Sunday, August 11, 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 honestly cannot remember much about this week. No major issues with trains, but the buses were showing me no love. My bus was 25 minutes late on Tuesday, and we were doing the commuter olympics as we waited for it. We checked the app, it said the bus was coming, so we stayed at that bus stop. Then, it fell off the schedule, so we thought it wasn't coming, and walked to the bus stop on the other side of the street to catch a different bus, about a block away, but once we were there, we saw our bus driving down the street, so we started running back to the other bus stop. I love starting my mornings that way.

My daughter was nearby for business, but sadly, too busy to meet. The good news, she will be back next week, and we will try to meet for dinner. I like having something to look forward to, and I really hope we are able to get some Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.

This made me "awww"
This cracked me up

This made me "awww" and cracked me up

Let's Discuss!
  • Wendy worries that her ratings have fallen victim to grade inflation
  • Alys shares why some books are hard for her to read
  • Pamela Nicole wonders if blogging has always been this hard

On the Blog:
  • Monday: Blog Tour - Announcing Trouble by Amy Fellner Dominy
  • Tuesday: TTT - Cover Loving: Original vs. Movie Tie-in Covers
  • Wednesday: CWW/BFTBL - Rebel by Marie Lu, Tone Deaf by Olivia Rivers
  • Thursday: Nutshells - Gut Check by Eric Kester, The Hard Count by Ginger Scott
  • Friday: Discussion - Is that a compliment?

STACKING THE SHELVES

Slow week here, but there were some great dumps on EW from Harper and Penguin. I am keeping my fingers crossed with all my Harper request, because they usually show me a lot of love, but I'm not sure why I tried for the Penguin books. They notably always deny me, but I guess I was feeling masochistic. I did get a great Entangled title, and I had previously enjoyed books from this author.

Edelweiss/NetGalley


What I Read Last Week

My week started and ended really strong, and was generally great. I cannot believe a book like Gut Check hit me the way it did, and am as surprised as anyone to see it on my favorites shelf, but there was just something about it, that captivated me and won my heart. And, I have to say, Ashely Herring Blake's middle grades books are phenomenal. If you appreciate books from this age group, I highly suggest both of her's. And, wow! Everyone, who was raving about Things You Save in a Fire was right! So, so good. I actually went and put a hold on the author's previous book, and cannot wait to read more of her books.

Books

Audiobooks

What I Am Currently Reading

Picture Us in the Light took some turns I didn't see coming, and I am very into the story.


What I Plan to Read

I am really feeling like an inadequate blogger, because I am still reading August ARCs, while people are enjoying 2020 titles. These are the last of them, and then on to September releases.

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

53 comments:

  1. Oh no- fun with buses. That sounds like a stressful way to start the day. Isn't commuting fun? And Dinosaur Bar-B-Que just SOUNDS so good!

    That race video is the best. :)

    I remember when Lucky Few came out, for some reason I really liked that cover. I hope it's good!

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    1. Dinosaur is great. It started in Syracuse and is now a chain, and I am excited, because it's been a while since I have had the pleasure of some of that BBQ. I like the cover for Lucky Few too. It's very serene, and you have to look closely to see the kids.

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  2. LOL!! That Sarah Hogle tweet is THE BEST. Laughed out loud xD

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    1. I thought it was fantastic! I guess it can be awkward if you write the somewhat explicit type of romances.

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  3. Fingers crossed you get time to grab that meal with your daughter!
    The bus story made me giggle. I used to do that dance a lot when I lived in Edinburgh... Now, I live in the boonies and buses are like unicorns they come around so infrequently!

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    1. We made a plan for Wednesday, so I just need NJT to cooperate with me. I live about 2 miles from the train station, which is pretty busy, because Amtrak uses the station as well as NJT. There are a bunch of loop buses plus other buses going there. But, you don't see neighborhood buses like I was used to in New York.

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  4. Wow, that bus *shakes fist* That's an interesting way to start a morning for sure. It keeps things entertaining though and you got a morning work out in it! I saw Stuck with You but I didn't request it. I'll wait for your review unless I get restless and end up requesting it, too lol I can't wait to start Bocci's novel! Also, girl, I'm still on August ARCs and super behind! I even have 2 to 3 from July still!
    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

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    1. *high five* Glad I'm not the only one reading Aug releases. Entangled books are always satisfying for me, with some being exceptional. I know I will have a good experience, and will be left with a smile on my face.

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  5. It sounds like your transport is right up there with the dreadful service in this country! Power outages all the time. Leaves/rain/snow/sun stopping trains, an inch of snow and you can't get a bus running, trains forever late and too full to get a seat...I hate public transport!

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    1. The last rain storm left some of my co-workers without power for days, and it was so hot. I felt bad for them. I have a love/hate relationship with public transit. I own a car, and could drive, but the traffic made me nuts. I would rather sit on the train.

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  6. Quote: "and we were doing the commuter olympics as we waited for it".
    😂 If it's not the train, it's the bus! You're doomed!

    Seriously, that sucks. I can't imagine dealing with such stuff on a nearly-every-other-day basis.

    I hope you and Kriesten will manage to have a nice reunion over lunch, at least!

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    1. Oops, sorry, Kiersten. My fingers have a mind of their own.

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    2. That bus has been pretty reliable, when compared to my experience with Ralph, my other driver. There actually was an accident and they rerouted traffic, so there was a real excuse too, unlike Ralph, who is doing a loop around the neighborhood. It was out of their control. Public transportation is the lesser of two evils for me, so I put up with it.

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  7. Sounds like musical bus stops... except without any of the fun factor. Ugh. Hope you get to have dinner with the daughter! I love the name of that restaurant - Dinosaur BBQ. What fun! :) I requested Tone Deaf from my library and just got the notification that it's available for pick-up. Hopefully I'll get to it in the next week or so. Picture Us in the Light has been on my TBR for a year or more. I have On the Corner of Love and Hate but I'm not sure when I'll get to it. I hope you have a great week, Sam!

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    1. Right now, I am on the calendar for dinner with the kid Wed barring any train disasters. I liked Tone Deaf, I just wished the author had utilized the heroine's backstory more, but it was good romance with some serious family drama, and it had a solid ending.

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  8. That commute sounds stressful! Hopefully you're wearing comfy shoes for all that running back and forth!

    Nice new read! Totally new to me, but I hope you enjoy it!

    Here's my StS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. I am sure it was an amusing sight watching us all running up and down the street that morning.

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  9. I'm glad to see so many good reviews of Things You Save in a Fire!

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    1. It was fantastic! I went straight to my online library to reserve Center's previous book.

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  10. Ahh lovely books read this past week! I can't wait to read All The Bad Apples, so happy you enjoyed it :)
    I hope you'll have a lovely week <3

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    1. All the Bad Apples is a bit heavy. It deals with the oppression and abuse of women and children throughout Irish history, but it was well done, and it still had all those things I have grown to expect from this author.

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  11. I do not miss buses! When I lived in Seattle I took a bus everywhere because I didn't own a car and frequently ran into issues like that.

    I've been looking at Picture Us in the Light, but haven't committed to it on my TBR, so I'll be interested in hearing your thoughts once you're finished.

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    1. Mass transit is still better than driving to where I work. The drive home was so terrible, that I opted for the train. I liked Picture Us in the Light. It was painful and beautiful and sad and hopeful.

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  12. OMG Sam I swear your Sunday posts are the best with these cute and funny little vid! I laughed and aawed and ....Thank you!!!!

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    1. I have carefully curated my feed to show me as many cute animals as possible. I love to share, because they brighten my day.

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  13. You have the worst luck with public transportation!!! Sorry you didn't have time to meet with your daughter. Hopefully this week will be transportation stress free!

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    1. We are getting together on Wed. I will go all the way from my job to Newark, and I am hoping there are no transit disasters that day.

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  14. Commuter Olympics doesn't sound like a fun way to start the morning. Love the animal videos (too cute!) and Author's Dad edition, lol! I'll have to check out Things You Save in a Fire. :)

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    1. Animal videos are my saviors. They just make every day better. All the hype you are hearing about Things You Save in a Fire is well earned. It was so good.

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  15. All of those tweets are adorable and hilarious. I want to read Color Me In, and I really enjoyed Ivy Aberdeen, so I should keep reading Herring Blake for sure.

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    1. Blake's middle grades novels are nothing short of amazing. I have read two of her YA, and they were good too, with Girl Made of Stars better than the other one I read. I still need to read her debut, but I am happy I gave her a go.

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  16. I still have plenty of August ARCs left to read, and review.
    Public transport really can be the worst.

    Have a great reading week

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    1. *high five* We are reading those Aug ARCs together. I have a love/hate relationship with public transportation, but I am glad I don't have to make that almost 100 mile round trip drive to and from my job.

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  17. Haha, that edited romance book is awesome. It would be very awkward to have your parents read a dirty scene you wrote. I like that solution.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. I often wondered how actors/writers/singers, who put out sexy stuff dealt with their family seeing it. Now we know.

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  18. Wow, I don't think Harper has shown me love since 2017, haha.

    Thank you for reminding me that I need to read Flashed.

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    1. Really? Harper is one pub that usually never rejects me. Maybe it's because I want contemporaries and not the popular fantasy books. (BTW, I received my 3 denials from Penguin, as expected.) I liked Flash. It was hard seeing Patrick like that, but I enjoyed watching him work his way back from the edge.

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  19. That sucks about the buses. I hate relying on public transportation! The Aussie Next Door looks really cute. I hope you love all your upcoming reads!

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    1. Public transport is the lesser of two evils for getting me to where I work, and at least I get to read, right?

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  20. I hope you'll get to spend quality time with your daughter the next time she's in town. Have to admit I chuckled a bit while reading about your bus Olympics. I could see myself doing the same thing, lol.

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    1. We are meeting tomorrow, so I hope there are no rail disasters to keep me from getting there.

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  21. Your social media posts always having me going aww (like puppies and other cute animals) or cracking up (like that romance author's dad edition of her work)! Gut Check is on my TBR because of you!

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    1. Thank goodness for those posts. They keep me sane. I hope you get to read Gut Check. It was something unexpectedly wonderful for me. I hope young men read it too, because it challenges a lot of the "social norms" we associate with males.

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  22. I've had the same thing while waiting for a ride. I bet I looked silly. Hope you can spend time with your daughter. And those videos are too cute.

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    1. I hope someone got a chuckle that morning. It would make all my bus stop shenanigans worth it.

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  23. I am loving Stuck on you! It's such a cute story. I think you'll like it. Penguin always turns me down too :( I wonder what they're looking for... I've never heard of Dinosaur BBQ. It sounds like a fun place to eat. I love the Romance Authors Post! LOL I hope you have a great week and get to meet up with your daughter for dinner :)

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. So good to hear! I need those cute reads. They are my oxygen. I have a relationship with a rep at Penguin, but they always want to send me books. I just want the ebook. Dinosaur started in Syracuse and is an institution there, but it has since grown into a chain. I know there is one in Newark, Harlem, and Brooklyn, but I know there are more. The original is still the best.

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  24. Oh gosh, I'm sorry about all the bus woes! That's great your daughter can visit soon and you're able to grab dinner. :) I LOVED Picture Us in the Light, so I hope you continue to enjoy it.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I did make it to the station on time, and the weather was ok that day. Had it been really cold or raining, I definitely would not have a sense of humor about it. I had no idea what Picture Us in the Light was about. I just heard it was good, so, why not. It was quite a story. I saw certain things coming, but other things came out of nowhere.

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  25. If it's not trains it's buses. I honestly feel like buses make up their own schedule, at least mine seem to. I hate having to run for a bus as well, it puts me in a bad mood right from the start as I'm normally out of breath and wokring up a sweat trying to find a seat and it just is frustrating. Sorry your daughter was in town and you didn't get to see her, at least there'll be another chance to catch up properly soon. Good luck with the book requests and hopefully your buses and trains will show you more love this week.

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    1. The morning buses I take are pretty good. I take the one that travels all the way from Elizabeth, which is quite a ways away, but it's usually on time. Accidents happen, and buses are late. I still made my train. I always feel like a mess after my morning commute. It it's not raining in the morning, it's super humid and the Amtrak trains pass me on the platform, blowing my hair all over. It's such a lost cause. I don't even know why I comb my hair.

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  26. So happy to see you enjoyed All the Bad Apples! I have been seeing it around and people have been hauling it but I've been waiting to hear opinions before adding it to my own list. I also really am anticipating The Cheerleaders so I am glad you enjoyed that one ^.^

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    1. I like Fowley-Doyle, and this one was quite a commentary and scathing testimony of the past and present influence the Catholic Church has/had in Ireland.

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