Sunday, November 12, 2017

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

Not much going on this week. I had a day off, because I had three doctors' appointments. I am scheduling a procedure that may help with my dry eye. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I am in the high percentage of people, who enjoy relief from the procedure. Fingers crossed!

Grey's Anatomy showed its 300th episode, and as a fan from the very beginning, I was excited to share this milestone. The episode delivered too. I swear, I cried a bunch of times during the episode. Just loved it. Here's a list of easter eggs that were hidden in the episode.


I have been trying to catch up with the Shannara Chronicles, because I did not realize season two had started. So far, it's as good as the first season.


I am a little sad this weekend, because EVERYbody is posting from YallFest, and I so wanted to go back this year, but alas, it was not in the cards for me. Maybe next year? Better yet, maybe YallWest!

A post shared by Sam Kozbial (@kozbisa) on

I found this list of YA books that have been optioned, and I was super excited about some of the books on the list. An Illuminae movie would be fantastic, and maybe it will really happen since Brad Pitt is the producer.

On the Blog:
STACKING THE SHELVES

Bought/Free

I wasn't going to buy any books, but then Penny Reid was selling her book to fundraise for hurricane victims, and I thought it was ok to buy a book to support a humanitarian effort, right? The others were just good sales.


ARCs

Bookmail

I never get #Bookmail, so this was exciting. Thank you Tor Teen!

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What I Read Last Week

I had SUCH a good reading week. Even my worst book was pretty great. I had three almost 5-star reads, and I guess of the three, Not Now, Not Ever would be my favorite, but really, all three was fantastic.
  • Not Now, Not Ever by Lily Anderson: This book is brimming with nerdy fun and I loved every second of it. ★ 1/2
  • Honor by Jay Crownover (audiobook): As always, a solid romance with complicated characters, but I think I was more excited about the seed they planted for the next romance. ★ 1/2
  • Now is Everything by Amy Giles: This was quite an emotional read, and I thought Giles delivered a fantastic story of domestic/child abuse with an air of mystery. ★ 1/2
  • Kat and Meg Conquer the World by Anna Priemaza: I really loved this one! It was such a fabulous tale of female friendship. I had so much fun watching this relationship grow between Kat and Meg, and it made my heart happy, that these two found their "person", because everyone deserves a special friend, who cares for them and understands them. 
  • The First to Know by Abigail Johnson (audiobook): This was one of my Can't-Wait Wednesday picks, and it really lived up to the hype in my head. I loved it so much, and just couldn't stop listening to it.  ★ 1/2
  • Wish You Were Mine by Tara Sivec: I love a good friends-to-more romance, and I just adored the way Sivec flashed back to those missed opportunities in the hero and heroine's 20+ year history. ★ 1/2
  • Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith: I was hesitant to read this, because reviews were lukewarm, but I love JES so much. Though this lacked some of the lighthearted charm I expect from Smith, it was still enjoyable, and I really enjoyed the ending and the family aspect of this book. I must also mention how much more I appreciate this cover now that I understand it. ★ 1/2

What I Am Currently Reading

I am absolutely loving The Truth Beneath the Lies! I am about halfway through, and mystery and possible serial killer is making me reluctant to stop reading. All About Mia is quite fun, and I am really enjoying the family drama.

What I Plan to Read

Now that I have read all my blog tour books, I am working on November releases. My objective is to get them all read before December. I think Slammed is a December release, but I feel the need for a hockey romance this week.









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

50 comments:

  1. Great set of books you got here! I've never been to Yall Fest before. Is it fun?

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog and join in this week’s Book Photo Sundays!

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    1. YallFest was so much fun! I went in 2015 and loved it so much. I really hoped to get back there this year. --sigh-- Maybe next year.

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  2. I hope the procedure helps you out :) fingers crossed indeed.
    If it makes you feel any better, I will NEVER go to YAllFest :D hehehe. Let's hope you get to go next year :)
    Congrats on the awesome new stack! And your bookmail looks cool, and the photo looks really awesome :) congrats!
    Oh, you read Kat and Meg :) it truly was a wonderful book, wasn't it. Glad you liked it. I want to see more love for that book around the blogs!
    Have a wonderful week, Sam :)

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    1. I really liked Kat and Meg. Just the whole friendship and the way they made small concessions, because they knew it was important for the other person. And Meg! She broke my heart. I have seen kids with ADHD feel exactly like her, and it pains me that they have to feel bad about something that is a part of them. I hope the procedure works too, because it's expensive and not covered by insurance.

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  3. Oh wow! Nice new reads! Quite a few new to me ones! Hope you enjoy them all!

    Here's my STS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. I think they are all contemporaries except for Poison's Kiss, which is a fantasy, and I know you are more paranormal/fantasy.

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  4. Hurray for days off, but boo for doctors. :/ Awesome new books this week! I still need to read Poison's Kiss! I hope you enjoy all of them. Have a great week :D

    Here's my Weekly Recap!

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    1. I liked Poison's Kiss, so I was excited to get the sequel. It is hard to resist all my lovely new books, there are so many good ones.

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  5. Oh I have been a fan of Grey's since the beginning too!! I LOVED the 300th episode. Totally cried too. Thanks for the heads up on some sales. Enjoy your new books and have a great week!

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    1. Ten years and 300 episodes, and the show is still good. I am not crazy about where they are going with Owen. Why can't he have a successful romance? And why that woman? UGH!!!

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  6. Keeping my fingers crossed for you Sam. I'm sure your procedure will go very well. :) You got so many wonderful books this week. I'll be waiting for your opinion on Poison's Cage.

    Happy readings! ;)
    Tânia @MyLovelySecret

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    1. I liked the first book, and saw so many great possibilities for Poison's Cage. I was really excited about that approval.

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  7. Hope the procedure goes well and it helps too. Your new books look great. I do wish I would have been able to go YALL Fest, my husbands birthday is today. So, we spend the weekend with the kids since he had to work today. Maybe nexy year I can make it. :) Happy reading.

    Jenea's Book Obsession's Sunday Post

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    1. It seems the biggest challenge will be scheduling the procedure. Other than that, it 12 mins. Maybe you can go to YallFest to celebrate your husband's birthday. 😉

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  8. Hope you make it to yall fest next year. Happy reading.
    sherry @ fundinmental Sunday Memes

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    1. I did go to BookCon, so it's not like I didn't attend any events, but there is something wonderful about YallFest.

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  9. I like the look of The Truth Beneath the Lies. Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

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    1. I finished it this morning, and I really enjoyed it. I was able to figure out some parts, but others were surprises, and I really liked the way it was written.

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  10. Haven't heard of Yallfest, but whatever it is, it sounds like fun. :)

    Looks like you had a great book haul, hope you enjoy your new reads. Have a great week! ~Aleen

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    1. YallFest was started several years ago by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. It takes place in Charleston, SC. There are lots of signings, panels, and other events. I had a fantastic time there. They expanded to YallWest, which takes place in California, and is even bigger than YallFest. #goals

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  11. Good luck with your dry eye! I hope it goes well and provides relief. And Shannara Chronicles I'm SO behind on- I started it last year and never finished. I didn't know it was back either.

    I think Eight Days on Planet Earth looks great!

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    1. Dry eye is the worst! #OldPeopleProblems. Shannara moved from MTV to Spike, and I knew about it, but didn't realize when it was back. I think they are burning the episodes though, because they are showing two each week. Eight Days looks fun, and I have read some great reviews, so it looks like my kind of book.

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  12. Oh gosh, I'm not going to get all of my November ARCs read, but ah well. I'll get there eventually! LOL I kept up pretty well but I feel like I have all these other books to read lately for book club and everything.

    Yay for a good reading week! That's awesome. :)

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I am with you -- eventually. September, October, and November had a crazy number of releases, but December is slow, so I anticipate catching up. I wish I was part of a book club.

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  13. #Prettyboy Must Die looks like a really fun and hilarious read. Might have to request that one. Now that I see your rating for Not Now, Not Ever, I'm going to tell you you must get your hands on The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You. hope you enjoy your week!

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    1. #Prettyboy looks awesome. I was really excited when I got approved. I know! I need to get The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You. I have a gift card for B&N, but then I would have to read on my Fire, but it's a strong possibility I will suck it up, because I really enjoyed Anderson's writing.

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  14. I'm also jealous with all the YallFest pictures. I would love to go one day and also go to YallWest. I hope you get the procedure scheduled. Have a great week and happy reading!

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    1. I think if given the choice, I would do YallWest next, because it has grown to be bigger than YallFest.

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  15. Oooo, The Girl and the Grove has such a beautiful cover! Honestly, I've been avoiding Yallfest pictures and posts and such. I do it every time a con rolls around. Maybe one day I'll actually go to one, one day. :D I hope you enjoy all of your new books!

    Have a great weekend. =)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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    1. YallFest was so much fun! I keep telling myself it was cold this year, so it's good I wasn't there. 🙄 Charleston is a great city though, and I really enjoyed my visit there.

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  16. Great haul this week! Buying books for a cause is totally okay...or for any reason :) Yay for a day off work even if it was for Dr. appointments. Good luck with the procedure. Have a great week, Sam!

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    1. I appreciate you supporting my book buying habit. 😊 I am actually buying my vacation days, and will not work more than 4 days a week for the rest of the year.

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  17. I hope the procedure for your eyes brings you some relief. I suffer from dry eyes too so I know how miserable it can be.

    I used to watch Grey's Anatomy years ago but stopped watching for some reason. I don't even know why because I always enjoyed it. One of these days I'm going to get back to it and just binge the whole thing, lol.

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    1. Right now, I do Restasis twice a day, hypocholous lid cleanse twice a day, hot compresses twice a day, lubricating drops four times a day, and Omega-3 supplements, and my eyes hurt so much still. Grey's is still great, and I know I will watch it until the very last episode.

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  18. Good luck with your procedure. I hope your in the success percentile:) And enjoy all of those amazing books!

    My Sunday Post

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  19. I have lots of eye problems, so I feel your pain. I hope you have a good week and enjoy your new books!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. It's very frustrating and joins a long list of minor ailments, that will not kill me, but make me utterly uncomfortable.

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  20. I had no clue The Shannara Chronicles was back - I totally forgot that it switched networks. I guess I'll have to wait to catch up on it...

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    1. I know! There was like no PR done for Shannara. I had to watch the first ep online, because it was not OnDemand, but I have eps 4 and on DVRed.

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  21. Keeping my fingers crossed the surgery works for you! I've been having on and off dry eye problems this Fall as well and it's such a pain so I can definitely relate. I'm so behind on Grey's Anatomy (2 seasons behind to be exact) but I've read all the recaps for the 300th episode because I have no control lol it sounds like it was such a great episode. Seeing Audrey, Wait! in your buy list reminds me I still need to read that one - I've owned it since it was released back in '09...so many books, too little time lol

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    1. Next month, I will see if the procedure was worth it. NOOO! I stay away from the internet with serials. I like to be surprised. I have heard great things about Audrey, Wait!, it's been on my TBR forever, and I have been wanting to read the author. The price was right, so I went for it. I am planning more shelf-love for next year, and that will be one of my first picks.

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  22. I've been a huge Grey's fan from the beginning too! I had a crush on Patrick Dempsey since his Can't Buy Me Love and Loverboy days so I had to check out a new show with him and I've been in love ever since. I love The Shannara Chronicles too! I'm behind since I didn't realize there were two episodes I needed to record last week but so far it has been an interesting season. Have a great week!

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    1. I am getting misty just thinking about Derek. That broke me. I sobbed for a while right after, and I still get all emotional now. I loved Avery's speech about Meredith though. Such a tearjerker! Shannara has been good, but I want them all back together again.

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  23. Hope that procedure gives you some relief, Sam. The last time I was at YallFest was about 3 years ago, I think. So much fun. I need to go back... maybe next year. I'll meet you there. :) I liked Audrey, Wait - but I'm pretty sure mine has a different cover. I've been meaning to read something by Mila Gray for ages. Every synopsis I read seems like a guaranteed tearjerker. Just my style. LOL

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    1. I can only hope the procedure works. I want to go back to YallFest next year too. We should meet up =) The cover has changed for Audrey, Wait! I think there are like 3. You know how publishers like to change covers. Milo Gray did well by me, and I am excited to read another.

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  24. I hope you get some relief from the dry eye. I loved the Grey's anatomy episode this week! I definitely cried. I am glad you had a great reading week!

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    1. Fingers crossed. My procedure is in less than a month, and I am counting down, but trying not to get my hopes up, just in case. Right, Grey's is still great. It has that same pull for me, like ER did. I watched that from beginning to end too, and loved it the whole time.

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  25. You know what, I've never seen a single episode of Grey's Anatomy. For shame, I know.

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    1. We all have those shows, that it seems are watched by EVERYBODY except us. My list: Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones -- there are many more, but you get the gist.

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