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

Happy Father's Day to any and all who celebrate.

Today, my mother and I are going to Paper Mill to see Half Time. I don't know much about the show, but it's from the director/choreographer of Kinky Boots, and I have yet to be disappointed by any Paper Mill shows. So, I will most likely enjoy it.

Has anyone done their plot twist at Epic Reads? I have a villain, who will fall in love with somebody the family hates, but betray someone close to them. Hmmmm...

You have to check out @EpicReads' plot twist generator: https://t.co/PlzA7o7IxH pic.twitter.com/gZONiVFofc

— Frenzy (@HCCFrenzy) June 16, 2018

This book, which has not been released, is already being adapted into a film. It looks like something I would love. So, yeah, another book hits the TBR.

The cover for #FiveFeetApart by @rchllipp, @MikkiDaughtry, & @TobiasIaconis is here AND it's going to be a movie starring @colesprouse & @haleylufan! 😱🎉

Make sure you read the book before you see the movie! https://t.co/doESMNyFqQ

— Riveted by Simon Teen (@simonteen) June 14, 2018

It looks like Laurie Halse Anderson has another book coming out, where she shares the story of her own assault. I expect this will be yet another meaningful and powerful book from her.

EXCITED. @halseanderson!!! https://t.co/NpfC0XeCi5

— Jason Reynolds (@JasonReynolds83) June 11, 2018

I want to thank everyone for their outpouring of affection for our new blog design. I love that Kiersten had enough time to share her inspiration with you all. I often gush about her creative endeavors, and though she is in analytics now, she always reminds me that she does have a BFA. All I know is I LOVE my mother's day gift!

Open Giveaways

• You can still enter to win a copy of Not the Girls You're Looking For
• I am doing a re-tweet and follow for a copy of The History of Jane Doe. 

On the Blog:

• Monday: Blog Tour - Not the Girls You're Looking For by Aminah Mae Safi 
• Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday - Road Trip!
• Wednesday: In a Nutshell - How We Roll, Kissing Games, Thief of Happy Endings
• Thursday: Discussion - Blog Design
• Friday: Blog Tour - The History of Jane Doe by Michael Belanger

STACKING THE SHELVES

I broke down and bought a book, but you must understand. I adore Sarina Bowen and am so excited that she has written a YA book, a book I can prominently feature on my blog. I also was so delighted to get an eGalley of Love a la Mode. The author actually reached out to me, because I am always tweeting about her books. They are tons of fun, but many are released by a publishers, who NEVER approves my requests. So, YEAH!!

Bought/Free

• The Accidentals by Sarina Bowen

Edelweiss/NetGalley

• Bishop by Sawyer Bennett
• The Prodigy by John Feinstein
• Love a la Mode by Stephanie Kate Strohm
• Playing Her Secret Crush by Casey Griffin
• So Glad to Meet You by Lisa Super

What I Read Last Week

I did something I didn't think I would, I finished The Summer I Turned Pretty series. I saw the audiobooks at the library, and thought, why not? I was pretty happy I did. Overall all, it was a good reading week, which ended with two stupendous books.

• Your Destination is on the Left by Lauren Spieller: This was a really interesting coming-of-age tale. I have never read a book about modern day nomads, and their lifestyle was so fascinating.  A bittersweet tale and a solid debut. ★★★★
• The Boy Book by E. Lockhart (audiobook): This was such a painful book. Ruby had to deal with the fallout from Sophomore year, and it left her feeling alone and a little nostalgic. She digs up the Boy Book, which leads to some reflections on her former friendships and herself. I must also say, the observations they recorded in the Boy Book were hilarious. As always, Ruby was funny and full of keen observations.  ★★★★
• The Brightsiders by Jen Wilde: This book was a little more drama-filled than I anticipated, but I will say it's great that we have books for those, who are out or questioning or want to learn more about gender. ★★★
• The Last Summer of the Garrett Girls by Jessica Spotswood: What a beautiful story of sisters, and how their lives intersect and diverge. It's a story about their summer of changes, and I loved every second of it. ★★★★
• The Treasure Map of Boys by E. Lockhart (audiobook): Have I mentioned how much I love Ruby Oliver? I swear, she was ahead of her time. Ruby did a ton of growing up in this book, and I hope the next book is where she gets to enjoy a little more happiness. ★★★★
• The Boyfriend Bracket by Kate Evangelista: I was surprised that the bracket was abandoned so early in the story, but all was forgiven, because I adored the romance. A fun and fluffy brother's-best-friend romance, which was sweet, swoony, and satisfying. ★★★ 1/2
• It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han (audiobook): We returned to Cousins' and everything was sort of a mess. I was angry with Conrad, and shedding massive amounts of tears for Susannah. At the end, I wasn't sure about anything, but at least there was another book to perhaps answer all my questions. ★★★★
• We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han (audiobook): No lie, I cried a TON during this one. It was so dramatic and heartbreaking and I felt so betrayed by some characters. I was shedding happy tears by the end of this book, and I think Han made some smart decisions, which allowed me to be ok with how this story played out. ★★★★
• Making Up by Lucy Parker: I love this series, and I think this is my favorite book of the series so far. I feared it was the final book, because of the ending, but then I saw a tweet from Parker that she is working on book 4!!!!! ★★★★ 1/2
• The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang (audiobook): Believe the hype! This book was so charming, adorable, sweet, sexy, fun, touching, and everything else. I will DEFINITELY be reading Hoang's next book. ★★★★ 1/2

What I Am Currently Reading

• So Glad to Meet You by Lisa Super
• Bountiful by Sarina Bowen

What I Plan to Read

• Learning to Breathe by Janice Lynn Mather
• Meant to Be Broken by Brandy Woods Snow
• Fat Girl on a Plane by Kelly deVos
• Hooked on You by Kate Meader

How was your week?

Let us know in the comments!