Happy my darling friend Christina gave me her ticket for Truthwitch because it was my top book to get at BEA. So so happy for Susan that it was the IT book to get at YA…minus the fact it caused a stampede and crazy behavior. BUT SHE DESERVES IT. AND I AM SO HAPPY TO READ IT.
Follow me on Instagram to see more images from my month
1. I went to BEA!!: BEA #5 is officially in the books! Always a good time to see bloggers, readers, authors and publishing buddies. The week went by so fast! Expect a recap soon!
2. First beach trip happened –I went to the beach for Memorial Day weekend. It was a bit cold for my liking but got one okay beach day in before I was too cold.
3. I WENT TO ALL OF THE BOOK THINGS: May was EPIC for bookish stuff. I feel so so fortunate for the opportunities I got this month. CAN YOU BE EXCITED WITH ME? Because the husband was not as excited as I would have liked haha. I got to moderate Sarah J. Maas’s release party for ACOTAR and Tiffany Schmidt’s release party for Hold Me Like A Breath! Yay local authors! Then Sarah Dessen and Sabaa Tahir came into town and I feel fortunate to have been able to sit down and interview them before the event. I feel like we barely had any book events locally lately and then ALL OF THEM. And there was more but I wasn’t even able to go to all of them.
4. I read less this month than I have in a long time– I don’t know what it was — maybe being a busy month? Maybe the fact I was reading Froi of the Exiles which is a monster sized book? Maybe I was just in need of less reading time this month?
5.Will and I went to our first concert of the summer: Our local alt station puts on the best free concerts in the summer — Summer Block Parties– and WE LOVE THEM. We snagged tickets and got to see Banks, The Airbourne Toxic Event, Catfish and the Bottlemen and Bad Suns. SO MUCH FUN.
I put all my Monthly Rewinds in a Spotify playlist so you can listen to them here !
1. Come Home — Cattle & Cane
2. My Love — Kopecky
3. Portland, Maine — Donovan Woods
4. Back Back Back — Anthony D’Amato
5. Black & White — The Staves
6. For You — Rae Morris
Check out the rest of my May playlist
Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta: OMG WHAT AN EPIC SECOND BOOK. DYING.
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen: I loved this one so much! Classic Dessen yet not.
Lock & Key by Sarah Dessen: LOVED this one. <333 ALSO, JAMIE AND CORA <33
Not surprising it’s 99 Days as this one has had very polarizing reviews thus far! I loved it though!!
“What is family? They were the people who claimed you. In good, in bad, in parts or in whole, they were the ones who showed up, who stayed in there, regardless. It wasn’t just about blood relations or shared chromosomes, but something wider, bigger. We had many families over time. Our family of origin, the family we created, and the groups you moved through while all of this was happening: friends, lovers, sometimes even strangers. None of them perfect, and we couldn’t expect them to be. You can’t make any one person your world. The trick was to take what each could give you and build your world from it.” — Lock & Key by Sarah Dessen
Loved this so much.
1. A Release Day Guest Post From Sarah J. Maas — Oh my goodness I loved this post so much. TEARS. TEARS. EVERYWHERE.
2. My May TBR List: I think I’d like to make this a regular thing. Though I super failed this month. I love sharing what I’m planning on reading!
3. 4 Bookish Blogs I’ve Added To My Reader Lately: Thanks for letting me ramble and be a bit sentimental and nostalgic but also for letting me share 4 blogs I’ve really been digging lately.
4. On Books That Change Your Life: Thanks for letting me share this with you and for sharing with ME! <3
5. Ten Books I Hope To Bring Home From BEA With Me: 9/10 books acquired! GO ME.
Hmm maybe my New To The Queue or Whatcha In The Mood For post? (I AM SO TRYING NOT TO SAY ANY AND ALL BOOK TALKS LIKE I DO EVERY TIME HAHA)
Oh HEY I posted 2 videos this month:
May TBR List
May Book Haul (Pre-BEA)
1. When You’re Scrappy You Don’t Give A Sh*t: Needed this real talk, man!
2. A Life Worth Waking Up For: I think I needed this question to be posed to me to really think about it: “Am I living a life that energizes and motivates me to even sharpen the saw in the first place?” You’ll have to read the post to understand the analogy! 😛
3.How I Make My Morning Routine Work For Me: I liked this! Sometimes I’m really on point with a morning routine — I wake up at 5:30 and am all energized and get shit done — and other times I roll out of bed and run around like a crazy person as I try to eat my fried eggs off a paper towel while driving.
4. Trying Is Always Worth It: I’ve been in this little rut where I just have a defeatist attitude before I even TRY. Good reminder!
5. How To Cleanse Your Calendar Part 1 & Part 2: This was helpful in general but actually helped me a lot when thinking about my blogging “calendar”…we know I pretend to have one of these but mostly it’s just draft roulette in which I have a bajillion half written posts in drafts and I say I PICK YOU and that’s what goes up the next day. I’m always one to reevaluate what I do on the blog but these posts gave me some focus.
Last month I did karaoke and so I decided that for my 30th this year I want to have a big karaoke party! In light of that:
WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO KARAOKE SONG?
(Songs I picked this past weekend: Sk8r Boi by Avril Lavigne, Bitch by Meredith Brooks, Your Love Is My Drug by Ke$ha & Hold On by Wilson Phillips)
Pick a category (or 5… or all of them) and tell me what went on in YOUR life this month!! What sort of things were noteworthy for you this month? New obsessions? Any new song recs?? Best books you read this month? Great posts I missed on your blog? Answer to my question of the month?
Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic says
Sounds like you had an awesome month! I so badly want to read Saint Anything as I really liked Sarah Dessen’s books. I read Lock & Key a couple of months back and I LOVED it – it’s one of my favorites alongside What Happened to Goodbye! 😀
Jamie says
It was a pretty fantastic month. The interesting thing about doing these things is that I do have shitty months sometimes and it’s so depressing writing them out and so when I get a good one I’m like I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU RIGHT NOW hahah.
I think you will LOVE Saint Anything then!! I hope you get to it soon! I loved, when she talked about it at the event, that originally it started out as a book about a girl who was going through a lot of hard times/getting into trouble but the book wasn’t working AT ALL. So she took Gayle Forman’s advice which was that sometimes you have to go at things sideways. So she looked at it again and decided to write from the POV of the sister of someone going through some bad crap. I thought it was such a good move to do that!
Emmah says
Ahh, I haven’t done karaoke in FOREVER! But hmm, probably “Yearbook” or “Where’s the Love” (both by Hanson)! Or some good oldies like… “Midnight Train to Georgia” by: Gladys Knight & The Pips or “Love Will Keep Us Together” by: Captain & Tennille!!
Hmm, nothing really noteworthy for me this month. Been in a major funk and stressed over my parents financial situations (I still love with them, so).
New obsessions? Not really new per say, but I’ve got really back into painting! And I ordered some Elmer’s paint markers/pens, so that I can do a painting!
New song recs? “Brother (ft. Gavin Degraw)” by: needtobreathe and “Fight Song” by: Rachel Platten!
Best books I read this month? I only read two new books, eek (I reread a few)! “An Ember in the Ashes” by: Sabba Tahir and “Hello, I Love You” by: Katie M Stout! 🙂
You told me to check back in with you come June about us becoming pen pals 🙂 So, I’m checking with you about that haha.
Jamie says
Oh we totally did Mmmbop! Someone else picked it and I’m like YEAH I WILL DO IT WITH YOU IF YOU WANT. I still knew every word.
And very fun..I wish I had an artistic bone in my body!!
Dying to read Ember soon! I keep meaning to but May SUCKED for reading time.
And yeah, I still don’t think I’m in a place where I’d be a good penpal 🙁
Leanna says
Glad you had a great time at BEA! I saw some of your pictures and it looked like such fun!
I needed a new summer show (to tide me over until my Shonda shows return) and almost went for Orphan Black, but Friday Night Lights won out. I’m not sure if FNL ever aired over here -but I started watching on Netflix and now I am in total love. I’m also in total love with Tim Riggins. It was a love at first sight kind of thing! I’m pretty sure you are a fan already? But Orphan Black is still on my list. I’ve heard very good things!
Jamie says
GAH I KNOW..I NEED THE SHONDA SHOWS TO BE BACK!
I’m so happy you are watching FNL though!!!!! LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. Big fan! I’m definitely a Riggins girl 😛 When you finish that one DEFINITELY give Orphan Black a try..it will be nice because it will be so different from FNL.
Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog says
Sounds like an amazing month!! So many fun bookish events! I love Orphan Black! I have all of Season 3 sitting on my DVR because I actually think it works better as a binge than as a week to week – Glad you love it! Aren’t Allison and Felix the best???
Jamie says
I am kind of wishing I did your plan and saved them to watch as a binge for season 3. AND OMG FELIX. I LOVE HIM. And same with Allison. She cracks me up. It’s so crazy because I FORGET she’s the same actress…especially with Allison.
DanaSquare says
You had an epic month! I love the way you set up your Monthly Recap! I love Orphan Black. Helena is my favorite clone, but they are all pretty epic. I’m super excited to some poolside reading this month.
Jamie says
Thank you! <3 I started doing it this way a couple of years ago, and while it takes a shit ton of time to do, I LOVE doing them each month. OMG Helena. SHE IS AMAZING. And it's just crazy because especially with Allison and Helena...I forget it's all the same actress. She's so talented.
And I WISH WE HAD MORE TIME TO TALK AT BEA. I was so embarrassed that I didn't immediately recognize you when we were standing there talking while you guys were in line. SO EMBARRASSED. I was like wow I feel like an ass. But you are adorbs (and so much shorter than I pictured you!!!) 😛
Mallory @ The Leaning Tower of Tomes says
Truthwitch is most definitely the “IT” book to get! Everyone’s been clamoring all over it. I’m almost a little glad I wasn’t at BEA, in the middle of the stampede for it. 😉 And you moderated Sarah J. Maas and Tiffany Schmidt’s parties?! That’s so amazing and impressive, Jamie! That must have been loads of fun, if a bit/a lot stressful.
Jamie says
I’m reading it now and it’s so good! I was a little confused in the first 50-ish pages but now I’m like LOVE LOVE LOVE. And yeah, I was like SO NOT DOING THIS STAMPEDE.
It was super fun to moderate. Sarah’s event was HUUUUGE. I walked out and was like holy crap there are 100+ people here. Sarah goes, “just remember that everyone here took a crap today more than likely. You can’t be nervous then.” I died laughing and actually the event happened and I was so not nervous but more so because she made it so easy.
Katherine says
I’ve been loving Sarah Dessen books recently, but I haven’t read either of the two on your top 3 this month list. I’ll have to get around to those! I’m excited for the pool and summer concerts as well, except it’s been really rainy here recently. I also love reading outside in the summer.
Jamie says
Which ones are your faves?? I’ve just been on such a Dessen binge. I did Someone Like You on audio and really enjoyed that one too!
And UGHHH June so far has been super rainy here in Philly too. AND COLD.
Angelica says
Jamie this is a fantastic feature and you are so lucky, and I’m soooo envious that you were able to meet all those AMAZING Authors! I wish I was located at a place where such Authors visit more often 🙁
Jamie says
Thank you <3 It takes me a while put together but I've really enjoyed doing it over the past few years!
I do feel very fortunate that we get a decent amount of authors to come here! Yet I still complain that we don't get as many as other areas. MUST LEARN TO BE MORE THANKFUL BC WE DO GET A LOT. Are you near any larger cities that might get some or like a big book fest?
Tiff @ Mostly YA Lit says
I’ve decided that your monthly rewinds might be my fave feature of your blog…which I think indicates that I care more about you as a person than you as a blogger. I hope that’s true. =)
I’m so jealous that you’ve already been to a music festival this year! I don’t have any planned yet, but you’ve inspired me to go look now. I’ve put my headphones on at work so I can check out your playlist – I love your music recs and I know none of these!
Orphan Black is so good, right? I’m not done season 2, but man, do I love Tatiana. She is brilliant and should win all the awards.
Lastly, I’m so glad we got to talk at BEA for a bit – I know we didn’t get to hang out extensively, but you are such a lovely person, Jamie. Next time, real talk time?
Jamie says
AW. <333 I've loved doing these posts all these years because they give me a chance to update people on all fronts!
Hope you find some good music recs!
AND GAH SO GOOD. I'm on the current season right now but like a couple behind. CATCH UP TIFF!
AND I KNOWWW I was so sad we didn't get to hang out for more time this year. Last year's mac & cheese date gave us chill talking time. NEXT TIME FOR SURE.
Kitty says
You’re going to Taylor Swift! Lucky!! That’s neat you got Truthwitch. I didn’t know you had a youtube! Just subscribed:D
Jamie says
I’m so excited to see Taylor again!! Like at a MASSIVE venue. And thank you for subscribing! I’m trying to be more consistent with it 🙂
Ari Carr says
I’ve never done karaoke before- at least not as far as I can remember. I’d probably pick Shake it Off by Taylor Swift, or something by Katy Perry!
Jamie says
I feel like Taylor and Katy are always very fun picks plus everyone kinda at least has heard of them so people will sing along! At least in our party room that was what was happening. Just a big singalong.
Laura @ Scribbles & Wanderlust says
So glad you came to BEA and we met! Dinner and Jenny Han party before all of the insanity was definitely a good idea. Congratulations on snagging 9/10 books you were looking for, too!
Man, you may not have read a lot this month, but your book hauls were outrageous AND you met/interviewed several amazing authors this month. I think you’re forgiven 😉
As for karaoke song…would you believe me if I said that, though I’m singer, I’ve never done karaoke? I’d like to think I’d pick some epic, crowd-rousing song, but it’ll probably end up more like that scene in PS I LOVE YOU when she twists up in the chords and falls over the speaker and is raced to the emergency room. Also, in this scenario, Gerard Butler would always be by my side. *sigh* Anyway…hmm, I think I’d pick Taylor Swift’s Blank Space or Kelly Clarkson’s Heartbeat Song, just because I’m really rocking out to those at the moment.
Jamie says
I was talking to Will about the whole trip and I was telling him how happy I was that THAT was the first thing we did. It set a perfect tone to the week to be with new friends I love and just to have a good time. SO WISH WE DIDN’T GET LOST SO WE COULD HAVE HAD EVEN LONGER WITH YOU. I adore you ladies!!
It was so crazy this month because it was like ALL OF THE BOOK THINGS but oh hey..it’s half way through the month and I barely read anything. Thank god for audiobooks. That helped. Plus I was reading Froi which is massive. OH WELL.
OMG YOU MUST COME TO MY KARAOKE PARTY THEN. WE WILL CHANGE THIS. and hahahah I know exactly what scene you are talking about. I did Blank Space with a girl who picked it and it was a fun one to sing!!
Laura @ Scribbles & Wanderlust says
Yes, will do! When’s your birthday? I’ll mark my calendar!
Melanie says
I can’t wait to read your BEA recap! Twitter always makes it look like such a blast.
Jamie says
It was super fun! But the other side was HURTING FEET, EXHAUSTION and ONE NIGHT OF CRYING BC IT GETS OVERWHELMING TO BE “ON” FOR A WEEK. hahha. Just keeping it real 😛 But it really was a good time overall.
Trina says
Yay for getting 9 of the 10 books you wanted at BEA! And for 2 YouTube videos this month! I have not done karaoke for years and am pretty sure my go to song with my friend back then was Baby Got Back. Yeahhhh… lol!
Jamie says
I was pretty proud of myself on both accounts. Hoping to keep up the YT momentum. And yessss I wanted to do Baby Got Back but not enough time!
Britt @ Not So Teen Reads says
Ahh I’m so jealous that you got to see Catfish and the Bottlemen. They’re awesome! Also, New Politics are great, I saw them as openers 2 or 3 times now and they never disappoint. I passed you a few times at BEA, but you looked busy so I didn’t say hi. I’m glad to see you got Truthwitch!
Jamie says
They were so excellent live!! I hope you get to see them sometime! And I’m glad to hear New Politics are good live! And ahhh I wish you would have said hello! I think at BEA I have a perpetual look of “I’m busy” but more often than not I probs wasn’t haha. I had a lot of “I don’t have anything I want now so I’m just going to walk around aimlessly” and would have loved to stop and chat 🙂
Kristin @ Simply Bookish Things says
AHH, I love Orphan Black, I literally started fangirling when season 3 came out! Sounds like you got a lot of bookish things done this month! Just out of interest who do you ship Sarah with?
Jamie says
I love Paul kinda!! IDK WHY. But I also love Kira’s dad.
Kristin @ Simply Bookish Things says
Ahhh okay, I love Paul though, Kira’s dad is also really sweet but Paul has that whole dark and dangerous thing going on *swoon* and I’m a complete sucker for that kinda thing!
Shelumiel @ Bookish and Awesome says
TAYLOR SWIFT CONCERT YAAAY! Also, I’m excited to read your BEA recap, Jamie!
3 current obsessions are: Becky G’s Shower, Carly Rae Jepsen’s I Really Like You and Pitch Perfect. LSS OVERLOAD!
I read Simon vs and More Happy Than Not last month, both of which I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, but a more recent read I also think highly of is Vanishing Girls. Have you read this one? Coz Simon vs I know you love, too. And question: did you score a copy MHTN at the BEA?
Jamie says
AHHH SIMON <33 SO HAPPY YOU LOVED. I haven't read MHTN yet but I did get a copy! And I've been meaning to read Vanishing Girls so glad to hear you loved it!
Morgan @ Gone with the Words says
Oh my god those are excellent karaoke songs!! I’ve never done it (I’m scared!) but I want to try sometime. I think I’d be good at it. Ironically my go-to songs would probably be something by Britney Spears or Ludacris hahaha. I have a couple rap songs down pat!
I love my new apartment but it doesn’t have a pool like my crappy old one! The one downside… will have to make time for some beach days this summer. I actually read a LOT in May but didn’t go to any events! Favorite May books: Rook, The Start of Me and You, Stitching Snow, Grounded: The Adventures of Rapunzel. And I reread Ella Enchanted, it was even better than I remembered!!
Happy reading/summering in June 🙂
Jamie says
Sk8r Boi was especially fun!! Elena from Novel Sounds did that one with me. But Hold On was so fun too! And omg I was going to do some rap songs. I could totally do What’s Your Fantasy hahahah
I’m trying to enjoy the pool here because I’m sure when we go to buy a house it won’t have a pool haha. TOO EXPENSIVE. And YAY The Start of Me & You <333333
Emma @ Miss Print says
I think I somehow missed your MAY TBR post (no surprise, May was bananas). I’ve become a big fan of the idea and make one every month. It’s not always helpful for keeping my on track but I have liked using it to see how much I read each month and since I have so many things for which I have to read right now it’s been helpful to keep some structure or at least the pretense of structure.
Jamie says
I feel you…I was looking back on my May posts and I was like holy crap I accepted more giveaway type posts in May because I knew it was nuts. Actually more than I have this whole year hahaha. Figured may as well spread the love!
Yes! I don’t always stick to the TBR but I feel like it helps guide me at least a little bit!
Shelumiel @ Bookish and Awesome says
Also, I think you’d be interested to read this piece I wrote in celebration of More Happy Than Not. 🙂 Here: https://bookishandawesome.wordpress.com/2015/05/15/i-am-more-happy-than-not/
Jamie says
Thanks! 🙂
Tiffany (About to Read) says
Moderating the Sarah J. Maas panel is so cool. Congrats! I only saw you briefly at BEA, but I hope we can hang out next year!