Hello, my lovelies and welcome to my May 2021 monthly wrap up post.
What have I been up to this month?
Last month, I told you all about the increase in the number of ocular migraines (also referred to as retinal migraines) that I was getting. I started getting migraines about 10 years ago which was put down to me being perimenopausal. 🙁 At my last doctor’s appointment, I was told to drastically reduce reading and screen time! Oh, it’s been hell! I’ve missed it. Thank crunchy for audiobooks.
Coronavirus COVID-19 is lurking about, however, here in the UK, our immunisation programme has successfully been rolled out. Over 30 million people have received their first Covid-19 vaccination with 3.5 million fully vaccinated, including my parents and in-laws. I had my first jab at the beginning of the month. National Lockdown is easing gradually. The Rule of 6 has been retained for meeting up inside, but we’re now free to gather with up to 30 people outside. I’m still wearing my mask.
In bloggish news…
Affiliate Programmes
As bloggers, we’re continually bombarded with “make money from your blog“. In 2019 I wrote about my rather sceptical view of book bloggers being able to earn a living from our obsession hobby and my own lacklustre experience.
The Amazon Associate programme is never going to pay enough to cover my book-buying habit, so instead, I’ve joined the affiliate teams for the companies that make my book blogging experience a dream instead of a chore.
I love being a self-hosted blog with ChemiCloud and can’t recommend them enough. They’ve been quick to respond to my (many) queries and never make me feel like a tech-dummy. Go check them out. Their 50% discount means their plans start at just 2.99 per month! If you use my link, I’ll get a little referrer fee credited to my account. 💜 I want to thank the 202 of you that have already visited ChemiCloud using my link. Thanks for your comments and kind words.
Try Canva Pro for yourself
You may have noticed that I’ve also been looking at the graphics on my blog and across my social media accounts. I’ve been using Canva for a couple of years but recently upgraded to Canva Pro. I love it. The extras are AMAZING! 😉 If you use my link, I’ll get a little referrer fee for this too. 💜
I’ve been working through my existing reviews and adding the Ultimate Book Blogger plugin by Ashley @ NoseGraze to the posts. I love the plugin so much that I asked Ashley if I could be an affiliate! So again, if you use my link, I’ll get a little referrer fee which helps with the running costs of the blog. 💜
I’m not expecting to make my fortune being part of these affiliate teams, I’d just like to earn a couple of quid to buy some more audiobooks or eBooks to review for you.
My work on old posts and the blog, in general, has slowed these past couple of months due to all the migraines. However, new posts and reviews are SEO friendly with the help of the Yoast SEO plugin. I apologise for my lack of communication and engagement with tags and memes this month, hopefully, it’s a short-term thing.
Please continue to let me know if any pages, posts or links throughout Flora’s Musings either don’t open or you have problems with.
What have I been posting?
Now on with the rest of my May 2021 monthly wrap up post. Luckily, I had some content scheduled. Feel free to click on anything that you missed this month.
Book Birthdays
I’ve been celebrating some wonderful New Releases
[wrap-up-posts Category=”New Releases” month=”05″ year=”2021″]
Blog Tours
I’ve taken part in some some wonderful Blog Tours
[wrap-up-posts Category=”Blog Tour” month=”05″ year=”2021″]
Reviews
And, of course, this being a book blog, I shared my thoughts about some stories this month:
[wrap-up-posts category=”Reviews” month=”05″ year=”2021″]
What other bookish bits and bobs were on the blog this month? 😉
[wrap-up-posts category=”Lifestyle” month=”05″ year=”2021″]
[wrap-up-posts category=”Just For Fun…” month=”05″ year=”2021″]
That’s it for my May 2021 Monthly Wrap Up. However, moving forward, what can you expect from me in June?
~ Coming up on Flora’s Musings ~
- Celebrating more New Book Releases.
- Hopefully, some author interviews, book tours and spotlight posts.
- and of course, lots of reviews!
~ My Current Reading Challenges ~
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that I take part in the Goodreads Annual Reading Challenge but that’s not the only one I take part in. I thought that I’d use these regular wrap up posts to update you on my progress in all the challenges that I’m taking part in …
2021 Audiobook Challenge
Last year I joined the 2020 Audiobook Challenge. I enjoyed it so much that I’ve signed up again this year.
I’ve been listening to more and more audiobooks each year, so decided to take advantage of my growing addiction interest. 😉 I might even make the permanent switch from eBooks to audiobooks. Check out my progress on My Audiobook Challenge 2021 page.
I’ve been linking up to The Sunday Post which is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer.
(See rules here: Sunday Post Meme)
Don’t forget to hop along to some of the other amazing blogs taking part in the Sunday Post.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read my May 2021 monthly wrap up post.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day, stay safe and healthy.
Bye for now,
Flora x
16 replies on “May 2021 Monthly Wrap Up”
I am so glad you still have audiobooks to fall back on. I would be so unhappy if the doctor told me I had to stop reading.
I am glad the COVID situation is improving in your country. It continues to in my part of the U.S. fortunately too. Restrictions are easing here drastically next week. Hopefully people will be smart about it and remember we are still in a pandemic.
Enjoy your reading and have a great month of June!
Thanks. Fingers crossed that people will be sensible everywhere as restriction ease. Hope you have a great month too. x
I have been rethining about my blog and a way to compensate the expenses. And definitely Amazon’s buy links are not going to cover. Thanks for the ideas.
You’re welcome, Gayathri. I don’t think I’ll ever make lots of money through affiliates. I don’t write the sort of posts needed. But I’m happy to help other bloggers. x
I’m so sorry about the migraines. I used to get them, but not so much anymore. I’m glad you are able to use audio books.
I hope you have a great week.
Thanks, Yvonne. Yes, audiobooks have been my salvation. Hope you have a great week too. 😉
I’m always afraid of that too- not being able to read as much. My vision’s quite bad but so far I’m still okay. But definitely- thank goodness for audio! I hope you feel better soon!!!
Thanks, Greg. I know eyesight only deteriorates as we age, I’m just hoping to plateau for a decade or two. 😉 Hope you have a great week.
I hope your migraines get better. That is a tough illness to live with because you need your eyes to do everything!
Thanks. I just need to be smart and take care of my health. Hope you have a good reading week.
I’m so happy to hear you got vaccinated. I also find audio books helpful to increase my reading as I can listen while I do chores.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
Thanks Anne. Audiobooks are my lifesavers!!! Lol! Hope you have a great week.
I was really worried the frequent migraines I suffered in my teens and twenties would return with perimenopause but so far it’s been okay (touch wood) though I have plenty of other crappy symptoms. Not being able to read seems like the worst ever symptom though.
I hope you’ll be vaccinated soon and be freer to move around.
Wishing you a great reading week
I’ve had my first jab now, thanks Shelleyrae. Menopause is the pits 🙁 but the audiobooks are helping to keep me sane! Lol!
We are much the same as you with our COVID restrictions here in Canada. I’ve also been jabbed once… 🙂
Happy June!
Happy June to you too, Freda.
The UK government are reducing the gap between 1st and 2nd jab so hopefully, I’ll get my 2nd before August.