May 2019 Wrap Up

Hello, friends! I am not going to write much of an intro for this post because I apparently had a lot of things to say and this post is unbearably long (sorry, but at least I warned you?). So without further ado, onto the wrap up.

Non-Bookish Things from May:

School and Other IRL things: 

May was quite the month. I finished my first year of college (finally, I thought the day would never come), moved back home, came up with some tentative plans for how I can finish out college in a way that doesn’t stress me out completely, hung out with family and friends, and more.

Here is a fun list of some of the highlights of this month:

• The one that excites me the most: I came up with a story idea and have spent the past week planning out a novel (and by planning I mean making tons of mood boards)!! I plan to spend June more firmly plotting it out and getting to know my characters so I can try and write a good chunk of it during Camp Nanowrimo in July. I know I just said I don’t write, but this idea came to me and it just feels right, I am so so so excited about it.
• I got to spend time with my mom and my grandparents. I know that sounds super simple but I really missed them while I was at college and I enjoyed just getting to hang out with them.
• I got to see a bunch of my extended family on my dad’s side that I never do because they live far away. It was not under good circumstances in the slightest, it was for my great grandfather’s funeral, but we did our best to focus on the fact that he lived 100 (three weeks away from 101) long and happy years and enjoy the time we had to spend together.
• I got to just lay with my dog. Simple again, I know, but I really missed playing and just laying around with him.

Movies and TV:

Now that I am home, this section will probably actually exist again because I tend to binge things with my mom on her days off. Its kind of a problem, but it is also fun.

Endgame (2019)

• I went to see this with my best friend from high school and honestly I still haven’t processed it.

Captain Marvel (2019)

• Higher, further, faster, baby!!!
• I also went to see this with my best friend from high school at the discount theater and we had the entire theater to ourselves, it was amazing.

Hairspray (2007)

• I saw that this was on Netflix and immediately made my mom watch it with me. She was not amused and her only commentary was her repeatedly questioning why John Travolta was playing a women.

No Good Nick (2019-)

• My mom and I watched the entire first season of this show in a little over a day. It is a bit unrealistic but also I loved it and I’m going to need a second season.

Music:

Guiltless by Dodie

• As per usual, Dodie released a new song and I freaked out. I have been listening to this song on repeat as I plan out my novel, a certain refrain relates to one of my MCs very well. I’ll share it below because I can’t resist and also I love Dodie lyrics:
  • Oh, but I’m not bitter, I’m just tired
    No use getting angry at the way that you’re wired
• Anyways please listen to this song, it is beautiful and I love it.

Finally, onto the books. 

I read 23 things this month, 1 for school and 22 for pleasure. For the record, I did predict that I would get out of school and then freak out and read all the things.

Pleasure reads from May: 

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

• ☆☆☆☆☆
• Read from 4/20-5/4
• Format: eARC via Netgally
• Full review here. Also, hi, just saying for the umpteenth time that I love this book.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell

• ☆☆☆☆☆
• Read from 5/8-5/8
• Format: paperback, borrowed from a friend
• This was cute and heartbreaking all in one and wow I loved it a lot.

All The Worlds Between Us by Morgan Lee Miller

• ☆☆☆☆
• Read from 5/4-5/13
• Format: eARC via Netgalley
• Full review here. This was cute and wholesome and I’ve thought about it a lot more than I figured I would when I finished it.

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

• ☆☆
• Read from 5/2-5/17
• Format: audiobook, from library
• Charlie Swan is the only person from this series who matters.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

• ☆☆☆☆
• Read from 5/17-5/18
• Format: audiobook, from library
• This book had me captivated the entire time. It was so complex and I’m honestly still trying to understand it.

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

• ☆☆☆☆
• Read from 5/17-5/19
• Format: paperback, owned
• Full review here.

The Fate of Ten by Pittacus Lore

• ☆☆☆
• Read from 5/18-5/20
• Format: audiobook, from Scribd
• This book was objectively one of the best of the series but I just could not make myself care.

United As One by Pittacus Lore

• ☆☆☆☆
• Read from 5/20-5/21
• Format: audiobook, from Scribd
• I actually liked the ending of this series? To say I’m surprised is an understatement.

Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer

• ☆☆☆☆
• Read from 5/20-5/22
• Format: eARC via Netgalley
• Full review here.

Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham

• ☆☆☆
• Read from 5/22-5/23
• Format: audiobook, from library
• This was good, but not memorable. I don’t have much to say about it.

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

• ☆☆☆
• Reread from 5/24-5/24
• Format: audiobook, from library
• I love this book more than I would like to admit.

Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer

• ☆☆☆☆
• Reread from 5/24-5/24
• Format: ebook, owned
• Michael Merrick hurts my heart, he has been through too much.

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

• ☆☆☆☆
• Read from 5/24-5/25
• Format: audiobook, owned
• I really liked this! I was pleasantly surprised.

Storm by Brigid Kemmerer

• ☆☆☆☆
• Reread from 5/24-5/26
• Format: paperback and ebook, both owned
• Wow I love all of these characters so much it is honestly amazing.

Fearless by Brigid Kemmerer

• ☆☆☆
• Reread from 5/26-5/26
• Format: ebook, owned
• Hunter is the only character excluded from that undying love, but he is slowly growing on me.

Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

• ☆☆☆☆
• Read from 5/25-5/25
• Format: audiobook, from Scribd
• I can’t wait to continue with this series once I can listen to the last book! It’s really enjoyable.

Spark by Brigid Kemmerer

• ☆☆☆☆
• Reread from 5/26-5/27
• Format: ebook, owned
• I always forget that this book attacks me right in the feels and then it does and I sit there like a fool.

Breathless by Brigid Kemmerer

• ☆☆☆☆
• Reread from 5/27-5/27
• Format: ebook, owned
• This just in, I love Nick Merrick.

Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer

• ☆☆☆
• Reread from 5/27-5/30
• Format: ebook and audiobook, both owned
• Kate Sullivan deserved better.

Secret by Brigid Kemmerer

• ☆☆☆☆☆
• Reread from 5/30-5/30
• Format: audiobook, owned
• Nick Merrick is great at producing Relatable Content.

Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer

• ☆☆☆☆
• Reread from 5/30-5/30
• Format: audiobook, owned
• I didn’t cry while reading this book!! For the first time ever!!

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

• ☆☆☆☆
• Reread from 5/27-5/31
• Format: audiobook, owned
• I love Charlotte and Henry, like a lot.

Oh my god, we’re finally done with that. Here is the one book I read for school this month: 

• Symposium by Plato

Okay, now, we’re finally done. If you made it all the way down here I am honestly amazed and I would like to say thank you. I will also give you some fun reading stats:

• Pages read: 8,004
• Average rating: 3.65
• Format breakdown:
  • 12 physical
  • 11 audio

Okay, I am going to finally shut up now, but that doesn’t mean you have you. How was your month? Did any particular book stand out to you this month? Let’s chat in the comments!