Welcome to January’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:
Thanks to Entangled! I have not read the other books in this series, but the cover is nice!
eARCs:
Huge thanks to Harper, Sky Pony Press, HMH, Simon & Schuster, Disney, and Del Rey!!
Also… oops? If it helps, I was down to zero review books last month so… it’s not so bad? 😀 (I was also going to try to make the covers smaller because this is kind of out of hand but…. oh well.)
Purchased:
I actually pre-ordered The Defiant in hardcover like, a year ago. But I was so very lazy and didn’t take a picture. Good Morning, Midnight was a Kindle Daily Deal, and probably isn’t on sale anymore. Sorry.
Gifted/Won/Traded:
Won Whisper from YA Books Central!
Shenanigans Since Last Time:
I read 15 books this month! I might finish a 16th tonight, but do I really want to put that pressure on myself? No, no I don’t.
The year started out really great! Obviously all Neal Shusterman books are wins, I adored Alex + Ada, and no one thought I didn’t like a Catching Fire re-read, right? Anyway, it was honestly a pretty good month- I wouldn’t rate any of these 15 books under 3 stars, so that’s certainly a good thing!
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 isn’t a list fail, wooooo!
- Becky @ A Fool’s Ingenuity explains why it is okay to be a “bad blogger”
- Evelina @ Avalinah’s Books talks about when you should start requesting ARCs
- Greg @ Book Haven asks if your personality shines through on your blog
- Amber @ Du Livre shares thoughts every blogger has
- Neryeda @ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist explains how and why she sucks at blogging
- Kathy @ Books & Munchies wants to know if you use/like links in blog posts
- Aimee @ Aimee Always discusses the importance of reading and reviewing backlist books
- Cait @ Paper Fury explains the 8 types of TBRs
- Sam @ We Live and Breathe Books wonders if she is fair to funny books
- Carrie @ Cat on a Bookshelf shares tips for finding the best fan fiction
- AJ @ Read All the Things! explains why she forgot your book
- Rashika @ Xpresso Reads tells us some questions that bookworms are sick of answering. While you read that, she shares her tea knowledge, in case you want to drink some while you read!
- Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight discusses how rarely we really talk about specific books
- Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books explains why she doesn’t do TBRs
- Charlie @ Girl of 1000 Wonders discusses sexuality in YA
- Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction explains why Book Outlet is her weakness
- Wendy @ Falconer’s Library needs your help to decide which diverse authors to feature in her classroom
- Sammie @ The Writerly Way shares some myths (and truths!) about writing
- Laura @ Boats Against the Current wants to know how you follow other blogs
- Dayna @ Fine Print talks about what makes a book a comfort read
- Nick @ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist discusses why she rates books so highly
- Krysta @ Pages Unbound shares her top bookish pet peeves
- Holly @ The Fox’s Hideaway discusses book buying habits
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!
Apparently “Red and Black Fancy Font” is the new “White Bitches in Ballgowns”? And tbh, I can live with it.
Things we need to talk about at this juncture:
- It has been eight months since Praimfaya. And there are still almost three months to go. Yes, the premiere of The 100 Season 5 was announced, and we must suffer until April 24th, which is rude, tbh. (Sidenote: Why is basically every show I love coming back in the spring!?) But… the end is in sight, friends! Who else is giddy excited? Who else loves that Jason has been feeding us on Twitter on the reg?
- I am obsessed with Fear the Walking Dead. Guys. I can’t stop watching it. Cannot. Idk if it’s filling a need I didn’t know Lexa left in my heart, but yep, love it. It isn’t like, as emotional as some of my other faves, but it is compulsively watchable and I am here for it.
- Life… is interesting. Adulting can be such a mess. I mentioned in my “Culling of the Books” post (where you should totally go help me rid myself of some books, by the by) that I was going through a divorce, but I kind of did it as a throw-away line. I think only like, 5 people in the bookish community even knew, even though it has been going on for a loooooong time. But frankly, I just want to be able to talk about it openly. The reason I didn’t mention it earlier is mostly that I don’t really want sympathy and such- it’s a very positive thing, I promise, and it’s also been in the works for ages. But there is all the messy stuff that comes with it that is not fun, and I hated lies of omission. So… that’s that 😀
I have not seen that cover yet for Record of a Spaceborn Few but I LOVE it! Just as awesome as the first two. That makes me happy… The Other Side of Lost will be my second Jessi Kirby, I’m kinda looking forward to that one. And Paula Stokes, man she’s been writing lately. That looks good too. Sanctuary sounds like a TRIP. And Starry Eyes=nice cover.
Good Morning Midnight looks amazing too. Heard good things about the Punch Escrow too. If you like I’ll read it. Nice reading month, BTW.
Eight?? months since Praimfaya. Wow kinda crazy…
Thanks for linking my post!! 🙂
I agree- it might be my favorite because I love the title and I love the colors! Seriously, Paula has been writing her ASS off, and she has a full time job too I think, so she is my hero. But I haven’t read a book of hers that I haven’t liked, so I am looking forward to this one. And I am excited about the Jessi Kirby one. I know you liked the last one more than I did, but the one of hers I read before that one I really liked. And I didn’t dislike the other one, so.
I will let you know about Punch Escrow in 29 years when I finally get to it 😀 And Good Morning, Midnight. But they were both on my wishlist, so maybe I’ll surprise myself? (HA who am I kidding- did you SEE all those damn ARCs?!)
And yes- Praimfaya could have had baby Praimfayas by now. I am NOT amused!
Ooooh, so many beautiful review books. I have a lot of the contemporaries. I can’t wait to see what you think, since you always seem to read them before me. A good reading month is always a good thing. I think it’s an omen, that this year will be better than the last for you. Hang in there and ((HUGS)).
HAH I do try to keep up with them- it’s like, the only blogging thing that I don’t fail at 😀 And thank you SO MUCH- I really appreciate it, and you made me tear up in the good, happy way ♥♥♥
Omg look at those EARCS AND THOSE COVERS. *dies quietly of appreciation* I totally am squeeing with you over those exciting arcs though! I also got The Wicked Deep and Isle of Blood and Stone (which better be as awesome as that dragon on the cover ahhhh). ?
I’m on an accidental blogging-hiatus due to going away and now being FAR too distracted to actually get any functional blogging done.? I will attempt to get back on track soon. (But I’m also holding my smol new nephew only a week old and fjdlsad why are baby’s so floppy and ADORABLE I cannot even.) ?? #So #Distracted
Hahha yes but now I will have to read them all AND review them. Though wait, you do this all regardless, and with alarming precision. Nevermind, maybe I should commission you to read a few 😉 I am flying through The Wicked Deep, so hopefully it ends up being awesome. And yes, I hope Isle of Blood and Stone is good, too!
I think that holding babies is a very acceptable excuse to not blog. I may find a baby to hold just so I can do the same thing, that sounds legit, right? Walk up to a stranger, “excuse me, I need to borrow your baby to squish, thanks”. And seriously, I think we should find a way to make them STAY floppy and squishy, yes? Let’s work on it.
Oh my the books!! I can’t wait until 9 Days and 9 Nights comes out.Some others in there that looks good. I am still working my way through my backlist ARCs so I have been trying to be really good at not requesting. Sounds like a good reading month too which is awesome. Glad your situation is a happy one and hope the messy stuff resolves itself ASAP and it can all just be happy.
I actually had FINISHED every single backlist (and frontlist for that matter) ARC so I figured I could request… but this is still a little out of hand, isn’t it? I agree, 9 Days looks SO good, I am excited! And thank you SO much, I really appreciate that ♥
oooooh I hadn’t seen the cover for the third Wayfarers book yet. So pretty!
You hauled very nicely in e arcs haha.
I agree, I love it! And RIGHT? A little out of hand bwhahah
It looks like you got a lot of great eARC’s to read! That is good you are at zero so now you will have time for them. I love all the pretty covers especially Rule! I hope everything ends well with your situation changes are hard, but typically end up for the better!
Yes I have a lot, oops? But yeah, I mean, I have 27 total but that is through August! So plenty of time, right? 😀 I agree, Rule is AWESOME- lots of detail went into that! And thank you SO much- you are right, change is never easy, but hopefully it’s all going to be better in the end ♥
15 BOOKS? AND ALL 3 STARS AND UP!? TELL ME YOUR SECRETS, SHANNON! D: I only read 6 books in January, and 1 was even a DNF read. 🙁 YES TO THE NEW BOOK COVER TREND. I LOOOOVE THE COVERS OF GRIM LOVELIES AND BLANCA & ROJA!! <3
I totally get the divorce thing, also. No sympathy here–I'm just wishing you happiness and freedom, lovely! <3 (And thank you for featuring my post! *tackle hugs*)
Well- two were rereads, and Alex + Ada was a series, so. If it helps, at least two of them were *just* 3 starts 😉 I agree, I LOVE the new trend, I will take it!
And thank you SO much, I really appreciate the kind words ♥♥
LOOK AT ALL THE LOVELY BOOKS. I’ve died and gone to heaven, haven’t I? That must be it. I’m so looking forward to reading The Wicked Deep (and a couple others you’ve got, too!), but no ARC copies for me. I have to pretend to be patient and wait until it’s released. xD
15 books in a month is pretty dang impressive. Neal Shusterman is on my list and I’m really looking forward to Scythe and Thunderhead. I have no idea what Grim Lovelies and Rule are, but they are now on my to-read list because LOOK AT THOSE COVERS. I am a very shallow person. xD
Thanks so much for the mention! I was so surprised to see my name there, and I’m excited to read some of the others you’ve recommended. It’s a good list of posts.
Congrats on your divorce! You’ll find no sympathy here. If that’s what you wanted/needed, I think it’s fantastic. I know so many people who got their divorces and were thrilled and their lives were better for it, and many of them actually ended up getting on better with their ex-spouses afterwards, too. So, wishing you all the happiness and hopefully not too much stress as you work out the legals and logistics of it. 🙂
I have started The Wicked Deep, and I like it so far! So hopefully you will too 🙂 AND it is going to be out in a month, so yay! And oh, you MUST read Neal Shusterman- he is my all-time fave, his series are incredible and thought provoking.
Seriously are those covers not epic?! I loooove how detailed they are too, and how amazing the fonts are! I am so here for this trend!
And thank you SO much ♥♥ I feel like that too, like, why can’t people just part ways amicably!? Things got… complicated, because my ex has gotten himself in legal trouble after we started all this, so things are… ugh. But I am still trying to be civil and such, because life is wayyy too short to be fighting. But yeah, it tests my patience- if it wasn’t for my kids, I would not have to ever deal with his nonsense again, but alas 😉
Holy smokes, you’re a reading machine! I just picked up my 4th book for the month (which is almost over…boo), and feeling pretty good about my progress. I haven’t read any you listed, but I’m dying to get my hands on Reign of the Fallen! Why must is only be available in hardback at the bookstore??? 🙁
I also love the Blogosphere Bulletin! Thanks for all the lovely new blogs to check out!
Aww that is okay though, I mean- I see people reading double what I read and I want to know all their secrets 😉 I think it is so dependent on your life, you know? And if you are happy, then it is ALL good and you are doing awesome! UGH yeah, the curse of the hardback. I wonder if it is in paperback in the UK? Maybe check Book Depository? And aw, yay, I am glad you enjoyed it, that makes my day!!
NOW YOU HAVE TO READ AND REVIEW ALL THOSE ARCS IN A TIMELY MANNER SHANNON. That’s a great reading month if nothing was under three stars! How was To Kill a Kingdom! I desperately need that to be a five-star read.
I’m happy that this move is a positive thing, here’s to new adventures and more self love!
Take care Shannon, I hope February is even more fantastic for you! <3
DUDE, that is the biggest problem of all hahhaha. I really liked To Kill a Kingdom! I don’t know if I’d say 5 star, but I also feel a little biased because I love Allie bwhah. But it was a solidly good book, and I definitely enjoyed it!
And thank you so much!! Hope you have an awesome February too!
Yay, I’m so glad your reading year is off to a great start, since I know 2017 was not your favorite year in reading! Rereading your favorite series is always a good choice, and I’m interested to know how you felt about The Handmaid’s Tale! It’s one of my favorite modern classics, but I know it gets pretty mixed reviews. Super jealous that you have ARCs of Mariam Sharma Hits the Road and Only Human (although I still need to finish Waking Gods, oops), but I can’t wait to hear your thoughts! I’m planning on reading Starry Eyes this month. I LOVE the cover for Blanca & Roja, and the Wayfarers series totally won the cover jackpot. I’m glad to hear you’re happier after the divorce– I hope all the messiness resolves soon so you can fully move onto better things!
Thanks so much! Ha NOPE 2017 was bad- though it ended on a high note with a couple good reads. So I am currently writing a post about Handmaid’s book versus show, because I have SO many thoughts- about both, and about how they compare to each other. Have you seen the show?
And thanks love. I hope so too- I am really over the messiness, and I NEED better things 😀
I got Good Morning, Midnight, too! I hope we both like it. Sorry about the divorce drama, but I’m glad it’s a positive thing. I hope you have a good February!
Oh yay, I hope we do! Thank you so much ♥ And I hope you have a good February too!
First off, I am TRYING so hard to be good about not requesting eARCs right now, but it’s your duty to tell me if you read any Harper ones that I absolutely can’t miss. (I can totally assign you duties, right? I mean, obviously your highest priority is my reading happiness, so…). I noticed the throwaway line in your Culling post and wondered if I’d missed you announcing it somewhere else. As you know, I totally get the annoyance of feeling like you’re lying by omission. I think I’ll be mentioning my thing soon on the blog too. Just trying to figure out what/how much to say.
Hahhaha YES obviously your reading happiness comes first 😀 I will do that! You are auto-approved right? So if I tell you it’s a go, you can grab them? Honestly, my lack of auto-approval was why I requested so many, I didn’t want to miss my chance!
And nope, I honestly had NO idea how to say what I wanted to say. And there is even more drama, but ugh, hopefully I won’t have to deal with ANY of it much longer. I needn’t be paying for someone else’s mistakes. But I know we had talked about the whole feeling of not being honest, and it was eating away at me. It’s hard because I don’t… I don’t know what I want to say to people. And YES- like you said, how MUCH do you say? That was part of my thing. Like- there are some people who I want to know EVERYTHING. For reasons. But then I don’t want to just shout stuff at EVERYONE. Gosh, I am rambling now hah. Let me know if you need anything, even just moral support for yours ♥♥
Okay, so I’m not crazy – I DID see your throwaway line about divorce but I wasn’t sure if I was reading it right. I’m glad it’s a positive for you, though I hope all the messy parts get worked out and sorry it’s been going on so long! That’s rough, no matter what. And you’re not lying by omission, but if you want to talk about it, go for it! We’re all here for you. 🙂
Ooh I totally need Thunderhead. I LOVED Scythe. I’m also really curious about Alex and Ada, so I’m happy to see you enjoyed those too. I’m trying not to take on too many review copies at the moment because I feel like I’m FINALLY getting caught up, and I don’t want to ruin that at the moment. hah Plus, I’m really trying to read more backlist books so I need to make time for those.
-Lauren
Thank you SO much!! It was weird- I wanted to talk about it but wasn’t even sure how to bring it up? Blogging is hard like that sometimes, what do you even say? And I appreciate that so much ♥♥
YESS I hope you love Thunderhead as much as I did! Alex + Ada was really good. I will probably do a tiny review one of these days. I actually got bored of being caught up, how ridiculous is that!? I felt like I didn’t know how to pick what to read and it was making me anxious so I just went back to the review books ?
I HATE YOU FOR HAVING ONLY HUMAN. And also let me know how The Wicked Deep goes, because I’m still not sure if I should download it.
For some reason I’m really interested in Notes from My Captivity???? I don’t know why because it’s weird. I guess I’m interested because it’s a weird book. Hmm.
*whispers* I read more books than you this month
You have it now though, right? I really liked The Wicked Deep, and it’s a super quick read. If that helps. I’d give it a solid 4 stars. So that’s like 6 stars for you, yes? 😉
SAME that is why I am interested in Notes from My Captivity too! Love weird stuff. Plus usually even if you don’t like weird books, the review is fun to write.
And I KNOW you did. Rude. I’ll end up in last place this year. ::sobs::
so jelly
Aww!
I’m excited for 9 Days & 9 Nights but got a big fat denial on Edelweiss (the nerve!). So I’ll wait until May along with the rest of the world. I thought you had already read The Last Beginning? But maybe I’m still thinking of The Next Together. That cover of Record of a Spaceborn Few… gah! Simply gawjus. I caught the line about the divorce in Your Culling post but didn’t comment on it. It’s like, what do you say? Sorry? Congrats? Better luck next time? It’s tricky. But yeah, there’s a lot of crap that comes along with it, even when it’s for the best. Hang in there.
NOOOOO whyyyy? So RUDE. I have heard of so many people getting denied, I am so sorry! Nope- I read The Loneliest Girl in the Universe, by the same author. And I own The Next Together, which is why I grabbed the sequel hah. Loneliest Girl was a 5 star for me, so I am definitely eager to read the author’s other stuff. AGREED about Spaceborn Few- my favorite cover and title so far I think! HA yes exactly, and I realized that, that people wouldn’t know WHAT to say (though “better luck next time” made me laugh HARD so thanks for that ?) That’s the thing- I am SO happy about moving on with my life, but it’s still super stressful, and I think I am having a hard time putting it all into words. Thank you, love ♥
15 books this month? Color me impressed! That’s wonderful! I don’t recognize most of the new titles you got, but I hope you like them. And yes, even when divorce is a positive move, all the messy paperwork and logistics follow. 😛 Good luck, happy reading, and let me know if I can be helpful!
Aw thanks so much!! That is exactly it- I KNOW it is a good thing and I am so excited to move forward and everything but it is a logistical nightmare. Hell, you know I’m sure from all your law school stuff! And thank you, I really appreciate it ♥♥
Awesome month you had! I just got Alex + Ada and I’m planning on reading it this month! Hope you have a great February!
Aw thanks! I hope you love Alex + Ada as much as I did! And hope you have a great February too!
Your shared so many good books that I don’t even know where to start LOL. Okay, so STARRY EYES I cannot wait to get my hands on it! I already know I’ll love it because Jenn hasn’t let me down yet and her ass better not start. Contagion’s cover is actually pretty dope, I didn’t know much about it until your post, but it actually sounds really good so I shall be adding it to my TBR. Another title I’m excited for is The Wicked Deep. I am a little nervous because you can’t pitch a book with Hocus Pocus in the blurb without there being greatness so I guess we’ll see if it’s good or not lol. * scrolls back up to see what I want to comment on next * OH the toast book! I don’t know what this is or what it’s even about it, but I need it now. Like come on, burnt toast is on the cover, it must be a stellar read lol.
You should really see me attempting to comment on all the books, I’ll end here before you have a comment the length of my reviews on your blog lol.
Hahha I know right? Mayyyybe went a little overboard? ? I still haven’t read one of Jenn’s books, despite owning them all, how bad am I? Well, now I will have to hah. I love the whole idea behind Contagion, so I do hope that one is good. I liked The Wicked Deep, but never having seen Hocus Pocus makes me unable to help with the comparison. At least we know that the cover is on point! RIGHT about the toast? The title plus the toast equals an automatic YEP.
So here I am again in your monthly minutes, wondering whether you’ve gotten over that slump, or not 😀 zero ARCs though! The last time that happened, I wasn’t even a blogger. I need to claw my way out of my backlog still.
Oh, and thank you for sharing my post 🙂 <3
Thank you for the link up! And wow, you got a lot of review books this month that is crazy! There are a lot of books I’m excited for, like Starry Eyes, so you can read and review them and I can decide which ones I can get excited about buying. And really, managing to get down to zero review copies at any point is an exciting thing for a blogger. I can only dream of such things.
How did I miss the divorce thing in your book cull post? I think it’s probably because I didn’t want to stare too long at the books and attempt to convince myself I could afford international shipping. I get it, you probably fed up having to tell folks and face getting sympathy. If you’re seeing it as a good thing then it’s probably the best thing, isn’t it? It’ll be a lot of hassle but once it’s eventually sorted it’ll be the best thing.
Hope you have a good Feb and happy reading.
Omg 15 books! That’s amazing and I’d love to read that much! I was sick most of January so I didn’t get to read as many books as I would have liked. It looks like you hauled some amazing books! I’m really jealous of Katie Cotugno ARC! I hope you enjoy each and every single one when you get to them. I can’t wait for the day I can get to 0 review books. I feel like I’m drowning in ARCs all the time but that is mainly my fault.
I am sorry that the divorce is messy in some parts. I hope that is resorted soon! I never know what to say when someone is getting divorced, like do I say I’m sorry? congratulations? The next time is the charm?? Like what is considered appropriate? I run into this a lot at work and one lady told me not to apologize she considered it a blessing and was going to treat herself to a new bathroom for putting up with him for 20 years lol. Ah, I’m rambling but I hope it gets resorted soon and big hugs.
Dang, your reading year has gotten off to a great start! Alex + Ada is such a beautiful series, I bawled like a baby after the third volume. I’ve got a copy of The Wicked Deep too and I’m hoping it’s amazing, because….witches!!!! The Queens of Innis Lear looks so good, and of course it makes my Shakespeare-loving heart happy. ?
First, the books. Heretics Anonymous has just gotten onto my radar recently so I would be curious to know what you think of that one! Also, on your wrap up you read some amazing books. I really am curious to know what you think of Reign of the Fallen because I read that authors debut novel and want to know what you think!
And I totally spy those Hunge Games books on there too.
I hope things go well with you for the divorce, Shannon. I am glad it’s a good thing for you, but it’s a process and a lot has to happen and be sorted out. I hope it all goes well and works out for the best <3
I can’t wait to hear what you think of City of Bastards and Only Human! 😀
Happy reading.
Ha, looks like you’ve got a lot of reading to do! 😉 Thanks for the links – I’ll have to check them out.
Hope things don’t go too badly with the divorce etc.
#WrapUpRoundUp
I see so many gorgeous covers and have many of these books on my TBR. I am hoping to read Brenda Drake’s series because of the premise and libraries are one of my favorite places.