Sunday, May 27, 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

I have been so busy preparing for my daughter's move to Chicago, and am therefore really grateful for this three-day weekend. I have little plans, other than trying to do some last minute packing. We will be driving on Thursday and Friday, and then trying to take care of as many things as possible before I leave Chicago on Sunday. I am exhausted just thinking about it. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I have good weather and little traffic.

I am a little sad, that I will not be attending BookCon since it started. Yep, I even went the year it was in Chicago, but I hope everyone who is attending has a fabulous time.

If you haven't done so yet, and Book Depository delivers to you - GO and enter our blogiversary giveaway.

The 2019 cover reveals have begun!! The TBR may break under the weight of all the books I am adding. Here are some Scholastic revealed this week:

I love seeing so many body positive books out there, and here are some recs from Julie Murphy

I am personally VERY excited about this cover reveal

On the Blog:
  • Monday: In a Nutshell Reviews - Puddin', Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now, Suitors & Sabotage
  • Tuesday: TTT - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
  • Wednesday: CWW - Two Dark Reigns by Kendare Blake
  • Thursday: Review - Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West
  • Friday: Discussion - Is it Historical?
STACKING THE SHELVES
Edelweiss/Netgalley
From the Publisher
What I Read Last Week


I had a most excellent reading week. The end of the week was especially strong.
  • Just One of the Royals by Kate & Leah Rooper: Another cute addition to this series. I loved the whole secret royal thing, and thought it was even more fun, since I read it the day of the "the wedding". The authors set up the next book, and I am really excited about that coupling. ★★★★
  • Sam & Ilsa's Last Hurrah by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan (audiobook): This was not the the fun-times book I was expecting. It started out fairly hilarious, but it took a Big Chill turn, and was sort of deep. It was a book about endings, and was a little sad with an ending that had me shedding some tears. ★★★
  • Dating Disasters of Emma Nash by Chloe Seager: This book will hilarious. I loved Emma and her similarities to Georgia Nicholson. This was a book about trying to get over "him", but it was also a book about being a young woman, being a friend, being yourself, and finding your passion. ★★★★
  • Airports, Exes, and Other Things I'm Over by Shani Petroff: A little heavier than Petroff's last book, but appropriately so, since it was dealing with relationship drama. There were lots of funny bits to balance out the weightier stuff, but also some really heartfelt stuff too. There was a great supporting cast, and I honestly liked the way Petroff let it all play out. ★★★★
  • My So-Called Bollywood Life by Nisha Sharma: I. LOVED. This. Book. It was so fun, cute, and adorable, my heart exploded. AND it's like a tour of Central Jersey (where I live), which made me smile even more. ★★★★★
  • The Game Can't Love You Back by Karole Cozzo: Cozzo never fails to delight me with her characters and stories. I found myself so immersed and invested in Eve's story, that I could not hold back my encouraging cheers when she was knocked down, and my squeals of delight, when things went her way. The ending was a wee bit rushed, but I still loved it. ★★★★ 1/2
  • Beautiful Broken Hearts by Kami Garcia (audiobook): Have I mentioned how happy I am that Kami Garcia is writing contemporaries? Once again, she wrote a book, that I couldn't put down and left me with all sorts of feels. She takes on domestic violence, as well as grief and loss in this book, and I thought she did it well. ★★★★ 1/2
  • The History of Jane Doe by Michael Belanger: This book is being added to my list of beautifully heartbreaking books. The first 70-ish percent of the books is filled with laughter, but when the character's mental health issues come to the forefront, the heartbreak begins. There were buckets of tears people. ★★★★ 1/2
  • Front and Center by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (audiobook): What a beautiful ending for DJ. I love this character so much, and now that I know the direction of her future, I can sleep well. Murdock expertly tugged on my heartstrings with so many things in this book, but that ending, put me in a fit of happy tears. ★★★★ 1/2

What I Am Currently Reading


I will admit, that I have a little bit of a book hangover from Jane Doe. It was time to call in a sports romance to help with my recovery, and the Cold Fury boys have never failed me. I am quite enjoying The Future of Us. It's kind of wild to reflect on our pre-social media days, which seem like forever ago.

What I Plan to Read

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

48 comments:

  1. I'm looking forward to seeing new covers! Some of the new ones I've seen so far look pretty good. And good luck with moving your daughter/ traveling this weekend- be safe and hopefully the weather/ traffic cooperates!

    My So- Called Bollywood Life does look good, I added that to my TBR recently.

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    1. Bollywood was so charming and fun and everything I love! I hope you get to read it and like it too.

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  2. My sister lives in Chicago :) so if I EVER visit... :) and ooh! I might have missed the giveaway indeed. I had HUGE blog trouble last week and couldn't visit anyone, cause I was busy biting my nails off over a dying blog. Argh. Thankfully, it's all fine now, although https is not working.

    Hope this week goes great for you, Sam :)

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    1. I have nothing but sympathy for all of you trying to get your sites compliant and the problems you are encountering. Glad you are back up and running.

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  3. Hope your daughter's move is a good one! Have a wonderful week!

    Here’s my Sunday Post!

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

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    1. We have a lot to accomplish in a short amount of time, so here's hoping it all goes smoothly.

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  4. Yay, for all the new covers being revealed! Hope you travel is a safe one and you daughter get all situated. You got some really good new books this week. Enjoy.

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    1. I have no business thinking about 2019 with all the 2018 books I have yet to read, but you know, readers gonna read.

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  5. Hope the move goes/went well! Oh new covers!! Covers are my favorite :) I went to BookCon once. I would love to go again but it was a little crowded/crazy for me. Enjoy all your new books and upcoming reads and have a great week!!

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    1. BookCon is crazy, but I actually spend most of my time in the panels. We wander the floor a little, but since Kiersten always went to BEA, there was no stress to be on author/book lines.

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  6. Nice new reads! Some new to me ones there! Hope you enjoy them all!

    Here's my STS

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  7. Good luck with the move! I’m glad you had an excellent reading week. I hope this week is just as good.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. I always worry when I have a really good week. Maybe I used up all my good book karma? I hope not.

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  8. Oh, you read SO many good books this week!! Now I want to read them all too. Yikes! And you're in my neck of the woods right now---I'll have to DM you and find out where exactly you're at!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I will be in IL next weekend, hence why I must miss BookCon, which is in my own neck of the woods June 1 - 3. *crying*

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  9. The Future of Us has been on my bookshelf since it has come out. I still want to read this! I am glad you are liking it. I will have to move this one to the front line! Enjoy your week!

    Mary my #Sunday Roundup #20!

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    1. I like magical realism, and the concept is pretty fun.

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  10. Wow-2019 covers already?!? That seems crazy to me. Good luck with the moving for your daughter. I loathe moving! Sorry you had to miss BookCon

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    1. I know! Book covers are like clothes, we see them way too far in advance.

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  11. Good luck with the move, hoping for the good weather and little traffic for you! <3
    There were so many incredible cover reveals, I'm such a fan of everything, but especially Jessica Khoury's new book. I loved The Forbidden Wish SO much, I can't wait to read more from her :)
    It seems like you had a great reading week - I'm glad you enjoyed Airports and My So Called Bollywood Life sounds amazing, I can't wait to read it someday :D
    I also have Thief of Happy Endings on my TBR, hoping we will both enjoy it :D
    Have a wonderful week! :)
    - Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books

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    1. I have The Forbidden Wish, but have yet to read it. I have to read a retelling for a challenge though. Maybe I should take a look.

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  12. I'm really looking forward to Last of Her Name! I remember the author tweeting about the title change, and I personally like this one more! It sounds so...interesting! Like, what makes her the last of her name? I feel like this title will make readers more curious about the book. :)

    L @ Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. I would be trash at naming a book, so I admire anyone, who can come up with something concise to describe a couple of hundred pages. That cover is pretty nice too.

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  13. I'm not going to BEA for the second year and it bus me out because that's my favorite conference but I am going to ALA so that should be fun.

    Hope you are having good weather for your trip!

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. I want to try ALA one of these days, but I need it to be within driving distance to keep it affordable. BEA is 40 mins from where I live, which is why that is my con of choice. We have gone to YallFest and Utopia too, but plane fare + hotels + food is so expensive.

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  14. Dating Disasters of Emma Nash is on my list, so I'm glad it got a good review!

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    1. It's a fun book, and some of the girl talk is so frank and thought provoking.

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  15. Ahhh, hope your daughter will like Chicago! I haven't been on social media all last week so I haven't seen anything. πŸ˜…πŸ˜…πŸ˜…

    I've never gone to BEA - although Chicago was the closest it's ever gotten to me. Maybe I'll go there one day. πŸ˜‰

    Hope you have a lovely week, Sam!

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    1. I actually went to BEA the year it was in Chicago, but it's much easier for me when it's in NYC, because I live so close.

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  16. I cannot believe it's already time for 2019 cover reveals!!! Where has this year gone?!?!? I've never been to any kind of bookish event but hope to one day <3 that's my ultimate goal <3

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    1. I have no business looking at 2019 books with the amount of 2018 books I still need to read, but I cannot help myself. I am determined to get to something bookish in 2019.

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  17. Chicago seems like it would be such an exciting city to live in. I hope that you and your daughter had a good trip. Those 2019 covers look fabulous too.

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    1. I am from NYC, and my daughter grew up spending copious amounts of time in the city, so she is looking forward to city living.

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  18. Oh wow, you got a lot of reading in last week. That's awesome! I hope that moving your daughter to Chicago goes well this week and you have a nice time visiting with her for a bit. :) Sorry to hear you can't make Book Con!!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. All the BEA/BookCon tweets are killing me! Hopefully I will make up for it by attending something really awesome next year.

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  19. Oooh, I haven't seen all of those cover reveals yet! I wish you lots of luck with your daughter moving and I hope you have a great reading week!

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    1. I think my reading week is done, because of the move, but I did read some great books this week.

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  20. All the pretty covers! Good luck with the move - I don't envy you. Moves are exhausting. I need My So Called Bollywood Life! There's a Bollywood filming locally and I know a few people involved on the US coordination side and they say it's been crazy but so fun. Have a great week!

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    1. I am a total cover-ho, so all those reveals were a delight for me. That's cool that a Bollywood movie is being filmed by you. They are so much fun!

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  21. Good luck with the move! Moving is always stressful and long I feel. Have a great week!

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    1. Thank you! Right now we are trying to get utilities. I hope we have lights when we get to Chicago tomorrow.

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  22. 2019 covers?! This year is going way too fast.
    Good luck with the driving and getting your daughter settled!

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    1. Right? I still have a billion 2018 books to read.

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  23. EEP! The move to Chicago begins! Do you know what neighborhood she'll be in, I'm nosey.

    I did BEA/BookCon when it was in Chicago back in 2016 and BookCon caused me so much anxiety. So many bodies, so many lines. But it did look like everyone had fun this past weekend, save all of the ARC drama.

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    1. My daughter is successful settled in Lakeview. I feel better after spending a few days in the neighborhood. It's really nice. BEA/BookCon always equals ARC drama. It's a shame people behave like that.

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    2. Oooo Lakeview is super nice! Boystown is there so she'll be deep in the pride celebrations!

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    3. Boystown is a short walk for her. She is about 4 blocks from Wrigley field, and there were so many interesting places to eat.

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