Sunday, February 4, 2018

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

On this day, in a snowstorm, my darling daughter came into this world. So, once again, I wish her a happy birthday from afar. Yesterday, my mother, sister, and I went to see The Outsider. It was hilarious, and it was really cool to see Julia Duffy on the stage. Hey! You know who's excited about the Olympics? This girl! My reading may take a hit next week, as I try to watch as many events as possible.

A post shared by Sam Kozbial (@kozbisa) on


This is the last season of one of my favorite shows. It's odd like me, and I will miss Portlandia when it's gone. They have done several skits like this, but I sort of loved the whole idea of this one:


Reading-wise, January was a good month for me. Lots of great books and a lot of progress on my challenges. I had two 5-star reads - You Bring the Distant Near and Far From the Tree. Here are my reading stats:
  • Number of books read: 32
  • Format read: 24 ebooks, 8 audiobooks
  • Average rating: 3.9
  • Source
    • Netgalley - 10
    • shelf - 1
    • Edelweiss - 7
    • library - 14
  • Number of ARCs: 17
  • Genre
    • YA - 20
    • MG - 1
    • adult - 8
    • NA - 3
  • Sub-genre
    • contemporary - 26
    • fantasy - 1
    • paranormal - 1
    • mystery - 2
    • historical - 1
    • suspense - 1
And now for some reading challenge updates!
  • Diverse reads: 18
  • Debuts: 6
  • #2017Throwback: 7
  • Backlist: 13
  • Series enders: 2
  • New releases: 18
  • Commenting challenge: I commented 507 times last month, but did miss one day
  • Discussion challenge: 3 discussion posts
On the Blog:
  • Sunday: Blog tour - Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry ($100 Amazon gift card giveaway still open)
  • Monday: Review - The Wedding Date by Jasmine Gillory
  • Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday - I was skeptical, but then I loved it!
  • Wednesday: Can't-Wait Wednesday - Relative Strangers by Paula Garner
  • Thursday: Discussion - Why I Follow You
  • Friday: In a Nutshell Reviews - American Panda, Shoot the Moon, When My Heart Joins the Thousand
STACKING THE SHELVES

I know I shouldn't have, but when I saw Cindy Anstey's book on sale, I had to buy it. I also got a whole lot of wonderful approvals that I am excited about, but I was especially overjoyed about Chaotic Good, because I recently featured it on Can't-Wait Wednesday. Oh! I won two Goodreads giveaways the other day, but I am keeping quite until I have the books in my hands (trust issues).

Bought/Free
ARCs
Library

What I Read Last Week

I feel like I showed a lot of genre diversity this week. Still solidly contemporary, but I also read some suspense and even an action packed espionage book

  • #Prettyboy Must Die by Kimberly Reid:  This book was all action, but also quite fun. It totally had a teen Die Hard feel, and it was a nice change of pace for me. ★★★★
  • The Foxe and the Hound by R.S. Grey (audiobook): The heroine in this book was hilarious. There was a whole lot of laughing going on, and the ending left me all gooey. ★★★★
  • Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson: Whoa! Just, whoa! I haven't been on such a wild ride since I read Dangerous Girls. ★★★★ 1/2
  • By the Book by Julia Sonneborn: This was not your typical second chance romance. It seemed more like a story of a woman trying to come to terms with the mistakes and choices she made, while trying to figure out her future. I really enjoyed it, and the ending left me in happy tears. ★★★★
  • I Stop Somewhere by T.E. Carter: This book is so sad and heartbreaking and promise me that you WON'T read reviews on Goodreads, because I saw a bunch of reviews with what I consider a big spoiler. Carter took on society's view of young women and what they should be as she tackled rape culture. Extremely powerful book. ★★★★ 1/2
  • Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis (audiobook): I am still trying to figure out how I missed reading this one, since I actually bought the ebook, but I am so happy to have finally learned Elle and Archer's story. I was really surprised by their prior connection, and I absolutely adored getting to know all of Archer's soft parts. Shalvis always makes me happy. ★★★★
  • Don't Forget Me by Victoria Stevens: This book was so needed after I finished I Stop Somewhere. This book was light and lovely and filled with so many wonderful characters. I smiled so much as I read this book, and I cried a little too, as this book deals with grief and loss, but it was ultimately uplifting. ★★★★ 1/2
  • Just Friends by Dyan Sheldon: I had been interested in this one, because Sheldon wrote Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. This was a cute story of unrequited love. Sheldon wrote some witty and amusing banter, and put some fun and quirky characters in the cast, but I hated the love interest and thought the ending was very rushed. ★★★

What I Am Currently Reading

I took Flipped out of the library, because I needed a one word title for my Monthly Motif challenge, and this is one of those books that everyone has read. Lauren Layne is always fun, and so far, After the Kiss is giving me a lot of laugh about.

What I Plan to Read

I am finally reading the new Kinsella. I have heard it's a little different from her norm, but am still looking forward to it. I couldn't resist a book that name drops Newton, and Baumann is always a fun read for me. I even have a paranormal on deck, and early reviews for The Precious Dreadful and positive, so I am excited.









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

44 comments:

  1. I'm excited about the Olympics, I always spend a ridiculous amount of time watching the various events. If I disappear from blogging for large stretches of time, that will probably be why! And happy birthday to your daughter as well. :)

    Chaotic Good looks so fun! And I love that cover for Flipped !!!

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    1. I love that they split the games, so we only have to wait two years between each instead of four. It is such a feel good thing for me.

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  2. Happy birthday to your daughter! Glad the play was good. Wow great reading month!!! Looks like you got some great books this week too. Happy reading and have a great week!

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    1. The play was very funny. Paper Mill always does one straight play per season, and it is usually a comedy. I totally recommend it.

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  3. Happy birthday to your daughter. My daughter's birthday is tomorrow. Yes to the Olympics! I enjoy the skiing and bobsleigh and speed skating events and hope to see as much as I can.

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    1. Lot to celebrate around here! Happy birthday to your darling daughter too. I love the snowboarding, skating, skiing. It's all wonderful!

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  4. Nice new reads! Totally new to me ones! Hope you enjoy them all!

    Here's my STS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  5. Happy Birthday to your daughter! Sounds like you had a fun week, with loads of great books read and an even better haul. I'm excited to read Virgin Territory. I think I'll pick it up sometime this week. Curious about the Whitney Gardner too since I adored her debut.
    Happy reading!

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    1. I had liked Gardner's debut, which is why I really wanted this one. I am reading Feb books right now, but who know, perhaps I will throw it in there early. Sometimes I do that. Can't wait to see what you think of Virgin Territory. I cannot wait to get his story!

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  6. Happy Birthday to your daughter! Wow, you had a truly amazing reading month. I read 12 and was patting myself on the back, lol. I'm pretty excited about the Olympics too. I always love watching the skating and the skiing events. Hope you have an amazing week!

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    1. Remember - long commute + empty nest. It gives me a lot of reading time. The skating is my most favorite, but I pretty much love all the games. It's the spirit of it I love the most.

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  7. I'm sure we will watch a lot of the Olympics, too! Happy birthday to your daughter! Can't wait to see what you think of the new Sophie Kinsella book, I'm really looking forward to it!

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    1. We should have a two week holiday from work, so we can dedicate our time to watching the games. I love all that is Kinsella, so I am psyched to read her newest book.

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  8. I also read a lot this month, mostly due to audiobooks :) I guess we both made a good start to the year :)

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    1. I knocked out 8 audiobooks this month, so I am definitely listening to more. I used to listen to 1 a week, but I am starting to tolerate my earbuds for longer periods of time lately.

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  9. Looks like your year in books started off awesome! Hope you continue on track! Also, 32 books read in a month? I wish I could get through that many books in a short span of time! :)

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    1. Eight were audiobooks, so I only read 24. I read a lot of really good books, that I just could not put down.

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  10. Flipped is one of my favorite MG novels. I hope you are enjoying it. Allegedly still has me thinking about it a year later. I've heard tremendous things about You Bring the Distant Near. Can't wait to check it out. Looks like you're off it a really great start this reading year. Happy Sunday!

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    1. Flipped is one of the most precious books I have ever read. I cannot get through one chapter without shedding happy tears. I am in love! You Bring the Distant Near was wonderful! I love multigenerational books, and it was such a treat to spend so many years with this incredible family.

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  11. Wow! Over 20 books in January! Awesome! I hope you have a great reading month in February!

    Here’s my Sunday Post !

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

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    1. I had a good January, but I hope Feb is even better.

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  12. I am so excited for the olympics!!! I love figure skating the most but I find when its olympic time, I will watch ALL THE EVENTS! I know my reading will take a hit...which sucks because I am already behind!

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    1. Figure skating is one of my fave sports to watch, but I love most of them. We can find balance, right? =)

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  13. Happy Birthday to your daughter! I'm excited for the ice skating parts during the Winter Olympics. :) Ooh lucky you for getting Chaotic Good. That's on my wish list!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. Ice skating is the best! I think the level of athleticism and artistry they have is incredible. I was really excited about Chaotic Good. I have been having a lot of luck with my Can't-Wait Wednesday books. It's like, I put it out in the universe, and all of a sudden, my request is approved. Whoa!

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  14. You had such a great month of reading, Sam! I wish I could figure out how to fit a few more books in every month. I am not a big fan of the Olympics but my family is so it will be on in my house. I will probably try to focus more on reading but I am sure I will watch some of it. Have a great week and enjoy your new books!

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    1. Audiobooks have really helped me work on my backlist, because I listen to them when I iron, drive, shop. I am super antisocial, so you know, it keeps the world away when I leave the house. LOL. If nothing else, the opening and closing ceremonies always make me feel all warm and fuzzy.

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  15. Happy birthday to your daughter! I’m glad you had a good reading month and liked Far From The Tree. I just got that book. I hope you have a great February!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. Far From the Tree was wonderful! So much more than I thought it would be.

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  16. OMG I LOVE Portlandia and I'm super bummed that they are ending the show.

    Hope your daughter had a Happy Birthday! ~Aleen

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  17. 32?! You are my idol. I believe I read 9 last month and I was pretty happy with that. lol I so want to read On the Line. Can't wait to hear what you think of it!

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    1. Everyone needs to remember: If you read 1 book this year, you have read more books than the average American (how sad is that?) I saw On the Line - sports, romance, cover with naked torso. It appeared to have everything I require.

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  18. Happy Birthday to your daughter!! That is exciting you got to see The Outsiders at Paper Mill I hope it was excellent! Have a great week!

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    1. We have a subscription to Paper Mill and it's a great way to see high quality shows without having to go into the city. The show was hilarious and the cast was incredible.

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  19. Happy belated birthday to your daughter, Sam! You are absolutely killing it with your reading and your challenges so far. I'm especially impressed by how many review books you've conquered! I wish I could say the same, haha.

    Oooh, Cindy Anstey! I really liked Duels & Deception, I'll have to check out Love, Lies, and Spies too.

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    1. I have a problem and can't stop requesting books, so I have to read them. LOL! I am just lucky I have a lot of dedicated reading time on my commute, because I just want to read all the books. I read my first Anstey book (Duels) last year, and fell in love with her writing. I had to buy her backlist.

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  20. Aw, happy birthday to your girl! Hope she had a great day. Oh my goodness, I haven’t seen/heard of Julia Duffy in so many years. My sister used to aspire to be Steffi on Newhart back in the 80’s. LOL You’re doing so great on your challenges! Go you! Lauren Layne books are so dependable for funny, sweet/sexy reads. Love her.

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    1. I have no idea if the kid had a nice birthday, but her bestie came to see her for the weekend, so I bet she had fun. Yes! You knew who I was talking about!!! Duffy is still beautiful and she was fabulous in her role. The Layne book was great! I want to read more of the series too.

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  21. Wow 32 books, that is awesome! You are doing so well on your challenges. Go Sam!
    Happy Belated Birthday to you daughter!
    Have a great week and happy reading!

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    1. The only problem is, I can't put reading challenges on my resume. *sigh* =)

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  22. I forgot the Olympics was even happening but I am very excited. Also, now I know it's happening I feel a strong urge to rewatch Cool Runnings because Jamaican bobsled team!

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    1. When I heard about the new Jamaican bobsled team, Cool Runnings was the first thing I thought of. It is a pretty incredible story though, and I love stuff like that.

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