Welcome to July’s Monthly Minutes at Midnight!
Here’s the deal: I’ll share the books I’ve obtained, posts of interest from others, giveaways I have happening, and just general random shenanigans. You know I love a shenanigan.
The Books
For Review/From Publishers:
A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares by Krystal Sutherland
Thanks to Penguin!
eARCs:
NONE. Do you see these levels of awesome? There are none because I requested none.
Purchased:
I purchased NOTHING, my friends. I think I will be needing a round of applause or something? ?
Gifted/Won/Traded:
Thanks to author Richelle Mead and Penguin Teen, I won this amazing box from her Midnight Jewel pre-order campaign! And Thanks to Maryah for trading with me for Six Wakes!!
Kindle Cheapies/Freebies
Shenanigans Since Last Time:
I read 15 books this month. That’s not bad.
I am beginning to think that 2017 hates me. Fine, it hates us all. There were a handful of good (even some really good!) But also, I DNFed a book which as you know, is quite the rare occurrence! So who even knows anymore.
Giveaways: Click Here, or on Sidebar
Blogosphere Bulletin
Here are some of the loveliest/most entertaining/super helpful/just plain interesting posts I found this month!
This… is still shorter than usual because I am still operating at a moderate level of blogging fail.
- Zeee @ I Heart Romance & YA shares her first book buying binges, and wants to know yours!
- Holly @ The Fox’s Hideaway recaps ALAAC ‘17 much better than I ever could 😉
- Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction talks about the “YA Perfection” trope and its potential impact on young people
- Becky @ A Fool’s Ingenuity discusses the benefits of embracing a reading slump
- Vlora @ Reviews and Cake discusses her need for more books about twenty-somethings
- Nick @ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist has some “shocking” confessions for us!
- Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight asks where all the great books have gone and shares her rating crisis
- Lys @ The Mad Reader shares some YA character types she’s had enough of
- Anisha @ Sprinkled Pages wants to know if you ever return to books you’ve DNFed
- Lauren @ Bookmark Lit talks about reading bad books on purpose
- Laura @ Books Against the Current lists the pros and cons of the Goodreads Challenge
- Cristina @ Girl in the Pages asks if you ever have to unhaul books
- Cait @ Paper Fury has some great suggestions for improving Goodreads
- Sam @ We Live and Breathe Books discusses quitting series
- Mikela @ The Well Thumbed Reader would like to know what makes you want to leave a blog comment
- Liza @ Quite the Novel Idea shares what makes her stop reading a book
- Erin @ The Hardcover Lover asks how many books constitutes hoarding?
ARC August & Other Random Musings
I am joining ARC August again this year! It’s hosted by the lovely ladies at Read. Sleep. Repeat. and the goal is basically like it sounds- read all the ARCs. My goals for the past like, 3 times they did this have been 16 books. My list is shorter this year.
So why is it shorter, you ask? Well- these are the last 12 ARCs I have for review. YEP. This is it. I don’t know how, either, friends.
Fancy & New Since Last I Saw You!
I love looking at pretty covers! So here are some new ones that I have fallen in love with since our last update!
Lots of pretty! I have never even heard of The Goblins of Bellwater, but I saw it on Netgalley and needed to know more. Because of the prettiness.
Things we need to talk about at this juncture:
- It’s been two months since Praimfaya. Better than 2,199 days? Maybe? Most of the main cast was at SDCC last week, and I am re-energized by the panel! I talked a wee bit about it here, so if you care, there you go!
- I reached 2,000 Bloglovin’ Followers! I know, some people have like, 100k+, but shh. This is exciting for little ol’ me!! Thank you deeply, my darlings! ♥♥
- I’m almost done with Orphan Black, which I adore. I am so sad that it will be over soon, like over-over. Because it has entertained me through the first awful months of The 100 hiatus, and I don’t want it to be gone. What will I do without the sisters?!
- Shattering Stigmas will offically be happening October 2-15! If you’d like to participate, either check out the sign up post, or hit me up in the comments!
Um, 2000 followers is amazing (I was giddy seeing mine jump to 349 — so close to 350). *applause, applause* AND you bought no books! (Did you have withdrawal? Shakes?) It is good to DNF when a book is not for you. I do it all the time. You did read a lot of book that I have/want to read. So I a will eagerly await your thoughts on some of them. Can I just tell you how my heart exploded when I saw my name up there. I’m verklempt!
Ooh, congratulations on reaching 2,000 Bloglovin’ followers! Also, ugh, I can’t wait to get to a point where all of my review copies are just completely finished. That would be so nice! ? And thank you so much for linking back to my post about what makes you leave a comment! ?
OMG I THINK I MIGHT HAVE TO JOIN ARC AUGUST BECAUSE I HAVE SO MANY ARCS I NEED TO READ! It sounds really great and I’m doing some other read-a-thons at the same time so it’d be cool if I got my TBRs to match up! *rubs hands together in anticipation* Also good on you Shannon for not buying anything this month that is a very big achievement!
Congrats on 2k followers! Sounds pretty impressive to me! (And congrats on not buying anything ?)
I used to really like Orphan Black but I got out of watching it a couple years ago. I’ll have to finish it!
Congrats on the 2000 Bloglovin’ followers! I think I have 400? 2000 sounds impressive to me. Good luck with ARC August! It looks like you’re going to be reading some interesting stuff.
Lady, congratulations on hitting 2000 followers on Bloglovin! That is AMAZING. I’m so excited to be hosting Shattering Stigmas with you again, and I’m kind of proud of you for not requesting ALL THE ARCS. I’m joining ARC August too, and while my ratio is good, there have been times where I’ve felt so swamped.
15 books in one month is not bad at all! I intended to do a lot more reading this summer than I have, but at least most of them have been half decent. 🙂 Out of curiosity, have you ever watched Haven? I’m finally going back and watching the last season (there are 5 on Netflix). If not, I think you might like it if you like Orphan Black. Happy August!
I loved the cover of Given To The Sea but didn’t like the story. Given To The Earth is a great cover too. I read Berserker and was pleasantly surprised. I loved the story and read in 1 day.
Congrats on the Bloglovin’ Followers! That’s a great accomplishment. I’m trying to hit a measly 300 Instagram followers and can’t seem to get over 285. How people have thousands of followers astounds me!
No eARCs or purchases books this month? Giving you a giant round of applause, as you have more willpower than I do! And reading 15 books this month deserves another round of applause. Huzzah!
You have definitely had an amazing reading month by the looks of it. I’m also super impressed that you’ve not purchased a book this month. That definitely deserves some sort of celebratory treat. I’ve not been so good at purchasing books. I blame it on my kindle. It’s just so easy to click the buy button. I think I need to put myself on a book buying ban again haha. I find 2017 has definitely been an odd reading year for some reason. Up until this month I’ve hardly been in the mood to read. I hope August is a great month for you. 😀
WOw good on you on the no buying and requesting. You are officially my hero. Eh DNFs happen. I just hope it wasn’t for one of the books I wanted to read lol. Good luck with ARC August!! I mean only 12 ARCs?? HERO. Seriously I am pushing like 40. Love all the pretty covers. Congrats on 2,000!!! That is awesome.
Aww thanks! It was for The Grave Keepers, if that helps! I honestly think it was me more than the book though. And thanks- 12 is the lowest number I have ever had- I actually have 13 books to REVIEW and only 12 to READ ?
Congratulations on reaching 2,000 Bloglovin’ followers! Good luck with the ARC August. Hope you can nock out those ARC’s you want to finish. Have a great last day of July and happy reading!!
Thank you so much!! Hopefully they’ll be done by the end of August 😉
Loved your list of Blogosphere’s Bulletin. I had read a couple of them, but missed many of the others. Some of them sound very intriguing, when I have the time! Nice post and I loved all of your covers too.
Aww thank you SO much, I am glad you enjoyed it!!
I’m going to be so sad when Orphan Black ends!!
Right!? I love it so much!
No ARC requests or book purchases this month?! YOU ARE SUPERWOMAN. Teach me your ways. Moxie and Dress Codes for Small Towns are both on my TBR for #ARCAugust this month, so I’m excited to hear your thoughts on those! The cover for Children of Blood & Bone is definitely one of my recent favorites. Anyway, congratulations on 2K followers, and happy reading during August! <3
AWW thanks! Okay, you ready for my secret? ALA books + A Strange Obsession with Getting to 100% on Netgalley = No Requests ??? I also plan to finish ALL my ARCs this month- and then I will probably let myself request a few again!
Moxie was AH-MAZING, so I hope you like it! I liked Dress Codes too, not quite as much as Moxie though! Hope you love them!
Woah, I’m nowhere CLOSE To 2k followers on Bloglovin, so go you! And yay for winning a pre-order giveaway! How fun is that?
I’ve watched the first season of Orphan Black and I need to continue because I love it!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Awww thank yoU! I always wondered if anyone ever won those things, and then BAM. I won’t lie, I consumed the popcorn in like, 2 days 😉
YES keep watching, it is really good!
OK applause for no ARC’s/ purchases. You’re doing better than I am because I’ve been buying *hangs head in shame* But you got Six Wakes which I can’t wait to see what you think because- CLONES!!!!
Congrats on the followers!!! And The defiant- that’s an amazing cover. Must be the sequel to the gladiatrix book- drawing a blank but even though I haven’t read it I will NEED to be buying this one because yeah. I frickin love that cover. Same with Given to the Earth.
Thank you, thank you 🙂 I fully admit to having pre-ordered crap though- including The Defiant! (Which yes, you need to read The Valiant, because it was fabulous, and yep, it’s the gladiatrix book.) And YESSS I got Six Wakes because of your review- and also because of Orphan Black, but that is also your fault ? I am going to need a clone band-aid after it ends, to death with clone withdrawal, so I figured it was a good call.
Have you read Given to the Sea yet? I know that one got some mixed reviews, but I really enjoyed it, so I am excited for Given to the Earth, too!
Yeah clones are addictive, I’ve found, so it’s best to ease out of these things gradually lest withdrawal occur. 🙂
And no I haven’t read Given to the Sea yet. I need to, not only because you recommended it but because that cover for Given to the Earth looks fabulous. I mean even if the book sucked lol I’d still want it. Something about that cover, with the tree and the roots, and the vague fantasy look…
WHY ARE THOSE COVER REVEALS SO GORGEOUS I WANT THEM ALL. ? omggggg
And also congrats, you mysterious wizard, for having hauled so few books! I was actually proud of myself not hauling so many this month too! I might actually get ahead of my TBR?? *laughs at self’s silly jokes* But it’s the thought that counts. :’) Also SO excited for the Shattering Stigmas event!!
Oh wow, you requested no ARCs! I am absolutely impressed. No can’t do, when it comes to myself. Not even for one month :/ Haha!
That is an amazing box of books though. Jelly about the Six Wakes!!
Good luck in ARC August! I was tempted to join, but decided not to, cause vacation, and then overwork, when I’m back xD *hopes to at least not get BEHIND on goals* lol
Oh my god, wow! Congrats on the 2k followers! I got 40 today xD nothing to you, but hey! That’s a total of 227 followers on my blog now. Getting’ there. I hope.
Congrats on hitting 2,000 Bloglovin’ followers!!! I’m still in the double digits, so having that many followers is quite impressive to a little blogger like me. Shattering Stigmas sounds like a cool event that I’m for sure going to join! 🙂
2000 followers is pretty damn impressive. I am at the low hundreds (the very low) and I am pretty content with that. I can’t wait for SHattering Stigmas, I would help but I can barely stay on top of my own blogging right now (or my reading) so I will stop by when it starts if nothing else. I have had Orphan Black on my to watch list for too long. Once I’ve watched my latest show (I am giving Thirteen Reasons Why a chance, we’ll see if I regret it) so I may need something different to watch.
2000 followers is AMAZING – congrats! <3 You so deserve them because you and your blog are amazing!
Also, WOW. You're practically caught up on your arcs, you didn't request any books and you didn't buy any books – PLEASE TEACH ME YOUR WAYS, WISE SHANNON.
Wow no new eARCs for you. I am impressed. AND HEY THERE IS A COPY OF FANGIRL. That’s going to me now muhahah.
Also Moxie is out in August? Why did I think that would be out in October? Well I am getting a copy of it I guess!
Thank you so much for the shout out, Shannon! <3