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
You know, it's always sad when vacations end, and you have to return to real life. I just got home, and I feel so far behind. If only I had internet on the ship, I would have been able to keep up. With that said, sorry I didn't visit this week, but I only had short spots of wifi in the two ports. I am trying to get to everyone though. It's tough, because I was busy last weekend seeing Chasing Rainbows, which was incredible, and today, we are going to see Percy Jackson. I almost want to call out tomorrow, but I fear wasting my days.
Speaking of vacation, it was very relaxing, though, the North Atlantic is a lot rougher than the previous cruises we have been on. The kid got sick our last day at sea, but other than that, it was nice and casual. I usually love taking advantage of see the current crop of Disney films, when I am on the boat, but it was essentially Toy Story 4 and all the live action re-boots. Kiersten and I were both really perturbed about what they did in Toy Story, and I really want to know what Pixar was thinking there.
Other than that, make sure you go an enter my birthday giveaway. It's open to any and all, who Book Depository will deliver to.
Turn your sound on I promise you won’t regret it😂 pic.twitter.com/xkNZoML4dw— Dak (@RidiculousDak) September 28, 2019
When your day just keeps getting worse 😏 pic.twitter.com/jGWIpJ2bl3— ANDREW ALBERTT (@ANDREW1ALBERTT) September 29, 2019
I know him! pic.twitter.com/3bRCu8xiKX— Meow Library (@meowlibrary) September 30, 2019
Let's Discuss!
- Sophie wonders if you need to shout to be heard
- The Orangutan Librarian shares the most pretentious post you will ever read
- Hypable shares a list of fierce YA female characters, which I totally agree with
On the Blog:
- Monday: #AmReading - YA Mystery Edition
- Tuesday: TTT - By the Numbers
- Wednesday: CWW - Deadly Little Scandals, Always Never Yours
- Thursday: One Old, One New - YA Romance Edition
- Friday: Five Star Friday - September 2019
- Saturday: Giveaway - Happy Birthday to Me!
STACKING THE SHELVES
Bought/Free
- The Varlet and the Voyeur by L.H. Cosway, Penny Reid
Edelweiss/NetGalley
- Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey
- Almost Just Friends by Jill Shalvis
What I Read Last Week
I was able to sneak in an extra book this week, and I was happy I did, because it ended up being my highest rated of the week. My sports romances are usually solid 4-star reads, but Legend had a bit more going on, that made me go a little higher. I was all in and totally engrossed from beginning to end.
Books
- Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella - ★★★★ 1/2 review
- The Paris Project by Donna Gephart - ★★★★
- Friend or Fiction by Abby Cooper - ★★★★
- Always Never Yours by Emily Wimberly, Austin Siegemund-Broka - ★★★★
- Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren - ★★★★ review
- Legend by Sawyer Bennett - ★★★★ 1/2 review
Audiobooks
- Rush by Emma Scott - ★★★★
What I Am Currently Reading
I really started both of these today, and therefore, have little to say. I like that Glines is trying to have a little diversity in her series, and am hoping she does a good job with this hard of hearing heroine.
I don't normally tag in for fantasy books, but Lifestyles is a retelling that has me intrigued. I have seen a lot of glowing reviews, and seriously, a YA retelling of the minotaur? Sounds really promising.
- Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters by Emily Roberson
- Making a Play by Abbi Glines (audiobook)
What I Plan to Read
- A Constellation of Roses by Miranda Asebedo
- We Met in December by Rosie Curtis
- Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz
- I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios
How was your week?
Let us know in the comments!
Let us know in the comments!
Glad you had a nice cruise, sorry to hear seas were a little rough! Although the North Atlantic- that does seem like it might be rougher than some areas, although not having cruised I don't really know. One of these days we're going to go... :)
ReplyDeleteLots of great looking books this week!
I played that first cat video and my cat, who was sitting on my lap, started looking around lol.
That is so cute, that your cat reacted to the video. Fantastic! When I was talking to our server, about how Kiersten had never gotten sick before, he said the other cruises we were on were through much calmer waters.
DeleteSorry to hear your kid had a bad last day, but at least it was the only one!
ReplyDeleteI still have to watch Toy Story 2 and 3 (whose DVDs I own...), but now I'm a bit anxious about the 4th. I saw your tweets with Lindsi where you said you both were disappointed, and I have a rough idea where this is going...
That last cat video 😂.
Just stop at Toy Story 3, though, my daughter was angry about that too. I was ok with it. The last one though, it's a nope.
DeleteI hate that manic catch up that always follows a holiday but I'm glad you had a nice time - excluding the final day sickness - hope your daughter is ok now!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen Toy Story 4 and I have no intentions of doing so. I don't understand why they felt the need for it when Toy story 3 ended in a nice place. :(
I am lucky that my job will have no catch up. It's really just housework and the blog. My daughter was fine later Friday evening, but she had a rough day. I just really had a problem with the ending of Toy Story 4. My daughter would argue, that Woody should have been brought to college in the third movie, but that's her love for her own dolls bleeding through.
DeleteI only have a desktop computer and no mobile phone of any kind or laptop so it is nice and easy to leave everything behind when I go on holiday! It is a bit of a pain trying to catch up on everything when I get home though!
ReplyDeleteThe catch up is killing me right now. It would have been better had I no plans for the weekend, but I am still excited to see Percy Jackson, even if I have to go back into the city for it.
DeleteAww it sucks about the kid getting sick. Oh man I would have been peeved about the cruise not showing the best Disney movies from back then.
ReplyDeleteI've had Tessa Bailey's novel in my Kindle since July (maybe August) and I can't wait to read it!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
We both suffer from motion sickness, but her's is worse. It's not that they aren't showing the best Disney movies, it's just that almost all the recent WD movies have been live action adaptations, which I have no interest in. I am excited about Bailey's book. It's nice to have a married couple romance every now and again
DeleteFirst, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!! I hope you had a wonderful day. <3 I'm happy to hear your had a relaxing vacation. How haven't I heard before of Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters?! I'm adding it to my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteHappy readings! ;)
Tânia @MyLovelySecret
My vacation was very wonderful. No commuting for one whole week! We had nice, cool weather too. I am only about 20% into Gods and Monsters, but it is a very interesting take on the minotaur.
DeleteYay for vacation! I love cruises, but I do get seasick easily. That part is no fun.
ReplyDeleteI have never had a problem, which surprises me, because I do get some motion sickness. This was our 4th cruise, and the first the kid was sick on. Very different experience from the others, but we still loved it.
DeleteSeveral thoughts here:
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
Then I am happy that you had a relaxing holiday even if the sea was rougher
Third though: that cat attacking the phone is so funny!
Fourth: I can't wait to read your thoughts on I'll Meet you There!
That cat was phenomenal! Totally cracked me up. I wish I knew what the cat was thinking, when he saw the image on the screen. I am proud to finally be reading I'll Meet You There, and I feel like it will be a good fit for me.
DeleteGood to hear you had a good time on your crusie! That's a nice way to celebrate your birthday! The cat videos are pretty funny! Toy Story was a bit bittersweet, right? Kind of creepy in parts, too.
ReplyDeleteI should check out Legend. I've enjoyed Sawyer Bennett's writing. :)
We have started meeting around my birthday for our yearly vacation. The weather is usually decent, and it's off peak, so, a bit cheaper. My daughter and I both left the theatre in a snit. We were utterly appalled by the decision Pixar made there. It just doesn't fit the brand or everything the toys stood for. I love hockey romances and Bennett's are always great for me. I will read them, as long as she writes them.
DeleteGlad you had a great time on the cruise! I haven't been on one in over 10 years, because I get seasick and I never know what it's going to be like!
ReplyDeleteWe are actually looking at a Rhine riverboat cruise for our next trip. The water should be a lot calmer.
DeleteI've never been on a cruise, but they kind of freak me out. LOL I think all that you can do on one would be fun though. Coming home from vacay is the worst though.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
My sister used to feel the same way, but after her first cruise, she was addicted. I love getting to change locations without having to pack up and sit on a bus and whatnot.
DeleteGlad you got some relaxing in on the vacay! I know you probably feel like you now need a vacation from the vacation. Welcome back to the world of wifi!
ReplyDeleteLast year, we did Disney, and were worn out at the end of the vacation. At least this one was really relaxing. We were quite slothful. If yesterday wasn't my birthday and we didn't have the theatre tickets today, I would have been fine time wise, but we packed a lot of stuff in our time together.
DeleteGlad you had a nice vacation. I think everyone always needs a few days to recover from vacation before going back to work! Its so difficult!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
Truth! Though, at least this vacation was very relaxing.
DeleteOMG the cat video is so adorable!! I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise even if there was a little backlog from taking vacation and a couple aggravating things that happened. It's nice to just not worry about any deadlines. The Paris Project looks super cute!! ❤️
ReplyDeleteThat cat was so awesome! The Paris Project was cute, and it deals with people in a lower socioeconomic bracket, as well as a parent, who is incarcerated and a gambling addict. It was done well.
DeleteI'm glad you had fun on your cruise! That's really good to know about the North Atlantic - I'm also prone to seasickness. Strange about the movies though! Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters is one I haven't heard of but I'm definitely going to check it out!
ReplyDeleteIt was the rockiest cruise I have ever been on. I guess I didn't realize, that Disney's most recent releases have ALL been live action remakes. Lifestyles has a LOT of mythology in it, while also skewering the world of reality TV. It's fun.
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the cruise... but sorry to hear your girl got sick there at the end. :( We’ve been knocking around the idea of planning a cruise and taking my mom. She just applied for a passport this week and I’d love to help her get a stamp in it. :) I’m reading Twice in a Blue Moon now. And I’m so excited that you plan to pick up I’ll Meet You There soon! Oh, that book...an all-time favorite.
ReplyDeleteThe kid gets sick from too much heat/sun too. She must have a very delicate constitution. You would probably cruise from FL. The water is much calmer down there (normally). Tons of curses offered from ports not too far as well. Twice in a Blue Moon was not the rom-com I thought it would be, but it was great second chance romance for me.
DeleteYep, there are plenty of options for ports here: Cape Canveral (Orlando area), Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay, Miami. We even departed from here in Jax last time but that was on Carnival and I don't want to do that again. Was not impressed.
DeleteWe went out of Port Canaveral and my parents are leaving out of Miami when they sail. It's nice to have so many ports nearby. We have ships that said from NJ, but not Disney, and that's our preferred cruise line. I had no idea cruises left from Jax. Look at that.
DeleteI like the cover for I'll Meet You There, it caught my eye right away. I'm glad your cruise went well, even if the waters were a bit choppier than you're used to. I'm not sure I'll be heading to see Toy Story 4 myself, I was already tired of the franchise when I saw the third one.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was still mad about the third movie, but the 4th, put her over the top furious.
DeleteIt is so hard to go back to work after vacation! So hard! We have not taken a cruise largely because I am scared that one of us would be sick and it would end up being a miserable trip. Nice new reads this week! I hope you have a good week getting back into things.
ReplyDeleteBeing at work was not hard. I am lucky my job is not mentally taxing (at least not for me), but doing the commute this morning was zero fun. I sort of wish I worked on the cruise ship, because I would have. really short commute to work. I have been on 4 cruises, and have had no trouble. This kid got sick a little bit, but it was not the whole time, and other bodies of water are gentler than the North Atlantic.
DeleteI'm glad to hear you had a nice time on your cruise overall. That sucks about getting sick the last day. Good to know about Toy Story 4. I hadn't seen it yet and will probably skip it.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to discourage you, if you are a fan of the franchise, but I was shocked with the way they went.
DeleteHappy to hear you had a lovely time on the cruise! Always hard to get back to reality. <3
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you read and enjoyed Always Never Yours, it's such a fantastic read! and I can't wait for you to read I'll Meet You There, hope you will love it :)
Have a wonderful week <3
Always Never Yours were so relatable, and I adore this writing duo. I cannot wait for their next release.
DeleteDo you feel like you need a vacation from your vacation? It sounded like you had a lot of fun, I'm forever on the fence when it comes to cruises. On one hand, I like getting away, but I also fear water.
ReplyDeleteThe vacation was relaxing, which was a 180 from last year (Disney World), but I had all this stuff waiting for me at home. I am still trying to catch up with reviews and whatnot. A cruise could be problematic if you fear water, since land is quite far away, but it's like being in a city on the sea. The boats are enormous. We are looking at a river boat cruise next year, and those boats are much smaller, though, we will be close enough to land for free wifi.
DeleteTake your time with coming back! I am glad you enjoyed your holiday and are taking time to have fun yourself!! I hope you enjoyed yourself so much and let me know what you thought of Percy Jackson :D
ReplyDeleteIt was my second time seeing PJ the musical, and it was as good as I remember. The hardcore fans will be happy with it, because it closely follows the book too.
Delete