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! In preparation for tomorrow (this never gets old for me)
This was a tough week. My cousin succumbed to cancer on Monday, so we had the wake and funeral. It's so emotionally exhausting. Staten Island is also such a nightmare. The city speed limit where we were is 25 mph, and it is speed camera enforced. I am sure I saw at least two flashes when we were driving home on Thursday which means dad probably got two tickets. I guess we just wait and see.
I also went to the doctor on Thursday. He did't really have any news for me. He gave me a script for an ultrasound to check for nerve entanglement and some other neuropathy in my foot. It seems the doctors who read this type of scans are few and far between, and I could not get an appointment until June 13. That's a long wait considering I had my surgery in November and have been in pain since. I will have to continue to be patient.
I am delighted that May is upon us because it means I will be visiting my daughter soon. I have not seen her since the beginning of February, so I am excited to see her again. I am also looking forward to a little bit of a vacation. I only have to go to her show when I am there and plan on being super lazy all the other days.
On the Blog
- Monday: #AmReading - The Collected Regrets of Clover, On Fire Island
- Tuesday: Isn't It Romantic? - Princess and the Player, Pets of Park Avenue
- Wednesday: Nutshell Reviews - The Optimist's Guide to Letting Go, Always
- Thursday: Nutshell Reviews - Marrying Off Morgan McBride, Once More with Feeling
- Friday: Discussion - Bookish Confessions
- Saturday: #AmReading - The Backup Plan, The Reunion
Let's Discuss
- AJ busts 10 blogging myths
- Malka talks us through different kinds of anticipated books
- The Orangutan Librarian shares their take on audiobook hate
Stacking the Shelves
I have my first 2024 book! I was very excited to request Beth Morrey's upcoming release and even more excited to be approved so quickly. I caved and requested Vampire. I keep seeing great reviews, and I think it will be something I will enjoy. Jackie Fraser's new book sounds very "me" as well. My invite was on my TBR, but I have so many books for that month. Still thinking about it though. I also had to download Andrews' latest holiday book. I love them!
Netgalley/Edelweiss
- Clover Hendry's Day Off by Beth Morrey
- My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
- The Beginning of Everything by Jackie Fraser
- Bright Lights, Big Christmas by Mary Kay Andrews
Invites
- Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
Read Last Week
This was a solid reading week. Shalvis ended up near the top for me, as expected. Her books are always hits for me. I did a last minute widget click for Emma. I kept seeing fabulous reviews, and I had to read it. So glad I did because it was fun, sweet, and charming.
Find all my reviews on Goodreads
Books
- The Sweetheart List by Jill Shalvis - ★★★★ 1/2
- Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J Ryan Stradal - ★★★★
- The Plus One by Mazey Eddings - ★★★★
- Emma of 83rd Street by Audrey Bellezza, Emily Harding - ★★★★ 1/2
- A Love Catastrophe by Helena Hunting - ★★★★
Audiobooks
- Between You & Me by Susan Wiggs - ★★★★
Currently Reading
I really only started both of these, but I was over the moon that my library loan for Happy Place came through so quickly. Henry is a favorite of mine, and reviews have been amazing for this book. I am enjoying the Wiggs book too. I sense a second chance romance which is one of my favorite tropes, and I am excited to see where this goes.
- Happy Place by Emily Henry
- The Oysterville Sewing Circle by Susan Wiggs
To Be Read
- Waking Kate by Sarah Addison Allen
- Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen
- The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins
- Our Place on the Island by Erika Montgomery
- From the Top by Jacqueline Snowe
Let us know in the comments!
I am so sad for your loss Sam. Losing someone is always so hard! And also I hope that the new exams even if they are only mid June will help pinpoint to a problem that can be solved. Because suffering since November is awful! I don't know how you stand it really? I'd be grumpy and complaining all the time!
ReplyDeleteI am pretty grumpy actually, but life goes on.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your cousin, Sam. That's awful. :( I hope the ultrasound shows something that can be helped - even if it is a long wait for it. It's good to see that the Shalvis book was such a hit. I had a widget for it but waffled for weeks before downloading it. I've only read two others by her - one I really enjoyed and one was just okay. Hopefully this one will be a hit for me.
ReplyDeleteThat's the thing. Will it show something that can be fixed? Google has not been helpful in uncovering that information. I always seem to have things wrong with me that won't kill me, but they also can't be fixed. Fingers crossed you enjoy the Shalvis. I always love them
DeleteSorry to hear about your cousin...also, what a way to go. I hope you're OK. Also, the foot thing must make you mad - plus now the long wait and not being sure that having an answer will necessarily mean you'll get the means to feel better. (Story of my life...). I hope the specialist will be able to help. Hang on!
ReplyDeleteWait...you have already get approved for your first 2024 book?!?
I was surprised when I saw the release date was Jan 2024, but I am excited since it's an author I enjoy so much. My cousin was very ill (brain and neck cancer), but she was young. Only a few years older than me.
Delete("Gotten" approved)
ReplyDeleteoh no DARLING! I am so so sorry to hear about your cousin, Cancer is such a pandemic in our world. I will never understand long waits especially here in the states. Its not like we have socialized medicine here. Hopefully you are finding ways to manage the pain, thats just awful. I love seeing that rating for a Jill Shalvis, she writes wonderful books. Hope you enjoy Happy Place. Considering how much you love that author, I am sure its a great read for you!
ReplyDeleteYeah, cancer sucks. The wait is a combination of who is in network and in my area, and that apparently this is not the most common sort of ultrasound, so not too many doctors do them. This is a big radiology group, and they have only two doctors for musculoskeletal ultrasounds. Not much I can do for the pain. It ranges from numbness, pins and needles to throbbing and burning. It's a good time.
DeleteDoctor visits are so far out now, although it sounds like your specialist is a rare one which makes it even worse I'm sure. I am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteI think Vampire Roommate looks fun.
I always thought a tech does the scan, and then someone reads it. I guess I don't understand the process as much as I thought. I heard great things about Vampire and am looking forward to it
DeleteI am very sorry about your loss, Sam. I hope that you can get some better answers soon when you finally get to see a specialist. It is definitely becoming harder these days to get much needed appointments in Canada as well. I hope your week goes well and that May is a great month for you. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteTechnically, I have been seeing a specialist (my foot guy), but this is to check to see if there are issues from the surgery. I normally can get appointments quickly, but this seems to be a very specialize type of ultrasound.
DeleteI'm so sorry about your cousin. 2024! I was just thinking this year is flying by. That really hit hard. Yay for Emily Henry!! I think I'm going to wait for the paperback. I'm so glad everyone is raving about it.
ReplyDeleteI am lucky my library gives me access to so many new releases. I don't really buy books. Henry's book is hitting hard. I really hope it ends up with the ending I want.
DeleteI'm so sorry for your loss, Sam! But I'm glad you will be seeing your daughter soon.
ReplyDeleteFunerals for young-ish people are never easy. At least I have my visit to Chicago to look forward to.
DeleteSo sorry for your loss and for the fact that the issues with your foot have no end in sight. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteI am trying to do mind over matter with my foot. It's not working.
DeleteSo sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your cousin! Cancer is so awful! I hope you get some answers and resolutions for your foot pain!
ReplyDeleteI want to request My Roommate is a Vampire. It sounds like a lot of fun. Hope you end up loving Happy Place too!
OMG, Happy Place was my happy place, but I had to cry a LOT. It was good.
DeleteI'm sorry for your loss. That's not fun at all. Neither is waiting for a doctor's appointment when you're in pain. I hope they get it figured out. Hopefully a visit from your daughter will lift your spirits.
ReplyDeleteI keep wondering if they confirm what the doctor is looking for with the scan, can it be fixed? I always seem to get things that won't kill me, but make me miserable and have no "cure"
DeleteSo sorry to hear of your loss. Fingers crossed your dad doesn't end up with a couple tickets. And continued prayers for healing for your foot. I know you've got to be tired of dealing with it. Yay for soon getting to spend time with your daughter!! I hope y'all have a wonderful visit, and that you get lots of rest and relaxation for your vacation.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ali. Appreciate the prayers. This visit is one where I don't really see my daughter much because she has four days of performances, but I will relish the time I get with her nonetheless
DeleteI am so sorry for your loss. Cancer is horrible. I am also sorry to hear that you will have to wait so long to get the test you need for your foot. That's horrible! Hopefully, they can figure out a solution. Yay for the planned trip to see your daughter! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI am quickly losing patience with my foot, and if they have to cut it back open to fix it, I may flip my lid.
DeleteI'm sorry for your loss. Glad you'll be able to enjoy time with your daughter soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteI'm so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Delete