Sunday, March 15, 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

I hope everyone is staying healthy, and are able to get the supplies they need. Schools near me are closing left and right. The trains and my work campus are pretty empty too, with many working from home. My job cannot be done from home, but at least they are letting us wear jeans. That's something. Maybe they will consider letting us work though lunch, so we get to leave earlier too. Hey, a girl can dream. I have heard rumblings, that they might shut down the trains. I have no idea what I will do then. I guess I will have to wait and see.

So, remember when I thought I would be doing something fun for once? Well, the virus made sure no fun was had here. No concert or visit with the kid.


It looks like I won't be going on my trip to Chicago in May either. I got lucky, though. United was allowing free changes up to April 30, so obviously, my trip was the next day. Waiting on the phone for an hour paid off. I didn't get a refund, but I have an open credit, and won't be charged a change fee. I was happy with that.

I still took my vacation day on Friday, and thought I would get a head start on my weekend chores. I made the mistake of going to the supermarket. It was a complete asylum! People pushing multiple carts, empty shelves, lots of disorder, but I, apparently committed the biggest crime of all. I went to do self check out, and had more than 20 items. Now, I don't think I have EVER been on a cashier line 12/20 items or less, and NOT been behind someone with far more than that number of items. Yet, the cashier said NOTHING. Well, you do that on self checkout, in the middle of utter chaos, and TWO people tell you about exceeding the number of items. Yeah, I was not happy after that shopping trip.

This whole thread is amazing!

Too adorbs!

SMOL!


Let's Discuss!


On the Blog:
  • Monday: Isn't It Romantic? - You Deserve Each Other & Instacrush
  • Tuesday: TTT - Getting Social
  • Wednesday: CWW - I Kissed Alice & Boys Don't Knit
  • Thursday: #AmReading YA - The Lightness of Hands & The Easy Part of Impossible
  • Friday: TMST - Do You Enjoy Anthologies?


STACKING THE SHELVES

Not a ton of new books this week, but I was jumping up and down, when I saw the approval for the new Kristina Forest book. I loved her debut, I Wanna Be Where You Are, and am excited to read more of her work.

Edelweiss/NetGalley


What I Read Last Week

I was really surprised that my favorite book of the week was about a girl, who dies from suicide. The depiction of depression and desperation was on point for me, and I liked the reminder to look for those pockets of hope, which are there, even in the darkest places. A Breath Too Late was painfully beautiful!

Books

Audiobooks


What I Am Currently Reading

YEAH! I am finally starting the new Jenn Bennett book. I have no doubt I will love it. I am little scared about JaneAnonymous, because of the subject matter, but I am diving in, and encouraged by some great reviews I have read.


What I Plan to Read

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

56 comments:

  1. We need those videos in times like these! And the store can be so stressful now- everyone is on edge and I feel like we're just in the beginnings of this thing here. Let's hope it doesn't get as bad as it might. And I'm so sorry about your canceled trip and visit. that's awful.

    Jenn Bennett is someone I want to try.

    I remember wanting to read Under Rose- Tained Skies- seems like if I remember right it was supposed to have good OCD rep? Unless I'm confusing it with something else. I should take another look at it though, I heard it was a good one!

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    1. I am willing to go along with any containment plan that will help. I will still be disappointed, but I will do what needs to be done. I mean, I don't like taking my shoes off in the airport, but I will do what needs to be done for the safety of myself and others.

      I have seen good things about the mental health rep in Rose-Tainted Skies. I believe it encompasses OCD, anxiety, and agoraphobia

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  2. People in our area have been quite restrained. Yes shelves are emptying of certain things but everyone is going around with one trolley and most not seeming to buy more than three or four of any item. That might change this week though as stuff gets serious. I want to isolate myself now but keep thinking I might need a few more things...indecision and anxiety are battling inside me right now!

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    1. I hope you are able to get the things you think you need, and that it allays your fears. I am not worried about getting supplies. I think people are panicking, and a lot of that is due to the fear mongering going on.

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  3. What's funny is some of the self checkouts we have don't always have those signs with an item limit. If there's a line I feel like I always have the people who don't know how to operate the kiosk or whatever you want to call it but didn't want to wait in the line with real cashier. Meanwhile I can breeze through these things lickety split! Lol. Lately I've been doing my mom's grocery shopping too and I still can get through quicker than most while doing two separate orders. Though I'm also not buying cartfuls either, so there's that. Lol. Glad you were able to get your flight situation taken care of. I guess I'm grateful that I hadn't had anything planned for spring just yet. I was still debating about doing something at the end of June but haven't committed to it one way or another yet. Luckily it is something I can wait until the week or two beforehand to do so travel plans aren't really a worrisome just yet, though the trip I wanted to plan for next February I can't decide if it's still okay to plan for.

    Nice new reads! Those are new to me ones but I hope you will enjoy them all!


    Here's my StS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. Neither mine, nor my parents items exceeded 20. They were well under. The whole point is that they don't enforce the policy on their regular lines. Why start in the middle of mass hysteria and chaos? I was annoyed, I won't lie. My daughter is panicking about all the cancelations. She has many ticketed events in the future, but is also committed to her dance showcase. Rescheduling is nice, but not when you have a lot of pre-planned events.

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  4. What happened at the supermarket was not okay. Sadly, some people are overreacting and allowing panic to take over. I wonder what they would do if they were part of risk groups... Anyway, I'm so sorry about your work situation - I will be hoping here that you may at least work through lunch. And I'm so sorry your daughter could not visit you.

    Stay safe and happy readings!
    Tânia @MyLovelySecret

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    1. Thanks, Tania. I am thinking they have to do something for those, who still have to travel to the campus. I am keeping my fingers crossed the trains don't shut down and my job stays open, because I would not be able to do full days. I can't see well in the dark, and my dry eye has been causing double vision. That's why I avoid driving.

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  5. Oh, that's too bad about the visits with your daughter! My mom was supposed to go visit my brother in OK this weekend and she ended up cancelling. I hope the rumblings about the trains shutting down are just rumors! My company has no plans to shut down right now; the attorneys I guess could work from home but I don't know what the support staff would do.

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    1. Is your office large? My company is huge. We have 8 buildings on the campus, so, many people gathered in one spot. There are people commuting with me, who come from NY too, where they have more cases of the virus. It's a lot right now.

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  6. I think the worst thing right now is the overall sense of precariousness and insecurity. In a way, what we have now in Italy is sort of reassuring - we know we can only do the things we can't absolutely avoid or postpone until April 4th. We know we can only go out in order to get food, medicines and the likes, to go to work, to walk the dog. I hope NJ comes to a decision and gives you a deadline for it (if temporary...but it's unthinkable to close shops, schools and public transport for whole months). I also hope your commute won't be affected, or I guess you will be forced to take a leave of absence (can you?). More than anything, I hope you and your kid stay safe (how is she faring? I know she travels a lot for her job...). Now more than ever, I guess you need your HEA books! so I hope you can find a lot of them.

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    1. Many of our schools are closing past Easter, since a lot have breaks around that time. Colleges are cancelling graduation, which is sort of sad. My daughter is lucky that her job is all computers and meetings. She can easily work from anywhere given wifi. They did suspend travel and are allowing them to work from home, which is nice for her, since she likes to get 8 - 10 hours of sleep a night, and commuting and getting ready for work cuts into that time. 🤣 You know I'm jealous. I still want to be her when I grow up

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    2. "I still want to be her when I grow up"
      😂 Maybe you need to grow up some more!

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    3. Obviously still have a lot of growing to do

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  7. Sorry your plans had to change. I planned to go out for my birthday, but it looks like that won’t happen. The stores are crazy here too. People need to chill a little. I hope you have a great week!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. BOOOO! You will have to have a post quarantine birthday bash. People are out of control. The media needs to be a bit more responsible too. They are stirring the pot, as always.

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  8. I love the puppy videos. They're so adorable!

    I'm glad that you were able to cancel your flight for open credit. It looks like you got a lot of reading done this past week. I hope you enjoy your books for this coming week! I love the cover for Under Rose-Tainted Skies.

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    1. There are never enough puppy vids. I need more! I got lucky with United. I thought they were going to give me a hard time, but they were great. I usually travel with them, because they have a huge hub near me, so I was ok with the open ticket.

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  9. Sorry for the fun you missed Sam! And yes what will you do if they cancel the trains?? I hope you'll find a solution to work from home even if you say your job won't allow it. On another note, thank you for this weekly dose of cuteness with these animals vid! We need them right now. Stay safe and I am crossing my fingers that everything will be all right for you!

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    1. I am a bit worried about the trains. I mean, if it coincides with my company shutting down the campus, it would be a non-issue, but if not??? Maybe I would take a leave or go to an abbreviated schedule. I really cannot see at the end of the day, nor do I see well in the dark. That's why I drive much. I am too nervous. It's impossible to do my job function from home. We deposit the stocks/checks that clients send in. It's physical documents we deal with. Some of the functions on my team could be done remotely, but the primary function (mine) could not.

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  10. I'm sorry all the fun has been cancelled!! A lot of things I had planned in the next month was cancelled too, so it's a bummer for sure. I still have to go in most days for work - I already work from home one day - so we'll see how it goes. I hate that you can't work from home, and if the trains such down, yeah, I don't know what will happen there. Read lots of great books and look at adorable animals!!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. it's a bummer for us all, but I want everyone to be safe too. Maybe they will allow you to work from home more now. That's my bucket list dream right there.

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  11. Chaos is a very real and tangible thing right now... I hope they dont cancel your trains (and if they do, I hope your company can find something for you to do remotely!) and I'm sorry your daughter time and concert was cancelled. That sucks.
    Sadly, I fear this is just the beginning of the chaos. :(

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    1. My job is impossible to do remotely since part of it is depositing physical stocks and checks that are mailed in. Yeah, can't do that from home. I hope people calm down, otherwise we will have a lot of other things to deal with besides the virus.

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  12. Our shelves are bare, but I don't feel like people are panicking yet. I just wish I knew what I didn't know at this point. I have no idea if we are prepared or not.

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    1. The people at Wegmans were atrocious. It took me hours to calm down after being in that mob

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  13. It's seriously AMAZING to me how crazy everything is right now! I'm really eager for everything to go back to normal and for people to feel better. This is just awful!

    I'm grateful that your work is letting you guys be a little more relaxed!

    Thank you for featuring me on here! You are too sweet!
    I hope you stay healthy and have a wonderful week!

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    1. My daughter just told me they are closing all the bars and restaurants in IL until 3/30. I feel bad for all the people, who will be out of work, and probably won't get paid. You're very welcome. I like sharing posts I found interesting, and well, I adore romance, so I love spreading the love when it comes to that genre.

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  14. Sorry that the trip was cancelled. :( And the grocery stores... oh my goodness, what a nightmare. You'd think it was end times. People buying like there will never be another delivery. At least the trains are less crowded. That's something I guess. Hooray for the new Jenn Bennett! I had Jane Anonymous from the library but didn't have a chance to read it before it was due back. Boo. I'll have to try again another time.

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    1. I hate people too much to deal with the market. Usually I go when it opens at 6am, because I hate dealing with the crush of people. I made a mistake. Everything is less crowded. We just came back from dinner, and the place was pretty empty. So, if you turn your kindle on airplane mode, they can't take the book back. I'm just saying.

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  15. I'm sorry your concert and visit with your daughter had to be cancelled.

    And yeah, I've seen people checkout with way over the minimum number of items before, both in self checkout and regular checkout, so that's just crazy. I've even been moved out of the regular line and into the express line when I've had way over the limit.

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    1. Wegmans employees wanted to pick a fight, and it just was not the appropriate circumstances. I only respect rules, when they are enforced on a consistent basis.

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  16. I really hope they don't shut down the trains. I know that I will be going to work unless something big happens such as the government shutting down on non-essential businesses or something. I am sorry that your plans were cancelled. It sounds like a scary experience at the store. I am so glad my husband tackled that chore on his own. I hope you have a nice calm week!

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    1. I am pretty sure my company will stay open unless they are forced to close. I am not considered essential, but they eventually have to deposit the money that is sent to us, and I am not sure what is going on with the tax deadline either. As of right now, they still need to be in by tax day to make the prior year cutoff.

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  17. The new Jenn Bennett book is up on my list as well! Hopefully I'll finish my current read today and pick it up soon. :) I have an ARC of Late to the Party -- will you be writing a review on that one? I'd love to read your thoughts before I pick it up!

    Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

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    1. Chasing Lucky is a bit different, but still great - it's Bennett. I think my review for Late to the Party will be up next week. I found it very relatable. The period, where you feel like you have outgrown your life, and you start pursuing new things. Lots of missteps by the MC, but lots of growth too.

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  18. Sorry to hear your plans got canceled, but probably better to be safe. People suck sometimes! It seems like everyone is on edge and everyone is just out for themselves.The grocery stores have been brutal! I hope your trains keep running. I can't work from home either and I work in a hospital, hands on patients (I do ultrasoud) so we've been on high alert lately.

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    1. I guess it's now, that I am really, really feeling the distance between me and my only child. I wish she was closer in such uncertain times. I have not heard anything about the trains from any the big cities, so I am hoping they keep going. Stay safe and healthy. I know it's a challenge in your profession

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  19. I'm so sorry to hear your plans with your daughter got cancelled. That really sucks. :( Yay for starting the new Jenn Bennett book. I still have a few more I need to read before I get to that one but I can't wait to finally dive in. Hopefully we'll both love it!

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    1. I did enjoy the Bennett book. It had something different about it, but still packed with characters to love and a sweet romance, which is really what I keep coming back for

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  20. Sorry you weren't able to go to the concert. Its probably good the trains aren't super crowded! Maybe your boss will let you alter your work hours a bit so you don't have to travel during peak times? Its been crazy here-fights in supermarkets, now restaurants and bars are closed, schools are closed until April 3rd. Insane!

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    1. My train was never as crowded as the one handling the NYCer commuters, but it's thinned out a lot. I saw that a lot of cities were closing eateries. I hope they will just go to takeout here, if anything, because people need to get paid.

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  21. So sorry your trip ended up canceled!!! YOu're lucky you avoided the airport, though---O'Hare has been an absolute mess from people pouring in from abroad. I wouldn't want to be anywhere near it!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I am really feeling the physical distance between me and my daughter right now. I hate being so far away with so much going on in the world.

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  22. That big cute ball of fluff made me smile :) I hope everything works out with your job and transportation. It's been a madhouse here (Southern California) too. Store after store is cleared of toilet paper, feminine products, canned goods, beans, rice, cleaners, hand soap etc. It is anxiety inducing. Hopefully all of your good books will bring a smile to your face and help you relax. Take Care Sam :)

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. The bunny or the dog? If you click the bunny, it is a whole thread of floffy animals. It's fantastic. There are so few people going to work these days. The train station is a ghost town. The roads are fairly empty. Just going day by day at this point. Stores are nuts! I am glad I tend to stock up. I hope we both make it through it all safely

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  23. I heard that there were a couple days where the grocery stores were insane here in Louisiana, too. Now everything looks like a ghost town. Sorry your fun was canceled!!

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    1. It's weird for me, because it's business as usual for me. I go to work every day, I don't have small children, so the no school thing is not affecting me, and I rarely go out anyhow, because I am gone 12.5 hours a day. I wish I had a job I could do from home.

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  24. Schools and government offices are closing here too. I don't know what will come next. That puppy looks like a living snowball. So cute!

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    1. The surgeon general is calling for people to work from home, and if they can't, not work. I sort of need to get paid, and my company is not closing. But, you know, snowball puppies ease the pain a little

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  25. Oh my god thank you for sharing this thread of very cute very round animals, this made my entire day, I love it so much ahhhhhhh. <3
    I'm so happy you get to read Now That I've Found You, I can't wait to read that one, it sounds so, so good. I loved Kristina Forest's debut so much!
    I hope you'll have a good week, stay safe! <3 <3

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    1. What the world needs is lots and lots of cute round animals. I was just clicking through that thread again today. That squirrel . Forest's debut was fantastic, and I am beyond excited to read more of her work. You stay safe too

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  26. The virus is kind of ruining everything. I had to leave Australia early, and cancel my trips to the Phillipines and Indonesia and maybe our family one to Singapore won't happen either :( I am so sad and sorry that all your concerts and your child coming to visit have to be canceled as well. Ugh. I hate the virus and how it is affecting all the people I care about. If the trains don't run you definitely can't get to work but I also understand why people are considering closing them... I am so sorry you can't work from home in any way!

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    1. I am glad you were able to get home and be with your family. It pains me, that I am so far apart from my child. Let's hope they are able to get this under control and figure out how to combat the virus

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