Sunday, May 3, 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 started back to work this week. We had a WebEx training session for two hours, and there was a lot of confusion and lack of access to systems we needed, but it all worked out (more or less). I have had to work around the limitations of only having one small screen, and other tech issues, but I was chugging along. It was good to be busy again. Since they are so backlogged, I had a continuous feed of work, and my days flew by.

Friday, we dialed in for a virtual recognition rally, and I won top performer for Feb (yeah, they're a bit behind). So, that was nice. Obviously, I won't be going out for my recognition luncheon at this time, but it's the thought that counts.

Once work was done, I was left to feel sad about not being with my daughter this weekend. I haven't seen her since Feb 2nd, and it feels like forever. Then when I was already feeling bad, I got rejected for two of my most anticipated releases. My rejection came like 10 minutes after my request. Maybe I'm blocked by the publisher. It's a thing on NetGalley. I ran across it once, when I googling how to do something. I was shocked, but then it explained why I get rejected almost immediately by Disney. I vowed to only let myself be pathetic and sad on Friday, and then, I moved on.

They are too cute, when they eat.

I love the doggie sign language
This thread has some of the most bizarre animals I have ever seen.


Let's Discuss!


On the Blog:


STACKING THE SHELVES

Just when I thought I would never win anything, ever again, I won a Goodreads giveaway. I was pretty excited about that, and about seeing one of Sawyer Bennett's books for free on Amazon. I got a few surprising approvals from Random House. I made the requests so long ago, I gave up hope, and BAM! There they were. That was a nice treat. 

Won from Goodreads
Bought/Free


Edelweiss/NetGalley

What I Read Last Week

I was sort of disappointed with one of my books this week. I spent a whole day on the book, got to about 58%, and abandoned it. It wasn't described as a political book, but WOW! It had such a political agenda, and it seemed really jammed in there at times. It was shame, because I enjoyed all the other parts of the story, but it came to a point where it was ruined for me. --sigh-- BUT, the first book I finished in May ended up being 5-stars. So, maybe that makes up for it?

Books

Audiobooks


What I Am Currently Reading

Crushing It is really fun so far. I know how I want it to work out, and I hope it goes my way.



What I Plan to Read

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

50 comments:

  1. I imagine it was a bit frustrating returning to work with the issues you had. That's the good thing about being busy though- the time flies! Congrats on the recognition!!

    That's interesting and odd (?) about Netgalley.

    Oh my gosh those groundhogs!! :)

    Sorry to hear you weren't able to see your daughter. the family separations now are so hard, it's awful. Hope your reads are good this week. Crushing It does look fun. :)

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    1. It just takes time to get used to the limited tech, and doing a job I have never done before. But, I get to sit in front of a window while I work. At the office, I am in a room with no windows, facing a wall. How cute are groundhogs! I cannot get enough of them

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  2. Yay for going back to work (even with tech issues). And OMG I feel you on the struggles of one screen. I'd hoped to get my little TV from my mom's before lockdown started here but never managed to so I've been having to work on my laptop screen and it was a big adjustment after working with two large screens for so long at work. I've adjusted but I still miss 2 screens. It's always nice to have some recognition for you hard work as well, even if they are behind. Especially at the moment I feel like any small bit of recognition gives you a big boost. But boo for pretty much instant rejection on Netgalley especially as they were releases you were looking forward to. It's always annoying especially as you don't always know why. I didn't know you could be blocked though, how much does that suck? And even your reading week hasn't been as amazing, but at least you began the month with a 5 star read, that just means this month will go well. Hope you have a good week this week.

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    1. I could drive down to work, and pick up a monitor/laptop package, but I would still just have the one screen, because we remote into our own desktops. I didn't really see the point. I am making it work. It won't be forever. I guess the blocking thing helps the pub manage their requests for those people they will NEVER give books to (ie: me). I have a lot to read. I will survive. My library never gets any PageStreet books though, so I will have to wait for a sale. I think starting May with a 5-star book is a good omen

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  3. Congrats on the work recognition! That's awesome! Yeah, I've been rejected lightning quick with publishers. Mostly on Edelweiss though. I have had it where the publish rejects me on Edelweiss but then approves me on Netgalley for the same book. Makes no sense! I was recently rejected for one my most anticipated reads of the year and it took the publisher months to reject me too. I don't understand it either, but oh well.

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


    Here's my StS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. I have been rejected one place and approved on the other. Just happened this week with Tools of Engagement for that matter. I always give both NG and EW a try before I give up hope. There's tours too, right? I think it's odd, when I seemed to have a decent relationship with the pub, prior approvals, reviews done on time, but I guess there are only so many people they can approve, and maybe they are looking for certain type of bloggers to market their books. Who knows!

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  4. I missed my two large screens when I was trying to work at home. I have a very large screen at my desktop but my daughter has taken over that room for school so I was stuck on a tiny laptop...and it was not ideal. I feel like I used to be reject all the time and it didn't bother me much. Now that I don't get reject all that much, it hurts when it happens. I request a book on Edelweiss this week and had a rejection within a few hours and it still makes me sad. I do hope you will be able to see your daughter soon. I was excited to get Dax as a freebie this week as well since I am pretty sure that is where I left off in that series. I hope you enjoy all of your new books and have a great week!

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    1. I clicked that Dax link so fast. Those ebooks are $6 - $7, so I was excited. Every once in a while, my library gets them on Hoopla, but they haven't had any since book 2. It was a wonderful treat! I never really got rejected too often. I get about 75% of the books I request, and I have stopped asking from pubs, who always say no. I was surprised at how fast the reject came back, and because I have had books from them in the past (the debuts of both the authors I was rejected for). It's all good. I was just feeling extra mopey on Friday.

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  5. It's a bummer to be rejected on books you're really looking forward to! I don't request that much anymore, just download from offered books mostly these days, but every once in a while I'll request and then get rejected! Yay for the 5 star rating of Jellicoe Road! I'm thrilled you loved it. :)

    Glad to hear your days flew by thanks to being busy at work. That does help keep the mind off more depressing things like not being able to see your daughter.

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    1. My rejection rate is under 25%, which isn't terrible. I just was already having a pity party on Friday, and it made it worse. Jellicoe Road was so wonderful. I really must read all Marchetta's books.

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  6. You won Undecided? That's awesome! I loved that book!
    I'm glad you're back to busy. I'm sad you haven't been able to see your daughter.
    As for NetGalley... Don't let rejections get to you. I always guess I'll be rejected and then when I'm not I let it be a happy thing.

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    1. I won Crushing it. I bought Undecided. It was my must click price of $1.99. I just wasn't in the right frame of mind to be rejected, you know. It just compounded my sadness. I am ok now. There will be other books to read. I expect rejections from certain pubs, but I reviewed the debuts of both those authors, and many other books from the pub, so it made me sad, that they are done with me. Oh, well. Maybe I can get on a tour.

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  7. Congrats on the performance award! I hope you do get your luncheon when you get back into the office but at least you can work from home and save on commute time at the moment! :)

    I had no idea publishers actively blocked reviewers on things like NetGalley... That seems so unfair! It gives people no wiggle room for growing or evolving unless they have a regular review process in place (which I doubt they do with the volume of requests they must get). So frustrating!

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    1. They tend to do the luncheon's offsite, and I don't drive, so I have missed the last two I was invited to, but it's the thought that counts. We get points to use in the company store, and I always turn mine into a gift card. I guess they could have their reasons why they don't want to work with you. Who knows. I mean, they probably get a LOT of requests, so they could have a list of people, who don't meet their criteria. They can't say yes to everyone.

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  8. Glad you were able to get through the tech issues pretty quickly and be really productive!

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    1. I worked around them. I still have no idea why some functionality stopped working for just me.

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  9. I'm sorry that you're missing your daughter right now. :( I know what that's like in reverse. I haven't seen my mom in awhile, either.
    Congrats, on the work accomplishment! That had to help bolster you a bit. :)
    You've got so many good books this past month!
    I hope your May looks up. :)

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    1. I am worried that I won't be able to fly for months, which really makes me feel like it will be a whole lot longer. It was interesting to be working again, but it will be a rude awakening, when I finally do have to go back to the office

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  10. Sam what's a virtual recognition rally???? And my husband uses WebEx too! Now about Netgalley, I am so often turned down or ignored you have no idea!

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    1. I used to get books from that pub, but I guess I should add them to the list of pubs-who-won't-approve me. It is, what it is. For the virtual recognition rally, we all dialed in, and our segment leadership talked about us, while showing the slides. It was cool, because it covered all our sites. Usually we just gather in our building, and there's clapping and talking.

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  11. Congrats on the work recognition! Haha, I love the dog video. My dog somehow just knows when it’s time for a walk and starts getting annoying and whiny. I don’t have to tell her that we’re going. Have a great week!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. It amazes me how dogs learn to communicate with us. I loved that the deaf dog understood, and told the other one it was walk time.

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  12. Congrats on being the top performer in Feb! That's gotta help boost your mood. I hate being declined on NG. It really hits my ego hard!!
    I once had a Dalmatian, and they are known to having hearing problems. So, she was trained entirely with sign language. It was so much fun!
    I hope you have an amazing week!! Hang in there!

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    1. It was part ego, but mostly because I was feeling bad already. I love it! Doggie sign language. It was fun to see.

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  13. I'm glad work was mostly okay! I'm still sorry you weren't able to see your daughter. I can only imagine how hard that must be for you. I'm lucky to have mine at home, but they are driving me a little insane, if that makes you feel any better. ;) Congratulations on your Goodreads win! It's great that the book has also been enjoyable so far. Bummer about the political book, and I'm about to read your review for Real Men Knit since I have in on deck. <3

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?😷 💬

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    1. Our kids grow up and leave. It's part of life, but it makes me sad. My sister lives in the same town as us. He daughter rents the apartment in my sister's house. Only my daughter is far away. --sigh-- Crushin It was really fun and sweet. I loved all the gooey parts, because I am a super sap. I went into Knit knowing it had low ratings, but I had an open mind. I think I just am not a fan of super slow burns, because I felt this way about Something to Talk About too. It was bit light on the romance for a romance too. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. I think I was just disappointed. I hope you it more than I did

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    2. Bummer about Real Men Knit! I had similar feelings about The Honey-Don't List. Very little romance in a romance book, and felt more about the secondary character's unhealthy marriage than anything else. Hmm.

      They grow up so fast! As I'm sure you know. ;) I'm trying to enjoy this extra time we're getting as a family, and making the most of our time together. Many board games have been played! We've also had movie marathons (broken up over a week, haha), water gun fights, etc.

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    3. I liked Honey-Don't a bit more, maybe because it was quite funny, and that kept me from feeling it was too light on the romance. I actually consider that more women's fiction, and when I do that, it works better in my head. I love board games! Sounds like a lot of fun over at your house.

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  14. Glad to hear that you're back to work and staying busy. For me, that really does help these lockdown days go by a little easier. I really do hope that you'll get to see your daughter soon. My child isn't out of the house yet but I know I would struggle if I couldn't see him. I was curious to see what you would think of Real Men Knit. I'm hoping to start it later this week but keep seeing mixed reviews for it. I'm going into it with lowered expectations and hoping for the best.

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    1. It's always sad when our kids leave. I should be used to it by now, since she first left home for college, but it never seems to get easier. Knit wasn't bad, it just wasn't a great romance. Maybe if it was sold to me as a different kind of story, I would not have been as disappointed? I still think it had elements that were great.

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  15. Tools of Engagement! I'm jealous! I still need to read Love Her of Lose Her. Hopefully this month. I know so many moms are struggling with not getting to see their kids right now, and I can totally sympathize. I've been blessed with having my oldest home because of all this.

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    1. I liked the first book in the series, but I adored Love Her or Lose Her. Watching that couple fight for their marriage and learn their love language was great. I cried, when my daughter got a job 700 miles away, but I have been spoiled with her on a job in Newark. I was getting to see her once a month. Now, who knows when we will be able to visit each other again.

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  16. Working from home is such a struggle technology wise. My work has not had an update since early January and you have to be on the network to get it. The time is wrong too because Daylight Savings.

    Congrats at being recognized at work! Maybe you'll get March and April too!

    I'm reading Real Men Knit but it's not very memorable.

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    1. For work, we go in through an app, that brings up our actual desktops at work. The only problem, we only get the one window. My desktop is littered with like 10 open windows when I work, and due to space constraints, I can't spread them out like I normally would. Hey, it's better than riding the train every day and worrying about getting infected.

      I don't think I will be recognized for March, since I didn't work the full month, and April, I think I worked 1 day.

      Knit wasn't as bad for me as it was for some. If I finish a book, it's ok. It was a little light on romance for a romance book, but I liked Jackson's writing and the focus on community. Hence, 3.5 stars

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  17. This was such a great post! I'm definitely adding most of the books you've featured in it to my TBR, since the only one whose existence I was aware of, is Jellicoe Road! And animal threads on any social media platform are the absolute best! It's my ideal way of getting the day started! Sorry to hear publishers rejected your requests for review, I feel so discouraged when that happens to me as well. I have also gotten rejected for most of my requests on NetGalley, since I haven't used the platform in a while, I assume, but I'm pretty sure that there are so many things to consider when it comes to declining or accepting review requests. Hope you're feeling much better and have a great start of the week!

    Elena @ Book Lady's Reviews

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    1. Animal posts keep me sane. They are too pure for me. I have a 91% ratio with over 500 reviews written on NG, but everyone can't get approved. This time, I lost. I was being a sad sack.

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  18. That's great your work days went quick - I'm sure it was a bit of a weird adjustment to get started from home though. And I'm sorry about the book rejections - not cool!! sometimes I wonder WHO some publishers even approve? Like, anyone? hah

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. Sometimes I wonder who gets approved too. I follow hundreds of blogs, and I have a lot of friends/follows on GR too, and there are books I don't see much talk about. I do try to avoid pubs, who traditionally reject me, so I guess I am adding PageStreet to the list.

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  19. I can hear Kevin doing all his conferences in the back room and he gets frustrated because he can't *see* what's happening (he is manager at a power plant) lol He has to go in for the next few weeks because there are contractors coming in for maintenance and they consider the workers more essential than the managers so he's the go between person. Which, of course, makes me nervous.

    I'm so sorry you still can't see your daughter. This is such a frustrating time.

    I've been getting approved more for things which is SO weird because I hardly ever get approved. But I doubt it's the bigger titles that everyone wants and they're desperate for reviews with all this going on.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Are there a lot of people at the plant? Hopefully they can keep their distance. I was talking to my boss last week, and he said, each morning when they come in, they stop by the cafe, answer a few questions about their health, and get a temperature check. They have to wear masks the entire time they are in the building, and they are all about 8 feet apart.

      I almost never get rejected for romance reads, but YA titles are tough. My blog is almost all YA though. Like, I am pre-approved on EW for loads of romance titles. Just sitting there for me to download, but no love for me with YA. I like to have 12 or so ARCs a per month, but I will always find something to read.

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  20. Congrats on being recognized! It feels good to be appreciated for a job well down. Bummer about having to return to work. I'm glad that it flew by with being busy though. It's disappointing when you are looking forward to an eARC and get turned down. I started keeping track of pubs that turn me down every request, but still take a chance every once in awhile. Congrats on winning Crushing It! I hope you get to spend time with your daughter soon. I miss my family too :( Maybe you can see each other, but at a distance, like Tanya does her driveway picnics with her mom. I would like to try something like that. Take Care and Happy Reading!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. It's not so bad working from home. At work, I sit in a windowless room and face a wall. Here, I sit in my reading chair, in front of my windows. I get a lot done too, because there are no disruptions. My daughter lives 700 miles away, so there won't be any driveway picnics, but I am still hoping my trip to see her in August will happen.

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  21. What's a virtual recognition rally? Anyhow, congrats on making top performer!

    That's odd that some publishers would block a user with no apparent reason. You keep saying that it's more difficult for you to get approved for YA titles...I wonder if it's because they're more popular and many more people request them, so there are publishers who have decided who "earned" the right to read them from the start, and don't bother with perusing the other requesters' blogs...if they look at blogs at all...I don't know if I'm making sense. Well, at least you're lucky with GR 🙂.

    I hope you'll get the chance to see the kid soon! I know it seems unlikely for now, what with living in different states, but this thing is going to let up someday.

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    1. Usually, all the honorees and managers get together in our building, and do the recognition. Since only my team is currently in the building, the head of our segment did a WebEx meeting. We all dialed in, across all sites, and there was like a PowerPoint. I can't be mad, that pubs reject me. Disappointed, yes, but not mad, because in the end, the granting of ARCs is a marketing thing. It's was just extra disappointing that day, because my trip was canceled, and I had been approved in the past, for the very same authors. It is what it is. I may still read them someday. Maybe get on a tour. It's really obnoxious, when your children move so far away, but when the kid finished grad school, all her offers were from firms in Chicago. She likes it, and is happy, so, that counts for something.

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  22. It sounds like getting back to work is a bit of a difficult experience. I hope it’s going okay. Congratulations on winning top performer! :D

    My goodness that dog video is the cutest thing I have ever seen!!

    Thank you so much for sharing my post :) <3

    Yay for the win from Goodreads and some approvals!! I hope you enjoy all those books.

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    1. It took some time getting used to what I was doing, as this was not my actual job, but I quickly got the hang of it, and am processing at more than double the rate of any of the other helpers. I know I could go faster, if I was at my desk, though. The GR win was a nice treat. It's been a long time since I won something, and I really did like the book too

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  23. Glad you've managed the back-to-work transition relatively smoothly. And congrats on being honored!!

    Sorry you've been missing your daughter---I've definitely been missing my mom lately (though we did sneak in an outdoor visit this past weekend).

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I would love a "sneak" visit, but 700 miles is too far. NJ is in indefinite lockdown, and they just closed the schools for the rest of the year. I have no idea how old my child will be the next time I see her. I am feeling really dramatic about it too. I only had the one child and no husband, so she was everything that mattered to me. I was crushed when she went away to college, but destroyed when she moved halfway across the county. It is what it is.

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  24. Sometimes we have to let ourselves feel those sad feelings instead of repressing them, and I am glad you did. It's healthy and blocks are so awful >.> I am glad that you've been able to keep busy with work though. And I am so happy to see you adored Marchetta's book as well <3

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    1. The days always go by faster, when I am actually busy. I mean, I was doing stuff before I transitioned to work from home, but I was sort of killing time. I need structure, so this is good for me, especially mentally

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