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
Happy last official Sunday of the summer! I know it's not the "real" end of summer, but this holiday weekend marks the end in these parts. August has kind of been a gift this year. Historically, this month is the dog-days of summer with its hot and humid days, but this year, it's been lovely. Still high 70s, low 80s in the day, rather dry (for up here), and cool in the evenings. I have had to weather some mornings in the 50s. I do have to deal with my layered struggle, but I cannot complain otherwise.
As previously mentioned, this is a holiday weekend. I will be enjoying this 3-day weekend, trying to get everything in order for my trip. My check in was finally accepted (on the 3rd try!), and I am excited to the time off. I am flying out Friday. We will be in London until Monday, but after that, I will sort of be off grid. I find the internet on the ships terrible. I thought it would be better since the last time I purchased it, but my daughter said it has not. I will most likely not be posting next week, but at least I will have lots to share when I get back.
I decided to keep my TBR library heavy, so I don't have to worry about writing review. My best work is done right after I finish a book when my feelings are fresh. I struggle writing reviews days or weeks later. And since I will be without internet, I don't have to worry about losing my library loans. LOL!
I do really need to get off the internet. I have too much anxiety for all the stuff that comes across my feed. But, I am also now the new owner of quite a few non-toxic items. My level of success has varied as I try o "clean" up my home. I have had more luck with home items than with health and beauty aids. For instance, the borosilicate mugs and pour over coffee maker are hits. I will admit that the coffee made using the pour over method is definitely less bitter than from my Keurig. I am taking the coffee out of the pods to use it all up, so it really is the method. The ones I used to add a little salt to in order to cut the bitter taste no longer need it. I also bought a set of Pyrex cook and store glassware. I love glass storage. Aside from the fact that it's non-toxic, the glass is easier to clean and doesn't stain. My grandma had it right. We really need to go back to the old ways with many things. I have a slew of plant based cleaners I am happy with, but I am trying a new bar soap. The other one was oddly sized. It worked fine, but was big and would not fit in my carrying case. I am trying out Dr. Bronner's bar soap because they had it at the market, but I have a few others I want to try. The $12 Curie deodorant works ok, but won't go beyond the work day. I NEED a shower in the morning. So, I am now using soap just for my armpit to detox. I think it helps. All I know, like eating healthy, living healthy is expensive.
I bought another pair of sneakers. Here's the thing, I don't like to wear athletic sneakers except for athletics. It's been challenging finding fashion sneakers with the support I need. I got a pair of ABEO sneakers. I found them via The Walking Company. I miss this store at the mall. They specialized in comfort shoes, and now I have to order online. I was able to get them shipped to Nordstrom, so at least returns are quick and easy. The sneakers are canvas and sort of cute, but the thing that made me order them was that they have the bump in the footbed for metatarsal support which is vital for for me. They felt good in the store when I picked them up, and I wore them for while at home. I will be bringing a back up with me on vacation, but I am hopeful these work out.
On the Blog
Let's Discuss
- Jen suggests some DIY halloween costumes
- The Orangutan Librarian shares sensational audiobooks
- Carol has a list of books to get you out of a slump
Stacking the Shelves
A light week. The Stacy Finz book was on sale, so I grabbed it. I have enjoyed her books in the past. I am thinking I may download the Ladies in Waiting anthology. I am not an Austen fan, per se, or an anthology fan, but there are a lot of great authors involved. This could be good.
Purchased/Free
- Nothing Less Than Magic by Stacy Finz
Invites
- The Vanishing Place by Zoe Rankin
- Ladies in Waiting by Audrey Bellezza, Emily Harding, Sarah MacLean, Eloisa James, Adriana Trigiani, Nikki Payne, Elinor Lipman & Diana Quincy
Read Last Week
Finally! A book got 5-stars from me. It isn't that the books I have been reading are bad, they are good, just not as good as I expect them to be. I really have no tolerance for agenda pushing in books these days either. I am already fatigued from that constant chatter in the news and online. I did have a clear favorite and it was Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson. This book was outlandish, hilarious, and heartwarming. I had a great time traveling with the Hill siblings.
Find all my reviews on Goodreads
Books
- Ghost Business by Jen DeLuca - ★★★★
- The Goode Girls of Maple Lane by Jaqueline Firkins - ★★★★
- We Met Like This by Kasie West - ★★★★
- You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Sophie Sullivan - ★★★★
- Under the Christmas Tree by Robyn Carr - ★★★★
Audiobooks
- Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson - ★★★★★
Currently Reading
- The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake by Rachel Linden
- Formula Chance by Sawyer Bennett
To Be Read
- The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O'Clover
- Christmas People by Iva-Marie Palmer
- The Last Carolina Summer by Karen White
- The Proposal Project by Donna Marchetti
Let us know in the comments!
London! I hope you and Kiersten will enjoy yourselves a ton. And I hope the new shoes won't fail you. It must be a nightmare to be forced to try your luck with them online when one has your kind of issues.
ReplyDeleteThe baby orangutans have better hair than me right now 😂. Is the last one flipping the bird at the photographer? 🤣
We are doing a casual visit to London to see a show. We did the tourist thing when she was a teen. I am excited to do a big ship cruise again though and to see the baby hippo in Scotland. Finding brick and mortar stores to buy stuff is a struggle. I do try to make purchases that have an actual store near me. He does look like he is giving the finger.
DeleteHave an amazing trip Sam! And I am glad that you finally found the perfect sneakers! I don't like mine to look like athletic shoes either .
ReplyDeleteI don't need fancy sneakers, but I am not about those huge, foam sneakers they are peddling these days unless it's for exercise.
DeleteI hope you have a wonderful vacation!! I know what you mean about needed to review right away-if I don't, I can't even recall the main character names! I hope these sneakers are "the ones"!
ReplyDeleteI have to check the names every time. I always doubt myself.
DeleteI hope you have a good time. I hope the shoes work out. Healthy living and eating is expensive. It used to be that fresh vegetables weren't all that expensive and now it seems like they are.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the shoes will work out. I wore them all day today. They did feel better as the day went on, but I am not taking any chances. All healthy food and things are expensive.
DeleteEnjoy your trip! It can be nice to be 'unplugged', as long as you still have access to your books. I can't wait to hear about all of your adventures!
ReplyDeleteThe kindle has thousands of books, so I will be able to keep up with my reading, no problem.
DeleteHow exciting that your trip is so close! I hope you enjoy your time! Being unplugged is a good thing! I think it helps with stress so much! It's amazing how much reading I get done when I'm on a plane and can't be on the internet or social media. I need to reevaluate the time I spend on platforms. Hope your new shoes work out. I have Ghost Business and Heartbreak Hotel. Looking forward to your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI get so distracted when I am out and about, but I do the bulk of my reading in the early morning while everyone else is asleep. I am about halfway through Heartbreak Hotel, it's cute so far.
DeleteI've been swapping a lot of my house stuff too. I love my glass storage. I've been switching to reusable bags, trying to stay of track with reusable shopping bags/water bottles.
ReplyDeleteI just got a bar soap for grey hair. The jury is still out on that one and I don't like the laudry sheets at all. I thought I did but over time - my whites got almsot dirty grey looking. I'm usina powdered detergent now but I'm still looking.
I've using castille soap for both bar (in the shower) and bottled for cleaning. I love the smell and it works great so far.
I switched to filtered water, reusable shopping bags, and some package free stuff back in 2019. There is so much that needs to change in my life though. It's a little overwhelming. I liked the other plant based soap I tried and the Dr. Bronner's is great too. I have always been a bar soap person.
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