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! Spring is coming hard these days, and I love it! Remember I suspected my father got a few tickets when we were driving home from the wake last week? Well, he got two - five minutes apart! If you are ever in this neck of the woods, beware Tottenville and their speed enforcement cameras.
This was a quiet week. The only thing of interest was the big news that they are redoing our buildings at work. I, for one, am not that excited about the changes. They are taking all the people in six buildings and putting us between just four. How are they doing this? By taking away assigned desks and setting up "neighborhoods". I am going to have a LOCKER! Like school, and I will have to bring a work laptop to and from the office every day. Not crazy about not having my own space, the laptop, and being so close together. So it goes....
On the Blog
- Monday: #AmReading - The Wishing Game, The Second Ending
- Tuesday: Isn't It Romantic? - Well Traveled, To Get to the Other Side
- Wednesday: One Old, One New - Gage, Jett
- Thursday: Nutshell Reviews - Yours Truly, The Girl Who Chased the Moon
- Friday: Five Star Friday - April 2023
- Saturday: #AmReading YA - The Other Side of Infinity, This Time it's Real
Let's Discuss
- Davida asks about milestones
- Laura discusses love triangles
- Julie and Lynn share their thoughts on sticking with series
Stacking the Shelves
Lots of new books this week. All are authors I have read and loved except for Varon and Gilmore. I am excited about both. The book sound like lots of fun. I got an invite for a book I was already approved for too, but still nice to be asked.
Netgalley/Edelweiss
- Love, Holly by Emily Stone
- At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber
- Main Character Energy by Jamie Varon
- Confessions of a Canine Drama Queen by Stefanie London
Bought
- Love in the Afternoon by Karen Hawkins
Invites
- The Beginning of Everything by Jackie Fraser
- Love Interest by Clare Gilmore
Read Last Week
I had a bunch of high ratings this week, but Emily Henry took the crown. Looks, I love her books. I always have. I stand by my judgement that this wasn't really a romance, though others classified it as such. If you pick it up, be prepared for an emotional roller coaster ride.
Find all my reviews on Goodreads
Books
- Happy Place by Emily Henry - ★★★★★
- Waking Kate by Sarah Addison Allen - ★★★★
- Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen - ★★★★ 1/2
- The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins - ★★★★
- Our Place on the Island by Erika Montgomery - ★★★★ 1/2
Currently Reading
I am still listening to the Wiggs book. We were so busy at work, I really didn't get to listen to much, but I am enjoying it.
It's been ages since I read a Jen Doyle book. I started this series many years ago, and this is the last book I need to read. It's set in Iowa and helps me check off that state plus it's a fun friends-to-lovers romance.
- Called Up by Jen Doyle
- The Oysterville Sewing Circle by Susan Wiggs
To Be Read
- Will They or Won't They by Ava Wilder
- Play for Me by Libby Hubscher
- The Match by Sarah Adams
- From the Top by Jacqueline Snowe
Let us know in the comments!
Two tickets within 5 minutes... yikes. The "neighborhoods" sounds similar to the "hoteling" plan my company is considering. It won't affect me, but it still sounds lame. I really need to ready something by Jacqueline Snowe.
ReplyDeleteNY has a great cash cow with those speed/red light cameras. The worst part is definitely having to lug a laptop every day. I have a full insulated backpack with my water/breakfast/lunch. No mood to carry two bags on the bus/train.
DeleteOh, wow. This is the first I'm having about neighborhoods. Keep us posted - I wouldn't be crazy about that either. Yay! You gave 5 stars to the new Emily Henry! I think I'm going to wait for the paperback, but I'm so anxious to read it...
ReplyDeleteThe worst part is the laptop for me. I don't drive to work, so I would have to carry another bag with me on the bus/train. Henry's book was so good. I was able to reserve it at the library before publication. I got it pretty quick.
DeleteI have been working in open space since the beginning of my career Sam. With a designated desk at first but for years now, without designated desk, with a laptop that I carry from and to work and..a locker!
ReplyDeleteNow you poor father with his tickets!!!
And yes Emily's book is in a class of its own!
My father should have slowed down when my mother kept telling him how everyone gets tickets there. The only good thing is that you don't get points on your license since they cannot prove who was driving. The owner of the car (my mother) actually received the tickets. I have always had my own desk and a desktop computer. I don't like that I have to reserve a desk when I come to work. I can see me turning into one of those people who work from home more than the one day we are permitted.
Deleteoh boy...a locker?? thats crazy haha they give us plenty of room and we don't have to carry around our work computers unless we want to. ooh Called Up looks adorable. I will have to add that to my TBR for the summer. I have really enjoyed Karen Hawkins, she has a writing style you will enjoy. Lots of fun witty type of banter. I have only read her historical's though, So really interested to see what you think of that one there.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week!
That Doyle series was good. I think the heroine's resistance to the relationship dragged on a bit too long, but I liked everything else. I am looking forward to reading the other Dove Pond books.
DeleteUgh, those building changes sound terrible! I definitely like having my own space (hence the working from home!).
ReplyDeleteI don't mind working in the office, but I don't need more stuff to carry on the train/bus. I get there early, so I should not have a problem finding a desk, but having to find a space or readjusting my chair every day is a pet peeve.
DeleteTwo tickets! Yikes...
ReplyDeleteThose work changes sound irritating. I'm old fashioned, I guess, I like a regular set up, leaving work at work, not having to lug a laptop back and forth. I'm old lol.
In five minutes! They have speed cameras EVERYWHERE. Greg, I'm with old (old too)
DeleteIt's so funny the things that the higher ups in a company decide to do. In mid 2019, upper management where I work decided it would be a great idea to rip down all of the walls so no one had an office and we all had low-wall cubicles so we could "collaborate" easier. Then came air-borne COVID and the space has been a ghost town ever since, haha.
ReplyDeleteThat is more or less what we have right now. They are just trying to cram more of us in less space. We have people is still mask in the office. I cannot imagine they are happy with sitting closer to each other
DeleteLOL, what Greg said. And since you have a locker, why would you be required to carry your laptop back and forth? what if it gets damaged during your commute? and what do you mean "I get there early, so I should not have a problem finding a desk"? I mean, what happens to those who arrive later...they work on the floor? 😂
ReplyDeleteThe laptops are a business continuity thing too. Our people in New York City have had laptops that they bring back and forth since 9/11. I know in NY, they are already "hot desking". They have to reserve a desk, but they also have people who aren't supposed to work out of that office, working out of that office. I know they are starting up on the 4th floor at the end of May. It should be interesting to see how it goes.
DeleteI am so sorry about the speeding tickets. You would think that just one would be enough! I would not be happy with the changes they are making to your work either. I hope that it isn't too bad for you. Can you leave the laptop in your locker? Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteMy mother told my father he couldn't go over 30. An expensive lesson. The cameras are everywhere. We saw them flashing, so I wasn't surprised when the tickets came in the mail. You cannot leave the laptop. You have to have it with you in case some disaster arises. So annoying
DeleteI've managed to evade our speed cameras, but I did get summoned for jury duty at the start of next month. Why does fulfilling our civic duty have to be so inconvenient?! We switched to work laptops when we all started working from home during the pandemic. The biggest obstacle for me, beside having to lug it around, was stopping myself from using it when I wasn't supposed to be working. I've gotten quite adept at separating work and home haha.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was teaching, jury duty was a struggle because I had to leave plans and whatnot. Now, I wouldn't care. I would have a shorter commute.
DeleteI hate those camera ticket things! Bummer that the reorganization is a downgrade!
ReplyDeleteThrilled you loved Happy Place, too! I'm looking forward to Play For Me as well!
I started Play for Me this morning. I LOVE IT! It's super fun and sweet. Exactly what I need
DeleteHopefully that locker thing goes quickly and you're back to your own building and deck soon.
ReplyDeleteI don't even know when it's starting for my area. They are doing the four buildings a section at a time over 2 years. Who knows
DeleteOops! Guess you were right about those tickets. I'd love to say maybe he'll have learned his lesson, but if he's anything like my dad, it won't make any difference. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're going to be a "neighbor" whether you like it or not. Hope it works out okay!
No, dad didn't learn, but he will have to listen to my mother's I-told-you-so for a while.
DeleteYuck for the tickets and office changes. You have The Match in your line up. I adored that book. Can't wait to read Happy Place. Glad it was a winner for you!!
ReplyDeleteHopefully dad learned his lesson (probably not). I just started The Match this morning. Super cute so far. GAH! Happy Place was my happy place (with lots of tears)
DeleteSorry about the work changes. I kind of hate sharing stuff at work. We don't have assigned computers or cars. If I need a computer or a car, I have to sit around and waste time until one becomes available. It's stupid.
ReplyDeleteI have a thing about my seat, but I really hate that I will have to carry the laptop. Well, I guess at least I won't have to wait. That's all the businesses trying to get by with less.
DeleteTwo tickets five minutes apart?! I'm surprised my husband has never done that one. 😃 I'm happy to see you enjoyed Montgomery's book. It's coming up soon for me. And I was invited to read The Beginning of Everything, too. I haven't decided if I'll accept yet. I'm trying so hard to limit myself. Ha! Happy reading, Sam!
ReplyDeleteThe cameras are EVERYWHERE, and at night, you can see the flashes. That's how we knew even before the tickets came. Montgomery's book was a gem. I hope you like it too. I had already requested Fraser's book before the invite. I enjoyed another one of her books. I think this is a good fit for me.
DeleteUgh, my office brought that kind of change in around the time I started and people were FURIOUS. I, having never had my own desk, wasn't too bothered but I have to say that I'm not a fan. I have a locker but I typically lug my work life/accompaniments around in my work bag alongside the laptop. :(
ReplyDeleteI already carry an insulated backpack with my food/drink. It's heavy until I drink the 64 oz water. Carrying a second bag is stressing me out. My team has to do 80% of our workweek in office. I think we should have our own space. I spend 12.5 hours per day on work already (being there/getting there), now I have to remember to reserve a space to work? Not happy at all
Delete