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 the week was kind to you. I had another short work week because I had my EMG in Monday. My results were normal which I guess is good, but I would love to find out what is the root cause of my issues. Back to the doctor next week.
Saturday night, my cousin and his wife made the loooong trip from Long Island to have dinner with us. It's always a good time. My dad's family is really small, so it's great they keep in touch.
I was kind of sad to learn that two bloggers I follow are shutting down their blogs. They will be missed. I still find blogging my favorite place to talk about books. X and Facebook became too toxic for me, IG is the picture place, and TikTok and YouTube are for videos. These are formats I have no interest in producing. Goodreads will forever have a place in my heart, and if they fix that commenting system to match ALL other social media platforms, I would chat a LOT more there.
On the Blog
- Monday: Reviews - The Other Side of Disappearing, Once Persuaded Twice Shy
- Tuesday: TTT - Unread
- Wednesday: CWW - How to Age Disgracefully, Whisky Business
- Thursday: Reviews - Say You'll Be Mine, How to Dance
- Friday: Six Degrees of Separation - Summertime Punchline
- Saturday: Five on My TBR - Romance
Let's Discuss
- AJ provided us with tips for writing reviews
- Amanda Kay talks Spotify for audiobooks
- The Orangutan Librarian shares some thoughts on BookTok and consumerism
Stacking the Shelves
I really shouldn't have, but a book on my TBR was read-now, so yeah, I clicked. Errands & Espionage sounds like a fun one. Happy Medium is also on my TBR, but I am going to pass since I already have a hold at my library for that book.
Netgalley/Edelweiss
- Errands & Espionage by Sam Tschida
Invites
- Experienced by Kate Young
- Happy Medium by Sarah Adler
- The Devine Order by Hamish Steele
Read Last Week
It was an excellent reading week. Many of the books on this week's TBR were by favorite authors, and once again, they delivered. The only one that came in a little low was the Lia Louis book. I did end up really liking it by the end, but there was a pacing issue or something. It dragged a bit, and her signature warmth and charm didn't really kick in until almost the end of the book. It was still good, but the bar is set pretty high for her book.
Find all my reviews on Goodreads
Books
- Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen - ★★★★★
- The Rule Book by Sarah Adams - ★★★★ 1/2
- Whisky Business by Elliot Fletcher - ★★★★
- The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center - ★★★★★
- Better Left Unsent by Lia Louis - ★★★★
Currently Reading
I am still trying to keep up with all my library loans (four more to go). Kane is a new-to-me author, but the story synopsis won me over. I did not get to listen to my audiobook much. We were super busy at work, but I am enjoying getting to know Esme.
- Rules for Visiting by Jessica Francis Kane
- Esme Cahill Fails Spectacularly by Marie Bostwick (audiobook)
To Be Read
- The Fellowship of the Puzzle Makers by Samuel Burr
- How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
- Malibu Summer by Libby Gill
- Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle
Let us know in the comments!
I hope you find some answers for your foot problem eventually...(I assume the EMG was about that?)...it's been a long time now!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear two more bloggers are shutting up shop (who are they?). Our company is getting smaller and smaller...I totally agree with you about the other platforms. GR is overdue for a change!
That cat video made me laugh out loud.
I will do one more visit and then, I am giving up. All these doctor's visits have been very costly with no progress. Deanna (A Novel Glimpse) and Renee (Addicted to Romance). I mean, GR did that whole redesign, but there were no improvements. It was purely aesthetic. Cats are an endless supply of snark and amusement.
DeleteIsn't it great when you spend time with family? Glad you get that chance. I wish my cousins lived closer. I hope the doctor is able to figure out what is causing you pain, Sam. That is so hard, the not knowing. That cat video made me laugh out loud. I am not a cat lover and that just gives me another reason. I love Marie Bostwick's books, and I missed this one, so thanks for that, another to add to my TBR. I have a few of you recently read books on my TBR and will be getting to them soon. Have a wonderful week, Sam.
ReplyDeleteI have not had a pet cat in so long, but I feel like we are kindred spirits. LOL! I hope you get a chance to read Esme. I am liking it.
DeleteI hope you get to the bottom of your issue, Samantha! Health always makes me anxious. :( Glad you got to spend some time with family, though. <3
ReplyDeleteI saw Deanna's post about leaving as well, and I'm so sad because I just started getting back into blogging and I've missed her content while I was on hiatus. :(
I am always sad to see a blogger go, but I understand if circumstances dictate such actions.
DeleteI hope you can figure out what's going on next week at the doctor! It's been a rough week for me and it was such a bummer to find out one of my blog faves decided to stop blogging. This community is my favourite place to be and I'll be so sad if there ever comes a day when this place doesn't feed my soul anymore! I think of Goodreads could make all the fixes to the issues that people have brought up time and time again, it would be an amazing platform. Sadly, it seems like it will never ever happen. I hope you enjoy all your reads and have a great week ahead, Sam!
ReplyDeleteMy biggest pet peeve with GR was the commenting. I don't really care about half stars, but why couldn't they fix the commenting to have reply threads like EVERY OTHER PLATFORM instead of all the surface changes they made. It really is totally dedicated to readers and pretty insulated from all other stuff which makes it optimal for me.
DeleteI have read about Renee stopping her blog too Sam. That's sad. And I hope the doctor can help you. Also you are talking about Goodreads having a new look but mine hasn't changed!
ReplyDeleteI hate seeing people go, but her reasons were solid. I wouldn't spend that much per month on a hobby. At least she will still be active on other platforms. You still have GR classic? I thought everyone had to change over. Huh.
DeleteI saw Renee's post on Instagram as well. I like the Blogger platform best too, but I feel like publishers want you to post on all the places. I'm not doing TikTok, I have no desire to do videos. About 99% of my posts on Instagram are still pictures. I hate Reels even if that's what Instagram wants. I like looking at still photos better than the stupid reels as well! The only video I'm interested in are funny animal *cat* and funny people. I don't want to look at a book reel. I only post links on Facebook and X. I'm not sure what you mean about the commenting issue on Goodreads. I usually get an email saying someone commented on a review.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you're still not getting answers about your foot!
I hate the way GR commenting works. You say reply, it quotes the original comment because it doesn't create a thread like all other socials. Like how this reply is right below your comment and if you reply to this, it would be right below my comment.Not on GR. I does below the last comment on the post which I think discourages back and forth discussion.
DeleteYes, that's true. I never really thought about it. :/
DeleteGood to hear the test result were clear..
ReplyDeleteI love Katherine Center and have her book on my TBR.
I read another Marie Bostwick book and had enjoyed it.. have added Esme to my TBR as well.
Center's books are all so wonderful!
DeleteI have a tiktok, but making videos is just so time consuming!! I do like IG though, but it requires some planning and time on my part. I hate that blogging is kind of falling by the wayside. I gave up on X a long time ago because that place is toxic! Hopefully you get more info from your doctor about what's going on.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
If you enjoy staging pictures and making videos and reels, then it is time well spent. It's just not my thing. I want to spend my time in other ways.
DeleteIt's always sad to hear bloggers shutting down. I have my core group of blogs I follow and I haven't actively looked for new ones in awhile, but I remember when it seemed like there were new ones every day. It's definitely slowed down.
ReplyDeleteI don't really look for new ones either. I should because my circle is dwindling.
DeleteIt sucks when bloggers leave, but I understand because it's very hard to get people to read blogs, and life is busy. I've tried to make bookish videos, but the whole process was stressful. I don't have to look at my awkward self while editing a blog post!
ReplyDeleteI tried doing photos when we were going to a lot of book events, but it was more work than I wanted to do. Those things -- photos, videos -- they are labors of love. I didn't love it.
DeleteI hope they figure out what's wrong.
ReplyDeleteI mostly spend my time on Twitter or blogs.
One more appointment and then I am throwing in the towel.
DeleteI am so sorry to hear that you are still struggling trying to get to the source of the problems, that is so disappointing that they can't get to the root of the issue for you. It looks like you reading was super solid for you, love seeing those high numbers for you. Hope you enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteIt is disappointing and I am probably going to give up and live with it. I had a great reading week. No complaints here.
DeleteI agree that Goodreads commenting needs work. So sad to see people leaving blogging. They'll be missed!! Loved The Rule Book. I'm definitely looking forward to picking up Center's newest.
ReplyDeleteI have been really delighted by Adams' books. I am glad I gave them a go. I hope you adore Center's book as much as I did. It had her signature charm and emotion -- all the things I have grown to expect from her.
DeleteUgh this is so frustrating, I'm sorry they haven't gotten to the root of it, yet. Hopefully they will, sending you so many positive vibes. <3
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad to see bloggers leaving, life gets busy and things change, unfortunately. My biggest hope is to manage to stay in touch with people who leave I appreciated, either way x
have a lovely week, sam!! x
Thank you, Marie! We have to hope they don't disappear from everywhere (which I have seen)
DeleteIt's nice to hear I'm not alone in my sadness over Deanna leaving. I keep thinking I should not be this bummed about a blogger leaving our community. 😃 But over the last year I've really focused in on only a few blogs because of time, and losing one makes a big impact. I'll miss Deanna so much! Thank goodness for Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteI'm about 15% into The Rom-Commers and I'm enjoying it so far! I hope you get some answers about your foot soon, Sam. <3
I agree. I have a small blogging circle myself and Deanna was one of the more consistent bloggers. She read a lot of romance which was a good fit for me as well. Yeah! I am glad to hear you are liking The Rom-Commers. Center is always so good for me. I hope you love it!
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