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
This was a week. On Monday, I walked in the thunder, lightning and pouring rain to catch my bus, and then my train was quite delayed, because two trucks hit the signal or something. I am really starting to believe this stuff is made up. Then, on Thursday, we were waiting and waiting for the train home. One didn't come. The second one didn't come, and then I caught an announcement about cancellation and the next eastbound train arriving in TWO MINUTES on the OTHER side of the track. I yelled something to the people I was waiting with, and took off up the stairs, across the overpass, and down the other stairs. I did make the train, but it was packed like an NYC bound train during the holidays. Needless to say, I eagerly welcomed the weekend.
I am looking forward to having Thursday off for Independence Day. I am going to my sister's for a late Father's Day/late birthday celebration for my niece/holiday barbecue. I love cooking out, and having had any grilled meat in a while, so, I'm excited. Fingers crossed the weather cooperates.
This got me excited....
Did you 👀 the lovely cover for my next contemporary YA romance? CHASING LUCKY has a motorcycle boy, a bookshop, & a quirky New England town. 🙌🏼 It’s coming April 2020, but you can swoon over the cover created by @iamturtlecat now! And add it to GR here: https://t.co/shQuHqOMJ8 pic.twitter.com/kjDP3jGuQ8— Jenn Bennett (@Jenn_Benn) June 27, 2019
So we had to put a cone on my dog again. My cat loves it pic.twitter.com/UqSvwuGSGA— Klutch (@KlutchGame) June 28, 2019
Friday 28th June, 2019 pic.twitter.com/3ScJ0lLA3P— Hedgehog of the Day (@daily__hedgehog) June 28, 2019
Let's Discuss!
- The Orangutan Librarian talks about genre snobbery
- Crystal wonders if book format influences your ratings (I think it does)
- Angela shares six things that make her want to read a blog
On the Blog:
- Monday: #AmReading - Aurora Rising, Finale
- Tuesday: TTT - Life's a Beach
- Wednesday: CWW - All the Bad Apples, Fan the Fame
- Thursday: #AmReading - Call It What You Want, This Time Will Be Different
- Friday: Discussion - No Love for the Middle
- Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller
- Something Like Normal by Trish Doller
- Technically, You Started It by Lana Wood Johnson
- Announcing Trouble by Amy Fellner Dominy
What I Read Last Week
Lots of good reading this week. My favorite of the week was probably Stealing Home. I am such trash for sports romances, and it was just one of those feel-good books. I inhaled it, and loved every second of it.
Books
- Past Perfect Life by Elizabeth Eulberg - ★★★★
- Truly Madly Royally by Debbie Riguad - ★★★★
- The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai - ★★★★ review
- Stealing Home by Becky Wallace - ★★★★ 1/2
- The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen - ★★★★ 1/2 review
- The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory - ★★★★ review
- A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole - ★★★★ review
- Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kann - ★★★★ review
- The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock - ★★★★ 1/2 review
What I Am Currently Reading
- The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions) by Amy Spalding (audiobook)
- Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross
What I Plan to Read
- 13 & Counting by Lisa Greenwald
- Let Me Fix That For You by Janice Erlbaum
- Wanderlost by Jen Malone
- The Arrival of Someday by Jen Malone
How was your week?
Let us know in the comments!
Oh that would be so frustrating about the train snafu! And I can't believe the 4th is this week! Wow that crept up on me. But yes grilling out is the best. :)
ReplyDeleteOh that poor dog with the cone lol. The indignity... :)
I remember thinking Wanderlost sounded pretty good. I still might read that one at some point.
Time files! It doesn't feel like a year since my daughter moved out west. Crazy. Should I feel guilty, that I kept watching that video, over and over again. 😂
DeleteI hope you enjoy your 4th of July celebrations!
ReplyDeleteYour hedgehog picture made me smile. I don't know why but I'm find it more adorable than usual and it's really cheered me up this morning. :)
I love the upcoming Jenn Bennett cover. It's in keeping with the Starry Eyes/Serious Moonlight covers... Similar vibes. I need to read these at some point.
Hedgehog of the day is one of the high points of each day for me. I love that they actually smile, and if you put a little hat on the. Forget about it! I am sad, because this is the last contracted contemporary for Bennett. I hope she has more in her, because I adore her contemporaries.
DeleteWhoa, that sounds frustrating like crazy. The weather these days is just terrible and unpredictable. I hope you have fun at your sister's!
ReplyDeleteI love Bennett's cover so much! Technically, You Started It has such a cute cover. I hope it's a good read. I'm glad you liked Eulberg's novel and The Right Swipe!
have a lovely week!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
I got approved for Technically the day before it was released, so I am working on getting it into a weekly TBR, but I have heard it is quite fun, which is my desired vibe.
DeleteYeah, I think that kind of transportation chaos would give me even more anxiety than driving in the city! But yay for the holiday break. I asked to take Friday off because I am getting so stressed out at my job and luckily I am "unimportant" enough that it was okay to take that day off. I don't know whether to be happy or sad about that. Lol.
ReplyDeleteNice new reads! New to me ones as usual, but I hope you will positively love them all!
Here's my StS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
They limit how many people can have off on "blackout days", and we put our name in for a lottery to try and get the day off. I did not win, though, I got the day after Thanksgiving off.
DeleteOh man! Your commuting misadventures don't sound like any kind of fun. I'd be so frustrated and anxious! Ooh I see two of my favorite Trish Doller books in your haul! I loved both of those so much, especially Something Like Normal. I saw that cat video earlier and it is so funny!
ReplyDeleteBut, my commute has been generally better since I switched buses. I had seen a tweet from Doller, that some of her books were on sale at B&N, so I grabbed the ones they didn't have at the library. I actually read your review for Something Like Normal before I purchased.
DeleteI laughed so hard at the cat batting the cone of shame this week when I saw it on twitter too. I hope you have awesome BBQ weather for the 4th. We have one too, but it's a whole subdivision party with hundreds of people. Snow cones that we get to flavor ourselves too!
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe we had any amusement in our lives before all these cat videos. Your 4th party sounds like fun. I grew up in Brooklyn, and we used to close the street for a block party on the 4th. Hope your party is a great success!
DeleteUgh! All your train trouble sounds so very frustrating! I used to have to take the train to school and to work when I lived in Norway, and it was almost never on time... then, trains would just not get there at all. Hopefully, next week will be better.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll have a nice Independence Day with your family! It sounds like it's going to be a good one.
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
It's still better than driving, which is miserable every single day. All I know is that my sister better have cake at this party. I was really sad after my nephew's party, when all she had was cookies.
DeleteAnd here I thought your commute nightmare had temporarily ended with the advent of summer 😲. Enjoy your day off on Thursday and cook to your heart's content! 😉
ReplyDeleteThat poor dog LOL.
I read the Orangutan Librarian's post you linked to, and I'm now following their blog! Great, spirited blogging voice LOL.
As long as I travel the Northeast Corridor, which is owned by Amtrak, there will always be commuting problems. BUT, you don't hear me complain about my bus so much. Making the switch from the 6:35 am to the 6:06 am was the best decision. Orangutan Librarian has some great posts. Glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteMade up??? Why did I not think before that that was the reason for all the train delay??? LOL You know this week I took a train way earlier than usual to attend my daughter's graduation. It was around 95° F that day and the train was an old one, without AC. We got stuck for 30 minutes due to a previous train and it was around 115°F inside our train! I had rivulets of sweat between my breasts, in my back ...everywhere!!!! Now let's hope we both have a better week public transportation wise Sam (and that video made me laugh so hard!)
ReplyDeleteThat train ride sounds punishing. As much as I complain, it's still better than driving around here. The traffic is obscene, and I don't have the mental fortitude to deal. At least we have fun cat videos, right?
DeleteI read something like normal this year and wasn't sure how i felt about it! Will be interesting to see your thoughts on it :)
ReplyDeleteIt was $1.99 and I have been wanting to read more from the author, so, why not! It sounds like something I would like, though.
DeleteAfter that nightmare with trains I'd be so happy for the weekend too! Hope this next week has them behaving. Hope you enjoy your BBQ. :)
ReplyDeleteI want to check out Whatever Life Throws at You by Julie Cross. I just saw your 5 stars on Twitter.
Make no mistake, I am always happy for the weekend. I am too old for all this commuting. Julie Cross writes some fun and fabulous little YA romances. The addition of baseball just made it that much better for me.
DeleteYikes, so much bad luck with the trains. At least you have some celebration to look forward to! I hope you have a great time :-) Aww that poor dog with the cone lol.
ReplyDeleteI watched that video so many time, I should probably feel guilty, though I don't.
DeleteLMAO at the cat smacking the cone! That made my day.
ReplyDeleteThat's so annoying about the trains. I think that would drive me to drink. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday and that you have a week filled with fantastic reads and no train delays.
Cat videos really always do the trick for me. Believe it or not, driving to work is far worse, than the blips on NJT. So, I choose the lesser of two evils.
DeleteI love cooking out, too! We're gonna do a brisket for the 4th.
ReplyDeleteI am jealous of your brisket. We do dogs, burgers, chicken, and sausage -- standard stuff.
DeleteThat dog with the cone is hilarious! Cats can be such assholes. Hope you enjoy your holiday and there are no more train issues this week!
ReplyDeleteBut, we look at all the amusement the cats give us.
DeleteJenn Bennett has the best covers! I'm so looking forward to the holiday this week!
ReplyDeleteHer S&S covers have been amazing. I am so hyped about that book
DeleteI am back, back, back! I am sorry I am not able to get fully to your blog tonight as I have a big test tomorrow and then some stuff going on at school tomorrow night but Tuesday I should be caught up! I wanted to come over here and say hello and that I missed saying hello!!! Happy almost 4th!
ReplyDeleteMary
No need to apologize for having a life, Mary. Looks like you were having some fun. Good for you!
DeleteHahaha, poor dog. At least the cat is having fun. Enjoy your day off! I have to work on the 4th. :(
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Cats. They are just endless sources of entertainment. That do had some serious chill, though.
DeleteSorry about all of the train issues lately! Not fun! I hope you have a great 4th of July though and the weather is nice so you can grill out. :)
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
The good news is, my sister has a nice patio type room, which is indoors, should the weather be uncooperative on Thursday. I am excited about all my grilled meat.
DeleteTechnically, You Started It is such a great title. I'm already laughing before I've even opened the book! And as we've all said, that cat video--!!! The cat is so cheerfully indifferent to the dog's dignity.
ReplyDeleteThat cat was too much. I am looking forward to Technically, You Started It. The story sounds as fun as the title.
DeleteI am so sorry about your commuting nightmares. I get anxiety just reading about them. Yay for time off and celebrations. Your poor dog, ah well at least the cat is happy!
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, my stories would be worse if I was doing the drive every day. That commute home on the roads is so painful.
DeleteI love BBQ's on fourth of July, as well as swimming, and then watching fireworks lately. It's nice to get a much needed day off in the middle of the week. I'm crossing my fingers that things get better for you with commuting. Have a great week Sam and Happy 4th of July!
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
Well, yesterday was not a good commuting day with the train fire and the tracks being shut down for over 3 hours, but I live to tell the tale. I am probably more excited than I should be about grilled meat, but hey, life's all about the little things.
Deleteoooh I'm glad you liked The Smell of Other People's Houses!! I've that on my TBR for this year. And GAHHHH your train nightmare. Thank goodness you made it. And that dog video was so funny... that cat knows how to annoy her foe! ❤️
ReplyDeleteThe Smell of Other People's Houses was really good. Heavy topics, but so well done.
DeleteWow your train experience sounds super frustrating. I'm honestly glad I don't have to deal with that. I'm looking forward to reading The Right Swipe and I loved The Smell of Other People's Houses too! I hope you have a better traveling week and I'm looking forward to having Thursday off too! Have a great week!!
ReplyDelete~Kendra @ Kendra Loves Books
It can't always be smooth sailing, but it would be nice if the train disaster was spaced a little further apart. I was really impressed by The Smell of Other People's Houses. It had been on my TBR for years, and I saw a glowing review from AJ and the audiobook was available, and I am glad I checked it out. It can seem really sad at times, but it gets hopeful.
DeleteI don't even understand how so many things go wrong with your trains. I mean, mine are always late so it means every day on my way home I miss my connecting train because those couple of minutes delay might as well be 30 because that's the kind of impact it has on my journey home. My issue is usually the ancient train they keep giving us (new ones are coming next year apparently) and the fact that we are packed in like sardines so I'm squeezing past folks to get to the door and get off the train, never fun.
ReplyDeleteAt least you've read plenty, though. You're making me want to get reading some more with all these high ratings. And I didn't know Jenn Bennett had another book coming out! How does she do it? I am adding that to my list for 2020.
I am lucky that I am considered the "reverse commute". While I am heading towards Trenton, most commuters are heading to NYC. Therefore, the trains to work are not too crowded. The crowds come on the commute home, as people are heading to the city for show/sports/etc or to the airport. I am very excited about Bennett's new book, but nervous too, because she mentioned how it was her last contracted contemporary, and she started with paranormals. I hope she still has contemporaries in her, because I have adored them all.
DeleteOooh I hadn't saw the new Jenn Bennett cover or summary, but I'm really feeling just the little tagline she put. She manages to hook me with a quirky New England town so fast. Wonderful post, Sam! :)
ReplyDeleteThings I will never say no to - a Jenn Bennett book. They have all been wins for me. I hope she will continue to gift us with contemporary books forever.
Delete