Welcome to April’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.  Also, covers all link to Goodreads, because I am awesome.

The Books

For Review/From Publishers:

Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian

Lovely, Dark, and Deep by Justina Chen

Give Me Some Truth by Eric Gansworth

Huge thanks to Scholastic and Simon & Schuster!!

eARCs:

Huge thanks to HarperCollins and Wednesday Books!! 

Purchased:

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This is not bad, right? I had pre-ordered Queens of Fennbirn, though stupid TBD sent the wrong edition and I am not pleased. And then Hole in the Middle was on my wishlist and the price dropped to $5 so I kind of had to.

Gifted/Won/Traded:

Thanks to #booksfortrade peeps for the awesome trades!! 


Shenanigans Since Last Time:

I read 10 books this month. That’s pretty low for me but… life and such, you know?

Idk, this honestly wasn’t the best reading month for me- both in quantity and quality. But some months are like that, right? Anyway, I’ll be reviewing most of these in the coming months, so you’ll know all about them! 

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! 


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!

Slow cover month. Give me more pretties! All I have is some foreign editions, so… yeah.

Things we need to talk about at this juncture:

  • We’re back, bitches!!! Idk how it happened, but after 11 damn months, The 100 is BACK! I have some predictions with some of my faves guest appearing on the blog, and then of course, the Eden recap
  • I saw Hamilton!! Be jealous for real because it was freaking amazing. I was low key worried because I adore the original cast, of course, but holy crap I needn’t have worried. I just wish I could have it on like, DVD or something to watch all the time. The dude who played Hamilton was actually the standby, but he was so good. And the rest of the cast was equally impressive, and they seemed so genuinely into their performance, like they were having as fabulous a time as the audience. It was so worth it- if you have the chance… do the thing.


    In the room where it happens!!

  • Life is hard. I don’t even know where to start. So, first, you probably have noticed that I also didn’t do a monthly giveaway this month. And I likely won’t be in May either. It makes me really sad because I have been doing them since 2014, but alas. Basically, the short version of the story goes like this: You know that I am going through a divorce, and that is definitely progressing. But, as the result of a bunch of totally unrelated bullshit (namely, my ex getting himself into a world of legal trouble), I have sole custody, and zero income. So I am job hunting, house selling (and hopefully buying hah), and taking care of two kids around the clock. I’d been a stay-at-home-mom since I was pregnant with my daughter (who’s almost 7, eep!) and so now I am gearing up to go back into the workforce. Anyway, if any of you have been through anything similar, I am definitely down for talking more in depth- I was brief here because… well, blog, but yeah! And hopefully the giveaway will be back soon, and cross your fingers for some kind of calming force in life 😀 

Happy May, loves!

Posted April 30, 2018 by Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight in Blog Recaps / 51 Comments

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51 responses to “Monthly Minutes at Midnight: April 2018

  1. Ooh love that cover of the Disasters. May need to get that. And Lauren Oliver’s new one *nods* I’ll be snapping that one up! Aww bummer about Queens of Fennbirn, but yeah read that bad boy so we can discuss! As usual Blake brings the goods…

    Bad Girls With Perfect Faces was one of the more fun reads for me so far this year. How’d you like River of Teeth? That one kinda underwhelmed me…

    That cover of Two Dark Reigns is AMAZING. I have to have that (Book Depository here I come) . And thanks for linking my post 🙂

    The life stuff… yeah. I know we’ve discussed a bit, but hang in there, we’re all here for ya. You got friends 🙂

    • You should probably use The Disasters cover as a Tagline Tuesday! Because that tagline is kind of my favorite hah. I like the look of Lauren’s new one- I feel like it looks more like Vanishing Girls, which i loved. (I’ll try to snag you a copy at ALA 😀 ) YESS good call, I will read QoF soon so we can talk about it and I can finally read your Oracle Queen review!

      HA I know, I added it to my wishlist because of your review! ? Plus I am in need of something standalone, and like, quicker. River of Teeth… okay so I have mixed feelings. I knew you were not a huge fan, so I think my expectations were lowered. I liked the actual story but… it didn’t make very good use of the damn hippos, did it!? I mean- they could have been literally any other animal and it wouldn’t have made a difference! But I’d probably read the next book since it’s short and action-y.

      YEP I need it too- I love the UK covers. The one for Queens of Fennbirn is actually pretty underwhelming- https://www.bookdepository.com/Queens-Fennbirn-Kendare-Blake/9781509880614 but I need them to match! I think the UK is now using the US covers and these are actually only Australian? I am confused but it’s okay.

      And thank you, I really appreciate that 😀

      • The Disasters really is made for a Tagline post. I went back and looked again (musta missed it first time) and cracked up- yeah that’s awesome. And I never read Vanishing girls- I do have some Lauren Oliver backlist to get to. And thank you! 🙂

        No the hippies were kinda underused? Considering they were the point of the whole story? although when they threw people in or whatever it was kind of mayhem- y. I mean that would suck. but still, needed more hippo carnage.

        Those covers are so amazing and so much better than the US ones. I definitely want to get that version- I should probably go ahead and preorder.

        • Oooh you must read Vanishing Girls, it’s my favorite Lauren Oliver since the Delirium series! It’s dark and twisty and such, kind of like the stuff we’ve been watching, so I think you’d like it!

          YES it didn’t make sense to me, why even bother with the damn hippos then!? But it definitely got pretty twisted toward the end- I hope that the sequel gets into the actual hippo stuff because otherwise it’s just… historical fiction basically?

          I want to preorder too- I should just send it to my parents’ house, that way I don’t have to worry about what address I’ll be at. It’s actually pretty cheap right now too. Ughhhh, peer pressure is going to make me do it hah.

  2. Ohhh wow that sounds like a LOT going on Shannon (and you still managed to read any books?! You are an actual queen just so you know). I hope the life-things sort out and all the job/house hunting. ? It sounds so stressful. I send cake, soo much cake.

    (Also thanks for sharing my post!)

    AND FLAIL that you got What If It’s Us! I got instantly denied LOL I still think HarperCollins has me blacklisted on Edelweiss I have no freaking clue. But I’m so happy you got it, truly. ??And Pacifica is AMAZING, pls devour that sometime soon. And Damsel is also freaking gorgeous. AHH!!

    • Aww thank youuuu!! I will gladly accept ALL the cake! I was actually just thinking about how desperately I wanted a brownie, and cake would definitely do the trick!

      WHY are they denying you, I do not understand!? I know we have discussed this, but it is NONSENSE, I tell you! I mean- I know they are auto-denying a LOT of people lately (and again, I cannot figure out why!) but you of all people… ugh, you should be auto-approved, my goodness! I DO need to read Pacifica, I am so excitedddd! Damsel looks SO interesting- I have read one of the author’s other books and it was super messed up and I am in the mood for that hah.

  3. I’m looking forward to Restore Me but realistically I don’t know when I’ll really get to it. It’s one that I know I’ll read it it’s not like I’m *dying for it.* I have zero idea how I got approved for What If It’s Us. I keep seeing bloggers commenting on how they got denied. And I got approved the same day I requested. My current theory is that they have me confused with someone important. LOL The life stuff… sounds like big changes on the horizon. I just hope it goes smoothly for you.

    • That is exactly how I feel about Restore Me, sadly. Like YES, I definitely want to read it but… ugh, I think part of it is that I actually loved the way the series ended so I am scared to reopen it, you know?

      Dude, that is awesome! It seems SO arbitrary- huge bloggers like Cait get rejected somehow and like… okay but why the hell do you want ME to read it then!? AND it seems like they’re denying more people- I know Val used to get approved all the time and tehn they just started denying her- and she reviewed everything too, it wasn’t like she didn’t! It makes ZERO sense to me. But either way, I hope you enjoy it!

      And thank you!!

  4. Sounds like life is crazy for you right now. I hope everything works out well. I don’t have any experience with these sorts of things but if you’d like to talk, I’m always here. Also, I am so jealous that you have Spinning Silver already!

  5. I’m sorry to hear about all the things going on with you, Shannon. I’m wishing you all the very best on the job-hunting and house-selling aspects. You can do it!!
    I’m glad you got to see Hamilton! I know how much you and Val and the gang love it!
    Take care of yourself! <3

  6. YAAAYY you saw Hamilton? I enter the lottery like daily, one of these days I’ll see it! And yeah, you’ve got a lot going on right now, I hope you’re taking some time for yourself! You are truly Wonder Woman, and sorry your ex is a mess.

    • I DID! It was fabulous! My parents actually had to go to NYC to get the tickets though- apparently it’s pretty easy to get them if you GO there, but of course we all know how impossible it is to try online! I hope that you win the lottery, my fingers are crossed for you!

      And thank you so much! He is the actual worst, basically. Like- it”s obviously a suuuuuper long story, but like, he straight up threw his life away, which okay, but did you have to take your kids (and me, but obviously since we were divorcing I probably wasn’t a huge concern ha) with you? I get so salty!

  7. Kel

    That’s awesome that you got to see Hamilton! All the other life stuff…a little less awesome it sounds like (except for The 100 coming back, of course). I’m afraid I’m no help on the house selling/buying front, but I definitely sympathize with the job hunting. If you ever need to chat/vent, I’m around.

    • Aw thanks so much! I really appreciate that. Seriously why is job hunting so ridiculous? Didn’t previous generations just like… automatically get jobs? That’s the way my parents and grandparents always told it anyway ?

  8. So many good books! I am currently reading What If It’s Us, and I also have Sadie and When We Caught Fire to get to at some point. Ooh, what did you think of River of Teeth?! I thought that duology was so much fun, and I hardly ever see people reading it. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Furyborn and Mariam Sharma, because I’ve been anticipating both of those. Yay for seeing Hamilton!! Not so much yay for the other life happenings, but I hope things start to settle down soon. <3

    • Oooh you already started!? I have to keep myself in check because if I read them now, I will not review them until two weeks before they come out and I will remember nothing haha. River of Teeth was fun! I mean, it was a little light on the hippos? But the story itself was good! I need to get the next book soon. And thank you so much!!

  9. Ooh that’s awesome you were able to see Hamilton. It’s coming to Cincy next year and I REALLY hope to go, but tickets aren’t on sale for non-season holders yet. So we’ll see if it works out. I’m sorry to hear about the personal stuff. I can’t really relate to everything, but I’m always happy to talk. I’m currently job hunting – I really need a full time job but it’s just ridiculously tough to find something.

    -Lauren

    • Ooooh I hope you are able to go! How does that work? Is it like- a tour, or local performers? And thank you so much! It is really insane looking for a job. I was just going to apply to this place and they asked my salary requirements? And I want to put “I have no idea, I just want to pay my bills and maybe not eat ramen every night?” but I feel like they won’t like that answer… ? I really hope you are able to find something soon too, it is the WORST!

      • Well, for this particular place, it would be the tour coming in for a limited amount of time – so sometimes people previously on Broadway, etc. Oh gosh, I hate the salary question. I try and look up the typical amount that job is paid online and then go with that – or something similar.

  10. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate at the moment when it comes to life, so I am pretty impressed that you’ve had any posts at all lately. I really hope a job comes up for you soon, and a new house or place to live which will work well for you and your children. Sending all my love and strength your way to help you get through all of this and to a point where you feel steady on again <3

    Sometimes reading months are not the best. April was a horrible reading month for me too because I pretty much only read throughout the first week and since then haven't really picked much of anything up. But Hamilton sounds really cool! I am glad you lvoed it and ti was so epic.

    My recent post: http://oliviascatastrophe.com/2018/04/how-to-maintain-a-steady-blog-schedule/

    • Aww that is really sweet of you! Your words are so kind, I teared up in the good way ♥♥♥ It’s definitely been… a time. Hopefully there will be some good stuff around the corner!

      I am sorry that you have had a rough reading month too- I have felt like that lately too, I just don’t feel like picking up books! Hoping for a better May for us both!

  11. Well, crap, no wonder you were kind of quiet on the blog…but to be honest, not NEARLY as quiet as I’d expect, given everything you’re handling right now. So, high fives to you, and also- dude, take the time you need.
    I wish I could give advice on re-entering the workforce after 8 years, but all I’ve got is: focus on your transferrable skills more than your hard skills. Parenting involves a lot of transferrable skills (time management, communication, boundaries, support, emotional intelligence, etc) that translate to almost every industry. So I’m certain you’ll be able to get any office job or whatnot that you aim for.

    • Aw thanks! I wish I could just take time to rest honestly. I just… I don’t know I think I worry that if I stop blogging, or pause even, that I won’t pick it back up and I don’t want to lose it- but I also want people to understand if I am not really great at responding and such, because well, things are hard and sometimes I just can’t.

      And thank you, that means a lot! It’s scary honestly, I didn’t think I’d end up having to go back into the workforce until and unless it was something I chose to do, but alas!

  12. I am always 100% here for you Shannon and you know it (hopefully. unless I’m drowning in work and cannot get to you BUT THAT should not be a problem after this week. Maybe. Maybe I need saving too?).

    Again, I am reminded of the fact that I know NOTHING about any of these new releases/ARCs. BUT WOW LOOK AT YOU. I am kind of jealous but at the same time not 😛 😉 ALSO I AM EXCITED FOR SPINNING SILVER. I think I’m gonna get the UK edition and cancel my Amazon order, maybe. It’s got to be one or the other because I just cannot afford both haha.

    Ehhh giveaways are fun and all, BUT YOU COME FIRST. If anyone is mad at you for not hosting anymore, I’ll fight them.

    • I love you Val. Also now you are neglecting me for video games but it’s okay because I actually get to bother you for 4 days straight soon. I am glad that you are finally done though, in seriousness, you deserve a break, and you should enjoy it!!

      HA I know right? I mean- I have been really selective of my ARCs lately, but also I am so poor that I know that I need to get ARCs if I want to read shit so… here we are! I think you should get UK Spinning Silver too. It’s MUCH prettier. And not even much more expensive.

      Oh I am still hosting the damn thing, I just haven’t done my own in the past two months because again, poor. I hope to be able to get back to it eventually though!

  13. I think reading 10 books in a month is impressive. I only finished 2. I wish starting books counted toward my Goodreads goal because I started a thousand of them. I’m glad you liked Hamilton! I hope life gets easier for you in May.

  14. Ugh, I’m sorry to hear about the divorce and all the associated issues with that. Huge hugs. I hope your re-entry into the workforce is an easy one! <3

  15. Aww, I’m so sorry you’re going through so much at the moment! It sounds like a tough situation. I hope your house hunting and going back to work goes smoothly, and that everything starts to settle down soon 🙂
    I’m glad you got to see Hamilton and enjoyed it so much though, and yay for new books! I’m pretty excited for Queens of Fennbirn myself! 🙂

    • Thank you so much!! it definitely is rough at the moment, I hope that one day things will calm down! And yesss I cannot believe I haven;t read Queens of Fennbirn yet, I am behind on my books for sure! Hope you enjoy it too!

  16. I am happy you had wonderful things like Hamilton and The 100 to balance out some of the other stuff you have to deal with. I hope you are successful with the house and the job and I am sending good vibes your way. And bonus that you had a great reading month.

  17. You know that I’m pulling for you with all of the personal stuff. I hope that you manage to get it all sorted out soon because it has to be so stressful for you.

    I’m loving all of your review books and I’m trying SO hard not to head over to Harper and see what’s new on Edelweiss. I MUST read my current review books … but I did hop over and get What If It’s Us because … well, obviously.

    • Thanks, love ♥♥ I kind of just… want to stop getting new kicks all the time? Like I’d take that! Hahah.

      HA I feel you with Harper. I mean, I am not even auto-approved and it’s hard to contain myself when requesting! Idk what would happen if I had carte blanche! The worst part is, this is narrowed down to ones I REALLY wanted to read, so… yikes hahah. Hope you love What If It’s Us!!

  18. Hugs. If you ever need to vent about anything I am here even if have never gone through something like that. Wishing you all the best with the job hunt and house selling and then buying again. You got this. <3

    I love the typography on Damsel. I need to check out what that is about.

    ps: thank you for sharing my post.

  19. You’ve had some awesome things going on (check out those books and Hamilton! That’s totally awesome, I am green with envy) but it sucks that it’s a bit of a mess with everything your divorce. I’m sending you all the love and hugs to help you get through this. I wish I could offer you advise and help with this but I can’t. Staying positive will be key for you and I know you can do it. Also, thanks for reminding me about Naomi Novik’s new book coming out, I’m off to request on Netgalley and there may be a sneaky preorder happening.

    • Aw thank you so, so much! It’s definitely… a unique situation, and I am really glad that no one can relate, honestly! And ohhh fingers crossed that you get the book on Netgalley! And definitely worth a pre-order, that cover is GORGEOUS!

  20. I’m sending you tons of hugs. I really hope that things start looking up for you and that you are able to find a job and find a place to live. I was only a stay at home mom for two years and went back to work two years ago so I unfortunately don’t have much advice on that front. But I keep this quote with me when I’m at the verge of giving up “Life is tough, but darling so are you.” If you ever need to vent, you can always reach out to me.

    YOU GOT THIS! I know some days it doesn’t feel like it but you really do. And you’ll be okay. So I’m sending you tons of good vibes and positive thoughts for May. Hang in there <3

    • Awww thank you SO, so much!! I cannot tell you how much your lovely and uplifting words mean ♥♥♥ And I hope that the transition to working again went okay for you- I am having a lot of sadness about it, you know? Even though my son will be in kindergarten in 2019, I had hoped we’d get a little more time together. But seriously, a million thank yous!!

  21. Thank you for sharing my link! Your book haul is amazing 🙂 I haven’t had an exciting haul like that in a while, and I’m tempted to request, but also tempted not to because I enjoy my numbers going down xD also, I gotta check out your Murderbot review. I am so in love with that series, OMG.
    Spinning Silver looks great 🙂
    Aw man, sorry to hear you’re having trouble with life stuff. I really hope your job hunt will go well! Keeping my fingers crossed.

  22. Rebecca

    What an awesome April haul! So many amazing books and so many I haven’t heard of. So excited The 100 has returned! Hope things start looking up for you soon, wishing you all the best.

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