Welcome to The Weekend Post #133! The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme. I will also be joining Deb at Readerbuzz for the Sunday Salon and Marlene of Reading Reality in her meme Stacking The Shelves.
My Week:
It’s been a quiet week. Last weekend, my family celebrated my birthday a few days early, and I was so grateful to those who could join us for dinner. Unfortunately, the evening took an unexpected turn when my husband lost a front tooth during the meal, which dampened the celebration a bit. He’s had a couple of visits to the dentist this week and now has a temporary tooth in place for the next two months while the process for a permanent replacement continues.
A heartfelt thank you to my blogging friends for the lovely birthday wishes! Your kind words truly surprised and overwhelmed me in the best way.
On a different note, I discovered this week that Amazon Music Unlimited includes one free audiobook per month. Taking advantage of this, I used my remaining Audible credits to pre-order books for the next six months, cancelled my Audible subscription, and switched to Amazon Music Unlimited. It’s been a cost-effective change—I’m now paying $8.99/month (with Amazon Prime) instead of $15.99/month plus taxes, and I also get access to their full music catalogue. I thought I’d share this here in case anyone else might want to explore it.
Speaking of music, the city is buzzing with Taylor Swift in town closing out her tour with her final three concerts in Vancouver. I know that many people have paid thousands of dollars to see her and I hope they make memories that they will never forget.
As the year winds down, I’ve started thinking about reading challenges for 2025. I’d love to hear about the challenges you’re planning to join—please let me know in the comments!
Books I’ve Added to My Shelves This Week:
From Publishers, Netgalley, Edelweiss+ & Libro.fm:
Kate, fresh off running away from her boyfriend Lance’s public proposal, is the only one in her office thrilled to take a last-minute work trip to Boston over the holidays. Upon arriving in the snow-dusted, fairy-lit city, she feels at home—until she discovers a mix-up has her sharing a house with Sam, a rugged stranger with infuriating habits. Forced to coexist, the two clash over everything, but as Christmas approaches and Sam unexpectedly shows his softer side, Kate begins to see him in a new light. Just as their connection deepens, Lance shows up, leaving Kate torn between the man she left behind and the one who might just be her future. Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NG for this ARC.
Books from Audible:
In Catherine Ryan Hyde’s heartfelt novel of hope and second chances, California physician Maggie Blount puts her private practice on hold to join Doctors on Wheels, responding to disasters with her partner, Alex. After a category five hurricane devastates rural Louisiana, Maggie forms a deep bond with two orphaned sisters, Jean and Rose, and their puppy, ultimately bringing them home to affluent Vista del Mar. However, the arrival of these humble and resilient girls creates tension with Maggie’s self-absorbed teenage daughters, Willa and Gemma, who resist the changes to their privileged lives. As Maggie navigates the chaos of her new blended family, she must teach her daughters gratitude and empathy, confront her role in their entitled upbringing, and balance the needs of all four girls while managing disasters both far and near.
Books from Amazon First Reads:
When romance author Amelia Taylor leaves her LA life behind to start fresh as a novelist and motel owner in a small town, the last thing she expects is Nathan Hart—a handsome but thoroughly disagreeable guest who seems determined to clash with her. Despite their fiery tension, which feels straight out of one of her favourite enemies-to-lovers stories, Amelia soon realises Nathan is a man grappling with deep wounds. As their tentative friendship grows into something more, both must confront their painful pasts and decide if they’re willing to risk it all for a chance at love.
From The Library: None
What I’m Watching:
No Good Deed is a new Netflix series which premieres December 12. It stars Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano and is the story of three different families who wish to purchase the same 1920’s Spanish-style villa they believe will solve all their problems. Here’s the trailer:
On The Blog This Week:
Book Review: The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy
Can’t Wait Wednesday #117: Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
Book Review: The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber
Celebrity Book Club Picks for December 2024
This Post: The Weekend Post #133
Next Week On That Happy Reader:
Monday Matters #122
Book Review: Know Your Newlywed by Heather Taylor and Hillary Nussbaum
Can’t Wait Wednesday #118
Book Review: Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens
Who Wears it Better in December 2024?
The Weekend Post #134
That’s a wrap on The Weekend Post #133. How was your week?
I wish you a wonderful week ahead!
Jody
Oh, thank you very much for the info about Amazon. I am paying for the Audible as well, so I am going to switch and pay the $8.99 as well, wow this is very good news, Jodie. Oh man, I am sorry about your hubby’s tooth, that stinks. I hope you are having a much better weekend, my friend!
thathappyreader
Thanks Jody! I’m glad that someone else can take advantage of the Amazon perk!
Cindy's Book Corner
That is good info on the Amazon music. I did the free trial for Audible then canceled it, there wasn’t as much on there as I had hoped there would be. I am planning to do Reader’s Block Mount TBR Challenge, and Virtual Challenge, I am planning to do Oceana’s Read Your Bookshelf Challenge, and possible Chantel’s Read Your Bookshelf Challenge, possible 25 in 25 since I can overlap it with others…but then I need to stop so I don’t overwhelm myself again, LOL!
thathappyreader
It’s so easy to get overwhelmed when we over challenge ourselves!
Jonetta | Blue Mood Café
Happy Belated Birthday 🥳
thathappyreader
Thanks Jonetta!
Marg @ The Intrepid Reader
Firstly happy birthday! And then ouch for your husband’s tooth!
I am hosting a Historical Fiction Reading Challenge so that is the main one I will be participating in, but I am sure I will add others!
Have a great week!
thathappyreader
Thank you Marg! I’ll check out your reading challenge.
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
Happy birthday 🎈
Since 8m the host I’ll be doing my Nonfiction Reader Challenge, and I have a short list of a couple more but haven’t made any decisions yet.
Have a wonderful reading week
thathappyreader
Thank you! I’ll check out your challenge!
Anne - Books of My Heart
I’m focusing more on personal goals than challenges. I will still do the COYER Challenge and host Library Love and I have my Read-along. But otherwise I will try to read freebies (which always count for COYER) and books I own.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
thathappyreader
I’ll have to check out the COYER challenge. I love the library love challenge and will definitely be participating again in 2025.
Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
Happy birthday! I hope your husband’s tooth issues are resolved quickly and easily.
Snow Going Back looks like fun.
thathappyreader
Thank you Deb.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
Snow Going Back looks cute! I paused my Audible membership for the next three months, I have so many on there already that I don’t need to keep paying every month. So we’ll see. Hope you have a good week, that’s crazy about your husband’s tooth! What a way to mess up a nice meal.
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2024/12/08/weekly-wrap-up-201-december-8th-2024/
thathappyreader
Thanks Lisa.
Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life
Happy After All looks cute!
And happy birthday!!
thathappyreader
Thanks Erin!
Her Digital Coffee
I hope you had a wonderful birthday, Jodie! I’m sorry to hear about your husband. I hope things go smoothly with the tooth replacement. That’s great about Amazon! I’m currently using Spotify Premium and it gives you 15 hours of listening time for audiobooks each month. If I find myself listening to more audiobooks, I’ll definitely look into switching. I hope you have a great week!
thathappyreader
Thank you Winnie!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I had no idea I could get an audiobook a month for less on Amazon Music Unlimited than on Audible. That’s so interesting. I just read a bit about the pros and cons, and I’ll definitely do a bit more research. Some people complain about the Amazon Music app – have you had any issues with it?
thathappyreader
I haven’t had any issues so far Nicole.
Carla
How awful for your husband. I hope that things go well at the dentist.That’s a great idea about Amazon Music and Audible! I like the description of No Snowing Back.
thathappyreader
Thank you Carla!