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 Sunday! Hope everyone is doing well. I know I am happy as my darling daughter came home last night. It's been about two months, so it's nice to catch up with her. Today, we will go with my parents for fondue. Let me tell you, grandkids are the key to getting your parents to do things they would normally say no to. My dad always complains if we suggest a restaurant that is not within 5 -6 miles of our home, but for the granddaughter, he will drive over 20 miles for dinner. And you know, fondue is like hibachi, it's a time commitment since you have to cook your own food. Just saying.
We have tickets to a show on Tuesday, so I have Tuesday and Wednesday off. Always nice to have a short week. I found I am too old to go to a concert and then go to work the next day. I could have worked from home the next day, but when I checked my PTO balances, I have a lot of unscheduled days. Since they don't rollover, I need to start taking time off.
I guess I have not worked in the office on a Friday for a while, but I did this week. I forgot what misery the summer Friday commute can be. The day-riders were out of control. There were so many of them heading to the city for sporting events or the airport. They just don't understand the commuter code. I switched cars three times before I gave up and just stood between cars. My tolerance is so low when it comes to loud and incessant talking on the train. I just want some peace on the ride, you know?
On the Blog
- Monday: #AmReading - The Year of Second Chances, My Roommate is a Vampire
- Tuesday: TTT - You Made Me Read It
- Wednesday: CWW - The Takedown, Vacationland
- Thursday: Nutshell Reviews - The Summer Girl, Agatha Arch is Afraid of Everything
- Friday: Spell the Month in Books - August 2023
- Saturday: Sloth Goes Places - Wisconsin
Let's Discuss
- Briana asks why don't readers leave reviews
Stacking the Shelves
I felt so much love this week. I usually get invites from Wednesday Books, but I was taking no chances with the new Emma Lord. I was excited to get the approval so quickly. I also got an invite for the new Ashley Schumacher. She is another YA author who always delights me.
The biggest thing is that I bought two books. Shocking, right? Allison Ashley's newest book made me so happy, I had to go and buy the backlist books I have not read, and I am excited to read them.
Netgalley/Edelweiss
- The Getaway List by Emma Lord
Invites
- In the Orbit of You by Ashley Schumacher
- Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
- The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett
- Guy's Girl by Emma Noyes
Purchased
- Perfect Distraction by Allison Ashley
- Home Sweet Mess by Allison Ashley
Read Last Week
Another great week of reading was had here. My favorite book of the week was The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley. If I wasn't grinning from ear-to-ear, I was shedding happy tears. This book was delight, and once again showed how well Ashely writes friends-to-lovers and can meld the heavy and light in perfect proportions.
Find all my reviews on Goodreads
Books
- Vacationland by Meg Mitchell Moore - ★★★★ 1/2
- Just for December by Laura Jane Williams - ★★★★
- The Roommate Pact by Allison Ashley - ★★★★★
- One of Us is Back by Karen M. McManus - ★★★★ 1/2
- Faking Christmas by Kerry Winfrey - ★★★★ 1/2
Audiobooks
- Twisted Love by Ana Huang - ★★★ 1/2
Currently Reading
I might be done with One True Loves by the time you read this. My emotions! I felt reading the before was so much more emotional because I knew what was coming as it was revealed right in the beginning. I sobbed. I was a mess. I am at the point of the reunion, and I am sure I will shed more tears. My feelings are all over the place, and maybe people will hate me, but I am rooting for Sam.
I needed a book with a body part in the title for one of my reading challenges. It was harder than I thought. The Face on the Milk Carton looked interesting to me. It's from the late 90s. Do they even do the milk carton thing anymore? We had much terrifying stuff from when I was younger.
- One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Face on the Milk Carton (audiobook) by Caroline B. Cooney
To Be Read
- Blonde Identity by Ally Carter
- Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore by Matthew J. Sullivan
- The Beginning of Everything by Jackie Fraser
- The Chase by Victoria Denault
Let us know in the comments!
First I have to say, I love that little video, that dog is precious. I read The Face on the Milk Carton years ago and back then I enjoyed it. In Canada we buy milk in bags. I am still pending for that Ashley Allison book, but I am also on the list at the library. I loved her last book. One True Loves was so emotional! I loved it. I have 2 of her books on audio from the library to listen to over the next two weeks. Yes, grandparents are putty in the hands of their grandkids, especially if they don't see them often. Have a great week, Sam.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how you read it, I hope you get a chance to read Ashley's book. It was so good. I was glad my hold came through so soon. One True Loves gutted me, but it was a beautiful pain.
DeleteYay, glad to see a TJR book up there! One True Loves wasn't my favorite the first time I read it, but I really enjoyed it upon rereading. I'm glad your daughter is home for a visit and I hope you have a great time with all your fun stuff planned! Definitely gotta use that PTO - most people at my company end up taking the very end of the year off. Means more quiet time for me!
ReplyDeleteI would love to check out for the end of the year, but that is time we have to bid for since coverages are required at my job. I loved One True Loves. So emotional, and I thought it was handled well.
DeleteI hope you have an amazing time with your daughter and enjoy the show and short week ahead! 😃 Looks like you've read some amazing books and have even more amazing ones lined up. I keep hearing amazing things about The Roommate Pact and I think I'm going to have to bump that up my TBR wish list soon cos it sounds so good! Happy reading and have an awesome week, Sam.
ReplyDeleteI can attest to how good Ashley's last two books were. I loved them both so much. Fun, sweet, and touching. I hope you get to read them
DeleteI love fondue! The cheese kind mostly. My husband is the same about doing things when my daughter suggests it. For me there would be a frown and a "no". Haha! Hope you enjoy your time with your daughter! Yes, I'm the same way now. I can't do a late night and then go to work the next day anymore either. I'm miserable if I try it. Yay for having unscheduled PTO days to take! Maybe you can take off more Fridays so you don't have to deal with the summer insanity on transit! I don't want to listen to loud conversations either! Same on planes!
ReplyDeleteI got an invite for two Janice Hallett books, but I've never read her. I'm thinking of grabbing at least one. I also got the invite for Guy's Girl by Emma Noyes. Not sure about that one either, but the cover is so pretty!
I actually did not get an entree. I ordered more of the cheese fondue and got a small plate of their mac and cheese. Everything was great. I need to start planning my PTO. Once the holidays come, it's a struggle to get any days off. I already snagged the day after both Christmas and Thanksgiving, so I won't be greedy. I am leaning towards downloading the Hallet book. Sounds like something I would enjoy. I don't know much about Noyes, but Berkley books are usually good for me.
DeleteI'm so glad your daughter is home! Have fun at the show!
ReplyDeleteI am happy too. Thank you!
DeleteI keep putting off One True Loves as I KNOW I'll be a blubbering mess... TJR is one of two authors guaranteed to have me crying like my world is ending (the other being Rebecca Yarros).
ReplyDeleteYay for daughter time!! Enjoy fondue and your show later in the week. :)
Nicci, so many tears, but it was beautiful. I have not read Yarros yet, but she's on the short list. The fondue was so good!
DeleteI have to agree with the talking. I'm incredibly quiet in person (Not that you'd know it from my online presence) and don't talk a lot to people.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the grandkids. I would go out of my way for my grandson. lol
Awww, your grandson is lucky
DeleteOne True Loves is a tough read, but one of my favorite books. Definitely my favorite by TJR.
ReplyDeleteMy heart hurt because first Emma is devastated by loss, then she is put in such a difficult position. What a choice! I thought Reid did a nice job with the story though.
DeleteI'm so glad you get to spend some time with your daughter! We had a big meeting this week that saw everyone I work with come together early one morning. It is always nice to see everyone in one place, but it was definitely a "this meeting could have been an email" situation.
ReplyDeleteI miss in person team meetings. We will be on Skype meetings even when most of us are in the office.
DeleteI totally get what you mean about people not behaving on commutes. I just want quiet on the train... Also I am afraid of reading that book of TJR because I don't do well with love triangles and lots of angst! Also enjoy your daughter and your days off!
ReplyDeleteIt's the commuter code to be chill and quiet on the train. Day riders don't get it. I will say that One True Loves was heartbreaking but so good. And Reid did a nice job with the triangle because she set something in motion early that made sense.
DeleteYay, I hope you have a wonderful visit with your daughter! Thanks for the head's up on the new Emma Lord book. I just had to run over to Netgalley to request it, lol. I loved that new Allison Ashley book too. I wasn't sure what to expect going in but it exceeded all of my expectations.
ReplyDeleteI loved Ashley's first book, so I was not surprised I adored the follow up so much. Yeah for new Emma Lord! Looks fun.
DeleteSo many great books.. I have read the first book in the One of Is Lying series.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the grandkids. My dad lives on a different continent and hates travelling all the way here but a few years ago I used all my emotional blackmail about the kids growing up and not being able to bond with him etc and it got him on a plane he flew not just to the states but took a beach vacation with us in the Caribbean and a road trip with us to DC.
Wow! Grandpa really went above and beyond. And now they have those beautiful memories.
DeleteHow fun that your daughter is home again!
ReplyDeleteI read The Face on the Milk Carton in the 90's. I barely remember it, but I think I loved it at the time.
The kid hasn't been in NJ for a while. Maybe February? Cause I went to visit her in May and June. Milk Carton reminds me of an Afterschool Special - are you too young for those?
DeleteHooray for your girl being home! Hope you enjoyed dinner - it’s been years since I’ve had fondue. One True Loves was the first I ever read from TJR and oh how I loved it. Hurt my heart. I was so sure of what I wanted to happen. The fact that the opposite happened, and I was still good with it, is a testament to how good TJR is.
ReplyDeleteTanya @ Girl Plus Books
There are really not a lot of fondue places around. I remember going to one in Jax Beach (Fondue House?) I loved it! One True Loves put me through the wringer, but I was sold on how it worked out. It went the way I wanted, believe it or not, and it was more or less for the reasons that emerged.
DeleteI hope you had tons of fun with your family and fondue! My parents had a fondue pot when I was a kid, but I've never had it at a restaurant. I bet it's good.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, in the 70s, my mom had fondue parties. The nice part in the restaurant is that you don't have to do any prep
DeleteYay for the daughter and the restaurant and the concert! Not so yay for the commute. I didn't know there was a code for those (I don't even know if it exists/ever existed here...). And you bought two books?!
ReplyDeleteYes, I only really do fun stuff when the kid visits. Should be a good time. It's like a social contract, like how we all understand there are certain ways to behave in public. HA! I know, I hardly ever buy books, but I have a HUGE Amazon gift card balance, and these were not available at the library. The authors books make me happy. Well worth the $7 I spent.
DeleteMy oldest daughter just got home from being gone for six months! She was in Brazil for 3 months and France for another 3. It's so great when they're home, isn't it?! I just picked up The Getaway List, too. I look forward to hearing what you think of it. And I would also love to hear your thoughts on Allison Ashley's backlist books. I loved The Roommate Pact, as well. One True Loves was my first TJR book and it's still one of my favorite. I need to watch the adaptation now. Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteThat's so long. I only had that long a separation during Covid. I can imagine you are happy. One True Loves was very good. So many tears, but great. Not sure if I liked it more than Carrie Soto, but maybe just as much
DeleteI am so glad that you were able to spend some time with your daughter. I know that my mom is much more willing to do things for my kids than she ever was for me. That doggo is too cute! I hope that you are having a great week!
ReplyDeleteI sometimes look at my parents when they are dealing with their grandchild and wonder if they are the same people who raised me. LOL
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