

What I Read Last Week

Last week I read 5 books and listened to 2 audiobooks. I had two 4.5 star reads, but I think Top Ten edged out A Messy, Beautiful Life for my top read of the week, because it was so close to getting 5 stars. It was a solid 5-star read until the very end. I won't lie, I sort of pitched a fit, and then I wrote the most epic epilogue in my head.

  • Drag Teen by Jeffery Self (audiobook): This was a road trip to self discovery, and it was tons of fun. I think the narration by Self added to the overall fun of the story too. ★ 1/2
  • Top Ten by Katie Cotugno: I loved this one so much. I felt so many feels, that I cried writing the review and I am getting emotional about it right now. Almost perfect. ★ 1/2
  • Protected by Claire Zorn: This was another great read for me. I love grief books, but it lost half a star because of the ending. I know, I am cutthroat about it, but endings are so important to me, and though it wasn't terrible, it wasn't enough after that whole story (which was excellent). 
  • A Messy, Beautiful Life by Sara Jade Alan: Improv and cancer. Who knew I would love it so much. The one thing I really liked was that Alan did not wander into melodrama land, and she balanced out the sad parts with a lot of humor. ★ 1/2
  • Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan (audiobook): I selected this book for my Diverse Reads October challenge, which was to read a book featuring intersectionality. The main character in this book is Persian and lesbian, so I met the challenge, but I also really enjoyed the book. I just could have done without the whole psycho girl storyline, as Leila's story was enough for me. I loved her, her friends, her family, and the beautiful romance that emerged. ★ 1/2
  • Nailed It by Cindi Madsen: This was a ton of fun! This was a sweet and sexy second chance romance between two people, who had more baggage than the Kardashians going on vacation. I smiled and laughed a while lot during this book. 
  • Ringer by Lauren Oliver: I did not like this one as much as the first book, but I think it's because after reading it, I felt it was unnecessary. It wasn't bad. Lots of action, and some interesting ideas about bioethics and what defines our humanity to think about, but still not sure  we needed a book. ★ 1/2

What I Am Currently Reading

I am just starting Kids Like Us, so I have nothing to say, but I am really enjoying The Butterfly Project. These two wounded people are brought together by fate, and I cannot wait to see what develops here.

What I Plan to Read

I am finally reading Warcross! I have only heard good things, so I am really excited to read it.




















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

  1. I kinda like that cover for Wild Blue wonder. Top Ten I really want to read, and I liked Warcross. Hope you do too!

    Have a great weekend.

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    1. My heart over-floweth for Top Ten. If you like friendship stories, I think you would enjoy it.

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  2. Hanging Girl looks good and you read some good books. Safe travels!

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    1. Switching it up a little bit with a mystery, and I have been wanting to check Cook out too. I have With Malice, but have not read it yet (I am the worst!). So, looking forward to Hanging Girl.

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  3. I still haven't read Dumplin'! I have to get to it, finally. I feel like Puddin' is not a very good name though, because it sounds like Harley Quinn, you know? Associations with her pet name for Joker. And that's really popular right now. So I feel like people might just mix it up a little. Anyway, have a great week!

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    1. I really liked Dumplin' and I really like Murphy. I am not a big super hero fan, so I did not make that connection. I wonder if that was Murphy's intent?

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  4. All your new books look really good. Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy Ringer all that much. I did but I totally see what you are saying since the author left so many loose ends anyways.
    Have a great week and happy travels to you daughter. I hope the weather is beautiful for you.

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    1. It is not that I didn't enjoy it, but rather, I did not understand why we needed a whole book to get the points across. The first book had a few things left open, but with what Oliver decided to include in Ringer, I feel like she could have just made the second book longer. It was not bad. She politicized a little, which is something I can do without, as EVERYthing lately is politicized, but I did like her musings about what makes us human, and I thought she gave both Gemma and Lyra lovely endings, in that they both found love, both familial and romantic.

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  5. I love the cover on The Butterfly Project! I have That Inevitable Victorian Thing on my TBR - looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

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    1. The cover for The Butterfly Project is related to the actual story. The heroine is an artist trying to get her graphic novel published. I thought it was a brilliant cover for this story.

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  6. I didn't realize Dumplin' was getting a sequel, but now I'm really excited. I loved the first book. I'm excited to see the Jen Frederick book in your haul. I love her books so much, but particularly this series. I downloaded Wish You Were Mine last week because of how pretty and eye-catching that cover is. Hopefully, the inside is as great. I hope you have a good time in North Carolina!

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    1. I love sports romances, and Frederick, Kennedy, Bennett, Bowen, and Callihan are some of my faves. And how do I pass on a 99¢ ebook from one of my faves? Wish You Were Mine looks like an interesting change of pace for Sivec. I had read her Chocolate Lovers books, which are pretty rom-com, but this one sounds different. I want to see what she did here.

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  7. Sorry jeans weeks are over. That stinks. Yay for visiting your daughter though. Love the Puddin' cover. I think I might be skipping Ringer. I didn't love the first book and I haven't seen a review that makes me think I need to pick it up. Hope you have a great week!

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    1. I had a moment of silence for Jeans weeks, but at least we will always have Jeans Fridays. 3.5 stars isn't bad. The story wasn't bad. It didn't compare to the first book, which seemed to have more purpose than this one. I was reading it, and there is a lot of interesting things going on, but I kept asking myself if there was a point to it as far as the overall story went. Does that make sense?

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  8. I didn't think I would ever like Ace (in Downed) because he was a horrible person in Jockblocked (my FAVORITE in the series) but it was a good book! Enjoy!

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    1. I think Fredrick built a case for Ace's bad behavior and I am really looking forward to his story, because of all the past drama.

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  9. Gorgeous cover for Wild Blue Wonder!

    A Messy, Beautiful Life looks very tempting. Thanks for sharing, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. I REALLY like A Messy, Beautiful Life. More than I expected. It tugged really hard at my heartstrings, but me laugh a bunch too.

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  10. Wow! That's a lot of awesome books you got there! 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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  11. One thing that I do like about my job is that I can wear sneakers and jeans every day. I hate dress up jobs :) Yay for the book win! I love winning books :) Enjoy all of your new reads.

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    1. I feel like we should wear jeans all the time, since clients do not come to the campus, but that's just my opinion. I was pretty excited to win that book. I read it today, and really liked it.

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  12. I still haven't read Dumplin but I have a copy. I need to hurry and read it now that there is another book coming lol. I just finished Warcross and loved it. I hope you enjoy it too! I hope you have a great week and a safe trip to NC!

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    1. I loved Willowdean so much. She was sassy and bold and just a great character. I am excited for Warcross. I am a pretty hardcore contemporary reader, but Lu has yet to disappoint me.

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  13. The cover reveals for the upcoming 2018 books have been on fire! I especially love the cover of Legendary, which was revealed recently. And the US Hero at the Fall.

    I still need to read Warcross! I haven't been feeling it, so I might save it for next year. I hope you enjoy all of your new books!

    Have a fantastic week, Sam. =)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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    1. One day this week, I felt like every tweet was a cover reveal, and because I am such a cover-ho, there were a lot of books added to my TBR. Legendary is an awesome cover. I always liked the feel of Caraval and they did a good job maintaining that feel.

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  14. Sounds like you had a really nice reading week; that's awesome. I feel like my reading has slowed down a bit. I guess I've just been busy - not as much time to read and whatnot. Aw, sorry your jeans week is over but yay for cupcakes. :) That's great you see your daughter in a week! Hope it's a nice trip.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. As long as I have my commute, there will be reading.

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  15. Ah, I hope you enjoy R.I.P. Eliza Hart; it sounds so good! I have The Hanging Girl on my TBR, and I've heard amazing things about it, so I'm looking forward to that one! I absolutely loved Warcross, so I hope you love it as well! ❤️

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    1. Hanging Girl is pretty good so far. It reminds me a little of an adult book I read, but I love the MC a lot. Warcross is an anticipated read for me, so I am hoping I think it's as great as everyone else. I have had luck with Sheinmel before, so I have high hopes for Eliza Hart

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  16. I hope you have a great trip to North Carolina and get to spend lots of quality time with your daughter.

    Yay for reading Warcross! I enjoyed that one so much so I really hope you do too. Top Ten sounds so good too. I'm going to have to add that to my TBR.

    Have a great week!

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    1. So excited about NC. It's so weird not seeing my child for 4 months. I am so ready for Warcross 😊

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  17. That is exciting that you get to see your kids next week in North Carolina. I love the cover for Wild Blue Wonder. I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Cannot wait until Friday to see the kid. There were so many beautiful cover reveals. My TBR increased exponentially 😄

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  18. Yay to no cavities! I am glad your dentist appointment went well.

    Your new books look really good, and it sounds like you had a great reading week this past week. I hope to start Warcross this week. I'm really looking forward to it.

    I hope you have a great time in North Carolina and visiting with your daughter! Enjoy your week!

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    1. The dentist is one doctor I have no fear of. It is always good news. Me and Warcross = 😍

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  19. Jeans days and cupcakes... I do like the sound of your workplace! :)
    Glad the dentist went well - I go on Wednesday. Hopefully I'll have the same good report!
    I love how you mentally wrote your own (epic) epilogue for Top Ten. I bet it was a good one!
    I want to read The Butterfly Project SOON! I read my first Emma Scott book a couple months ago and absolutely fell in love. I need to read more from her stat!
    Hope you have a safe trip to NC and a great visit with your girl!

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    1. I was a teacher for 12 years, and I was treated so badly, that I am so grateful for how well I am now treated. I am wishing you lots of luck with your teeth. Oh, my epilogue had a ten year jump ahead, and they were babies, appetizers, and monopoly. The Butterfly Project is good. These two are so wounded, but so good together.

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    1. The author's political commentary really spoiled it for me. I am just so tired of all the politics, and I wanted to escape it.

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  21. How have I missed all these cover reveals? The sequel to Dumplin looks awesome, love it! So many pretty book covers coming out lately, I love it but it means there are more physical books I want to buy and I just don't have room on my shelves. I love the look of EK Johnston's newest book so I'll be interested to see your thoughts on it.

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    1. I saw them all on Twitter one day. There were so many, my head was spinning. I have not seen great reviews for Johnston's book, so I am a little sad about that

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  22. Puddin'! Loved Dumplin' so this should be good!

    Going to dentist on your birthday, that would be sad if there would have been cavities! :D Hope you had a good bday :)

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    1. When I really love a character, I always want more of them, and Willowdean is a favorite of mine. My party girl ways just don't fade. I know how to celebrate right. 😂

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