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. Also, covers all link to Goodreads, because I am awesome. As always, I link up with the Wrap Up Round Up, too!
The Books
For Review/From Publishers:
Hugest of thanks to the publisher, this is one of my most anticipated!
eARCs:
Huge thanks to the publishers for these lovelies! I am so excited for all of them!
Purchased:
Nothing!
♦♦♦
I did not buy a single book this month!😱 Pretty sure that deserves a cookie or a trophy or something, yeah?
Won/Gifted/Traded:
Hugest of thanks to Amber for The 100 Coloring book, When We Were Infinite, and Only a Monster, and look, I have no idea where The Bone Orchard came from but I am super excited, so thank you!!!
Shenanigans Since Last Time:
I read 13 books this month. I wanted to read more, but meh.
Most were great. A few were rough.
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!
- Amber @ Du Livre shares a list of upcoming adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy by BIPOC Authors
- Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books discusses ways to increase your blog’s traffic
- Karen @ For What It’s Worth talks taming pesky reviews
- Malka @ Paper Procrastinators discusses her book buying habits
- Sam @ We Live and Breathe Books talks about how her reading habits changed last year
- Hasini @ Bibliosini discusses book buying bans
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!
Pretty covers are pretty.
Things we need to talk about at this juncture:
- Too much stress. Not enough hours. Honestly, I hadn’t expected much from the new year, but goodness. A lot of the stress is like, second-hand stress too- like, stuff going on with loved ones that is not my business to tell, so it’s just bottled up and I can’t cathartically word vomit it to you heh. I need winter to be over, too. It’s been like, three degrees every day here. Over it. But anyway, as always, I have at least 50 blog posts from all you guys open in tabs. I cleared a few out this weekend, but then opened a dozen more tonight so… we’re right back where we started!
- Posted the Winter Olympic Book Tag! I won’t lie, I obsessed wayyy too much on book choices, which was, in hindsight, silly. But alas. Do you guys watch the Winter Olympics?
- Conageddon was postponed again, until (maybe?) August. Look, it was obviously the right call with Omicron surges and flights being canceled all over the place. And frankly, Boston in August sounds far more appealing than Boston in March. But still. It’s a bit of a bummer. Bob and Eliza are doing a Live Q&A panel this weekend, a virtual one for GalaxyCon for anyone interested. It’s free!
- There is so much I want to post in February, but… we’ll see! I mean, I watched some shows that I want to talk about, discuss some stuff, etc. But again, I must say, stress and time, friends. Stress and time! Anyway, here we are with very low expectations of 2022 that still somehow were too high!
Have a great February, loves! Let me know how your month was! Looking forward to anything coming up?
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I’m so sick of the cold too. Loved seeing what you’re reading. And thanks for the links. I checked out the one on how to increase blog traffic already. Natalie @ Literary Rambles
Aw thank you!! And seriously- and then when we DO get an occasional warmer day, it makes the cold ones feel worse! At least there is finally light at the end of the tunnel! Hope you’re having a great month!
You got Only A Monster! That’s awesome!! The Depths has such a beautiful cover. I’m also hoping to post more on the blog this year, but tiiiiiime!
Ugh, time is evil- or the lack thereof is, anyway! And yes, a gift from a friend who won it in a prize pack but it isn’t really her “thing” hah- luckily it is mine, and she is nice! Good luck to us both!
“I did not buy a single book this month!😱 Pretty sure that deserves a cookie or a trophy or something, yeah?”
🍪🏆😂
Looking forward to your Paradox Hotel review. Love the family pic!
Bwhahha thanks!! And I really enjoyed Paradox Hotel! Trying to write my review as I type, actually! It should be up within the week!
Congrats on not buying any books! I don’t remember the last time that happened to me. I hope February is less stressful for you. And I hope you like The Fervor. I want to read that one.
Aw thanks! It had been awhile for me, too! It likely won’t happen this month- though so far, and it is pretty late, which is bananas! And thanks so much ♥♥
I hope whatever is happening with your family resolves itself. I know how stressful it can be worrying about other people and their issues.
I read You Truly Assumed and thought it was good! Thank you for sharing my blog post and yes, you deserve cookies!!
Thank you so much. I hope so too. ♥♥♥
Ohh YAY I am glad you liked it! I liked the story, but I thought the execution fell a little flat, which bummed me out- especially considering how important the story was!
I’m sorry 2022 is so stressful! We are definitely not where I thought we’d be by now, Covid wise. Hang in there, Shannon! I’m curious to see what you thought of Paradox Hotel and Dead Silence😁 And Manhunt. That is one that did not sound good to me, but I know it’s getting great reviews.
I slow clapped when I saw you bought no books. I really proud of you. It is cold. Winter has not been too kind this year. Stay warm, buddy! I used to love watching the Olympics, but the focus has just been off, and it’s not the same when the athletes cannot mingle and enjoy being part of the international community. *raises fist in the air* COVID!!!!
That 100 coloring book is seriously cool. The PAradox Hotel and the new nuns in space book are two I need to acquire.
I am looking forward to the Olympics although not as much as the Summer games. Plus it’s in China which I kinda like.
Hopefully August will be good to go and the pandemic will have calmed its ass down so you can enjoy the convention!
I really hope things even out for you, soon! You have enough stress, you don’t need any secondhand. <3
At this point, I'm probably gonna drive to Boston just because I'm too scared to buy a plane ticket and then be out that money if/when the con gets moved again. Alas. But hey, congrats on not buying any books, and on getting some good ones? That's a spot of good. And now we're in February, hopefully this deep freeze will be over soon.
Congrats on a great month! I’ll be watching some of the Olympics. It’ll be interesting to see how they go. I enjoyed participating in your Summer Olympics tag so hopefully I can do the Winter one, as well!
I’m so curious about The Fervor; I hope you love it. I really liked her book The Deep.
I am going to try and do better with writing and scheduling posts ahead of time, because otherwise I know I won’t have time, but we’ll see. I love it, but it’s a struggle sometimes. LOL I am currently going through and commenting on posts that I missed in the past like, month. LOL
And yes, I like the Winter Olympics. I love ice skating and dancing.
Lauren
Yeah, January was a little crazy. Keep on keeping on, right? As always, feel free to reach out if you need anything or just want to chat. Happy February!
Sorry January was so stressful. I hope February is treating you better so far. And I definitely get the second-hand stress thing – sometimes it can be as bad (or worse) than stressors in your own life!
Woah how do you manage to not buy any books? Tell me your secrets? Haha.
Sorry to hear February is stressful. Totally understand the second-hand stress thing. I have a few of those myself
I got Gone Dark as well! Looking forward to that one. We had some of the same books to read this past month as well. Hope you’re having a great February!
Lisa Loves Literature
From what I heard about This Golden State, I feel like it’s one you’re going to love! Also, you definitely deserve that cookie! Not buying any books for a whole month is quite difficult!
The pretty cover section of your wrap up is especially pretty this time because of how well all the covers work with one another. I’m loving all that green/turquoise with yellow, pink, and blue accents! I think I just discovered a new color palate that I love!
And thank you so much for mentioning my post! I’m always honored when you choose to do so!
P.S. Please know that my DMs on Insta are always open for venting, ranting, and distraction. I know that sometimes it can help me to reach out to an online friend when IRL people I love are going through a tough time, even if I never discuss what the IRL issues are.