Sunday, August 19, 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

Another week down! The highlight of the week was getting to watch To All the Boys I've Loved Before. It was wonderful! The casting was so good, and I am just beyond happy with this adaptation. Other than that, I got the quarterly award at work, which was kind of nice. After working for so many years, where I was only ever told what I was doing wrong, it's really refreshing to be recognized for doing my job well.

On the Web:

I have nothing but love for the rom-com

A great movie AND a great soundtrack!

And now for something cute

On the Blog:
  • Monday: Nutshell Reviews - How to Breathe Underwater, To Be Honest, Giant Days
  • Tuesday: TTT - Blogging Buddies
  • Wednesday: CWW - To Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus
  • Thursday: Review - We Regret to Inform You by Ariel Kaplan
  • Friday: Discussion - Am I Too Early?
STACKING THE SHELVES

Free
Edelweiss/NetGalley
Publisher
What I Read Last Week

My two standouts were Hidden Pieces and Beautiful Mess. Beautiful Mess was almost a 5-star read for me, but it had this moment towards the end that infuriated me, but I was able to overlook it in the end.

Books

Audiobooks

What I Am Currently Reading

I am so excited to be reading Two Dark Reigns, that I don't even care that it's a PDF with a water mark on every page. I will suffer in order to confirm or refute my theories.

Bad Reputation is fabulous so far (thank you, Nick!), and I will definitely be falling back and reading the first book in this series.


What I Plan to Read

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

70 comments:

  1. I loved To All the Boys I've Loved Before too! So good. I'm all forRom Coms as well. Yay for your work award. I want to get to The Propsal soon too. Enjoy your new books and gave a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved Carlos in The Wedding Date, and was really happy he was getting his own story.

      Delete
  2. I thought To All The Boys was amazingly well done- loved it! And congrats on being recognized at work!!

    I'm so excited for Two Dark Reigns!!!! Can't wait to read that one :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am about 1/3 through TDR, and I will say, that the novellas were a good primer for the story.

      Delete
  3. Well done on the award!
    To All the Boys I've Loved Before is flashing prominently on my netflix homepage. I haven't read the book - but have read many wonderful reviews about it - so I think I'll be giving it a watch myself soon. Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

    I have Breaking The Stars on my TBR. I enjoyed the first in the series... It's good to know that you thought the second was pretty good too. It's a nice reminder that it exists and I want to read it! lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think you have to read the books to enjoy the movie. Han was such a lover of those 80s teen flicks, and it shows in the film. I get all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it. I get all my audiobooks from the library, so most are backlist. I have enjoyed other J Stirling books, and the hero in Breaking the Stars really won me over.

      Delete
  4. That hedgehog is just so cute!!! Actually, I really like the whole hedgehog theme of the blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A lot of people think those are hedge-emojis, but that is actually Sloth, the WLABB mascot of sorts. Though, hedgehogs are only second to him. I am utterly obsessed with Hedgehog go the Day. They even drew me a hedgehog reading a book and hung it up by my desk at work.

      Delete
  5. Oh nice new reads! I was terribly saddened that I had to DNF One Dark Throne. I just couldn't get into the series as much as I wanted! I don't know if it was because of all the hype that my expectations were unconsciously set too high or what. But I hope you will thoroughly enjoy it and your other new reads as well!

    Here's my STS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am a fan of TDC and there was quite an awesome reveal towards the end of ODT. I like where this is going.

      Delete
  6. Congrats on your award! That's awesome! I haven't decided yet if I'm going to read Two Dark Reigns, the series is just not grabbing me like I thought it would.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can't love them all, but I am definitely fully invested in the TDC series. For me to read novellas means I like the series, because I don't normally do that.

      Delete
  7. The Benefits of Being an Octopus is one of my most anticipated books for the fall. Can't wait to read it as well as Wild Card by Marie Lu.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw Benefits and it sounded good, but I had ton of books. Then I read a really glowing review, and I do believe it's a book I will love. So, I went and downloaded it. I would love to have a copy of Wildcard, but that pub always rejects me (which they did again for Wildcard), and I didn't get to go to BookExpo this year (where they gave out copies). --sigh-- I will wait and read it from the library.

      Delete
  8. I am here for all of the rom-coms as well! To All the Boys is such an amazing adaptation. I was a little nervous to watch it because I adore those books so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kiersten was messaging with me yesterday morning. She has not read the books, but she told me she liked it, so I went in, and it was great! I cannot get this smile off my face since I watched it.

      Delete
  9. I just added To All the Boys I've Loved Before to my watchlist. I hope to get to it soon. :) Enjoy your new books and your Sunday!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you need a little pick me up, watch TATBILB. It's so fun, sweet, and cute.

      Delete
  10. I am glad you loved To All the Boys I've Loved Before. You've got some great books lined up. I must investigate The Benefits of Being an Octopus!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TATBILB was so fun, adorable, and heartwarming. I keep smiling every time I think of it.

      Delete
  11. Congrats on earning that award, I'm so happy that you got the recognition that you deserve!

    I just started Bad Reputation and I'm hoping it's as good as Bad Bachelor!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I am going backwards. I heard of London, but hadn't read anything from her. Tried Reputation after reading Nick's review, and determined that I like London's style.

      Delete
  12. Haha, I hope nobody eats that hedgehog . . . . I’m glad you liked the movie. All of the social media sites have been going nuts about it. Congrats on the work award. Have a great week!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's that hedgehog's face. So sweet and cute! I didn't watch it until about midday yesterday. My feed was blowing up with comments, but then when Kiersten was watching it too, I knew I had to make time for it. No regrets.

      Delete
  13. Quote: "After working for so many years, where I was only ever told what I was doing wrong, it's really refreshing to be recognized for doing my job well."
    Ah, I sometimes think the first thing is done on purpose - to ensure that we keep our heads down, so to speak. Glad to hear you finally got a recognition! What's your job, if I may ask? (you don't need to be specific of course).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't need a ton of praise, but teaching is a tough job (which is why I left). You get beat up by teens all day, a lot of nasty feedback from their parents, and then you have to go to these meetings where you are just told that everything you do is wrong. It's nice to be told you are doing a good job every once in a while. I now work and nice, quiet office job, but I have done a lot to streamline and improve processes. All those things were because I saw more efficient ways to do things, and I have a wonderful management team, who really listens to us and supports us. My commute is a monster, but at least it's pleasant to be at work, which you would not hear me say when I was teaching.

      Delete
    2. I have a Twitter friend who's a teacher, so I know how frustrating it can be. Dealing with the teens alone should be enough, without having to take shit from parents and superiors on top of that. I used to think that office work was death for the soul, if you know what I mean - but in my "old" age I realised it's better than most things, especially if you can make full use of your organizational skills.

      Delete
    3. I have the best kind of office work, because I work in a secure room, and really don't have to deal with any people. This is my reward for 12 years of contacting with 150+ teens per day.

      Delete
  14. Your hedgehog is so cute! And staking the shelf fabulous! I so would like to read Summer Bird Blue ;-) Happy Sunday Sam!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bowman's debut was so phenomenal, I just had to get her new book. I am very eager to read it too.

      Delete
  15. OMG! That cute lil hedgehog! Totally made my day! :)
    I am so happy you liked Bad Reputation! It's one of my favorite romances this year. I need to rewatch To All The Boys! That movie was too precious for words!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I follow Hedgehog of the Day on Twitter, and I have to see it each morning before I start work. My co-workers look forward to me showing it to them too. The adaptation for TATBILB was fantastic! I loved the casting for LJ and Peter and it just made me so happy.

      Delete
  16. I've not seen To All The Boys yet but plan to. And congrats on your award at work. Enjoy all of those lovely reads:)

    My Sunday Post

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you have the time, watch it. So many happy feels.

      Delete
  17. I love that everyone is talking about TATBILB. It was so cute! I liked the book better but the movie was great. I didn’t realize that Denton Little’s Still Not Dead was a sequel. I’m adding the first book to my tbr.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The movie was never going to be the book. I feel like the focus was all on the romance, but at least it was so well done. Denton was an interesting duology, because the first book has this crazy ending, that just changes the whole type of story it is, at least that was how I felt. Very funny, and interesting in the ideas about death and dying, but it never felt morbid.

      Delete
  18. Now I must check out To All the Boys I've Loved Before...

    I am also eyeing Beautiful Mess.

    Enjoy your week, and thanks for sharing. Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you have Netflix and love cute, teen movies, To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a must. Beautiful Mess is an Aussie import, and I really enjoyed it.

      Delete
  19. I loved To All The Boys as well, just watched it yesterday and found that the actors did a great job, it was such a great adaptation, it made me so happy <3
    Congratulations on the award at work, it's so great to feel like your job is rewarding, I'm so happy for you :D
    I can't wait to read Hidden Pieces, I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed it :D
    I hope you'll have a fantastic week <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paula Stokes has yet to disappointment. If you liked the vibe of Liars, Inc, you will enjoy Hidden Pieces. I liked it a little more than Liars, because, well, romance. It's a complicated romance, but I was able to get on board.

      Delete
  20. I absolutely adored TATBILB and I hope that they continue on with the rest of the series, because it would so cute and epic to be able to binge all of them one right after the other. Two Dark Reigns looks so good and you're lucky you've got an ARC of it, I've been wanting to read that. It's definitely on my TBR list, because I enjoy KB's writing so much.

    I totally have my eye on Hidden Pieces and now you've turned me onto the author for Summer Blue Bird, I'm going to have to check them out. :)

    Great post and I hope you have a fantastic week, friend. *g*

    If you get the chance, come by my blog and check out my Sunday Post.
    Suz @ Bookish Revelations

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That, people, is how you do an adaptation. Sure, they couldn't include everything from the book, but the charm and warmth of the book are all there. TDR isn't even an ARC. It's a pdf manuscript. It's for a tour, which I am really grateful to be a part of. I am at about 70%, and things are ramping up. My review for Hidden Pieces will be out Thursday, but I really liked it. I hope you get to read something from Stokes, because she is fabulous.

      Delete
  21. Glad everyone is loving To All the Boys Ive Loved Before! And congrats on the positive attention at work. That is always such a great feeling! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually feel really appreciated by my management team all the time, but it's nice to get an actual award.

      Delete
  22. It is really nice to be appreciated at work. It is always nice when that happens. My daughter just watched To All the Boys I've Love Before this morning and enjoyed it. Yay for having some great reads during the week. Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You didn't watch TATBILB with your daughter? I think it would have made you smile.

      Delete
  23. Glad to hear To All the Boys was a good adaptation. So many times they're not. Congrats on your award! Great post, Sam! Happy reading! :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I missed out on all of the To All the Boys excitement. Someone asked me about it earlier today, and I was like... what? LOL. It sounds like it was hit!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My Twitter feed was blowing up about the movie all week, and once it premiered, forget about it. It was a fun thing to see trending, verses the ugly things that normal trend.

      Delete
  25. Big congrats on the recognition at the office, Sam! I agree it's a great feeling to be somewhere that you're appreciated. The hedgehog pic is everything. Love it. :) Hope you have a great week, Sam!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't need constant praise, but it's nice to get a little something every once in a while. Hedgehog of the Day is my favorite thing about Twitter.

      Delete
  26. Congrats on the quarterly award - that's great you're being shown appreciation for your work.

    OMG! That hedgehog. So so cute.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everyone needs to feel validated every now and again.

      Delete
  27. I'm actually watching To All the Boys right now, and I'm loving it. I think I might actually like it a little bit more than I did the book (sorry!!).

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved both. I cannot compare them side by side, because there were a lot of things missing from the movie. The film focused on the romance, while the book had a lot more in terms of family dynamic and whatnot. Didn't care about what they left out, because they did an incredible job capturing Lara Jean, and I shed quite a few happy tears watching that film.

      Delete
  28. I LOVE THE HEDGEHOG!! I'm glad everyone is loving To All the Boys! It's totally not my kind of movie, but I'll suggest it to my friends! Enjoy your new reads! I've heard great things about Summer Bird Blue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hedgehog = happiness
      I love romance and was always a fan of rom-coms. TATBILB was a great teen rom-com.

      Delete
  29. I love that happy hedgehog! Omg, I need to watch TATBILB. I loved rhr trilogy and the movie is all over my Twitter timeline!

    Happy reading, Sam! Have a fantastic day. =)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't get enough of Hedgehog of the day. They post the daily picture right about when I am getting to my desk at work. So, I make sure it's the last thing I see before I begin my workday.

      Delete
  30. Congrats on getting your award at work! You got a lot of reading done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I think I might have gotten in one extra book last week. I read a few, which I just couldn't put down.

      Delete
  31. Its always nice to get positive recognition at work. I still haven’t watched To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. I need to find some time this week. Have a wonderful week, Sam.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I you need a little pick-me-up, that is when you should watch TATBILB. It's bound to make you smile.

      Delete
  32. I really enjoyed To All the Boys I've Loved Before as well. I haven't even read the book yet but couldn't resist the movie. Now I need to backtrack and read the series.

    Congrats on your quarterly award too. That's wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The movie focused on the romance, whereas the book covers a little more, but it stupendously captured the essence, that is Lara Jean. She is one of my favorite characters, and it was really gratifying seeing her portrayed so perfectly.

      Delete
  33. Congrats on the work award! ❤️❤️ Can’t wait to see Laura Jean in action. Loved the book and who are playing her parents. I hope you enjoy The Benefits of Being an Octopus. I enjoyed it a lot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That movie was perfection! I need more of LJ - NOW! I think it was your review that made me request Octopus. I am reading next week, and am pretty sure it will be a good fit for me.

      Delete
  34. Everyone seems to be watching TALTBILB and absolutely loving it! I haven't read the book yet and I do want to read that first, but I am glad you were able to enjoy it so much. I'm happy to see you really liked Sadie too because that one is on my TBR. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think you have to read the book. My co-blogger told me she DNFed the book, but loved the movie.

      Delete