Sunday, December 31, 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

First and foremost, I want to thank you all for visiting WLABB and welcoming me to the community with open arms. I am so grateful that I was invited to contributed to the blog and am having the best time doing it.




I want to wish everyone a happy new year and I hope 2018 is a banner year for you!

Last week, we went to see Annie. It was really fun, because I haven't seen the show in almost 20 years.

A post shared by Sam Kozbial (@kozbisa) on

My darling daughter bought me the BEST Christmas gift too - a Kindle Oasis! I feel a little greedy, but since it was a gift....

A post shared by Sam Kozbial (@kozbisa) on

This week I participated in Top 10 of 2017. I got to showcase so many of my standout reads all week, and I must say, I had a lot of fun doing it. I really loved seeing everyone else's lists too.

On the Blog:
STACKING THE SHELVES

I had a bunch of library loans come through this week, which is always how it goes, but I am excited to read them all. Not a lot of activity on NG or EW, but I did get one approval, and it was for a Can't-Wait Wednesday book, so I was excited.

Library
ARCs











What I Read Last Week

I read some really great books this week and even finished two series. My favorite read of the week was An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne. I wish they would give the book a better cover, because it deserves more than the cover it has.
  • Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin (audiobook): This book was absolutely hilarious, but also provided a lot of social commentary about women and societal expectations for them, which I found quite interesting. Absolutely adored getting to know the three generation of Grossmen women. 
  • An Ex for Christmas by Lauren Layne: I have read several Layne books and all have made me quite happy. This one was stupendous! I knew I was meant to read this book, when the author talked about Hallmark movies. And that ending!! Yes, I just got chills thinking about it. Thanks to Nick, Becky, and Carol for your awesome reviews, which made me part with my pennies for this one. ★ 1/2
  • Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han: I sort of loved this book. I am a fan of the Song sisters and was grateful to get this last hurrah with them. I really enjoyed being there with Lara Jean at this crossroads. She had so many big things happening in her life, and I felt like this was explored well. I would love Han to write a spinoff featuring Kitty's high school years. Then we could catch up with LJ and see how everything turned out with Peter K. 
  • The Young Queens by Kendare Blake: I am a fan of this series, so I enjoyed getting a little more back story. We met their mom and found out more details regarding that big reveal in the last book. We learned about a family curse and why the betrayal from the last book was such a big deal. This novella filled in those years before we met the three queens and it was worth the read. 
  • Leaving Paradise by Simone Elekeles (audiobook): I was so engrossed in this story, I just couldn't stop listening. I liked the way Elekeles showed how both the characters were struggling with being back "home" after a year long absence. It was sweet, sad, and swoony. I already have the next book downloaded so I can start it right away. 
  • About That Kiss by Jill Shalvis: I love all Shalvis' books and this one was another great addition to a fabulous series. I really liked getting to know Joe better and just keep falling more and more in love with this group of friends. 
  • Poison's Cage by Breeana Shields: This was a great ending for this duology. All the things I loved about the first book were still there plus a lot more. We got the origin story and a deeper explanation of the folklore. We got a better understanding of how many of the characters were connected, and we got to see a lot of more Iyla and Miranda's friendship, which I wish I wanted from the first book. But really, it was about that very last sentence. My heart absolutely exploded. ★ 1/2

What I Am Currently Reading

I am halfway through A Quiet Kind of Thunder and it is fabulous! I really like the way Barnard is exploring Steffi's mutism/anxiety/shyness and I love learning so much about deaf culture. I am in love with just about every character in this book, and I want to know why I have not read any books by this amazing author until now.

I just started listening to Return to Paradise, but I am really excited to find out what happened to the MCs after the last book ended.

What I Plan to Read

I have to read my library books, since they need to go back soon, and I hope to get through a few more January ARCs.







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

40 comments:

  1. A Kindle Oasis truly IS the best gift ever! I bet the battery lasts forever. I've been starting to feel the limitations of my Paperwhite's battery lately.
    Wishing you a great year!!

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    1. I just started using it yesterday, because I was waiting for the cover to arrive. So, not sure about the battery yet, but it's very responsive and I like the screen size, the button options (which is great when I am out in the cold), and the highlighting.

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  2. Oh a Kindle Oasis! Lucky duck. Library books always all come in at the same time. How does that always happen! Glad you enjoyed Young Jane Young. Have a great New Year and week ahead!

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    1. I was so shocked when I opened my present. This is what you have to look forward to when you children are older. (I got wireless beats headphones last year) I cannot imagine what I will get after my daughter is working full time (cruise?) YJY was funny, with some sad parts (especially with respect to Avivia's love life), but I love that she took charge of the situation and made peace with it.

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  3. Wow an Oasis is like such an awesome gift! I hope you will share some of the features on a future post. I am so curious about it. I haven't had any library books come through for a long time now. I think I was like 40th in line for a few of them. They will come after I buy them, that's usually what happens.
    I can't believe how much you read this week. I really wanted to get The Young Queens but I haven't heard a peep yet. I should check again, just in case.
    Have a great week and enjoy all your new books.
    Oh and Happy New Years Eve!

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    1. Young Queens is super quick. I don't know if I would spend money on it (I have a think about novellas), but it is worth checking out from the library, especially if you are a fan of the series. The Oasis is a thing of beauty. It's very light and so responsive! My Paperwhite was making me nuts because of the lag. I hardly have to touch this one. The screen is wider too, so it's easier to hold on to.

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  4. Happy 2018! May everything finally fall into place :)
    That Kindle Oasis looks so pretty! I wish they weren't so expensive here in Brazil

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    1. I hope this year treats you well too. Hopefully the prices come down or someone you know visits the US.

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  5. Your daughter gave you the bestest gift! I've been eyeing the Oasis. And so many great books to read. Happy reading and Happy New Year!

    My Sunday Post

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    1. Her gifts are my favorite every year. I cannot imagine what kind of gifts to expect when she is employed full-time. Hope you have a fantastic new year!

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  6. Woe Kindle Oasis look really great! Lucky you :D And you read quite a good number of books.

    I hope you enjoy your new reads. Happy New Year!
    My STS: http://flippingthruthepages.com/2017/12/stacking-shelves-13-last-one-year-2017/

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    1. My daughter always gets me the best gifts. Happy New Year to you too!

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  7. I really try to time my library holds, but it always seems they unexpectedly arrive all at the same time! I'd love to hear more about the Kindle Oasis. I'm sort of considering getting an ereader this year, but I don't know about all the different ones! Happy New Year!

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    1. Me and library holds, it's all or nothing. I want a trickle, but I always get a flood. I read predominately on my eReader because of my eyes. Comparing the Oasis to the Paperwhite - it's more responsive and I like the shape better. They made the screen wider and gave you more room to hold on. I like having the option to page with buttons or touch too, because I read while I wait for the bus/train/shuttle and my thicker gloves don't have the "smart" patch thing.

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  8. Wow! You sure got a lot of awesome books! I hope you have a wonderful New Year!

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

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

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  9. I bet Annie was Amazing! It is one of my favorites. The new Oasis is pretty awesome and wonderful of your daughter too. All your new books look really good. Long Way Down and Thicker Than Water are two I will be checking out for sure. Happy reading and Happy New Year!!! 🎉

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    1. The production of Annie was fantastic. We have a subscription to a theatre nearby and the shows are all top notch. Daddy Warbucks was played by the guy who was Shrek on Broadway and he was incredible. They all were. I saw Thicker Than Water and had to grab it. I loved Letters to the Lost and am curious about Kemmerer's earlier books.

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  10. Enjoy your Kindle Oasis! What an amazing gift. :)

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    1. I was beside myself. I thought the wireless Beats she gave me last year were fantastic, but this was beyond that. Overjoyed!

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  11. What a wonderful gift from your daughter! I love my Oasis and hope you do as well. I am so glad that you enjoyed An Ex for Christmas. I thought it was a fun book. Enjoy your new reads! Happy New Year!

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    1. I was so jealous when everyone was getting their Oasis and now I have one too!!! I was flabbergasted, but overjoyed at the same time. An Ex for Christmas was so much fun and what a fabulous ending. I hope your 2018 is ah-mazing.

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  12. Happy New Year to you!! And yay for the new Kindle. I spotted The Young Queens too and was excited since I didn't know about it- saw it by accident- so I'll be reading that here soon. :) Glad to hear it was good!

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    1. Young Queens is a quick read, but I think it has some good information in there for fans of the series. A few questions I had were answered, and I got a little perspective on some other things.

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  13. Happy New Year! I got a Kindle Oasis for my birthday and love it!!! I'm sure you are already loving yours. Its the best gift ever!
    Have a wonderful 2018!

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    1. New year, new start, and I hope I remember to write the right year on things tomorrow. Isn't the Oasis wonderful? I love how responsive it is.

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  14. A kindle oasis, what an awesome gift! And yes, that is always how it is with library loans, or requested ARCs. Everything always comes at once lol. Better than never though, I guess! Happy New Year, and have a wonderful 2018!

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    1. It's a great gift for me, because I read so much. OMG! I am really nervous about all the EW/NG requests I have pending. Many are with publishers who normally approve me, so I may get a windfall when everyone returns to world. It's all good. Happy New Year to you too!

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  15. Love the cover for The Forgotten Book. Enjoy your latest and happy new year.

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    1. The cover is beautiful. I hope the story lives up to the cover. Happy New Year to you as well!

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  16. I'm glad you had a nice Christmas and yay for your great gift! I have a Kindle Paperwhite, but it works for me. I hope to read Long Way Down soon too.

    Happy New Year,

    Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. My Paperwhite was fine, but I do love the Oasis, and I was shocked to get it. I just saw the audiobook for Long Way Down available, and am contemplating checking it out instead of reading the ebook. Jason Reynolds narrates and I think he would do an incredible job. Decisions, decisions.

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  17. Oh wow, Kindle Oasis. So happy for you. I’ve been waiting for my husband to buy it for me. Hehe.. anyway, I hope you enjoy your new books and have a wonderful 2018. Happy New Year. 😁❤️

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    1. I am very frugal and would never have purchased it for myself, but I do love it. I hope 2018 is good to you too.

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  18. My first thought was: OMG, Sloth went to see Annie, too! Then I had a reality check and realized: Duh, they took the playbill home. LOL So awesome that your daughter got you the Oasis! You must have scored big Mom Points all year. :) What a sweetheart to get that for you. Is she headed back to school this week? I know it will be hard to say goodbye. {{hugs}}

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    1. No, you were right, Sloth went to the play with us. You know his twitter handle is @SlothGoesPlaces. My Oasis is wonderful! Now the kid has no money, so I will see some charges on my credit card until the spring reimbursement comes through, but I would never have bought this for myself, no matter how much I wanted it. I drop my darling daughter off at the airport this morning. I was very sad driving back, but she graduates in 5 months, which gives me something to look forward to.

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  19. Um, just saw that Sloth has a Twitter, so I am following THAT obviously! Love it! That's so nice that you got to see Annie, and also super nice of your daughter to get you a Kindle! I hope you love it! I wasn't sure I was going to read Poison's Cage, but now I want to since you talked about basically ALL the stuff I was wanting from it haha. I also want to read The Young Queens, but I preordred the actual physical book from the UK- it has Young Queens, and then a second, to-be-published novella in it. So of course hahah. Very curious to hear your thoughts on the books you plan to read now, too! Hope you love them, and have a fabulous week!

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    1. I am hoping when Kiersten graduates, that Sloth goes more places again. I liked Poison's Kiss and I thought Shields gave the story a great ending. The ending of Young Queens made it seem like "outtakes", but there was some good info for fans in there. I thought it was worth reading. Hope you have a great week too!

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  20. Congrats on receiving a Kindle Oasis for Christmas! That's so exciting! It's funny to see you mention Annie because I've had It's a Hard-Knock Life stuck in my head for the last few days, and I have no clue why. I haven't seen Annie in years lol I'm glad to hear you enjoyed An Ex for Christmas. I was really hoping to get to it before the holidays but that didn't happen...oops. Guess, I'll just have an early holiday read for 2018. Have a great week!

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    1. My Oasis is wonderful! You should read Ex. So much fun and it was a super quick read too.

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