Sunday, March 1, 2020

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

There was so much train drama, that I am glad to see this week end. Here's hoping next week is smoother, and that they are actually finished, as scheduled, with the track work, so I don't have to suffer the hi-lo loading any longer.

I guess the best thing that happened this week is that I got some book mail. I received a very lovely package with two of Sarvenaz Tash's books. I read and really liked Virtually Yours, and am over the moon excited to read her next release, Ghosting: A Love Story.


My daughter is coming tonight, but I will be asleep, when she lands, and she will be asleep, when I leave for work. We won't talk, but we will be together in spirit. Sad she couldn't get here earlier today, but I understand that she has rehearsals for her showcase. That will be a fun May trip to Chicago. She will be dancing most of the visit, but I miss seeing her perform, and am really looking forward to it.

This cat is a kindred spirit. I would do the same thing.

Admit it. This dog made you smile.

There is just something about little furniture and cute animals, which delights me.


Let's Discuss!
  • Nicole tells us about her book-related anxiety
  • Sabrina warns us about book-lies
  • Jackie ponders embracing spoilers 
  • Sophia went HAM on the TTT topic, and I loved it! 


On the Blog:
  • Monday: #AmReading - What I Like About Me, It Sounded Better in My Head
  • Tuesday: TTT - I Would Follow You
  • Wednesday: CWW - Say Yes Summer, What Happens Now
  • Thursday: Blog Tour - The Opposite of Falling Apart by Micah Good
  • Friday: Discussion - Writing for All Ages


STACKING THE SHELVES

I got so much love from unlikely sources this week, but I am here for it. Shannon Klare was lovely enough to seek out an eARC of her new release for me. I was super excited, because I am a big fan of Surviving Adam Meade. Getting approved for the new Solomon book was shocking, because that pub has not said yes in quite a while. So, yipee!

Won

Edelweiss/NetGalley

What I Read Last Week

A rather solid reading week. One of Us is Next was my top read of the week, but I am not surprise. My love for McManus' books runs deep.

Books
Audiobooks

What I Am Currently Reading

The Lightness of Hands is really good. It's been a while since I read Symptoms of Being Human, and I forgot how much I enjoy Garvin's writing.

I am excited to be back with the Rebels. The hero of this book was a hilarious standout in the first book, and I am looking forward to getting to know him better. Confession: I bought this book, but I know I can get to it sooner if I listen to the audio. So, yeah, borrowed the audiobook, while I have the book on my Kindle. These are my crimes.


What I Plan to Read

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

54 comments:

  1. Yay for book mail! The train stuff sounds awful though- ugh. Hope next week better re: all that.

    I agree about McManus. Such good stuff.

    Love the hedgehog. :) And that dog video made me smile. No wonder dogs cheer us up so much. Love it!

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    1. That dog was too much! Seeing him so make, made me happy.

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    2. That's an immediate pick me up if I ever need one!!

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    3. Awww, so glad happy dog made you happy.

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  2. Since I finished my work at the research centre, I no longer have to travel by train every day - it's actually one of the perks, since I have to deal with less train drama.

    Hope you enjoy your new books. I got Geekerella and The Princess and the Fangirl this week on sale. I hope to read them soon so that I can read Bookish and the Beast when it comes out - give me all the Beauty and the Beast retellings! =P

    Happy readings!
    Tânia @MyLovelySecret

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    1. Geekerella is still a favorite of mine. It just made me happy, and I hope it does the same for you.

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  3. Okay I don't know if that hedgehog's the same as the one I saw because it also got some miniature stuff in the pics - tiny hedgehog was doing a photoshoot for a miniature camping trip set-up.

    I immediately clicked your review for One of Us is Next. I'm so happy you liked it!

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    1. I follow a LOT of hedgies on Instagram, many of whom pose with tiny furniture. It's amazing how many people go the extra mile like that. The camping one was fantastic. Not sure where I saw it, but I loved it!

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  4. Glad you had a pretty normal week! And yay for your daughter! That's exciting!

    Nice new reads too! All totally new to me ones and yay on the win! Congrats! Hope you enjoy all the lovely new reads!

    Here's my StS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. Winning a giveaway was nice. It's been a while.

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  5. I hope the train problems get fixed quickly. That cat is awesome. I usually feel like doing the same thing.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. They probably won't, but that's my life. I identify with that cat so much. We must have been separated at birth

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  6. Sorry about the train hassles. I'm going to have to rent a car this coming week so I can get the brakes fixed on mine. Enjoy that book haul!

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    1. Commuter issues in NJ are so commonplace. I just would like to be surprised with a week of no issues. Is that too much to ask? I am always scared, when I drive a rental car. I act like a first time driver, paranoid that something will go wrong. I know, I have issues. Good luck with the breaks!

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  7. Too bad your daughter lands so late indeed Sam! And I am crossing my fingers for you and the train next week! From my post today you'll see that I won't have any commuting next week due to the corona virus and sanitary measures! Congrats on the book mail!!! And that dog is indeed very happy :-)

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    1. Right? We'll be like two ships passing in the night. She is coming back later this month to go to a show with me. I will definitely see her then. Wow! I need to read your post. We have one death US now, but no restrictions within the country, just restricted travel abroad.

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  8. The cat and dog videos are so cute! Dogs are the best. I hope you have an excellent first week of March!

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    1. I found this amazing cat video, and we all watched it and collapsed laughing at work, but I forgot to bookmark it. So mad, because I think everyone would have loved it.

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  9. Hooray for bookmail! I'm sorry you won't get quality time with your daughter on this trip, but it sounds like you have some fun stuff to look forward to!

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    1. It's so weird. I love getting book mail, but I am so bad about actually reading the books. At least I know I can read Ghosting if I am unable to get an eARC

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  10. I read One of Us is Lying...I've been wondering about the sequel. :) You've got some very entertaining videos on here today! Love them!

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    1. The sequel is different from the original, but it's still McManus, and I love her books.

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  11. Hope your trains work out better this coming week, and that you enjoy the visit with your daughter.

    I'm happy to hear you loved One of Us is Next. I'm in line for my turn at the library now, but it'll be a while. I think I'll buy the audio for Instacrush. Like you, I can fit in a book much easier/quicker if I do the audio.

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    1. One week! I dare the universe to give me one week of problem free commuting.

      I love McManus, so I was not surprised her new book was a hit for me. As I am not a mystery reader per se, her blend of teen drama and mystery works well for me.

      I am loving Instacrush, but I knew I would, because Theo is fantastic.

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  12. How exciting! Mother-daughter bonding is so much fun :) I requested Last Chance Summer for review and am crossing my fingers that I get it. I can't wait to see what you think of it. I have the audiobook of One of Us is Lying available from my cloud library, and am hoping to get to it either this month or next at the latest. It's had so much positive hype and I'm excited to see how you end up liking the sequel. Jesse's Girl was such a wonderful story, and I just know you're going to love it! That series is one of my all-time favorites :)

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. I hope you get the approval, because Last Chance Summer sounds fabulous. I am going to be so sad, when I read that last Hundred Oaks book, but I am going to do it right before I read Kenneally's new release. Maybe that will lessen the pain.

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  13. I could not imagine having your commute on a daily basis. I hope that it is smoother for you asap! Too bad you won't get to see your daughter while she is home. Lots of great new books this week. I hope you enjoy them all! Have a great week!

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    1. I ride the shuttle with people, who have commutes longer than mine. Some are coming all the way from the Bronx, which is over an hour longer than my commute. I won't get to spend any awake time with my daughter, but she is coming back in two weeks for a concert, so I will see her then. Something to look forward to.

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  14. I can't even imagine your commute! Mine is long, but at least I'm driving and not having to wait for public transportation, so while I can't relax, I at least have some control over it. I used to rely on buses when I lived in Seattle and it always took me 3x as long to get anywhere.

    I am so excited for Bookish and the Beast to come out! I requested the ARC on Net Galley but have received no response as yet {I was approved for Geekerella when it came out, but not for Princess and the Fangirl, so who knows}. I need to put in my library hold for it now if they're listing it yet!

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    1. I used to drive, and it would take just as long to commute, that's why I do mass transit now. Believe it or not, it's less aggravating. NJ traffic is no joke. I was happy that Poston is taking us back to the con again. She did a great job with the other two retellings, and I am excited to see what she does with B&B

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  15. I hope the trains are working better this week. Yay for your daughter visiting, even if she will be dancing most of the time. A trip to Chicago in May sounds awesome though. I love Chicago, and I really want to go back soon. I keep thinking of going to ALA this year in June because it's in Chicago, but I'd have to talk my sister into joining me so we'll see. LOL

    I really want to read You Deserve Each Other and One of Us is Next. Glad you enjoyed both!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. My daughter isn't dancing here, she is working in Newark. I glanced her getting into bed, and saw her sleeping in the morning, though. I am going to Chicago in May and August, yet ALA is in June. Boo! I wish it was when I would be there. I have always wanted to attend. I hope you get there!

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  16. That hedgehog picture is so adorable!!! And I'm glad to know You Deserve Each Other was a good read for you. I'm reading it soon. OMG INSTACRUSH IS OUT?!!! WHAT?!!! Or is it an arc? But OMG I'm so behind.

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    1. I think Instacrush came out in December. I loved it! I knew I would though, because Theo is such a lovable goof.

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  17. Happy Dog is Happy! As are most of those covers. They make me want ice cream.

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  18. Fingers crossed that the trains are back to normal this week. Hooray for book mail! That happens so infrequently for me that it’s always really exciting. :) Nice that your daughter was home but the timing kinda sucked. Boo. You really had a great bookish week with all the approvals and the wins and the book mail!

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    1. Normal? This is normal for NJT. Ha! I like getting bookmail, but let's face it, I would rather read an ebook. The font is small, so this is a glasses book too.

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  19. You have some major commute drama! My friend used to live just outside NYC and had the same thing trying to catch the train everyday.

    What kind of dance does your daughter do? My nieces both do ballet. Once is on a college scholarship for it and the other is trying to get one.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. I suppose the universe felt as though I needed some drama in my life, and gave it to me in the form of my commute. I would like to give it back! My daughter did is all since she was 4 - ballet, point, hip hop, contemporary, jazz, modern, and tap. For the showcase, she is in tap, hip hop, and contemporary. I am glad she is still dancing, and now she can become a full company member, meaning, she can put her hat in the ring to choreograph, like she did in college.

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  20. Book mail is the best! Hope you enjoy Ghosting!

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    1. It's a May release, so I hope to get to it this month. Can't wait!

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  21. Love your book haul. I am easily effected by outside forces and hope the train drama is minimal this week!

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    1. Outside forces need to stay outside! That's my hot take there.

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  22. I hope all of the track work is done soon. You are long overdue for some smooth, drama free commutes to and from work. That's great that you're going to be able to see your daughter dance again though.

    Excellent book haul too. I'm jealous you got Bookish and the Beast. I always get rejected for her books but I can't wait to hear what you think of it.

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    1. I have been lucky with Quirk. They like me. S&S and Disney are a whole different game.

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  23. Awww you and your daughter are like two ships passing in the night.

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    1. Little homes for little hedgehogs always make me smile.

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  25. I hope you will have fun watching your daughter perform! And I saw you won new books so yay for book mail <3 I also see you got The Bookish and the Beast as well as The Boyfriend Project and I like the sound of both of those. Happy reading x

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    1. I am excited to visit her in May, and to see her dance again. I love Poston's series, and was overjoyed to get approved for the next Con book. Boyfriend looks fabulous. I am excited to read both

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  26. I really enjoyed Virtually Yours, so I'll definitely have to check out Ghosting. Sorry you and your daughter will miss each other while she's in town---that's no fun!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I loved that book, and cannot understand the poor reviews, but hey, to each their own. I have select a nice three day weekend for Ghosting. The font is a bit small, so it's a glasses read.

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