Sunday, May 12, 2019

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

I was tired all week from my trip. I never go out that much, so being out every night took it's toll. It was a very enjoyable weekend though. The weather worked out, and we got to go on the architecture cruise, which was really interesting. Aly & AJ were great. I was especially delighted, when they played their old songs, since those are the ones I know. We were selected for TSA pre-check for our flight home too. That was pretty awesome. My daughter bought that service for herself, but I really don't travel enough to justify it. I think I am usually one plane ride per year.


This delighted me....
As someone, who has put together quite a bit of Ikea furniture, I was amused...
I am going to have to go to a bookstore and read this short story...

Saw this feature on my eLibrary homepage, and it triggered a few tears in my eyes, because we all KNOW what happens to the dog in books.....


Let's Discuss!
  • Elgee shares 7 things she likes in a book
  • Kristen asks what type of retellings do you like
  • Sophie wonders if schools are wrong about required reading books
On the Blog:
  • Monday: One Old, One New - Then Came You & Hooked On You by Kate Meader
  • Tuesday: TTT - Cover Loving
  • Wednesday: CWW - Screen Queens & Risking It
  • Thursday: Blog Tour - This is Not a Love Scene by S.C. Megale
  • Friday: Discussion - What is Quiet YA?
STACKING THE SHELVES

Won

I won this book via a Goodreads giveaway, but already have a digital ARC, so I will probably be giving it away at some point.
Edelweiss/NetGalley
What I Read Last Week

My reading suffered a little due to my trip, but overall, it was a decent reading week. I have owned The Last Time We Say Goodbye for years, but of course, listened to the audiobook from the library instead. I am glad I did. It was really, really good. Very emotional, and I though it was well done. I also was super happy with The Unhoneymooners. CLo have been delighting me, book after book.

Books

Audiobooks

What I Am Currently Reading

What I Plan to Read

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

67 comments:

  1. Looks like a great trip! And I love the look of your books this week! I've been seeing The Unhoneymooners everywhere, and reviews seem so positive.

    Cure For The Common Breakup has such a cute cover too.

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    1. The Unhoneymooners was so much fun! It was exactly what I wanted and I laughed a whole lot.

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  2. I'm very wary of books with dogs on the covers in case the author murders them!

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    1. I think I experienced some PTSD, when I saw that featured on the homepage. There was no way I was clicking that link.

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  3. You might have been tired all week, but it seems you had an amazing trip. Aly & AJ still sing together?! I didn't know!!! I need to start listening to music more often again...

    I avoid reading books with dogs. Or any animal that will probably met an awful ending.

    Congrats on winning a giveaway. =D I hope you enjoy your new books.

    Happy readings! ;)
    Tânia @MyLovelySecret

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    1. My daughter was very excited, when Aly & AJ released an EP last year. She saw them last year, and this is her second time seeing them this year. It was weird for me, because the last time I saw them, my daughter was like 8 years old (she is 24 now).

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  4. Happy Mom's Day! I loved the otter video and the IKEA book joke cracked me up. Thanks for brightening my mom's day!

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    1. Thank you. Happy Mother's Day to you too. Otters are always fun.

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  5. I didn't know Aly & AJ still played concerts! It sounds like you had a good week even though it sounds a bit exhausting. I'm glad you had a good time with your daughter though.
    Have a good week ahead!

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    1. Yup. They released new music last year and I guess they are working on more, because they played a few new songs at the show.

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  6. Glad you had a great time in Chicago!! Happy Mother's Day!

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    1. I almost got to spend time with my child on mother's day. Chicago was fun and the weather was good and I miss my daughter, so it's always nice to get to see her.

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  7. Glad your trip was fun! And awesome for the TSA pre check in thing! I've never done that either. I too likely only travel by plane once a year, if that. Occasionally it might be twice! Lol!

    Nice new reads! All new to me ones but I hope you will enjoy them! And congrats on the Goodreads win! I can't remember the last time I won one of those! I am told frequently that I lose...which I still can't believe they do! I mean, I'd rather not know because odds are likely I don't remember which contests I entered. Goodreads is so helpful by reminding me that I entered a contest...and that I lost! Makes NO sense!

    Here's my StS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. If I traveled more, I would definitely pony up the money for pre-check. No fumbling with shoes and bags. No removing your electronics. It was great. Those "you are a loser" emails are awful! Who thought they were a good idea?

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  8. I'm glad to hear you had such a nice trip! That 'bought a book from IKEA' pic made me LOL as soon as I saw it, lol. Hope you have a great week and that all of your upcoming reads are excellent!

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    1. It's always a treat to get to see my child, and the weather was very cooperative.

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  9. It does get tiring going out. I like staying in, too. Glad you had a nice trip. I just started The Unhoneymooners and it's fun so far. Hope you get some rest, Sam! :)

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    1. I hope The Unhoneymooners delights you as much as it did me.

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  10. Glad your trip went well. Travel exhausts me, too. I'm curious about Risking It All. LOL on that Ikea funny.

    Have a great week, Samantha!

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    1. I think traveling knocks me out, because I like the comfort of my routines, and my weekends are when I do everything. I am on a tour for Risking It next month, but the rating should be in a in a week or two.

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  11. Right? There is nothing that can make me cry like a dog book can.

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    1. Dog books always make me nervous. I did a whole discussion post on it.

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  12. Aw, that looks like a fun trip! And LOL @ the Ikea image. Seems legit, huh?!

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    1. It's fun getting to see the kid. I had all of college and grad school to get used to her being separated from me, but it still hasn't gotten any easier. That picture so represents all the is Ikea

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  13. Glad you had a good trip, even though it was exhausting. I can understand the feeling well!

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    1. Trips are fun, but coming back to all the stuff you didn't do is tough.

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  14. Ahhhh Aly & AJ! I hope you had a fantastic time at the concert! Also I can't wait to see what you think of Fake It Till You Break It - I read it a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it (though I suppose some people think it's cheesy? Maybe I just needed cheese).

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    1. The show was fun. I still cannot believe it's been about 16 years since I last saw them. Did you say cheese? You know I am a steadfast Hallmarkie, right?

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  15. Glad to hear you had fun on your trip. Welcome back. I spy so many fun looking books. And otters always charm me!

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    1. Otters are fabulous. There are a lot of negative things about social media, but the sharing of otter clips is not one of them

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  16. That IKEA book meme is hillarious! You got some great arcs this week, I hope you enjoy them all.

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    1. As much as I love Ikea, the million pieces can get ridiculous.

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  17. I'm glad you and your daughter had such an amazing trip Sam! It looks like you got a lot of great books in your haul this week! I want to read Red, White & Royal Blue, because I've heard great things about it. I enjoyed The Unhoneymooners as well. Congrats on winning the giveaway! Happy Mother's Day!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. Every time I see the kid, I miss her more, but maybe I will get to see her during the summer. Red, White & Royal Blue was great. I don't get to read much NA, and this was elevated NA.

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  18. I have so many arcs of these books that you listed but I am MOST EXCITED ABOUT The Babysitter's Coven!!! The fact that they compared the book to Adventures in Babysitter thrills me! I rented it a million times in Blockbuster! (RIP Blockbuster!)

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    1. Coven sounds like it will be great. Um, I saw Adventures in Babysitting in the theatre.

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  19. I have so many arcs of these books that you listed but I am MOST EXCITED ABOUT The Babysitter's Coven!!! The fact that they compared the book to Adventures in Babysitter thrills me! I rented it a million times in Blockbuster! (RIP Blockbuster!)

    Alexandra @ The Bookish Fairy www.thebookishfairy.com
    thebookishfairy37@gmail.com

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  20. An architecture cruise sounds awesome! And I used to go out ALL the time. Now, I get tired super easy lol The Babysitter's Coven looks cool. And I got the egalley for Melonie's book and I can't wait to start it! I love bad boys 😍
    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

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    1. I have all three of Johnson's books as eARCs. I liked the first one, and am excited to continue the series.

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  21. Glad you had such a fantastic time on your trip, even if you are tired now.

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. It was good, because I got to spend time with my daughter.

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  22. I Wanna Be Where You Are looks so cute. I hope you end up enjoying and happy Mother's Day!

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    1. Forrest tweeted about her brand being about the characters getting their HEA, I knew I had to read her book.

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  23. I’m glad you had a fun trip! I love the photos. I liked The Last Time We Say Goodbye, too. Have a great week!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. I am very frustrated with myself for sitting on The Last Time We Say Goodbye for so long. It was wonderful and honest and heartbreaking, but still beautiful.

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  24. I have The Unhoneymooners and Red, White & Royal Blue on my TBR pile to read very soon!! I'm glad you gave them great ratings! I can't wait to read them!! I hope you have a great week!!

    ~ Kendra @ Kendra Loves Books

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    1. Both were wonderful! I hope you love them too!

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  25. I'm glad you had such a nice trip and the weather worked out. I've never seen Aly&AJ live but I think it would be a lot of fun. I do love them.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I have now seen Aly & AJ twice -- 16 years apart! It was fun.

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  26. So glad you had a good trip! It always takes a while to recover, though. :) That little otter is sooo adorable! :) Like you, I’ll be hitting up a bookstore to read the If I Stay prequel story. No way am I buying the book again. But I’d love to read the parents story. I requested Katy Upperman’s latest over a month ago and never heard anything. So I guess it’s a no. LOL My copy of Red, White & Royal Blue will be delivered tomorrow and I’m so excited I can’t stand it!

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    1. Otters are totally on my list of animals I want to own, if I could own them. I mean, they hold hands. So cute! Macmillan books are always wish for me on NG, and then when I can request, my requests sit for a loooong time, but they came available on EW and I was quickly approved, which was odd, but awesome at the same time.

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  27. The trip sounds lovely. Yep, it usually takes me a while to recover. Like you, I travel maybe once a year and not always by air.

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    1. Air travel is quick and all, but annoying and exhausting.

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  28. Life after a vacation can be such a hard adjustment! Happy reading and congrats on winning the Melanie Johnson. It's crazy to me that she has three books coming out back to back.

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    1. I was only away for 4 days, and I traveled for two of them. I just don't do much, when I am not at work, and that kid had me out every night. A lot of romance authors can churn those books out and they will publish them quickly. It always amazes me.

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  29. I just saw Aly and AJ a couple days ago on their tour! I am familiar with their old stuff (esp. Like Whoa and Potential Break Up Song), but I'm actually a pretty avid listener of their new stuff, so I was so pleased that they did a mix of everything! Glad to see a fellow blogger acknowledging the greatness of Aly and AJ, lol!!

    Also, I'm so glad to see that you really liked (and loved!) The Unhoneymooners and Red, White, & Royal Blue! Those are two of my favorites of this year.

    I hope you have another great week Sam!

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    1. My daughter has been an Aly & AJ fan since she was in single digits. She was so excited, when they released their EP last year, and this was the second time she was seeing them this year. CLo can do no wrong by me. It has been hit after hit since Autoboyography.

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  30. Ooooh I'm super excited to see what you think of The Babysitters Coven. It sounds so good. Hope you have a great reading week! :)

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    1. I liked the pitch, and though I am not keen on series these days, I think it will be worth trying out.

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  31. So many things to say here Sam! First sorry to answer so late! Since my business trip last week it seems that I am running all the time to catch up on everything and everyone! So yes you being tired from your trip I can totally relate! Second thanks for featuring my post! Third awwwww this otter is SO CUTE!!!! And lastly I have that Julie Buxbaum book on my radar too so I am very curious about your thoughts.

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    1. I love Julie Buxbaum and her latest book was absolutely wonderful. Books featuring 9/11 are tough for me. We lost 43 family friends and were directly affected in the early days due to proximity. Those books always hit me hard, but I think Buxbaum incorporated it into her story beautifully, and I like the idea of this generation getting this fictionalize POV, because it's a little more intimate than reading it in their history books.

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  32. Glad you had a wonderful trip and the weather cooperated with you. I don't fly much either. That otter tho - adorable. I love the IKEA reference too. So funny.

    Mary

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    1. Otters are amazing and I was really happy my trip went well too

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  33. Glad you had fun on your trip, that's awesome. I didn't even know Aly & AJ had new songs out so I searched them out to listen. They're not bad. And I might be doing the same, I might treat myself to If I Stay because I need to read that prequel.

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    1. Their new stuff is really different from their older stuff, but it was fun seeing them live. I loved the energy of the crowd.

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  34. Yay for getting I want to be where you are! I am looking forward to seeing what you think of that and I can understand how going out so much can be quite exhausting. Happy you enjoyed the Aly & Aj concert so much as well.

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    1. I am excited to read Forrest's book. Her tweets have me thinking I will love every book she writes, because she is all about the HEA.

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