Welcome to May’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:
Whether Violent or Natural by Natasha Calder
Thanks so much to the publisher!!
eARCs:
Huge thanks to the publishers for these lovelies! Also look at me not being ridiculous!
Purchased:
Hunger Games from Spain ♦ Project Nought ♦ The First to Die at the End and The Merciless Ones from a cute bookshop in Hamburg Germany ♦ Station Eternity ♦ The Hunger Games and The 100 series from Soulac, France ♦ Adorable Bellarke mug from Amber
Won/Gifted/Traded:
Thanks to the publishers for The Endless Vessel and Secret of the Moon Conch
Shenanigans Since Last Time:
I read 8 books this month. That is sadness. But. I was also out of commission for quite some time so. Whatever heh.
I feel like these were pretty good? Actually yes, quite good!
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! Sorry guys, I had no time whatsoever to find posts. I failed. I will do better next time!
- Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books shares a huge list of YA Mental Health books
- Beth @ Bethwyrm discusses her struggle with chronic illness
- AJ @ Read All the Things! recommended books… and people actually bought them!
- Sam @ We Live & Breathe Books talks about her experience with self-hosting
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:
- I spent the first half of the month in Europe… and the end of it in the hospital! I had big plans to do a whole post about the trip, but things have been hectic. So obviously Europe was awsome and the kids had a wonderful time too. Then, I came back and had work and class and Lena’s softball constantly, and then got an infection in my eye/face. I figured they’d just give me an antibiotic and send me on my way but NOPE. I had IV antibiotics, no sleep, and general misery. I also tweeted about how messed up the hospital system is, and how utterly dehumanizing, but that’s a chat for a different time I suppose.
- At least it is almost summer break! I mean, I am playing fast and loose with the term “break”, since I will be taking three classes and trying to catch up on my life, but hey, at least no work! Anyone have any fun summer plans?
- Here is a link to my photo book, if you want to see some pictures until I get my post up!
Those are some real highs and lows! Europe sounds wonderful but the hospital stay… not so much. I hope that’s completely behind you now!
Thank you so much! It is, luckily, or at least I hope so, fingers crossed!
Shannon! What a freaking month! I saw a little bit of your medical tweets but I’m barely on there and didn’t realize you were int he hospital. Yeah, our system is f*cked up. I’ve been on the phone for hours and hours with my plan over different issues – to the point of tears because you just can’t seem to get through to them.
I hope you’re doing better and I’m really glad you also had the trip to counter all the suck.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
Thank you! I am doing much better, but I am still VERY angry at how messy the system is. I mean- I always have been, but it just seems like it keeps getting worse instead of better. I really hope you are able to get some of your issues resolved too ♥♥
Omg what a rollercoaster ending in a hospital stay!
Right!? Craziness!
I’m so sorry you had to go to the hospital! I hope everything is OK now. I just finished Maeve Fly and, um. Wow. That was something eh? 😉
Thank you! Yeah I am okay- it was honestly more annoying than anything else (I had a really bad eye infection, and if they couldn’t get it to go away with IV antibiotics, they were going to have to do surgery which was NOT what I wanted haha. Luckily, the antibiotics did the trick!) And YES that book was nuts! I can’t wait for more from the author, frankly!
The Tusks of Extinction…that cover! Immediately clicked that one to find out more. I’m so sorry you ended up in the hospital! I hope everything is okay now. My mom has been in and out of the hospital for years now and yeah…not always great experiences. Even worse when she ended up having to go to a nursing facility temporarily. A lot of the people there are there for the rest of their lives, so it’s just depressing.
It really is depressing. All of my grandparents went through that, and it was horrific. I really hope it doesn’t happen to our parents, and I really REALLY hope your mom is doing better ♥♥
Yesssssss books bought on vacation in other countries! I love it. Are those new 100 books IN French? Also…how’d you end up with a book about birds, given your bird thing? Hrmmmm….
How’d you like Where Echoes Die? That one’s pretty high on my wishlist.
Thanks for the sharing of my ME/CFS post series! <3
Oh my goodness, that infection must've been concerning for all that…I'm so sorry. Hospitals suck, even when you're getting excellent attention and care (which is rare, these days). And I'm glad it wasn't mersa or something, given it was in your eye. You do NOT need health issues on top of everything!
I am absolutely gonna pour through your photo book now. Thanks for sharing!
Can’t wait to hear all about the Europe trip when you’re ready/willing, but meantime, get some rest! I hope you’re all done with the hospital and on the mend, but between vacation and sickness, I’m sure you could use some extra sleep. Especially with a busy summer in front of you. Wow! Now I’m curious about what classes, lol. And I am determined that this WILL be the summer we finally meet up (she says for the umpteenth time). Leaving to go check out the photos now. I’m so happy you guys got to go on such a cool trip! Keep hanging in there!
Your month took quite a turn. Sorry to hear you were in the hospital. I just peeped the pics. I didn’t realize you were on a cruise. That’s the way to do it. Land tours are exhausting, packing up every few days. I like when my accommodations move with me. LOL. Hospital stays are a mixed bag, but always expensive.
After both of my parents’ experience with being in the hospital in April, I totally agree with how messed up the hospital system is right now. Not to mention what I hear from my library clerk’s husband being there too. I hope you’re getting to feel better. I am reading The Warning right now, and The Chaperone probably later this week, you liked them, so I hope I do as well. Here’s hoping June is better for you! And I’ll be interested in hearing about your Europe trip when you get time.
Woah you’ve had a month! I could go on with you about hospitals but we’ve done that ha. It’s almost like hospitals are so scary now you don’t DARE get sick! Hope you can catch a break now and then this summer. And also feel better.
A lot of the boks you have are totally new to me. Man, it’s hard keeping up on all the new releases.
Those 100 editions! And Tusks of Extinction- such a cool cover.
Love your pics!
The covers for Swarm and That’s Not My Name are super cool, creepily delicious.
sherry @ fundinmental
Wow, those are some highs and lows. I’m glad you had an awesome time in Europe. I really want to go there someday. Enjoy your summer!
Oh, wow! You really experienced a whole lot in May! I’m glad the trip was amazing, but very sorry about how the month ended up!