Sunday, July 21, 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

We are three-quarters through July, and I just realized, I have yet to work a full week. Next week will be tough, being my first 5-day week since June.

It was nice to have the day outside the office to do some volunteer work. I was so confused, when I signed up. Yes, I did volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House near where I attended college, but it was through an organization called Caring Cooks. If you are not familiar with RMH, it is a place for families to stay or rest, while their child is receiving medical care. There are rooms for overnight stays, and food is provided. That's what we did! We prepared lunch for the residents. I loved talking with the RMH volunteers, and hearing the stories about the families. It's a beautiful place they have created there to help alleviate some of the worries for the families.
I was at Rutgers for undergrad '90-'94, and could not believe how much it had changed, when I returned for grad school in 2002. But, wow! It is like a whole new place not. Buildings are knocked down, the train station has grown, so many new places, but at least all the bars I went to were still there. 😂 I definitely need to go back and check out some of those new restaurants.

My daughter is coming this week. Not sure when, but she will be here, and I am excited! In the meantime, she sent me this photo of her new pillows. It seems the Sloth Squad approves.


Soldiers being reunited with their dogs - move over! This was precious...

All day, I could watch them ALL DAY.....

Fries + Hedgehog = 😍
Let's Discuss!
  • Crystal shares why character friendships make the book better for her
  • Cristina talks about new releases and our awareness of them
  • Sophie lists the reasons why it's ok to not read your age

On the Blog:
  • Monday: Blog Tour - Just My Luck by Jennifer Honeybourn
  • Tuesday: TTT - Auto-buy Authors
  • Wednesday: CWW/BFTB - As Many Nows as I Can Get, From You to Me
  • Thursday: One Old, One New - Jenn Marie Thorne
  • Friday: Discussion - Just Beachy!
STACKING THE SHELVES

There was a good sale for Ginger Scott books, and I have heard good things about her books, therefore, I picked up a few. I was clicking around on Edelweiss too. Super excited to see Jasmine Guillory's new book as it is a "seasoned romance". There's that older heroine I was looking for! The cover was terrible (sorry), but the more I read about Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters, the more I wanted to read it.

Bought


Edelweiss/NetGalley


What I Read Last Week

My reading was all over the place emotionally, but I was wowed by a few.

Evvie Drake was fantastic! It was fun with feeling, and I just loved it! I wasn't even sure about it, when I checked it out from the library, but I was hooked from page one.

I knew I would enjoy Technically, You Started It, but I LOVED it! I devoured that book. Same for Announcing Trouble. I expected both to be fun reads, but they gave me so much more.

Books

Audiobooks


What I Am Currently Reading

I am such a big fan of Crane's books. Once again, she filled the story with these really engaging characters, and the exploration of loneliness is so beautiful in this book. I'm all in.

Not sure about Broken Wheel. I selected it for my 50 states challenge - it's set in Iowa. I am not too far in, so I am waiting to see what develops.


What I Plan to Read

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

54 comments:

  1. It is hard to go back to full weeks after getting used to shorter ones. And RMH volunteering sounds wonderful- it's so nice that there is something like that, to help take the burden off of families a little bit.

    That's so neat about those brothers being reunited.

    Hope Broken Wheel turns out good!

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    1. I used to volunteer more, and thought I would do more once my mom-ing duties were done, but now I work so far away. ---sigh--- It was nice to have the opportunity though. Fingers crossed Broken Wheel picks up. It's a best seller, there must be something to it.

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  2. I really like the sloth pillows-it makes me want to doze on them! I was always scared by clowns as a kid and I still don't love them! Maybe that's why I love Stephen King's 'It' so much!

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    1. I know so many people with an aversion to clowns. We were at the circus, when our kids were small, and when the clowns came out my sister's friend jumped and her candy flew everywhere. It was hilarious. The kid said the sloth pillows are so soft. I hope I get to check them out someday.

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  3. My friends had a baby while in college and couldn't afford to stay in hotels/eat out when their daughter became very ill, so the RMH in Detroit took them in. Ever since, I've been donating money to them for the wonderful comfort they provide these families who just want to stay close to their sick children. That's awesome that you cooked meals at RHM.

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    1. It really is a wonderful organization, and the service they provide and the peace of mind they give these families is priceless. It's nice to know your friends were able to get that kind of support during their time of need.

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  4. Yeah, I had a few 4 days weeks in a row that came to a crashing halt after the holiday this month. I'm still struggling to get back to a 5 schedule! Lol!

    Nice new reads too! All new to me ones but that Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters has me curious! Hope you enjoy all the new lovelies!

    Here's my StS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. Lifestyles is a little bit different for me, but the premise sounded great and the reviews used words like "fun"and "cute", which are my siren call

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  5. Aw, that's so lovely that you did that! RMH helps so many families during the worst of times.

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    1. They really do, and although I knew what they did, seeing it and hearing about it first hand just took it to another level for me.

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  6. How awesome that you were able to get in some volunteer time! I love those sloth pillows! Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters looks super interesting. I hope you love all your new reads!

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    1. My company is really big on volunteering. It was nice to have a local opportunity, and not a walk-a-thon or fun run. I am really intrigued by Lifestyles. I hope it's as fun as it promises to be.

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  7. She’s the Worst stands out for me! You have a great selection of books!

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    1. It's a sibling story, which I always like. I am looking forward to it.

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  8. It's hard to get back to a regular schedule! Hope the days fly by. Nice that you get to look forward to a visit from your daughter. You read sooo many books, Sam! I'll have to check out Evvie Drake. :)

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    1. I like when the kid comes, because we always do something fun. I miss my partner in crime. Evvie Drake was so good. It just delighted me from beginning to end.

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  9. That's great that you were able to volunteer at RMH. I've always heard good things about the organization and know my sister-in-law was grateful for them when two of her children had major surgeries years ago. I hope you have a wonderful visit with your daughter!

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    1. I am loving all the RMH stories I am hearing today!

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  10. OMG, I love Ginger Scott's books! The Waiting on The Sidelines series I have a particular soft spot for but This Is Falling was beautiful.

    Hope the five day week isn't so bad and that you have a lovely time with your daughter when she arrives. :)

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    1. I think I own 4 or 5 Ginger Scott books, but they are unread. Glad to hear these are worthy of my time.

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  11. I hope you have a good week Sam! I love all the books you're reading just by the titles and the covers. Here is my post-https://paigesofbook.blogspot.com/2019/07/the-sunday-post-72119.html

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    1. There are some great covers up there. Hope you have a good week too.

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  12. RNH has been helping families for such a long time and it's wonderful you were able to volunteer! I hope you have a lovely visit with your daughter. Loving those sloths! And that Area 51 video. Too funny!

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    1. You know I want a little round dog now. So cute!!! My daughter was waxing poetic about how soft her new sloth pillows are. She cracks me up

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  13. This is Falling by Ginger Scott is GREAT! I really loved it. Loving the sloth pillows!

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    1. Yes! So I have one-clicked wisely. I am ready to delve into Scott's catalog.

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  14. That's awesome that you got to do a whole day of volunteering! I've never volunteered at the RMH, but it sounds like such a wonderful organization.

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    1. It's one of those places that you know about. We save our pop tabs at work for them, and you throw you change in the spinny thing at McD's for them, but being there and talking to the full-time volunteers makes it more real.

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  15. I love the animal images and videos you shared :)
    I've volunteered at RHM before and know people who have benefited. It's a great organization!

    My July has been going by fast, but I've enjoyed the time with puppy and family and friends.

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    1. That's awesome that you volunteered at RMH. Whoever came up with the concept was brilliant. July really is flying. I feel like I was just celebrating the 4th, and now the month is almost over.

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  16. I'm glad that this one was another uneventful week for you, commute-wise! and that Kiersten is coming. It's lovely that you are "partners in crime" LOL. My and my mom are too, if in spirit now. She's 81 and very frail, but we chat about everything and share a lot of things we both love!

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    1. It's nice when you share a lot of interests with your mom/kid. My daughter and I like to do a lot of the same types of things, and without her here, I have nobody to do those things with. *sad face* BUT, the perk is that every time she is home, it's a celebration. Does your mom live nearby?

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    2. Yep - we're only a few streets apart.

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    3. I love that! I grew up in Brooklyn with almost my whole extended family nearby, but these days, everyone is so spread out. --sigh--

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  17. So glad to see that you enjoyed Technically You Started It! It was such a fun read. Hope you have a great reading week, Sam! :)

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    1. So fun! And, it had real stuff in it too, but it was all about the snappy dialog for me. I swear. Those two could have lived in Stars Hollow

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  18. I love the stuffed sloths! OMG 😍 Volunteering is always so nice! You learn so much. And wow, that's so cool that you've had days off during the week since June! That's amazing!
    I want Technically You Started It! 5 stars! That's so good! Now I'm more excited for it!
    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

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    1. I am all about a fun book, and if a book can make me laugh as much as Technically, and also have a lot of heart, it gets 5-stars from me. It totally worked, from beginning to end, for me

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  19. RMH sounds like a fantastic place to volunteer. How wonderful to know that you're helping families get through a very tough time in their lives.

    And that video of the monkeys is THE BEST! I just kept watching it over and over. :-)

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. The monkeys made me cry a little. So sweet! We need more of that on the internet

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  20. Sounds like you had a wonderful day volunteering. My sister's work team went to our local RMH and prepared lunch too. They had a great time.

    I hope you have a lovely visit with your daughter!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I am not much of a cook, but it was nice to know I was making a difference for someone.

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  21. I think it's wonderful you volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House. I was sick in the hospital for several months and I know my family appreciated the volunteers. It's always hard going back to work after a vacation. It looks like you got a lot of great books this week, and have been reading some wonderful stories! Have a great week Sam!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. Volunteers really are important, in addition to all the staff in making the experience less stressful for families.

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  22. Aww, the critters in this post are so cute! That volunteer opportunity sounds interesting and seeing your old college would be fun.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. How did we live without all these animal videos. They make me happy.

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  23. those vids are fantastic. the chimps are so sweet and those fur balls...thanks for the chuckle with my morning coffee. :-)
    sherry @ Sunday Memes

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    1. A woman I worked with asked me to play the chimps over 3 times in a row. They were precious.

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  24. AHH these sloth pillows, I love them SO much! <3
    It seems like you had a good reading week, I'm so happy you liked Technically, You Started It, I only recently found out about that book and it sounds SO good!
    I hope you will love How The Light Gets In, I recently read it and loved it so much.
    Have a lovely week! :) <3

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    1. I did love How the Light Gets In. I think it's my favorite of Upperman's books.

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  25. OMG Sam your animals vid are too cute and funny! And how did I not know there was a sale for Ginger's books???? Enjoy as I loved all the ones that I have read from her. And ...no train incident this week? LOL Finally thank you for featuring my post! xoxo

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    1. I wonder if the books were on sale on your Amazon. I get notifications through the kindle app on my phone. I don't know if you do, but it helps me not miss the sales.

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  26. Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters is going to be so much fun.

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    1. That's what made me download it. I read a few reviews, and all mentioned my buzzword -- fun!

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