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 Sunday! I hope everyone had a great week. I only worked one day last week, so it seems like such a blur.
Christmas eve I went and had my bloodwork done for my physical because I really know how to celebrate. I got a great phlebotomist who listened to me and was very good. I just had the one tiny hold on top of my hand, no bruising. I never lost conscientiousness either which I consider a success. I go to see the doctor on Tuesday, but I was a bit disappointed with some of my results. In the past year, I added more exercise and have been trying hard with my diet. Eating more vegetables, fiber, protein, and more plant based protein, and it didn't seem to make a difference. --sigh-- Hard to stay motivated. Then, that evening, we went to my sister's for dinner.
Christmas day was low-key. Just my daughter, me, and my parents. Friday, we went to The Melting Pot. Fondue is always a good time. Then, I dropped my daughter at the airport early Saturday morning.
The BIG thing I did was book a vacation. I swear! The kid is a bad influence on me. I hadn't planned to do anything major since we did the Rhine riverboat cruise this year. It started with my daughter wanting to see Starlight Express. I saw the play on Broadway back in the 80s, and it is being performed in London until the fall. So, we booked a cruise of the British Isles and will arrive two days early to see the show. We already bought the show tickets and booked the hotel and cruise. The only thing left to do is book the plane and shore excursions when the window opens.
We went with the Disney cruise, and I am excited since I have not been to any of the stops before. It starts in Southampton and goes to Cobh (which is where my great-grandmother is from), Liverpool, Greenock (Glasgow & Edinburgh), and Portland (Stonehenge).
On the Blog
- Monday: Sloth Choice Awards - Favorite Romance Books
- Tuesday: Sloth Choice Awards - Favorite Fiction Books
- Wednesday: Sloth Choice Awards - Favorite Backlist Books
- Thursday: Sloth Choice Awards - Favorite Debut Books
- Friday: Sloth Choice Awards - Favorite Under the Radar Books
- Saturday: Sloth Choice Awards - Favorite New-to-Me Authors
Let's Discuss
- Briana explains how English literature is a field with a lot of content
- The Orangutan Librarian shares some of their favorite places in London
Stacking the Shelves
It is always slow this time of year, but I did get an invite. Buzz seems good for Julie Chan is Dead though I am not sure it's a "me" book. I did download Scot and Bothered. I enjoyed the first book and am excited to return to this world.
Netgalley/Edelweiss
- Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley
Invites
- Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang
Read Last Week
Such a good week! I have been reading Kristan Higgins' backlist this year. Her books always score high with me, but On Second Thought earned all the stars. It had all the humor and emotion that I have grown to expect from Higgins, but there was something special about it. There was a part near the end where Higgins shows so much grace to a character, and I was moved to tears. I adored the seeing the relationship between the sisters grow too. It was an excellent book.
I also LOVED Unromance. The premise was so fun, and it was executed really well. I had such a great time reading it and was so invested in both characters.
Find all my reviews on Goodreads
Books
- Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi - ★★★★ 1/2
- Libby Lost and Found by Stephanie Booth - ★★★★
- Unromance by Erin Connor - ★★★★★
- Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis - ★★★★ 1/2
- The Rival by Emma Lord - ★★★★
Audiobooks
- On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins - ★★★★★
Currently Reading
- I Made It Out of Clay by Beth Kander
- The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore by Laurie Gilmore
To Be Read
- Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
- Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith
- If Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley
- PS I Hate You by Lauren Connolly
Let us know in the comments!
That sounds like the most fun trip ever! I'd love to see the British Isles because one of my college degrees is in Brit Lit and that's where some of my ancestors came from.
ReplyDeleteI will save every penny just to have my yearly vacation to look forward to. I hope you do get to visit at some point.
Delete"Christmas eve I went and had my bloodwork done for my physical because I really know how to celebrate."
ReplyDelete😂 Bummer that your diet wasn't fruitful. What did the doctor say about that?
That sounds like a magical trip...I'm so envious that you get to see Stonehenge. I'd love to (it even featured in a Doctor Who double episode LOL).
I go to the doctor Tuesday. Maybe I will see a dietician to get a plan. I will not go on medication though. The whole trip was built around seeing Starlight Express. I priced several trips/cruises, and this one was the best value. I was shocked because Disney cruises are usually on the higher end, but I was pleased. We haven't been on an ocean cruise since 2019. I am excited.
DeleteA Disney cruise sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteThey are fun, and I like that it's pretty much all inclusive. This will our 5th Disney cruise, but our first in Europe.
DeleteI feel the same way about health stuff-I'm trying to get more protein and move more, but it doesn't make a difference. Its so difficult after you turn 40. The British Isles cruise sounds so fun!
ReplyDeleteIt is so frustrating! I may go see a dietician, see if they could help. I was pretty much ok until 50. It was all downhill from there. LOL!
DeleteOooh that's so exciting that you booked your cruise in England! Also I get why you are disappointed after all your efforts Sam! Hold on, in the long run it will pay.
ReplyDeleteI have been doing all these extra things for over a year. I would have like to see some improvement.
DeleteIt’s nice to hear that your bloodwork went smoothly. Cruises are wonderful and this one sounds amazing. Give Me Butterflies and Mr. Mice Spy both look cute.
ReplyDeleteBoth Butterflies and Mr. Nice Spy have good reviews. I read Smith before, but the other series is new-to-me. Here's hoping they are as good as they seem.
DeleteHooray for booking a vacation! Always nice to have something to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteI really shouldn't have booked travel abroad, but I am sure it will be a fantastic trip.
DeleteOne day I'd like to do a Disney cruise. The next big thing we're thinking about planning is an Iceland cruise during the 2026 eclipse, though. Hey, you've got to live it up while you can!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds neat. I would love to visit Iceland too.
DeleteGlad the blood draw went well, I know that's usually an ordeal. But disappointing that your lifestyle changes didn't equate to bigger changes. How exciting to have booked your next trip! And combining a show with it is even better.
ReplyDeleteI had my appointment with the doctor today and she was ok with everything but my platelet count. So, I have to do more bloodwork in a month for that.
Delete