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 am pretty grateful for this 3-day weekend, because I was exhausted from this past week. Why is it always fast of famine, rain or pour at work? I was so busy, my brain hurt. With the return of one teammate from maternity leave my duties are changing again. You know, I am carrying over 2020's word of the year, flexibility, to 2021, as our situation really hasn't changed. I have other word stuff going on, but I don't want to put too much weight on it until I know more. I am not in the right place to deal with any more disappointment.
The state of NJ should really hire my mother as a COVID vaccine coordinator. She has been helping all her senior friends get registered, registering them if they cannot do it themselves online, and arranging for rides to the vaccination sites. She is really determined to get back to life as it was.
My daughter's 26th (can you believe it!) birthday isn't for a few more weeks, but with all my gifting problems, I ordered it early. The picture she sent me was fun too. I included some of the others she sent me of her "chonky" dolls and the sloth family. I only saw her new apartment empty, before she moved in. I have a vision of dolls everywhere in this place.
This is Oliver. He was given a very little ice cream cone today, which is okay because he is also very little. 12/10 pic.twitter.com/JRB4nQTX4g
— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) January 15, 2021
Quokka kisses 💕 pic.twitter.com/G64DatNfNs
— Nature & Animals🌴 (@AnimalsWorId) January 15, 2021
Let's Discuss!
- Lauren is looking for creators to feature in Behind the Bookstagram
- Chana talks about misogyny in fiction
On the Blog:
- Monday: #AmReading YA - This Will Be Funny Someday, You Have a Match
- Tuesday: TTT - I Miss You!
- Wednesday: CWW - It's Kind of a Cheesy Story, Girl Defective
- Thursday: Isn't It Romantic? - Hopeless Romantic, Happy Singles Day
STACKING THE SHELVES
In typical January fashion, I got a LOT of approvals this week. Don't judge me. These have been outstanding for quite some time. I think there were tears in my eyes, when I got the approval for the new Sara Barnard book. I just love her books so much. I am over-the-moon excited about the new Nisha Sharma YA too. Seriously, it was just a bonanza week for me. My pre-order of the new Bergman Brothers book came as well. I am adoring the series and looking forward to reading this one soon.
Bought
- Ever After Always by Chloe Liese
- Radha & Jai's Recipe for Romance by Nisha Sharma
- Fade into the Bright by Jessica Koosed Etting, Alyssa Schwartz
- Destination Anywhere by Sara Barnard
- Prom Theory by Ann LaBar
- Better Together by Christine Riccio
- Love & Other Natural Disasters by Misa Sugiura
- The Last Goodbye by Fiona Lucas
What I Read Last Week
Books
- Loner by Georgina Young - ★★★★ 1/2
- Much Ado About You by Samantha Young - ★★★★
- A Pho Love Story by Loan Le - ★★★★
- Hot British Boyfriend by Kristy Boyce - ★★★ 1/2
- Girl Defective by Simmone Howell - ★★★★ 1/2
- Undecided by Julianna Keyes - ★★★★
- Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard - ★★★
- The Girl I Was Before by Ginger Scott - ★★★ 1/2
- Shadow's Legacy by Julie Kagawa - ★★★★
- Sex in the Sticks by Sawyer Bennett - ★★★ 1/2
- Falling for Her by Monica Murphy - ★★★
What I Am Currently Reading
- Happy Girl Lucky by Holly Smale
- Lux: The New Girl by Ashley Woodfolk (audiobook)
What I Plan to Read
- Love is for Losers by Wibke Brueggemann
- Like You Love Me by Adriana Locke
- Destination Anywhere by Sara Barnard
- Girl Overboard by Justina Chen
How was your week?
Let us know in the comments!
Let us know in the comments!
Happy Sunday! I hope you have a great long weekend. And yay for your mom! That's pretty awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteCute videos. :)
I'm glad to that OZ YA is taking off more here. I've read a few Aussie books in the last couple years and have enjoyed all of them.
My mother likes being in charge of things. It's good for her. Keeps her busy.
DeleteYour mother sounds great! I don't live in NJ, but can she get me a vaccine? Lol. That's awesome that you've got so many new ARCs, hope you like them!
ReplyDeleteDecember is the ARC approval famine and then BOOM! January, a million at once. It's all good, because I have been controlling my requesting impulses. My mom is actually in a J&J/Rugters trial. She would need to leave the trial to get the vaccine, but she does meet the age requirement to get it sooner than later.
Delete"I am carrying over 2020's word of the year, flexibility, to 2021, as our situation really hasn't changed. I have other word stuff going on, but I don't want to put too much weight on it until I know more. I am not in the right place to deal with any more disappointment."
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope there's been word for a better, more suited position (I think you mentioned something to that extent?) and it comes true! Sending all the good vibes just in case.
Happy birthday to Kiersten!
There is work stuff going on. I didn't get the job I wanted. Didn't even get an interview, but there is something else available that would be a move in the right direction. Hoping I fare better with this one. Thanks for the good vibes. (the kid's birthday isn't until Feb. I just didn't want the mail to stymie me again)
Deleteoliver is so darn cute and i really enjoyed the videos. every time i see cute little puppies, i want to reach in and cuddle them
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
I loved watching them wiggle. Too cute!
DeleteI love the sloth collection. Good luck with work, and I hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
It's an ever-growing collection
DeleteFlexibility for you, organisation for your mother, women in your family would make a dream team Sam!!! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThis has been good for my mother. The pandemic has been hard on her. All her activities being shutdown. It's good she found a way to keep herself busy for a while.
DeleteWow, your mother is awesome! That's amazing she is helping so many seniors and gracious! Just wow! God idea with ordering your daughter's present early. That's what I was doing with my Christmas shopping back in October and November, I think I only ordered a few things in early December and then our Christmas was delayed and when I ordered something late for Christmas it was right on time for our delayed Christmas celebration so everything worked out in the end. You can never plan too early!
ReplyDeleteNice new reads! All totally new to me ones but they are so colorful and pretty looking together! Hope you enjoy them all!
Thanks for visiting my StS!
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
I guess your holiday delay worked out in some ways. Mail order is tough, and even more challenging these days. Better early than late, I always say.
DeleteMy oldest daughter just turned 26 last week! I didn't realize just how close in age our daughters were :) It sounds like we need more people like you mom! I think that the world is ready for things to go back to normal or closer to normal. I hope that you enjoy all of your new books and have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI never knew how old your eldest was. Look at that! Nobody wants normal back more than my mom. She is trying, but still restless with all our activities canceled because of the pandemic. She used to be out all day playing her various games and going out to eat and to shows. Online isn't really cutting it for her, so this is a nice, healthy way to work out some of that energy.
DeleteWishing you all the best of luck with work <3 <3 and I'm so happy you got the new Sara Barnard, I can't wait to read it, I love all of the author's works so much.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week and happy reading <3
Barnard is such a favorite of mine. This one sounds so good too! Hope you have a great week too!
DeleteYour mother is a rock star! Way to help the greater (senior) good. My mom had a friend do the same thing. They called her and told her appointments were available. I'm grateful for that.
ReplyDeleteNothing beats a good network. Sometimes the information is so confusing, so it's good if you know someone who doesn't mind figuring out how to navigate it all. My dad is getting vaccinated like next week. We are really happy about that.
DeleteEnjoy the long weekend! Unfortunately, my office is still open for the start of busy season - no more days off for quite awhile!
ReplyDeleteIf the stock market is closed, my company is closed. Lucky enough to get a good number of holidays, but not as lucky as when I was teaching.
DeleteYour mom is the hero we all need! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked Much ado about You-that is coming up on my TBR! And I love all the sloth pics. They really are my patronous.
I was looking at some of the negative reviews for Ado, and some people thought it was angsty. I have a thing when books are too angsty, and I didn't think it was. I liked it. I hope you do too
DeleteYay for getting lots of great review books! And some nice reading done. Sorry work was so overwhelming though - I have tomorrow off as well and I'm stoked.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing my Behind the Bookstagram post! I really appreciate it.
That's awesome your mom is organizing things for her senior friends. I had to get my grandpa signed up and we're trying to figure out how to get my mom's parents signed up - but they don't live near us, so it's trickier.
-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I need that one day off a month. I will admit, I needed it more when I was commuting, but it's great after a tough week. Good luck navigating the COVID sites with your grandparents. Hope you get them signed up quickly
DeleteYour mom is awesome. I don't know when we'll get vaccinated here. Have A lovely long weekend:)
ReplyDeleteI would think essential workers would be a bit higher in the queue, no?
DeleteI can definitely understand that feeling of being exhausted and hope this long weekend is one that is rejuvenating for you. I am hoping that the vaccine is something that will get us back to a sense of normalcy, we desperately need it.
ReplyDeleteI think there are a lot of people hoping the vaccine brings back some normal.
DeleteYou got a lot of good books there! I've got to get through my Much Ado About You, started it, but then had to set it aside for some review books I had to do before it. I can't wait for the vaccine to get out there finally. Hopefully will be able to get it soon myself. They definitely need someone better in charge of getting it out to people though! Hope you have a good week!
ReplyDeleteLisa Loves Literature
Wouldn't you be pushed a bit up the queue since you work in a school? My brother-in-law had priority due to working in healthcare, and my sister is somewhat prioritized as a teacher. Curious how your state does it. Smokers and healthcare workers are first dibs in NJ.
DeleteI can't tell if those were little puppies or not running around but it made me smile (:
ReplyDeleteNice to see that you liked A Pho Love Story. YA has been hit or miss with me lately. I've been excited to read that book so I'm glad it's getting consistently good reviews. Hope you have a nice week!
They are the cutest, little balls of fur puppies. Pho Love Story had some pacing issues, but I think it had so much to offer in terms of themes, and I cared what happened.
DeleteI hope you've enjoyed your long weekend. That's so amazing what your mom is doing to help everyone get their vaccines. I got approved for that Sara Barnard book this week too and am very much looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThe Barnard book was one of my giddy moments. That pub is hit or miss for me, so I never count on getting anything from them
DeleteYour mother is awesome! Well done her, that’s such a lovely thing to do!
ReplyDeleteShe very inspired (and has a lot of time on her hands with everything being shut down)
DeleteI hit a bit of a wall this week. I've been working from home since march, and work just shut all in person stuff down again. It looks like I'll be working from home much longer than anticipated. Fortunately, we have a vacation coming at the end of the month. We're getting a new puppy, so we took the week off to get him acclimated!
ReplyDeleteI have been home since March too. I am hearing rumors about maybe going back in June. A puppy! I hope you will pictures, and I hope you have an amazing vacation. So far, my trip has not been canceled, so I know I am excited.
DeleteOliver is just the best!
ReplyDeleteHe's precious!
DeleteOh, your mother is a saint! How nice of her to do that! Those puppies are way too cute! Hope everything at work turns out well.
ReplyDeleteI have Much a Do About You, too and I loved Undecided!
Undecided was really good. I am glad I finally made time for it. I liked Much Ado. I hope you do too
DeleteHappy birthday to the kiddo! And I love your mom's determination to wrangle everyone into getting the vaccine. Most of the older folks in my family are still hesitant, but Chicago is still only vaccinating health care workers so they have time to get more comfortable with the idea.
ReplyDeleteYou know those people who like to be in charge all the time? That's my mom. It's amazing, because I never want to be in charge. The number of people having adverse reactions vs the number who have received the vaccine is low. My dad is totally onboard and he was one of the 3% who had an adverse reaction to his cancer treatment. If he can be optimistic, I can be.
DeleteOh my gosh your daughters stuffy collection is SO adorable! They just bring a smile to your face ♥. And yay for enjoying Much Ado About You! I use to love her books years ago and for some reason stopped reading them....probably just spaced on it lol! I grabbed her Into the Deep duology before it left KU and was going to start there but this one sounds so good too!
ReplyDeleteJen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog
My child has loved dolls forEVER. She got rid of a lot when she moved to this apartment, but then she started buying new ones. I liked the Into the Deep duology. I think those may have been my first Young books. Much Ado was far less angsty.
Delete