Sunday, December 10, 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

We had our first snow storm yesterday, and I am so grateful it was on a weekend day, because my commute would have been a struggle in this weather. Snow days are really the only thing I miss about teaching. The Simon trailer just came on the TV, so I am crying again. 😭It's so good!

Things I Saw Online:

A few weeks back I justified buying another ebook for charity, and I am so impressed with how much money was raised - $30,144!

A post shared by Penny Reid (@reidromance) on

I saw Kirkus Reviews' Best Teen Books list. I read 14 on the list, am currently listening to one, and have one on my TBR. Do you see any you think I should read on the list?

I am currently obsessing over my reading challenges, and am preparing my post for later this week. Nicole at Feed Your Fiction Addiction put together an amazing list! I was a little sad to see a 50 States challenge on the list, though, because I put one together (just for myself). Same basic idea, but I have mini-challenges, because not everyone reads 50 books a year.

I don't know if there are any other Shatter Me fans out there, but I was pretty excited to see a preview of the next book.

This announcement may have encouraged me to read Turtles All the Way Down


On the Blog:
STACKING THE SHELVES

If you heard me screaming the other day, it was because I was so excited that I got approved for the new Brigid Kemmerer book. I actually suffer a LOT of eARC rejection, so to get a book I am so excited about sort of made my week.

Free

ARCs














What I Read Last Week

A very good reading week. My two top reads were by go-to authors: Kasie West and John Green. I was scared to read these books, because the internet has had mixed feelings on the books, but they were both near perfect reads for me.
  • Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West: I loved Abby, the main character, so much. She was super sarcastic and made me laugh often. I also really enjoyed the idea of the list, and liked the way Abby grew through these experiences. ★ 1/2
  • Van by Sawyer Bennett (audiobook): I have to admit, I was not a super-fan of the physical interactions between the hero and heroine. They just were not to my taste, but the premise of the story was fabulous, and I was extremely surprised and happy with the ending. 
  • The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily by Laura Creedle: I have read some great books featuring neurodivergent characters, and this one joins the list. It's an #OwnVoices story about an ADHD girl, who falls in love with a boy with ASD. Lily's struggles were done so well, but I have to admit, my favorite parts were when Lily and Abelard texted each other. Very sweet and swoony too. 
  • It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover: Yep, I got CoHoed again. It's been a while, so I forgot how she could be so OTT at times, yet still wreck havoc with my emotions. This book is about the cycle of abuse, and it is based on Hoover's personal experiences. I really appreciated the way she approached the story and that she shared it with us. 
  • Breaking the Ice by Julie Cross: It was great to be back in Juniper Falls again. This was an interesting couple Cross put together for us, and I really loved them together. I absolutely cannot wait to go back to Juniper Falls again. 
  • Turtles All the Way Down by John Green: I sort of loved this book. Green continues to craft stories with characters, who constantly say quotable things, but the thing that made me cry was the ending. It was actually pretty awesome and gave me a lot of closure, even if it was not exactly what I wanted. ★ 1/2

What I Am Currently Reading

I am finally reading Whichwood! I feel a lot of #BloggerShame about this one. I love Mafi and I adored Furthermore, yet I let this one slip through the cracks. I am about 60% of the way through, and I can say it's darker than Furthermore, but the narrator did warn me it would be.

I am listening to What Girls Are Made Of, and I think I have cried 50 times already. This is quite heartbreaking, because I see so much of my teen self in this character, and it's a little painful at times to watch her go through these things. Total gut punch.

What I Plan to Read

I am doing one more #BloggerShame read here with The Speaker. I really loved The Reader and was so excited when I got my ARC of The Speaker, yet I kept putting it off. --sigh-- The other three books are all 2018 releases. I am trying to get a jump start, because I have a lot of January releases to read. 
















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

56 comments:

  1. It snowed here too, and the roads were tERRIBLE. Still I enjoyed seeing all the white stuff. We'll see how long that lasts. :)

    Nice to see that Turtles All The Way Down was good. I'm looking forward to reading that .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Snow is great, as long as I have nowhere to go, because you know how everyone forgets how to drive when it snows. I really liked Turtles and am excited to see how the adaptation turns out.

      Delete
  2. It still hasn't snow where I live and I really need to read Turtles All the Way Down!

    Here’s my Sunday Post !

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. You have nice reads this week! Sorry for lack of enthusiasm in my comment, but I'm just so bummed out about the news on NetGalley...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have heard about the new policies, but most books have been "wish" for me for quite some time. I think Netgalley has a lot more going on behind the scenes than we know about. I remember one blogger telling me she got a book from NG and it wasn't even visible to me. If it makes you feel any better, Penguin rejected me for 13 requests the other day on EW. I think things are drying up for smaller blogs. It really stinks, but hopefully NG will expand things for international bloggers, or maybe pubs will do this on their own. They can send widgets to you via email to access a book on NG.

      Delete
  4. We got more snow that I expected yesterday! It was kind of nice being able to stay in the house all day and just look at it!

    Yay for being approved for More Than We Can Tell! I'm really looking forward to that one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so burned out from my work commute, that I like to stay in the house all weekend anyhow, so the snow didn't bother me. And right, how awesome is Rev's story going to be!!!

      Delete
  5. OOh nice new reads! Some new to me ones there! I love Rachel's previous books but I am not too sure about her new one. It's missing all the literal magic I've come to expect from her books. Oh well. I hope you will thoroughly enjoy all your lovely new reads!

    Here's my STS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I read the synopsis for Hawkins new book, I was surprised, since I had only read paranormals from her, but Royals sounds like something I would love.

      Delete
  6. Snow days are sometimes the ONLY good thing about teaching. We didn't get a single one last year.
    Enjoy your books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teaching was tough. I admire all those who have lasted longer than me. My sister has been teaching since 1992. I am nominating her for sainthood. Does you district give you back the days if you don't use the snow days? That was nice too. Having a 4 or 5-day Memorial Day weekend.

      Delete
  7. OMG, so many great books! I really need to finish some books and then get some new ones! Snow days, yes, love those! It just started snowing here and I'm loving it. Yes, it's cold, but I haven't seen snow in four years, so I'm enjoying watching it fall.

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wait, you finish your books before you get new ones? 😂 I am a total book hoarder, but getting better. This is the time of year, where I claim I will read books I own, but then I keep getting library books or buying new ones. I am a sick, sick woman. I lived in Florida for six years, and I have to confess, I did NOT miss the snow. I do think it's pretty, but when I have to get somewhere, it just makes it that much harder. But like you, I enjoyed watching it fall and I read right in front of my windows, so I watched it all day long.

      Delete
  8. We got our snow storm too and I was pretty excited about it. I was getting tired of winter taking forever to get here especially since we didn't really get a fall this time around. I saw the Simon trailer too and it looks adorable. I'll definitely be seeing it at the theater. I have More than We Can Tell and can't wait to read it either.
    Happy reading!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are like a 40 minute drive from me, so we get practically the same weather. I am a moderate about everything, weather included. I don't like it too hot or too cold. The problem with precipitation is when it happens, people forget how to drive, and it makes getting around a nightmare. Simon <3. I get simultaneous chills and warm-fuzzies as tears form in my eyes every time I think about it. Love it so much!!!

      Delete
  9. Snow. I'm so done with it now. lol... We have more coming Tuesday too. Ugh.. You got some really good books this week and have read some really good ones too. I picked up Within These Walls too, I think it sounds like it will be good. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have had Within These Walls on my "recommended" wish list on Amazon for a while. So, it was a no brainer to grab it for free. I heard NJ might get a little more snow on Tuesday, but I think it will be a mix. Fingers crossed it doesn't cause any commuting drama for me.

      Delete
  10. Glad that you enjoyed It Ends With Us. I loved it. Oh I need to check out if Wild Card is still free. Thanks for the info. I hope you enjoy your new books and have a wonderful reading week. Happy reading, ❤️😁

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It Ends With Us was typical CoHo - very emotional. It was a powerful story too. My heart breaks for every woman who finds herself in that situation, because like Hoover tried to show, it's very difficult. Hope you were able to grab Wild Card.

      Delete
  11. I loved It Ends with Us...my favorite by the author...so far. I am pondering Turtles All the Way Down.

    Enjoy your books...and thanks for sharing. Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was so nice to read a Hoover book after so long. It reminded me why I love her so much. I get tears in my eyes just thinking about that book. *feels* I really liked Turtles, and I am beyond excited to see it on the big screen.

      Delete
  12. Oh ya, you are in New England as well right? CT right? I had to commute home in that yesterday but today it wasn't bad at all on the road. Tuesday we are suppose to get more.
    You are so funny with your #bloggershame books. Lol! Would it help you to know that some bloggers get arcs and then wait til they are published to read them. Also, anytime you post a review it generates buzz about a book.
    All ypur read books sound interesting. It is some kind of magic that you were able to sum them up in a paragraph and still make me want to read them.
    Enjoy all your new reads and have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not too far off, NJ. Awww, I am so touched my super-short thoughts made an impact. That is a great compliment. ☺️

      Delete
  13. Don't feel bad that someone else did a 50 States Challenge---you can still do yours too! You'll notice that lots of challenges are slight duplicates. As long as yours has something different to offer, I'd go for it! (And let me know if you do, so I can add it to my list!)

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't officially do any challenges, because I struggle with keeping up with all the link ups and Twitter talks and what not, but I love having them to guide me along.

      Delete
  14. To be honest, I am not thrilled about John Green's announcement? I love his books, I loved Turtles, but... I'm always a bit scared when it comes to movie adaptations. Anyway, I guess I'll see haha :)
    It seems like you had a great reading week, so glad you loved turtles, and The Love Letters really intrigues me, I think I'll have to add this one to my TBR :)
    Hope you'll have an amazing week! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TFioS was really well done, and I sort of like the change in direction Paper Towns took. They turned it into more of a buddy story instead of making it so much about Margo, and I thought it was great choice. You see, I never talk about the books I DNF, so it looks like I love every book I read, when in reality, I sometimes start and stop a bunch of books. Love Letters was really great. I enjoyed it a lot.

      Delete
  15. I am a little nervous about the new Shatter Me book and haven't decided if I will read it. You can still do your challenge, it sounds different and I can name 3 blogs who do Backlist challenges or TBR pile challenges.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so curious to see what Mafi has in store for us. I am hoping it's brilliant. I feel like she wouldn't want to ruin that series, so I am keeping the faith about it.

      Delete
  16. I was one of the few who didn’t love Shatter Me, I like the writing but didn’t want to deal with the love triangle. She is certainly a talented writer. Nothing on the Kirkus list that I recognize. I havent’ been reading as much YA. I will have to check out the West and the Green book. Have a lovely week, Sam.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am lucky that my commute gives me so much reading time, because I am able to read a lot of YA and adult books. I have been going hard on the ARCs lately, because I fell behind, but I still sneak in non-YA books to mix it up a little.

      Delete
  17. I've only read three on Kirkus Reviews' list - Dress Codes for Small Towns, Glow, and If They Both Die at the End. All of them were fantastic in different ways that's it's hard to pick a *favorite* out of the bunch. I can't believe how many I haven't read though - I've been falling behind with a lot of the 2017 YA releases. I also STILL haven't read Turtles All the Way Down - I feel like a failure of a John Green fan. Hopefully I'll get to it by the end of December. Congrats on getting approved for More Than We Can Tell! I almost never request eARCs because I fear the rejection lol and also I already have way too many books to read. You'll have to let me know how Royals is. I'm so excited for that one! Have a great week, Sam!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I adored Dress Codes and wish it got even more attention. I didn't rush out to buy Turtles, since my library always gets JG's books, but I am glad I read it, because I think I sort of missed him. I have to admit, when I get rejected for a book, I feel bad about myself and go through the whole "me and my blog suck" thing, but I need to remember all the books I was approved for. There are publishers that ALWAYS reject me (HarlequinTeen, Disney), but a bunch of publishers have shown me tons of love.

      Delete
  18. I’m so excited for the Simon movie! I’m still waiting for the first big snowstorm here. We’ve had a lot of little ones that melted. Have a great week!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This past weekend was the first snow for us, and it was not too bad. Simon is going to be epic!

      Delete
  19. Snow is fine as long as you don't have to go out in it. Glad this one timed out well for you. It looks like you had a good week. I thought Van was a lot hotter than previous books in the series but I did enjoy the story. I hope you have a great week and enjoy your new books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! Pretty to look at, but I don't want to see any snow when I have places to go and people to see. Van was quite the dirty talker, but there were some aspects of their physical relationship that just are not my thing, but it by no way took away from the awesome story. That was quite a direction Bennett went in that one.

      Delete
  20. I don't live where it snows, so snow days have always seemed fun to me! And yay, congrats on getting approved for an eARC you wanted! Have a great week :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I lived where it didn't snow. I had a great run for 6 years when I was in Florida. I totally miss it. Snow is pretty and all, but it's very stressful when you are trying to get to work in it, and I have a 40 mile commute each way.

      Delete
  21. Buying books to support charities is always a good reason to spend the money! I love that I can do these kinds of things now (since I've graduated and started working). Congrats again on getting approved to read the new Kemmerer book!

    Have a wonderful week, Sam. =)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I experienced zero guilt buying that Penny Reid book. It was a twofer for me. I love Reid and I had a small part in a LARGE contribution to a good cause.

      Delete
  22. So many great titles Sam. The first time I've come across The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily - sounds wonderful. And in a similar vein, The Taxonomy of Love sounds right up my alley. Both going on my wish list :)

    Jo @ Booklover Book Reviews

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love all that is contemporary and I try to get a lot of debuts too, so when I saw Love Letters, I jumped on it, and it was great! I am really enjoying all the diverse reads I have been getting lately. Early reviews for Taxonomy are very good, so I am excited to read it.

      Delete
  23. I've read 5 of the books on that Kirkus List! Have you tried It's Not Like It's A Secret? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's Not Like It's A Secret has been on my TBR. My biggest obstacle to reading books is not having access to them. The struggle.

      Delete
  24. I've been debating if I should pick up Turtles All The Way Down ever since it released! It sounds interesting, but I'm currently in the mindset that I don't want to cry over a book ... :|

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not sad. Those tears were just me, because I am a sap, and there was this quick little jump ahead type journey Green took me on at the end that I really loved. They were happy tears.

      Delete
  25. Yay on your Brigid Kemmerer!! That is exciting! Great video from John Green I didn't know all of that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was really surprised to see Turtles getting optioned so quickly, but I am excited, because I really enjoyed it.

      Delete
  26. We had snow and I was the same, I was glad it happened on a weekend otherwise I would never have gotten to work. It was still a bit of a drama getting to work, we don't cope well with snow in the UK. And I got the new Brigid Kemmerer book too and I can't wait to read. Doesn't it look awesome?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ew, we had snow again yesterday. It started while I was at work, but the trains were ok. I was just wet and cold when I got home. Note to self: wear boots! We need to read the Kemmerer at the same time, so we can compare notes as we go along. I think Nick got it too. So, we will have LOTS of thoughts on it. I don't know, I am super excited about it.

      Delete
  27. Ahhh I am so happy that you loved Love, Life, and the List as well as Turtles All the Way Down!! I am DYING to read both!! I'm curious about John Green. I hated the only book I read by him, but it is also the least loved one, An Abundance of Katherines, so maybe it was that. But I really want to give him more chances because I love how smart he is and what a great personality he has. His next two books on my list are Turltes and TFIOS!!! <3
    Have you read those? Are you a fan of him, or did you have ups and downs too?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am a John Green fan. I read all his books, and they were all pretty much 5-star reads for me. TFioS is such a tear jerker. I ugly cried the last 30% of the book, but I like his lighter stuff too. His characters are always interesting and the conversations they have absolutely captivate me. I enjoyed Turtles a lot. My focus was mostly on Aza, and I adored her so much. I am also a huge Kasie West fan, and I will admit, her last book was good, but not great, and with Love, Life, and the List, I feel like we are back to great.

      Delete
  28. Wait Royals arcs are already out?!?! WHOA!! I had no idea!! *Runs to request* I would love to read Van and It ends with us sometime soon. Both look amazing. Congrats <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always add books to my anticipating and highly anticipating shelves on EW. Then when I pop in to check, I will immediately see if the books I want are available for request. I got Van from Hoopla. Their audiobook selection is pretty good, and It Ends With Us was from Overdrive. Us was really emotional and it was sad, but happy too.

      Delete