Sunday, March 18, 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

Last week was a struggle. The good was free lunch Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, PLUS the Obsidio event. It was so much fun! Another Friday, another issue with the trains. This time, Amtrak couldn't get the bridge closed. Really, Amtrak?

Seen Online



I haven't read this book (yet), but if you have, what do you think?

I love funny books, and was delighted when I stumbled upon this list
On the Blog:
STACKING THE SHELVES

I am really excited about my adds this week, but I was overjoyed to get The Way You Make Me Feel, Marek, and Hooked On You. I love those sports romance series, and Maurene Goo books are so much fun.


Bought/Free
Edelweiss/Netgalley

What I Read Last Week


So, my reading took a hit from losing since I had to drive to work both Wednesday and Friday, but I still read a bunch of good books. My top read for the week was Starry Eyes without a doubt. I am getting all these happy feels just thinking about it.
  • Forever Right Now by Emma Scott (audiobook): I had a fondness for Darlene in The Butterfly Project, and was really excited that Scott decided to write her HEA. This was a heartwarming slow burn, which let Darlene gain redemption. ★★★★
  • The Secrets We Bury by Stacie Ramey: I cannot get over how much I loved this book about hiking the Appalachian Trail. I was captivated by the setting, but you know why I really liked it? So much grieving! I was fully invested in taking this healing journey with the characters. ★★★★ 1/2
  • Let Me Lie by Clare Mackintosh: I don't read a ton of mystery/suspense, but when Mackintosh puts out a book, I am going to read, because they are always excellent. Lots of great twists and turns and that ending!! Wow! ★★★★
  • Still Me by Jojo Moyes (audiobook): I didn't realize how much I missed Lou until I started this book. I wasn't sure there was more story to tell, but now I realize that her journey wasn't over. Moyes took me on a little bit of an emotional trip here, but it was wonderful. I met so many great new characters, and I got to catch up with some old friends. End result - happy tears. ★★★★ 1/2
  • In Her Skin by Kim Savage: This was a trip! Being inside the mind of a con artist was quite interesting, and I have to give Savage some kudos for the "WHAT!!" moments she delivered. This was quite the dark and twisted tale. ★★★ 1/2
  • The Midnights by Sarah Nicole Smetana: This was a look at how one girl tries to fill the hole in her life formed by her father's death. I struggled a little with the way Susannah was grieving, but the emotions were done so well and I loved all the musical references. ★★★ 1/2
  • Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett: Gosh! Jenn Bennett just knows how to write books I want to read. This was another stupendous book by Bennett. I adored the characters, the setting, the second chance love story, the way she deftly balances topics with heft with lighter topics creating a great overall tone for the book. I just loved everything!!! And yes, there were happy tears. ★★★★★
What I Am Currently Reading


I am absolutely in love with I Have Lost My Way. The format is really intriguing, and I love the way Forman brought the three characters together. Wild Card is a fabulous second chance romance. I love the family, the history, and all the pain. I am almost done, and already know I want to continue the series and get the other brothers' stories.
What I Plan to Read


I am still working through March books, but I mixed in some April releases along with one I am late reading.








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

54 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear it was a tough week. :( But a book event helps! I'm going to check out that B&N post since I enjoy an Ireland setting. The Butterfly Project (and Forever Right Now) are both near the top of my TBR. Just yesterday I was watching a Booktube video and someone was raving about The Butterfly Project. I need more Emma Scott SOON! I'm up in the air about As She Fades. I feel like my love affair with Abbi Glines has cooled over the last couple years. *sigh* Maybe I'll just stick with rereading the Rosemary Beach series over and over. LOL Hope you have a much better week, Sam!

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    1. I am enjoying Emma Scott's books. The Butterfly Project was so painful, but beautiful, and I would say there was a lot of that in Forever Right Now too. Even when Glines doesn't "wow" me, I am still satisfied. I have yet to want to throw a book of her's out the window. She fits a certain slot in my reading life, and I usually get what I expect from her.

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  2. Aw, sorry to hear it was a tough week! Hopefully this week is better. Yay for the Obsidio event though- I just finished it and loved it.

    I did hear about the Stephanie Perkins news, and I wasn't sure how I felt since I didn't love the book? But I would probably check it out, depending on how they do it.

    Let Me Lie seems to be getting lots of love, and Starry eyes too. I think I need both of those :)

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    1. I have no idea when I will actually read Obsidio. I am thinking maybe the holiday weekend, because I cannot carry that and read it, and I am worried about font-size too, BUT it will be read. I was surprised to see an adaptation in the works for Perkins' book, because reviews were lukewarm, but you know, they will movie magic it and make it unrecognizable. If you like suspense-thriller type books, you would enjoy Mackintosh's books. Her first is still my favorite, but the other two were also excellent. She used to be law enforcement, and brings an interesting perspective to the stories.

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  3. I'm reading Gemina right now. My husband said, "That's a big book!" and was surprised I was enjoying sci-fi, but the banter and sarcasm and suspense makes this series so much fun. The books are thick, though, so not a read while traveling series in physical form.

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    1. The size of Illunimae kept it in my shelf a year after I got it at BookCon, but looks are seeing because if the amazing formatting and the story being so engrossing.

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  4. Sorry to hear it was a struggle this week, but hey free food! Hope it was good free food! I need to read Gemina still! Probably should re-read Illuminae while I'm at it too. I'm quite surprised that Perkins' book got picked up by Netflix because I thought the book was poorly written for the genre. Maybe the Netflix people can do their magic and churn out something that's better than the book for once!
    Enjoy the new books!

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    1. Free food always makes things better, it's true. I am thinking they will movie magic it Stranger too.

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  5. Sorry the week was a struggle, but at least you got to go to the Obsidio event. It looks like you got some interesting books. I hope you love them all!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. The storm didn't do much damage by me and there were ZERO problems getting to the event. Si yeah!

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  6. YAY for free lunches but boo for crappy trains. So glad you liked Still Me. I can't wait to get to that one. I have I Have Lost My Way coming up s glad you are enjoying it. Have a great week!

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    1. It seems train service is inversely related to the prices they charge. I am hoping for no hiccups tomorrow. I loved I Have Lost My Way. What a beautiful story.

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  7. That's so great you've got Obsidio :) I won't be reading it soon, I'm afraid. And probably only on Kindle. My read Obsidio haul chance kind of didn't pan out xD too bad. I hope you enjoy it, and have a great week :)

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    1. I probably won't read Obsidio until the holiday weekend at the end of the month, but so far, people are happy with it. It's one of the few books I read in physical form because of all the art work, but I heard the audiobooks are incredible.

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  8. I'm sorry last week was a struggle. :( I hope you have a better week this week. I'm off to look at that list of humorous scifi books. :)

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    1. Spring is coming. I may have to break up with NJ Transit and just drive.

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  9. Sorry to hear you had a rough week. Amtrak needs to get themselves sorted out ASAP.

    I'm thrilled to hear that you're enjoying Gayle Forman's books since that's one of my most anticipated reads. I look forward to reading your review.

    And yeah for getting a copy of Obsidio. I just finished Gemina last night and can't wait to get my hands on Obsidio. This series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

    I hope this week is better for you!

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    1. You know what Amtrak needs. It needs to be privatized. It's a mess. Forman's new book was so good. I really enjoyed it. The Illuminae Files is one of my favorite series. Glad you are enjoying it.

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  10. That cover for The Forgotten Book is gorgeous! I hope the book is as good. Wild Card is one for the TBR, I haven't read that many books from Karina Halle but I've enjoyed them all.
    Hope this week is better for you and the trains behave themselves!

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    1. The number one reason why I wanted to read The Forgotten Book was because of the cover. I had put it off for a while, but I have been seeing more positive reviews lately, and decided to finally read it. I like Halle. I have read quite a few of her books. She is a romance go-to for me.

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  11. I am happy to hear you liked Let Me Lie and Still Me. Both of these I would love to read. I hope you have a better week. I know how it can be a struggle. Happy reading!

    Mary #SundayRoundup #10

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    1. Still Me was more wonderful than I expected. I loved how Moyes gave everyone an ending. Even Trina gets love in this book.

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  12. The Forgotten Book looks so good. Bummer you had such a crap week. I hope the week ahead is superb. I got my copy of Obsidio too and cannot wait to devour it.

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    1. I can only read a physical book sitting, because my wrist/hand issues, so I am saving it for the holiday weekend. I am excited. I have been hearing really good things.

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  13. Meader's series is one that I discovered just recently and I'm loving the heck out of, I'm eager to start Hooked on You soon and I'm thrilled to see that you loved Starry Eyes as I'm starting that tomorrow and I Have Lost My Way which I'll be starting later in the week too. I was the same with Still Me, it's not the same since Me Before You, but Moyes really made this work for me too, and packed in the emotional feels into it really well. I don't think I've read a book by Maurene Goo before so I will definitely be off to see what her books are about! I hope you have a great week Sam and that the trains are sorted out too!

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    1. Meader's series is fabulous! I am so excited to read Violet's book. Starry Eyes was all sorts of wonderful. You liked Alex, and this has a lot of the same elements I loved in that book. Goo's last book, I Believe in a Thing Called Love was so much fun. I really enjoyed it.

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  14. I'm curious about Hooked On You! I have had good success with Meader's books but have not read one recently. I also have Obsidio but I really do not know when I will read that monster LOL. Happy reading, Sam!

    Have a wonderful weekend. =)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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    1. This is my first Meader series, and I love it. The dynamic between the sisters is great and so far, I adore all the heroes.

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  15. Awe, I’m sorry to hear you had such a rough week. The book event sounds like it was grea though. You got lots of amazing books too, and I can’t wait to see what you think of The Way You Make Me Feel! Happy reading...

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    1. Kristoff and Kaufman kept me enthralled with their fun stories. I had a great time.

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  16. Oh I'm sorry to hear you had a bit of a rough week, I hope next week will be better, why do trains suck so much, I wonder, haha.
    I'm so glad you enjoyed Starry Eyes, I can't WAIT to read that one! And yay for getting The Way You Make Me Feel, I am SO impatient to read that beautiful book :) x
    Hope you'll have a great week :) x

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    1. Seriously, I am getting all sorts of happy feels just thinking about Starry Eyes. Jenn Bennett writes the perfect YA contemporary books.

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  17. Sorry this week was rough. Hopefully next week will kick butt! Enjoy your new ARCs! They look amazing!

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    1. I am really excited about quite a few of those books. I am struggling sticking to the publication order.

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  18. Sorry that this was a tough week. I know that you spend a lot of time commuting which would be really hard. Yay for the Obsidio signing. I went last night and had a blast. I am so happy that you got your hands on Marek :) Enjoy your new books and have a great week!

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    1. Aren't Kaufman and Kristoff the best? It was a really fun event. Who moderated at your stop?

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  19. I'm sorry to hear this week was rough. But I hope you had lots of fun at the Obsidio event, Sam. It must be so much fun (sorry, my brain can't think of a synonym of "fun" - and I just used it a third time) to meet the authors.

    Happy readings! ;)
    Tânia @MyLovelySecret

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    1. The event was so awesome. I forgot how much fun those things are and I really miss going to events.

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  20. I can't wait to pick up Starry Eyes! I love Jenn Bennett's writing, but seeing your reaction makes me even more excited. Sorry to hear about your transit issues. I hope they get it all sorted out for next week! :)

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    1. I have nothing but love for Jenn Bennett. Her books make me so happy.

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  21. I didn't know Netflix was making There's Someone Inside Your House - seems like a good fit! I really liked the book, but I know it was hit or miss for a lot of people.

    Sorry about the rough week train-wise, but yay for free lunch and an author event! :)

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I saw the Tweet the other day, and was really surprised. Reviews were split on that book, so maybe someone saw something there.

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  22. Is The Forgotten Book the sequel for The Book Jumper? I'm just starting to read The Book Jumper and the book cover is gorgeous!

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    1. Is it a sequel? They don't list it that way. Perhaps, a companion.

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  23. I'm focusing on the positives of your week, yay free food and Amie and Jay! I saw them in Chicago on Friday and they were frickin' hilarious, I can't wait to read Obsidio! I'll need to sneak it in this spring.

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    1. I loved their dynamic. I can totally see why they are such a successful writing team.

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  24. Free food is definitely a bad week saver, haha. Illuminae and co. are seriously such funny reads -- they revived my love of sci-fi! And I'm so pleased to hear that you loved Starry Eyes, Jenn Bennett is one of the few authors I'll follow across any genre.

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    1. I know a lot of hardcore people don't consider the Illuminae Files sci-fi (I have seen the series called space opera), but it's sci-fi to me, and I love it. Venn Bennett is all sorts of amazing and I love her books so much.

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  25. sorry to hear you had a bad week! but yay for free food huh? :)

    I cannot wait to hear what you think of Obsidio and The Forgotten Book looks so cute! I'm gonna check it out!

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    1. I only commuted two days this week, but am grateful for the snow day today, as both days were super stressful. =/

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  26. The trains are out of control. At least today they put a schedule out ahead of the snow. I can't wait to read Obsidio! Have a great week!

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    1. I am so happy I had a snow day today and didn't have to bother with train. I got no less than 10 text messages about delays and the snow isn't even that bad.

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  27. I just picked up a copy of Obsidio and I'm dying to crack it open!

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    1. It's a large book, and too difficult to carry and read, so I am saving it for the holiday weekend. I am sure we will blaze through it.

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