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 my first week of quarantine, and I must say, I feel quite well rested. I was emailing with my teammates, who are still in the office. I do miss seeing them, though I don't miss my commute....at all. Since last week I left the house twice. Once, to get my father's antibiotics, and another time, to try and get some toilet paper. The last time I went to the market, because it also houses the pharmacy, but this time I went to Target. After getting TP and food, I spied a Nintendo Switch, and jumped on it. I had one on order, but it wasn't due to arrive for a week. I am rather enjoying being back in that world. It's been a long time.
Not much else to report. I logged into my work computer, finished up some paperwork, read books, and actually spoke to my daughter on the phone. She is usually very busy, and we mostly send messages to each other, so it was a nice treat to hear her voice. I love that she had the time to do that awesome Animal Crossing post on Friday too. I hope everyone found it as fun as I did.
He's a model pic.twitter.com/z0JHiKLt6X— Cute Emergency (@CuteEmergency) March 26, 2020
Patience is a virtue!
Best friend..— The Animal fight🎅🎅 (@fightanimalss) March 25, 2020
. pic.twitter.com/E0ErF0lPSK
Auditioning for the new "hang in there" position.
Flowers are getting prettier pic.twitter.com/qjRKrpHNGX— Kittens (@kittensfolder) March 26, 2020
Let's Discuss!
- Christine created a "you might be obsessed with books" checklist for us
- The Orangutan Librarian doesn't think "you read too much YA" is an insult
- Crystal wonders if books can have too many points of view
On the Blog:
- Monday: #AmReading - A Breath Too Late, Chasing Lucky
- Tuesday: TTT - Come On, Get Happy!
- Wednesday: CWW - You Should See Me in a Crown, Summer of Supernovas
- Thursday: Isn't It Romantic? - The Tourist Attraction, Girl Gone Viral
- Friday: Off the Topic - Animal Crossing Gets Literary
STACKING THE SHELVES
- Man Up by Kim Oclon
Edelweiss/NetGalley
- Keep My Heart in San Francisco by Amelia Diane Coombs
- Along for the Ride by Rachel Meinke
- Ghosting: A Love Story by Tash Skilton
What I Read Last Week
Throw back books for the win! It seems my two favorite books of the week were both backlist, and they were exactly what I needed. Both Summer of Supernovas and The Summer I Became a Nerd were so cute, fun, and sweet. Absolutely loved them!
Books
- Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese - ★★★★ review
- Last Chance Summer by Shannon Klare - ★★★★
- Almost American Girl by Robin Ha - ★★★★ review
- The Summer of Impossibilities by Rachael Allen - ★★★ 1/2 review
- Summer of Supernovas by Darcy Woods - ★★★★ 1/2
- The Summer I Became a Nerd by Leah Rae Miller - ★★★★ 1/2
- Man Up by Kim Oclon - ★★★★
- Puck Aholic by Lili Valente - ★★★ 1/2 review
- Puck Me Baby by Lili Valente - ★★★★ review
What I Am Currently Reading
- Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
- Game Changer by Sierra Hill (audiobook)
What I Plan to Read
- Beach Read by Emily Henry
- Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye
- Four Days of You and Me by Miranda Kenneally
- Defending Taylor by Miranda Kenneally
How was your week?
Let us know in the comments!
Let us know in the comments!
I regret so much not buying a Switch (not that I have the money to buy one at the moment). Everyone is talking about Animal Crossing and I find myself wanting to play it too. =P
ReplyDeleteStay safe & Happy readings!
Tânia @MyLovelySecret
I have not played in so long. I forgot how much I enjoyed it. I gave up gaming years ago, because of the arthritis in my hands, but I think I can do this in small doses.
DeleteGlad you are home now and can relax a little hopefully. Just skipping the commute alone must be nice!
ReplyDeleteI am so curious now about animal Crossing and need to get a switch so my family can enjoy it! I saw this article over at Vox too.
https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/3/27/21194698/animal-crossing-new-horizons-review-nintendo-switch
Wonderful videos as always. Love the kitty one. :) And Four Days looks fun.
That player in the article was living the Animal Crossing life. It's sort of like real life, where you struggle in the beginning. I had to message my daughter for tips, because talking to the island inhabitants was not getting me all the info I needed to move forward. I have to admit, it's a fantastic distraction from the news stories talking about a special quarantine for my state.
DeleteI'm not letting my dad do anything except drive me to the shops as he is in a higher risk group due to age, gender and asthma. I'm not enjoying the odd trip to the shops for bread, milk and papers-it has me totally on edge! I don't want to go out at all, but better me than my dad. The Animal Crossing Post was really cute! The good news is that I don't need to go near supermarkets and the toilet paper situation is ok!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I really never want to go out. I will always go out for my parents' meds, but my mother needs to accept, that shopping will be done once a week, and Starbucks is NOT a necessity. Good to hear you are ok with the TP. My sister was near a breakdown about it the other day, because she has to be logged on from 9am - 2pm (she is a teacher), and believed she was missing the moment they put the toilet paper out. Stay safe (and sane)!
DeleteSo glad you are at home now, Sam. And no commute is such a silver lining is all the darkness! Our state surgeon general released at stay at home order for residents 65+ which includes my husband (he's 65). He's been working from home for the last 2 weeks anyway but getting the alert (it came thru our phones like an Amber Alert) was kind of alarming. So many 4 and 4.5 star reads last week! That's so great. Beach Read sounds so cute. I'm excited to see what you think of it.
ReplyDeleteI would feel better about the staying home if the majority of my team wasn't working, but better safe than sorry. I am impressed about the 65 and over thing. I know we have people reporting for work, who are over 65. It was a rather good reading read. No stinkers, and only one I expected more from. Plenty of delights though. I should be starting Beach Read today. I have high hopes for it, since I have loved Henry's YA books.
DeleteI've been seeing a lot of people taking to Animal Crossing again! Weird how that happens! I sadly don't have time to add playing a game to my list with work being time consuming and a full 8 hours of stress while I'm in the building with too many people.
ReplyDeleteNice new reads! Those are new to me ones but I hope you will enjoy them!
Here's my StS
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
Hang in there. I hope things will be looking better for us all soon.
DeleteAt least this nightmare has got a bright (so to speak) side for you...you get to rest a little (and avoid the dreadful, and now potentially dangerous, commute).
ReplyDeleteLOL, I knew you'd cave in and play Animal Crossing.
I am so back in my happy place. This game gave me hours and hours of enjoyment, when my daughter was younger, but playing on the Wii aggravated my wrists. I can't play for long periods of time, since it makes my hands cramp, but I having gaming in the rotation right now.
DeleteI’m glad you don’t have to deal with your nasty commute! I loved video games when I was a kid. I miss them sometimes. My electronics are old, and I’m broke, so no games for me. I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
My life goes through these cycles. I gave up my gaming, because of time and my wrists, but I am trying this moderation thing, and so far, am having a great time. When my daughter was trying to tell me to get the Switch instead of the Switch Lite, she was saying how the cost was "only" $100 more. I reminded her that she makes a LOT more money than me. But, she did buy me the game as an early mother's day gift, so I saved there.
DeleteI don't miss commuting too (who does love to commute though) but even with the perks of leaving the house with a private vehicle isn't the same now. There's a ton of checkpoints in my place and they're all heavily guarded and they ask you a lot of questions on your motive/reason to leave the house. Understandable anyway because some people still can't get it in their heads that quarantine doesn't mean vacation. Anyway, that kitty on the tree is so fluffy. I wanna hug and cuddle that little floof.
ReplyDeleteThe communication sent by my company advised us to have the email saying we are "essential" and our work IDs handy for our commutes. I have not gone more than 3 miles from my house (food/meds), and am not sure about any check points, but I do believe they exist in my state. Fluffy kittens are always nice to see (and hold)
DeleteThanks for posting your Nintendo Switch find on Instagram! My college age kid really wanted one and I wanted milk. Target had both so it worked out perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you have been able to stay home. Public transportation sounds a little scary to me right now. I only went into my office because I don't have the software at home that I have there and I have a whole wing of the building to myself.
I hope you stay safe and have a good week!
Yes! Some milk with your Switch. I love it! NJT wasn't too crowded, but I saw pictures from the NYT and their trains are still packed. The city is so much more densely populated, so I guess I should not be surprised, but I still am. My job is not crowded at all, and where I sat, I was 6.5 feet from the next closest person. I worried more about the commute, to be honest, but also panicked, when I heard someone on the campus tested positive. It's crazy times, Carole. I hope you have a good week too.
DeleteI'm so happy you got to speak with your daughter on the phone, Sam! Hearing someone's voice is so much better than a text :)
ReplyDeleteWorking at home is OK for me, but I really miss my students. Most of them wish we could get back to school already.
Have a wonderful week ahead. Stay safe and healthy, and happy reading :)
It was good to talk to the kid, because heaven knows when I will see her again. I cannot imagine how it will be, when the kids return to school. I remember going back after Super Storm Sandy. It was traumatic, and I think this is too. Hope all stays good by you!
DeleteIt has been kind of nice not driving to work everyday. We're planning on doing a larger shopping trip early this week and then hopefully won't have to go out for awhile.
ReplyDeleteThe not having to go to and from work has been the best. I don't mind my job, so being there is not punishing (except when volumes are down), but with the schedule change and the rat race of going to and from is a the worst. I told my mother to plan her menu and make a list. She is one of those people, who will go to the market every day. I only go once a week normally, and I am only going once a week now. Additional trips for medication only. I have to draw the line with my mother, as she cries about "needing" a frappuccino.
Deletesounds like everything is good with you. glad to hear it. enjoy your 'downtime' and happy gaming
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
It's nerve wracking knowing that deaths in my township are on the rise. NJ, especially north Jersey, are seeing more and more cases. Probably because of our proximity to NYC, which has an extraordinary number of cases. Yes. I will use this time to recharge and game.
DeleteI'm an animal crossing junkie!!!!! If you want to visit my island (I have pears, apples, and coconuts), let me know and I will give you my friend code!
ReplyDeleteI only have cherries right now. I am still building the basics (started Friday). Mine is SW-4286-1176-4031
DeleteSam I am glad that you are staying inside because the situation in New York and close to it seems scary from here! Stay safe please.
ReplyDeleteSo scary, and cases in NJ just keep rising. I think my mayor's email said 12 died overnight in my township. They had to close a nursing home too, because quite a few residents were infected and died. It was awful.
DeleteYour day must feel like you have so many more hours to get things done without having to deal with the trains, lol. As stressful as this whole situation has been, the working from home has definitely been a bright spot for me. I have enjoyed being able to roll out of bed at 7:30 to be ready to start working by 8 and have found that my days are so much more productive.
ReplyDeleteYour post from Friday has me really wanting to see what Animal Crossing is all about. It looks so cute.
Hope you have a great week and that you and all of your family members continue to stay safe.
I won't lie, I am not miserable. It would be more enjoyable if, you know, people weren't dying around me, but I am not sad about being locked in. Kiersten did an amazing job with that Animal Crossing post. I love the game so much, and am having a ton of fun.
DeleteThat is one thing I definitely don't miss: the commute. I'm using that time to do hobbies I often don't have time for.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I got part of my life back. I am using this time to work on the resume and stuff too. I like my job just fine, but it's too far away. There has to be something closer for me.
DeleteIt has been interesting to see how everyone is adapting to this new normal. I do think the biggest bonus for me has been truly having the time to connect with all my blogging buddies and spending some quality time in my kitchen. I've tried so many new recipes!
ReplyDeleteI am impressed with everyone, who is getting in touch with their inner chef. I never really liked cooking, but I appreciate anyone with the talent. I have had so much more time to interact, and do the parts of blogging I really enjoy too. I like that we can find an upside to this mess.
DeleteCan't wait to see what you think of Clap When You Land!! Hope you have a good week. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful! It was quite a story, and I actually remember the event, which sort of inspired her. I really enjoyed it
DeleteI'm not surprised you're feeling refreshed after not having to commute this week! Your commute sounds like the commute from hell.
ReplyDeleteI like the switch. The only game I own is Crash Bandicoot (a throw back to my teenage years) but the little dude has quite a few. I hope you enjoy it!
I suspect the only game I will own is Animal Crossing, but I am having quite a wonderful time with it
DeleteNice to hear you're enjoying the time at home and away from public transportation! And yay for getting toilet paper! Doesn't it feel like a victory? It's so tough to locate nowadays! :)
ReplyDeleteI refuse to go out a million times a week, but I did make the extra Target trip in hopes of finding TP, and it was there. Now trying to convince my mother, that a trip to get greeting cards is not essential. 🤦♀️
Deleteooh I can't wait to hear what you think of Clap When You Land and Beach Read!! I'm sure not having such a long, crazy commute is really nice, and I'm glad you're feeling well rested!!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
Clap When You Land was amazing, as expected. Beach Read is cute, though I must say, it feels more women's fiction, which is fine, but I thought it was supposed to be a romance. Still, I am enjoying it.
DeleteGlad you got to actually hear your daughter's voice! I know how powerful that is after having gone a while without it!
ReplyDeleteAs much as I hate talking on the phone, it was good to "hear" from her, and we had a very productive Animal Crossing meeting too.
DeleteI didn't realize you were working from home now! I be that's a relief. OR at least a break from commuting woes.
ReplyDeleteI have Date Me, Bryson Keller coming up soon.
Karen @ For What It's Worth
I am not working from home, I am just home. I cannot do my job from home, and I am considered essential. It's emergency leave, but I am not sure how long they will allow me to stay out, but I feel a lot less stressed and anxious now that I am not going to and from work. I hope we both love Bryson Keller. It sounds promising.
DeleteI am so happy to hear that you have been staying home and staying safe and not needing to deal with your terrible commute! And yay for loving the Animal Crossing game ^.^
ReplyDeleteHonestly, when we return to real life, that commute is going to hurt. I am so well rested. For the first time in probably 40 years, I don't have bags under my eyes, and I'm well hydrated. It really makes a difference. So happy I caved and got the Switch, because I am having a blast on my island. Hope you and yours are safe and well.
DeleteI've seen so much about Animal Crossing - and it looks so cute!
ReplyDeleteSo cute, fun, and addictive.
DeleteI'm glad you got to catch up on you rest, and read lots of books last week. I loved your daughter's animal crossing post. It was so creative and a lot of fun to look at. I hope you're having a good week Sam :)
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
Kiersten is so well rounded. Her undergrad degree is a BFA, while her masters is in analytics. Just sort of good at everything. I love when her or Noor do a post, because they both have different POVs from mine, and bring something special to the blog. Always a treat to read one of their posts.
Delete