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

Look at us! Halfway through August. I am surprised at how quickly time is flying considering I don't do much. I have tomorrow off and will mostly use it to catch up on reviews. I am so good about reading the books, but I have been in the habit of putting off the reviews. 

I am venturing out to a party today. It's a yard party, which I thought was going to be small, but apparently my sister and I have a different idea of what small is. We are celebrating her 50th birthday, and she is sad that many of her friends were excluded, but there's still going to be 40-ish people there. I am both excited and nervous, but glad the forecast looks good. 

I don't know if I mentioned that we have fireworks in Animal Crossing for the month of August. It's actually a lot of fun, and you can design your own fireworks. My daughter sent me this. 

Yeah, I got a bit warm and fuzzy from that one. I used my flag design, so I had Sloth gracing my sky. 

I also saw a post from Angie Thomas, and she put her book covers up in her sky. It was very cool. Look quick in the beginning for The Hate You Give

I JUST MADE MY BOOK COVERS AS FIREWORKS ON ANIMAL CROSSING pic.twitter.com/IiGyNX9ROx

— Angie Thomas (@angiecthomas) August 3, 2020

Learning to shake 🐾
🎥: bastian_thepom (IG)#mydogiscutest pic.twitter.com/fnFMtPyW3d

— My Dog Is Cutest (@mydogiscutest) August 13, 2020

The great hunter, nature's most efficient killing machine. He stalks his prey, undetected, and pounces, slaying without remorse.

📹: https://t.co/wHmfPFX3mp pic.twitter.com/sVtqJmy7TO

— Paul Bronks (@SlenderSherbet) August 9, 2020

Let's Discuss!

• AJ takes on the most-searched questions about books
• Marie talks about building genuine connections via blogging
• Shruti imagines writing male characters the way male authors write female characters

On the Blog:

• Monday: Nutshells - Now That I've Found You, Save Steve
• Tuesday: TTT - I Love You, But Now Review
• Wednesday: CWW - Finding Balance, Black Boy White School
• Thursday: One Old, One New - Not My Romeo, Filthy English - Ilsa Madden-Mills

STACKING THE SHELVES

I know some bloggers are all about getting bookmail, but I am all about those unsolicited widgets that wind up in my inbox. When the new Sophie Gonzales showed up in my email, I was ecstatic. Then, moments later, I received notification that I was approved for Sandhya Menon's adult contemporary romance.

Publicist

• Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales

Edelweiss/NetGalley

• Make Up Break Up by Lily Menon
• When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie by Erin Soderberg Downing
• Like You Love Me by Adriana Locke

What I Read Last Week

This was a rather exciting week, because I was reading some of my most anticipated releases, and they did not disappoint. Both Reynolds and Philippe escaped the sophomore slump. I absolutely adored their new releases. Warning - be prepared to shed some tears when you read Early Departures. It made me want to hug all those people who matter to me. *GROUP HUG*

I was also bowled over by Emmie Blue. My heart just kept breaking for her, but it was worth the pain. Now, this is what I call up-lit. Lauren Layne came back strong with her latest too. I was charmed to death by Yours to Keep. 

Books

• Sing Like No One's Listening by Vanessa Jones - ★★★★
• Yours to Keep by Lauren Layne - ★★★★ 1/2
• Older by Pamela Redmond - ★★★ 1/2
• Charming as a Verb by Ben Philippe - ★★★★★
• Black Boy White School by Brian F. Walker - ★★★★
• Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds - ★★★★★

Audiobooks

• You and Everything After by Ginger Scott - ★★★ 1/2 
• Dear Emmie Blue by Lia Louis - ★★★★★
• The Perfect Catch by Maggie Dallen - ★★★★

What I Am Currently Reading

I had avoided Splendor, because it was a departure from Henry's previous books, and the reviews were "meh". Then I think I saw AJ talk about it, and the audiobook was available, so, why not! It's really good. I am not a huge sci-fi reader, but this had a cool X-Files kind of vibe, and the group of kid alien hunters is pretty great. 

The Roommate is hilarious so far. My goodness! Some of the things that come out of that man's mouth. Hopefully it stays this funny. 

• The Roommate by Rosie Danan
• When the Sky Fell on Splendor by Emily Henry (audiobook)

What I Plan to Read

• All Stirred Up by Brianne Moore
• Making Friends with Alice Dyson by Poppy Nwosu
• Taking Down Evelyn Tait by Poppy Nwosu
• The Brave by James Bird

How was your week?
Let us know in the comments!