I went back and forth with how to handle this. I couldn’t say nothing, and yet, I also didn’t want to just throw an anecdote into the middle of the post. So I am leading with this, which is part of what I wrote to Grace’s family:

Grace is the sort of rare spirit that comes along and touches the lives of all those around her. There is no shortage of kind words, of warm, fondest memories. Because that is just who she is. She brightened my day so often, just by her kindness, her warmth, her humor. She radiated positivity, and genuinely tried to make everyone feel welcome in our community. And it will never, ever be forgotten.

Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog is one of the kindest, warmest people I have met in this community- and that’s saying a lot! I have considered her a friend for quite a few years, and I am going to miss her terribly. Thank you, Grace, for just being your amazing self. I am heartbroken that you are gone, but I am so, so blessed to have known you ♥♥

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

The Books

For Review/From Publishers:

Resurrection Girls by Ava Morgyn

T-Minus by Shannon Greenland

Remember Me by Chelsea Bobulski

Huge thanks to Albert Whitman & Author Ava Morgyn, Entangled, and Macmillan! 

eARCs:

Huge thanks to Harper, Saga Press, Random House, Simon and Schuster, Harlequin, & Macmillan!

Purchased:

Sometimes you find books on your wishlist for under $8. ?‍♀️

Aaaand a couple of Kindle Deals, as you do! The Hunger is still on sale for the next week or so, too! 

Won/Gifted/Traded:

Huge thanks to Penguin & Goodreads for Fountains of Silence, and Emma for Rated, and the nice trader for Supernova!!

Shenanigans Since Last Time:

I read 15 books this month. Not going to pretend to not be impressed with my own self.

This was actually an awesome reading month, in both quality and quantity! I’d say the lowest was 3 stars, but most were much higher! 

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!

My eyes are pleased.  Quality over quantity, methinks. 

Things we need to talk about at this juncture:

  • The 100 finale is upon us and Idk what even to do ? I mean. It’s going to be nearly a year until Season 7, for goodness sake! 
  • July has been hard. So I am keeping this short because let’s be real no one wants to listen to me bitch in my own blog post. In summary, if it could get messed up, it has. 
  • Someone remind me to do another TV post soon, and also a post about my thing with birds. 
  • These two got their orange belts tonight, so that was exciting! 

Have a great August, loves!

Posted July 31, 2019 by Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight in Blog Recaps / 37 Comments

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37 responses to “Monthly Minutes at Midnight: July 2019”

  3. Karen Alderman

    I’ve been binge watching so I need a kick in the pants to do a tv post as well. Commence *mutual kicking* and GREAT reading month!

    Yeah, July was a rough one all around.

    Thank you for all you did behind the scenes for Grace though. At least we all had a way to channel our sadness and be constructive. {{hugs}}

    Karen @ For What It’s Worth

    Reply
    • Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight

      YESSS we must both post about ALL the shows! I am going to try to finish Black Spot, which I am watching now, and then write one.

      Seriously, July SUCKED ugh. Aw of COURSE, thank you for your kind words. I just hope we were able to provide her some happiness ♥♥

      Reply
  4. Donna

    I debated on getting American Royals when I saw it on Netgalley. I wasn’t sure if it was my thing or not so I’m going to wait until I see what others think of it. I agree July was hard, but things for me are looking better so I hope it gets better for you too.

    Donna @ Girl Who Reads

    Reply
    • Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight

      So I wasn’t 100% on whether it would be my “thing” either…. but it WAS, as it turns out haha. It is so compulsively readable! I like, NEED the sequel hahah.

      I am SO glad that things are getting better for you. Hugs ♥♥ And thank you!

      Reply
  5. Sam@wlabb

    Let me wipe my tears away. I echo everything you said about Grace. She was a wonderful human.

    Congratulations to your little humans. They look great with their orange belts. I am curious to see some of the ratings on your July reads, since I am reading one of them soon and contemplating a few others. Good job on 15 by the way.

    Reply
    • Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight

      Aw thank you! I agree, she really is special. The world is better for having had her in it.

      And thank you so much! I really liked most of them, shockingly! The two 3 stars are Hello Girls and Mother Tongue! Which are actually both really surprising for me because I love all authors involved. But 3 stars is still more good than bad, so that’s something!

      Reply
  7. Vlora

    I’m sorry for your loss. 🙁 And also that you had a shitty month. I hope this one will be better! It’s my birthday month, so it simply must. 😀 Congrats to the little ones for the orange belts. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Brooke Lorren

    Yay for orange belts!

    You left a very sweet tribute for Grace. I didn’t know her as well as some book bloggers did, and for that I’m a little sad.

    I hope your August is much better. You did awesome reading all those books though!

    Reply
  10. Aj @ Read All The Things!

    I’m going to miss Grace. She was one of the first bloggers I met. Sorry July was hard for you. It was hard for me, too, which is why I’ve barely been blogging. Your kids look adorable with their orange belts. I hope you have a good August!

    Reply
  11. Chana @ Paper Procrastinators

    The cover for The Will and the Wilds is drawing me in. Looking forward to a TV post, and I am so curious about your bird thing now, is it in any way connected to Hitchcock’s The Birds? Congratulations on having such a great reading month! I hope you have a fantastic August!

    Reply
  12. Crystal @ Lost in Storyland

    I never got to know Grace, but I’ve heard such great things about her in recent days. What you have to say about her is beautiful and to the heart.

    Thanks for sharing my post, Shannon! Congrats on all the lovely books you’ve read and obtained in July! You have some wonderful books. The Downstairs Girl and Red Hood are on my TBR list. Congrats also to your children for their orange belts!

    Reply
  14. Danielle Hammelef

    Thank you for putting your tribute to Grace first. She will be missed and never forgotten. So many of the books you read are also on my TBR. Excellent reading month for you! My favorite of July was Frankly in Love.

    Reply
    • Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight

      Awww thank YOU for the kind words. She is such a special person, not only to the community but just in general- and I know you are right, we will never forget her ♥♥

      Ohh glad you liked Frankly in Love! I have seen it all over but heard almost nothing about if it was good!

      Reply
  15. Kel

    Yay for a good reading month! Especially if the rest of the month was sucky. That stinks. But your adorable kids are ORANGE BELTS!! I mean, how cool is that? And martial arts is great for all kinds of reasons. I’d like to get back to it someday . . . in the far off future when all this work is finally done. ^^; On the bright side, my procrastination on continuing The 100 could work in my favor. By the time I catch up, I may not have to wait a year for the next season, mwahaha!

    Reply
  16. Tina @ As Told By Tina

    I echo the same sentiments about Grace. She was one of the first bloggers to befriend me and I’m going to miss her.

    I am sorry that July was such a mess, I’m hoping August is better for you. Yay for the orange belts! I’ve been wanting to put the Littles in martial arts but we don’t have time between football and baseball.

    I preordered Hello Girls because it sounds so interesting. I hope it is. I’m loving the cover of Red Blood. I’ve never seen the 100 but I’ve been looking for something to watch now that I am almost done with my rewatch of Charmed.

    I hope August is a much better month for you.

    Tina @ As Told By Tina

    Reply
    • Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight

      Seriously, she was so kind to EVERYONE, finding someone as awesome as her is rare, she’ll absolutely be missed.

      And thank you so much! I hope so too ♥ Ah, karate has been SO good for them- but I feel you with time! I want to get them into swimming (because that was my thing haha) but TIME ugh.

      I hope you enjoy Hello Girls! It was okay for me- not my fave but definitely not bad either! And you REALLY should watch The 100! It’s on Netflix too, and I mean, I am obsessed haha. Hope your August is going well!

      Reply
  17. Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books

    Your words about Grace are absolutely beautiful. I haven’t had the chance to chat with her too much unfortunately and this makes me so sad. I’m sending you all the love and hugs if taken. I’m so sorry for the loss and that July hasn’t been a great month overall, either, I hope that August will be better and brighter and send you all of the positive vibes <3
    I read American Royals and I loved this book so much, SO addictive, I can't wait to read the sequel! <3
    Sending you lots of love <3

    Reply
    • Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight

      Aw thank you ♥♥ It is definitely a little less bright without her in the world, but I am so glad to have known her. And I am sorry that you didn’t get the chance- but I am also really happy that you do have a chance to see how much good she spread in the world. I feel like that counts for a lot.

      And thank you, I really appreciate it ♥♥

      OH and agree about American Royals! I could not put it down, it was like a telenovela or something, SO fun!

      Reply

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