The Sunday Post #298 | August 7, 2022

 


The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's a chance to share news:  a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books, 
and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.

T H E  W E E K  I N  R E V I E W

It was a crazy busy week at the office but also very productive. Thursday was the semi-annual management meeting and, as the assistant to the Board of Directors, I'm in charge of supporting the meeting and planning the off-site dinner that evening. It's months in the making and is always a good feeling when it all goes without a hitch.

I was true to my word and spent time last weekend menu planning. Monday night's dinner, in particular, was a big hit. We made steak tips and mushrooms in the air fryer and I've gotta say, it was... *chef's kiss*. Only a few ingredients, quick, easy, and delicious. A definite keeper! Here's the recipe, if interested.

With all the busy-ness of the week, and the preparations for the meeting/dinner, I was drained by Friday. I decided to work a half-day and called it quits by about noon. It was positively decadent to have the afternoon off. The Husband and I went to lunch (well, take-out, we still don't eat in restaurants - Covid transmission is still High in my city), ran a couple errands, and back at home I indulged in a nap. A perfect end to the work week. :)

Ready for your heart to melt? This man adopted a rescue dog and all the way home from the shelter the dog insisted on touching and holding hands. Every time the man tried to put two hands on the wheel, the dog wasn't having it. The man mentioned that the dog was still so scared when they got home, it took an hour just to get him to slowly come out of the car. I bet he's happy in his new home now. :)


This week's 80's music fix is If You Leave (1986) by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD). The song was written for the movie Pretty In Pink. Anyone else lukewarm about Blane and think Andie should have ended up with Duckie? 😊



O N  T H E  B L O G

Tuesday, August 2

Wednesday, August 3


W H A T  I  R E A D 

     

Kindle: Reason to Believe by Rebecca Yarros - ★★★★.5
Audio: My Lucky #13 by Piper Rayne - ★★★★.25

Both of my reads this week were big hits for me. Reason to Believe was a shining example of why I love Rebecca Yarros. She excels at the kind of emotional storytelling that I live for. Complex characters, a great storyline, and enough angst and emotion to engage all my feelings (without going overboard). I also finished My Lucky #13 and what an excellent start to the series. I was so taken by the two main characters. From their initial meeting (which actually occurred in the prequel novella), to their friendship turned working relationship turned romance, and the top notch cast of secondary characters, I flew through this one and can't wait to dive into the next book.


C U R R E N T L Y  R E A D I N G

     

Kindle: Gage (Pittsburgh Titans #3) by Sawyer Bennett
Audio: Husband Material (London Calling #2) by Alexis Hall

I've barely started Gage, but I already have that antsy feeling where I just want to sit down with it and read all afternoon. It's obvious that Gage is truly a good guy just from his first interaction with Jenna. I'm excited to get further into their story.  I'm at the 25% mark of Husband Material and really enjoying it. I love that it's the same narrator from Boyfriend Material. Luc is still a bit of a hot mess (but he's getting there) and I couldn't love him and Oliver more.

N E W  A D D I T I O N S


Even though I'm listening to Husband Material on audio (thank you, Hoopla), that didn't stop me from buying the paperback version. :)

T O T A L L Y  R A N D O M


How was your week?
I'd love to hear about it!


52 comments

  1. It's always a special treat to see your hard work produce a success. Cheers to you! PiP is my most favorite movie (killer soundtrack). You know, they originally had Andie ending up with Blaine, but test audiences didn't like it. I think today's audiences would though. You're on book three of the Bennett series. I have yet to read book one. Keep saying I will read it.

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    1. Sam - I remember reading that. And I get it... Blane was the love interest... but I was never wowed by the pairing. I think people would be on board with Duckie FTW, too. Sawyer Bennett was one of those authors that I kept meaning to try but never did. When I saw her describe her (then upcoming) Pittsburgh Titans series as more emotional than her other books - that clinched it. Romance + hockey + emotional = Tanya being a happy reader. :)

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  2. I'm glad everything went off without a hitch and you were able to relax at the end of the week!

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  3. Sounds like a good week. It must be an excellent feeling when everything goes to plan! The steak sounds good. Covid cases are high here too. We do eat out, but it is always in the back of my mind. Glad that you enjoyed your books.

    Have a great week!

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
    My post:
    https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2022/08/07/sunday-post-43/

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    1. Thanks Emily - It was a great feeling! :) Covid cases continue to climb here. And I was just informed of several management members at the office that are now positive. *sigh*

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  4. 100% agree about Andie and Ducky!! Glad all your hard work paid off and everything went well. Hope you have a great week!

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    1. Samantha - Thank you! Andie and Duckie would have made a great couple. :)

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  5. I"m very happy your work event went well, those things have a lot of moving parts and can be difficult to organize. Yes on Andie and Ducky! And thanks for sharing the music. That dog in the car is so adorable.

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    1. Thanks Wendy! You're so right, it's a lot to manage and plan. But a good feeling when it goes well.

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  6. I am listening to Husband Material right now and have also ordered the paperback LOL Also that video with the dog was just aaaw!

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  7. I'm glad your week was productive and successful on many fronts. Also that you got a break and enjoyed some time to relax.

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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    1. Thanks Anne! It was a somewhat stressful week, but also pretty satisfying.

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  8. Good for you for pulling off that work function!! It is a thrill when all goes well. Your recipe does sound delicious and I am always looking for new recipes in the air fryer.

    Happy reading this week and take care!!

    Elza Reads

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    1. Thanks Mareli - The planning always feels so stressful but it's satisfying when it's all over. :)

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  9. Andie should have ended up with STEFF! Yes. I know... I'm trying to remember who the YA author was who actually made that rgument in a blog post a few years back. I'll have to look... anyway love it. :)

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    1. Greg - Steff? STEFF?!! Them's fighting words. LOL

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    2. I know? Seems so counter intutive. I think more they might have had a relationship- -briefly- then moved on. Here I'll let Amanda Hocking explain it lol.

      https://hockingbooks.com/an-argument-for-steff/

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    3. Greg - Okay, so I just read Amanda's take aaaaand... I'll agree that Steff may be the most interesting of the choices (because Blane was rather milquetoast) but I don't know that I can get on board with the overall theory. Not sure I can imagine a great redemption arc for Steff. LOL

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    4. True. I mean, he IS pretty bad. I like to imagine them dating maybe in college a bit, and maybe she turns him around some... but he would probably relapse. And then she dumps his ass. :)

      I will say though, as awful as he is, I agree with her that he might be the most interesting person in that movie. :)

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  10. I had quite the eventful week, but not in the way I was expecting. Early last saturday morning I woke up with chills and a sore throat. I took a COVID test and it turns out I was positive! I've been sick in bed most of the week, but thankfully am finally feeling much better today. I just have a nasty cough still, but most of my other symptoms seem to have subsided. To top it off, we woke up yesterday morning to no AC. When it rains it pours haha! Thankfully we were able to get someone out and it was quickly repaired under warranty. I have to continue to isolate this week, but I'm hopeful I'll be feeling much better and be more productive.

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    1. Oh no, Ethan, I'm so sorry to hear it! It sounds miserable but at least it seems as though you've turned the corner. I so hope you feel better this week. And then the AC. Ugh! At least it was fixed quickly. Take care of yourself. Sending get well vibes from Florida.

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  11. Congrats on the productive work week! I remember that song, but can barely remember the movie. Now Sixteen Candles I can almost quote verbatim.

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    1. Thanks Bonnie! Oh, isn't Sixteen Candles a total classic? I think if you're of a certain age (which I'm guessing we both are LOL) you can practically quote that movie word for word. :)

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  12. Love that you have both the audiobook and hard copy - I do that with books I enjoy.
    Have a wonderful week ahead!

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    1. Thanks Sara! The audio version is on loan from Hoopla, but I will probably purchase it from Audible. It's just that good. :)

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  13. Awww that sweet doggo!!! And the kiss near the end!

    Bookmarked the steak tips & mushroom recipe. Yum! And how nice of that lady to link us to her favorite insta reed thermometer!

    I had forgotten all about OMD! Let me go add them to my Spotify.

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    1. Jinjer - I get a chuckle from all the products that get linked on recipe blogs. From mixing bowls, to instant pots, right down to the parchment paper. LOL

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  14. Wow! Sounds like a draining week! That dog video was so awesome. I loved it. And I love that song. I'm happy you loved the Yarros book. I hope this week is less stressful for you.

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    1. Deanna - Thanks. This week is buy but not particularly stressful. Not yet anyway. lol The Yarros book was so, so good. No big surprise there. :)

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  15. I love it when dinner is a hit! I'm curious to hear your final thoughts on Husband Material.

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    1. Amber - Right? Finding a new recipe that is a keeper is reason to celebrate. lol I'm halfway through Husband Material and totally enjoying it!

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  16. Sounds like a busy week. That dog video just stole my heart. My dog does that when we pet on her. She'll keep grabbing at us to get us to continue until she's ready to move on to something else.

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    1. Alison - I'm not even an animal/pet person, but that video was just too sweet. :)

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    2. LOL! I understand. I was never a dog person, but then a black lab showed up at my door and totally adopted me. She kept stealing a blanket and small pillow from my mom's porch every night to sleep with them under the light in our driveway. It was too cute.

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  17. Steak tips are the BEST, just sounds delicious. Sounds like you had a great week though. I hope you are enjoying that Alexis Hall novel.

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    1. Renee - The steak tips are so delish! We just had it again last night. Yum!

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  18. The steak recipe sounds so good. I'm definitely going to have to make that. I can't wait to read Husband Material. My copy arrived a few days ago and I'm so tempted to ditch my ARCs and dive in. OMG, that dog video made me cry, lol.

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    1. Suzanne - We actually had the steak and mushrooms again last night. It's quickly become a new favorite. I'm about halfway through Husband Material and it has me smiling nonstop. :)

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  19. Congrats on getting your meeting/dinner planned and having everything go so smoothly. It must be a huge load off your shoulders to have it behind you until next year. :D

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    1. Thanks Jenni! It was a big relief to have it done and behind me. And I have a break until I have to start planning the December event. :)

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  20. I am glad that your meeting/dinner went well. It is always a good feeling to wrap up something you have put a lot of work into. One of my 3 dogs does exactly what that dog is doing when she sits next to me on the couch. It is cute but hard to get stuff done. I hope that you are having a good week!

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    1. Carole - That's so cute that your dog does the same thing. :)

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  21. OMG that dog!!! We've been talking about maybe getting a dog one day.. and when I see this I want to go rescue one right away!!
    I'm glad your meeting/dinner went great. And good for you for taking the afternoon off. Sometimes those moments are so needed.
    Have a great week!

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    1. Maureen - Time off is absolutely needed! I took two days off this past week just to give myself a break.

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  22. I just received Husband Material! I can't wait to dive in!!

    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

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  23. It is nice when all you've planned for goes off without a hitch. I can understand why you'd need an afternoon to recoup! I need to do some meal planning. I'm always on the hunt for good dinner recipes. I'll check yours out. Hope you're week is going well, Tanya!

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    1. Rachel - Menu planning is something that I used to enjoy but now feels like a chore to keep things fresh and not repetitive. One of these weeks I'm going to tell my husband that it's all on him for a week. I don't even mind cooking, but he has to figure it all out for a week. lol

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  24. I hope you're enjoying Husband Material!
    Glad to hear your work event went great, that's always so nice and a nice half day off sounds like the perfect way to celebrate! :)

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    1. Lindsey - I enjoyed Husband Materials o much! I was getting a little worried about them, though. :)

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