Sunday, May 20, 2018

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

It was another tough week for us here in the US. My heart goes out to all those, who were affected. I taught high school science for 12 years, and I get really emotional when things like this happen in our schools.

However, it was a big week for us here at WLABB. We celebrated 5 years as a blog, and I was really happy that my co-bloggers had time to reflect on this happy occasion. I was also happy to post Kiersten's reviews. I bet some of you were confused to see a non-contemporary book on the blog, but that's why I love having co-bloggers.

Other than that, it rained so much here, and it's still raining now. I am thinking about building an ark. I was pretty excited to see one of my co-workers reading The Wedding Date, because when she was done we got to discuss it together. Yes, I discussed a book with someone face-to-face.

So, this was funny, but a little sad to me as a hardcore reader


There was this cover reveal EVERYWHERE, and the book sounds like it could be pretty great

On the Blog:
  • Monday: In a Nutshell - Bobby Sky, The Way You Make Me Feel, 9 Days & 9 Nights
  • Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday - Mental Health Awareness Month
  • Wednesday: Can't-Wait Wednesday - The Summer of Us by Cecila Vinesse
  • Thursday: Review - Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
  • Friday: Noor, Kiersten, and Amrutha shared their thoughts on WLABB turning 5! Go, enter our giveaway. It's open internationally. 
STACKING THE SHELVES


Bought/Free
Edelweiss/NetGalley

What I Read Last Week

  • Things We Know by Heart by Jessi Kirby (audiobook): This was such a painful and beautiful story. I basically was either crying or smiling. You know how much I love grief books, and this one delivered so many feels. Absolutely loved it! ★★★★ 1/2
  • Beginner's Luck by Kate Clayborn: A fabulous scientist heroine and big hearted hero, who wore his heart on his sleeve. The banter, the chemistry, and the fabulous female friendship made this a great read for me. ★★★★
  • Luck of the Draw by Kate Clayborn: The second book of the Luck series was a lot more emotional than the previous book. In addition to all the things I loved in the first book, we also had a hero and heroine, who were dealing with lots of guilt, and I loved seeing them find their way out of it.  ★★★★
  • Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now by Dana L. Davis: Tiffany was such a fabulous character, and I really enjoyed being with her as she navigated her new life. I went through such a wide range of emotions - happiness, joy, grief, and rage, but ended up smiling at the end. ★★★★
  • Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis (audiobook): Shalvis does small town romances so well, and once again, she has assembled a wonderful cast of characters in a town I want to move to. The story was very heartwarming, fun, had a great heroine, a hero I wanted as my own, and some interesting family drama. I am so looking forward to reading more of this series. ★★★★
  • August and Everything After by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski (audiobook): This was not the light and fluffy summer read I anticipated. I had some issues with the romance, I did enjoy the MCs journey as she worked through her guilt and found herself again. ★★★
  • Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey: A charming period romance, with a hero and heroine, who won my heart, and a romance, which left me with a light heart. ★★★ 1/2
  • Moonrise by Sarah Crossan: This book left me in a puddle of tears. It really challenged me to look at the emotional toll the family of the death row inmate is affected. The issue of capital punishment was what inspired this book, but it was the focus on the family dynamic, which captured my heart. The book is heartbreaking and left me in tears, but there was this underlying idea of family and love, which touched my heart. ★★★★
  • The Beau & the Belle by R.S. Grey (audiobook): I never tire of R.S. Grey's romances. They are always so fun. The heroine in this book was absolutely hilarious, and I laughed a whole lot. I also loved the whole set up, and as always, the hero delivered the swoons. ★★★★

What I Am Currently Reading



What I Plan to Read









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

55 comments:

  1. That was sad they couldn't name books. When I first saw it, I did what I always do and panic a little at the question. Breathed and then listed off a dozen favorites. You would think they would remember at least a classic or required reading from school. So sad.

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    1. I feel like if you throw out the name of a recent movie, it has a good chance of also being the name of a book. I was wondering if they read any books in school too. It's a puzzlement!

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  2. It rained a ton here, mostly at night but we had some soggy days too. Hope it's drier this week! And yeah I don't even know what to say anymore about the shootings- they just keep happening. Boggles the mind.

    That Jimmy Kimmel thing... wow. :)

    My So-Called Bollywood Life looks great.

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    1. I had to wear the boots a few times this past week. I hate having wet feet! At least one guy in the Kimmel video named a book, The Jungle Book, and Moby Dick guy was so close.

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  3. I was upset with the school shooting too. May all our hearts go out to the victims. I usually hate rainy days since I can't do much on those days, but glad you are having a great week!

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

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

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    1. High schools are scary places. I know I am glad not to be working in that environment any longer.

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  4. 5 years! OMG, congratulations :) that's kind of sad about the book video :/ but maybe it's the stress of someone with a camera talking to you? I would so freak out.

    ...The Lion King though :DDDDDDDDD OMG

    At least The Junglebook is a book. What's up with the whole jungle thing though :D

    Moby Dick :DDDD

    OMG I AM DYING... the librarian... OMG...

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    1. After that woman said she had been a librarian, I actually let out a loud OMG. Maybe they all suffered from performance anxiety? I don't know.

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  5. I couldn’t watch the video about name ink a book, it just makes me sad that people really can’t name one. You however, you got really great books this week! Enjoy...

    Happy 5 year Blogoversary!!!

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    1. I was surprised by the statistic that 75% of people have read at least one book per year, because I thought it was lower.

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  6. It's been raining in PA nonstop as well. I feel like we have one beautiful sunny day and then days upon days of rain and gloom. Yesterday was particularly bad. The downpours were insane. That's exciting that you got to talk to someone about The Wedding Date, and is The Proposal on Netgalley?!! If so, I need to request it ASAP lol I can't believe I haven't heard of Beginner's Luck before. That's awesome that the MC is a scientist. I'll have to check it out! I'm planning to read My So-Called Bollywood Life this week too. I have high hopes so *fingers crossed* we both end up liking it. Congrats on 5 years! :)

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    1. I got an email with a link for The Proposal. The Luck series is really fun. I think I saw Nick review it. Then I requested the second book and bought the first one.

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  7. I feel like it's raining all over the place! Lol! I've got rain here as well!

    Nice new reads! Lots of new to me ones though I've been seeing the Supervillain and Me around a bit lately! Hope you enjoy them all!

    Here's my STS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. With the volume of rain we have received, it is a wonder we had any water left on the earth before the downpours began.

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  8. I agree with you on that Jimmy Kimmel clip. It was funny yet so sad at the same time. I'm still in shock and disbelief that we've had yet another school shooting in this country. It really makes me think about homeschooling my son because I hate the thought that I'm sending him off on the school bus each morning and can't guarantee that he will safely come back to me in the afternoon.

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    1. I personally feel our high schools are too large. I went to high school in a small town (1 square mile), and my graduating class was 105 people. We knew everyone in the school and we had a community. I taught in two high school that had over 2000 students. The kids were crammed in the buildings, forced to each lunch in hallways, and with that size a population, some kids slip through the cracks. I really think high school reform should be considered.

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    2. I agree with you on the school size. I went to a small high school too and I knew everyone in my class as well as everyone in the school. It definitely made it much harder for anyone to slip through the cracks because knowing everyone so well like that, it was easier to tell if someone was struggling.

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  9. Happy blogiversary! That Jimmy Kimmel thing is sad and hilarious. If someone shoved a TV camera in my face, I’d probably blank out, too. I’m glad you liked Moonrise because I really want to read that one. Enjoy your new books!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. Moonrise had a huge emotional impact, and Crossan is so gifted with giving such a complex picture via free verse. Her point of view on this issue was very though provoking too.

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  10. Thanks for sharing the Jimmy Kimmel clip. Very sad, I agree, especially since I have three books sitting right next to me now.

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    1. I guess maybe there is a little pressure with the camera there, but they were able to answer other questions. So, not sure about them.

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  11. Happy 5 years! That's awesome you have been blogging for so long. Lord, that Jimmy Kimmel clip is really disturbing in a way. Something needs to done about the American education system.
    Enjoy all your books! So glad you enjoyed Beginner's Luck! :)

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    1. I wish I heard more people talking about school reform, but you know, I was just inside the system for years, what would I know. --sigh--

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  12. I never much thought about it before I started blogging about books. Now it saddens me when I run across people who don't read. Shocks me too! I look around and I'm surrounded by books!

    My Sunday Post

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    1. I had a long gap in my pleasure reading due to school demands and having to read for my job, but I am happy to be able to pleasure read again.

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  13. Happy 5th Anniversary!!!! Wishing you and your co-blogger many more years of blogging.

    It's so shocking when someone can't name a book.

    Wishes of a great week!
    Tânia @MyLovelySecret

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    1. I'll be honest, when Kimmel asked the question in the clip, the first book I thought of was the Bible, but I am sure I could come up with others.

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  14. Wooo! Congrats on 5 years! I'm glad to see that you liked Suitors and Sabotage - I've been interested in that one! Enjoy your reads this week!

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    1. I always enjoy Anstey's books. I just would have loved more of the romance, because I loved those two together.

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  15. Wow-can't NAME a book. Its not like they asked you to summarize a book. you don't even have to have read it-just NAME a book. So many have been turned into movies it should be easy. Sigh.
    Hope the rain stops!

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    1. That was exactly what I was thinking. Name a movie, you could be right (like the Jungle Book guy).

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  16. I am just sick about the fact that there was another school shooting. I don't understand. Congrats on 5 years! It looks like you had a great reading week. Shalvis is always a nice escape. I hope you get a break in the rain very soon.

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    1. I think people should be taking a hard look at the root causes. Last two seem linked to toxic masculinity, and our schools are very broken. Shalvis always makes me happy. She has yet to disappoint me.

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  17. First of all CONGRATULATIONS on 5 years of blogging!!! That is such a huge accomplishment.
    That video made me really sad. Especially that librarian at the end. What an idiot! She made libraries and librarians in general look really bad. I personally hate Jimmy Kimmal, what was he trying to prove with that segment? That Americans are stupid and don't read? Ugh!

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    1. The librarian at the end made me OMG out loud. SMH.

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  18. WOW, congratulations on five years of blogging, what an incredible accomplishment, I'm so happy for you! Here's to more years of blogging and fun hopefully! :D
    I really want to read Tiffany Sly, this book sounds really good - I'm so happy you enjoyed it :)
    I hope you'll love your reads, have a wonderful week and happy reading ! :D

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    1. Tiffany Sly was a solid debut. I really loved Tiffany, so I forgave where I felt like Davis was trying to hit on too many issues.

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  19. Omg that video is so disappointing. I mean you can name one? Sad really😔
    You also have to tell me your secret on how to read so many books. I admire you. I’m still in a huge book slump and hope to get out of it eventually.
    Congratulations on 5 years of blogging! That’s a great accomplishment and wish you many more years to come. Xoxo 💋

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    1. I laughed, but it broke my heart a little. I read 5 a week, the others are audiobooks. I have a long commute, and don't watch much TV. Leaves a lot of reading time.

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  20. U.S. news is exhausting and I feel sooo terrible for these kids who say they aren't "surprised" by school shootings anymore. This isn't anything anyone should get to used to, this isn't something that should happen period. I'm hoping the November elections will vote out those who have no interest in finding solutions.

    Also totally jealous that you got a copy of The Proposal!

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    1. I am so glad I no longer teach. There were many times I didn't feel safe, but I wish they would look a little deeper. It's a cultural problem with our kids, and the school structure needs to be evaluated as well. Me and a bunch of other people got The Proposal by accident, but hey, it's a happy accident for me.

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  21. Moonrise left me in tears, too, and books don't make me cry easily. 😢

    That Kimmel video was harsh, ha ha. I think they edited out the people who knew a title. I mean, come on, one book. 😛

    We had a mass shooting in my city about ten years ago and at one point they thought there were two shooters and one had gone around the corner to my son's high school. He didn't have a phone on him because they weren't allowed to have them in IB and AP classes, so he always left his in his locker. I sat in horror for two hours before he borrowed a phone and called me to tell me he was fine. Now every time I hear there has been another shooting I get that same hollowed out sick feeling. I think these Senators who take NRA money should have to view the photos of the victims.

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    1. Moonrise was definitely a gut punch, and I am grateful Crossan gave us that wee bit of romance to offset all my sadness for Joe. I was even impressed that she gave us a little nod toward his future. I taught in high schools for 12 years, and really think we need to work on the system, since that is where the violence is occurring.

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  22. I really loved Things We Know by Heart too. Glad you enjoyed that one!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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  23. Oh wow! I might draw a blank too but only for a minute. Then I’d start naming so many books! It’s sad how many people don’t read.

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    1. When I heard the question, the Bible immediately popped into my head, but those people did go on to mention other things, so, I don't know. Though, it is a fact that a lot of people don't read.

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  24. It's been randomly raining, and it should storm later today, but then it will be nicer later in the week. I'm ready for that! I have Moonrise to read; that should be my next book. Happy Blogoversary- five years is awesome!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. Moonrise was really emotional for me, but after reading it, I can understand why Crossan has won awards for her books in verse. She is really good at it.

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  25. That Jimmy Kimmel clip is funny and also sad. The rain is finally letting up. I love the cover of Sam & Ilsa's Last Hurrah!

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    1. I love the cover for Sam & Ilsa too, but the book was a lot deeper than I expected. It was really Big Chill like.

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  26. I saw that Jimmy Kimmel clip too. I think I would be the same way. When people put me on the spot, I can't even spell my first name. So happy you loved The Beau & the Belle by R.S. Grey. She's the best!!

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    1. They were able to answer other questions though. I don't know. I always love Grey's books. She does rom-coms well.

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  27. I love me a gloomy and rainy day but that's probably because I live in Brazil and we get sun all year round and I'm just sick of it. The Jimmy Kimmel thing was painful to watch :/
    I've read Tone Deaf By Olivia Rivers and it was an awesome book! I'd love to know what you think of it when you get around to reading it! :)

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    1. Good to hear Tone Deaf is good. I had it on my TBR forever, so I nabbed it during a sale. I am doing a big backlist/shelf love thing in the second half of the year. I have too many review books through June.

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