Sunday, April 19, 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

Well, it's been a week. I have not done much outside of what I have been doing every other day. Though, two of my co-workers called me on Friday, and we had our "morning meeting". We were always the first ones in each morning, and we would chat, before we had to start. It was nice catching up with them, and seeing how things were going at work. I even helped later on during the day, and talked one of my co-workers through some stuff. It was good to be of use.

I have been reading a lot more library and shelf books since so many release dates are being pushed. Therefore, I am hoping to do a new quick-thoughts sort of post to share more of these non-review books. I have asked my daughter to do a quick header for me, so let's see if it happens.

I have been trying to improve my island this week, and here I am enjoying the new pool area. I have since purchased a grill, which is not pictured. Gotta get my island rating up, you know.


Super-emo me couldn't resist a little quarantine humor. If you're not a Dashboard fan, those are lyrics from one of their songs, and they just really fit this situation well.

I love a good interspecies relationship

This cat!


Let's Discuss!
  • Kat tells us why she doesn't like blog tours
  • Amber wants to know how you feel about multiple POVs
  • The Orangutan Librarian wants to know if you believe in the power of catharsis


On the Blog:
  • Monday: #AmReading - Clap When You Land, By the Book
  • Tuesday: TTT - Outside YA
  • Wednesday: CWW - 10 Things I Hate About Pinky, The Comeback Season
  • Thursday: Isn't It Romantic? - Beach Read, Ghosting: A Love Story
  • Friday: Discussion - Quarantine 2020


STACKING THE SHELVES

You know how I told you all about watching my Amazon wishlist? Well, these books, which I have been wanting to get for a long long time finally went on sale. The ebooks for over $13, and yes! Went on sale for $1.99. This was my coupe of the week.

Bought/Free


Edelweiss/NetGalley

Publicist


What I Read Last Week

I was lucky enough to catch a bunch of new releases just hitting the eLibrary site, and I nabbed them. So, yeah me! I was really happy to grab What I Carry, because it was so fantastic! There were a few "moments" that were heavy-handed, but overall, it a beautiful story. I never thought a JES book would gut me, but her debut did. I was a hot mess crying after I finished it, and then I would start spontaneously crying, when I thought about it. I might be ready to write a review in a day or two.

Books

Audiobooks


What I Am Currently Reading

OMG! The How & the Why is so good! I am happy I finally made time for it, and am totally in love with this story.

Kit Sweetly isn't exactly what I expected, but I do like the general premise of fighting against gender roles, and Kit is easy to root for.


What I Plan to Read

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

42 comments:

  1. I'm glad you got to have a catch up with some people from work and even got the chance to help out a little bit. I haven't appreciated phone calls with people from work and friends as much as I have lately. It's awesome that you're getting to read a few more books which aren't new releases, even if it is because book releases are being pushed back. It's understandable but I'm still sad at every release which is delayed. Hope you have a good week and manage to improve that island rating on Animal Crossing.

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    1. I am finding a lot of great books on my shelf and at the library. I have been wanting to read more backlist, so a definite plus. I am ok with some of the push back releases, but some have been moved to 2021, which is pretty sad. I have no idea how to improve my island rating. KK is never coming to my town.

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  2. Nice that you had some interaction with your coworkers this week. I had to go in to the office briefly on Wednesday and my boss and I acted like we hadn't seen each other in a year. LOL I only saw two people while there but it was nice. Hooray for the ebook deals! That's always a great feeling to score the higher-priced ones when they go on sale.

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    1. I am dreading my first day back to work, because I have not missed the bus/train/shuttle, but I would like to see some of my people. It's been so long since I hit a good ebook sale. I was really excited the other day. It's the little things.

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  3. I'm finding it really irritating that publishers are pushing back release dates. I understand it with movies (no cinemas) but books?! We can get them delivered and they're perfect for spending time indoors. Grrr... That said, perfect time for hammering through the backlist. :)

    I'm happy to see you grabbed The Bar Next Door! I adored Monroe and Julian.

    Hope you have a good week, Sam!

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    1. I guess they rely on book events to roll them out? Maybe they feel like they won't have those impulse buys, if people aren't going into book stores? And, then there is, at least in the US, the number of people unemployed, who probably won't be using their limited funds to buy books. I think it was your tweet, yesterday, that had me do the one-click. I remember you really liked the book, and free is a good price to check out the series.

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  4. I love that you are having so much fun with Animal Crossing! It is nice that you were able to catch up with your co-workers. I plan to go to the office every day next week and am looking forward to a more normal routine. Isn't is wonderful when that book you have wanted for ages finally goes on sale?! I am glad that I am not the only one wanting to read non-review books, although I have picked up a few past due books as well. I hope you have a fantastic week!

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    1. If I could actually work from home, I don't think I would miss going into the office, but I do like feeling useful. I am happy, that I have been requesting less, and it was serendipitous that so many of the May/June books were pushed. It's allowed me to free-read more. Usually, I don't write the full-production reviews for non-review books, but I have been reading so many, I have to feature some of them on the blog. Good luck with the past due books. I hope they are good.

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  5. That's awesome about the sale for your ebooks! I've had to "stalk" my books every once in awhile waiting for them to go on sale. It's crazy how that has to happen sometimes! Lol.

    Glad your work call went well and you were able to help out from a distance. That's always a nice feeling.

    I hope you enjoy all the new reads!



    Here's my StS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. I check my wishlists every day. You never know when that sale will hit. It was good to feel useful for a bit.

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  6. I'm listening to The How & The Why right now - it's taking me a bit to get through it, but it's still a sweet story.

    I've definitely been checking my Amazon list every day, too! Kindle Unlimited had a 2-months free deal, so I've been utilizing that, too!

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    1. I had KU before I was blogging and I read a ton of books, but I ignored all my own. If I wasn't blogging, I would do KU again. I love contemporary romance, and they have a lot of good ones on the program. Just wait until the end of TH&TW. I just loved it!

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  7. I want to try that game XD but don't have Nintendo, looks like a ton of fine.
    Your new arrivals for books look so much fun, and the covers are cute :D yay for deals enjoy them!

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    1. I have played AC on the Wii and DS, but didn't do Pocket Camp, which is cell phone based. I couldn't resist coming back to the game though.

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  8. Really looking forward to Kit Sweetly. Can't wait to see your review.

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    1. Kit Sweetly wasn't what I thought it would be. I liked the premise and general idea, but I thought it would be a much lighter read.

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  9. Bwahahaha that cat hiding from the vet made me laugh so hard Sam!!! And it's a routine for me right now too. I hope you'll get to enjoy your island LOL

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    1. That cat was amazing. I was laughing hard right there with you.

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  10. The How and the Why is up next for me. Thanks, Sam!

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  11. Nice that you got to catch up with co-workers and help out.

    I guess it's a good time to catch up on backlist books, right? Enjoy!

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    1. There are two women I work with, who I really adore, so it was a fun morning for me. I used to use my backlist books to get a break from writing major reviews, but with some of my ARCs coming in under 4 stars, I need to feature the backlist, or I would have no reviews.

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  12. I love this post! I always love your videos--they really brighten my day! :)

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    1. I am glad you enjoy them. When I see something that makes me smile or laugh, I hope other will react the same way.

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  13. Glad you had a chance to connect with some of your coworkers. I'm loving your Animal Crossing scenes. Kind of makes me wish I had the game, lol. Thanks for sharing those vids too. They gave me a good laugh. :)

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    1. My daughter puts me to shame on Animal Crossing. I went to her island the other day, and it was amazing. She's a millionaire too, and I am far from that, but I am having a good time.

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  14. I'm looking forward to your review of The How & the Why. I've been excited for that novel, and I also bought the adudiobook because the narrator also narrated The Afterlife of Holly Chase, and she was INCREDIBLE in that one. I'm looking forward to your quick thoughts reviews, Sam!

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    1. The How & the Why was ah-mazing! It had two narrators, and I thought both were great.

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  15. Glad you were able to chat with some coworkers and actually help someone out! And love the new pool---your island has style! Oh, and the cat in the vet's office made me laugh!!!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I have no idea what the key to the island rating system is, but at least I am having fun. I laughed so much as I watched and rewatched that video. Too funny

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  16. I'm curious about All Your Twisted Secrets - hope you enjoy it! That's great you were able to talk to some co-workers. It's definitely nice to have that connection with people these days. And omg, I love the Dashboard tweet. That's awesome.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I got a little sad, when I saw the Dashboard tweet, since my concert was canceled, but I smiled too, because it really fit this situation.

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  17. I don't know what YOU KNOW I'M NO GOOD is about, but it's Jessie Ann Foley so I'll be reading it :) I'll have to see if I can get it on NetGalley.

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    1. I absolutely requested because Foley wrote it. I got it from Edelweiss, so not sure if it's up on NG. I hope you get to read it

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  18. We got my son Animal Crossing for his birthday, and I really need to start playing it!

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    1. You should. It's so much fun. You can do as little or as much as you want too. My daughter grinds hard on her's, but I am a bit more casual.

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  19. I'm glad you managed to snatch those cheap ebooks! Great deal! Also glad you managed to do some work counseling. I hope you'll manage to stay home a little more (if it doesn't hurt you financially, that is), but maybe get the chance to do that again!

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    1. Amazing deal, and I loved the character so much, when I read the first book. She's a nerdier Veronica Mars. What's not to love, right?

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  20. I seem to have no problem picking up books during this lockdown but getting them read is going to be the challenge! I think I got an Animal Crossing game for the Wii but never got round to trying it.

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    1. I played obsessively on my Wii, but it was hard on my wrists. I did collect them all, catch them all, and hit all the major milestones before I gave up, though. I hope you find your reading mojo soon

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  21. Out of My Mind is one of my favourite middle grade books so I am so happy to see that you read it and enjoyed it. And happy to know you're still enjoying Animal Crossing! It's a shame about so many release dates being pushed back but I am glad you're able to get some of the books on your shelf and backlist titles meanwhile. ^.^

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    1. I cried so much as I listened to Out of My Mind, but I loved that kids determination, and she was funny. It was very good.

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