Mid-Year Freak Out Tag | 2022
It’s that time of the year again! Time to talk about the books I’ve read the first half of the year.
Question #1: Best book you’ve read so far?
I chose two, because I couldn’t pick just one. One is a part of a series, and the other is a stand alone. But they are both at the top of my list for the year so far!
COURT by Tracy Wolff – this is the fourth book in the CRAVE series. I can’t go into too much detail, but I can say that I very much enjoyed this book. It’s my favorite so far in the series (but I except that to change as more books come out!). The ending was absolutely epic, and I’m looking forward to where the author is going to take these characters next. There has been a lot of change, and trauma for these characters.
But, if you like series with a supernatural boarding schools, romance, friendship, humor, magic, high stakes, and fun locations – this is the series for you. The books are thick, and it’s a world you never want to leave.
GALLANT by V.E. Schwab – This is the author’s most recent release, and I gobbled it all up. It is spooky, mysterious, and a book where the main character has no romantic interest. I loved it so much. The ending wasn’t what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it.
Question #2: Best sequel you’ve read so far?
Question #3: New release you haven’t read yet, but want to?
Question #4: Most anticipated new release(s) for the second half of the year?
There a lot of books I’m looking forward to in this second half of the year, but here are the top five! I don’t know if I’ll have all of them read by the end of the year, but I know for sure I’ll have LONG LIVE THE PUMPKIN QUEEN & CHARM read for sure. These are all auto-buy authors, as in – I have read these authors before and their previous books are sitting on my Favorites Bookshelf right now.|
If you would like to know more about these stories, please click on the links below!
LONG LIFE THE PUMPKIN QUEEN: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57190803-long-live-the-pumpkin-queen?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=wUcmm3LIzE&rank=1
THE DEAD ROMANTICS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58885776-the-dead-romantics?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=fEuonek74G&rank=1
SPELLS FOR FORGETTING: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59559145-spells-for-forgetting?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=ADqmLogUss&rank=2
OUR CROOKED HEARTS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58724863-our-crooked-hearts?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=39sfI9ByOv&rank=1
CHARM: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57939567-charm?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=JreKKgchcj&rank=1
Question #5: Biggest disappointment so far?
Luckily, I’ve had a pretty good reading year. I haven’t read as many books as last year, but I have liked what I’ve read so far. The lowest rated book I’ve had is three stars, but it was a good three stars.
Question #6: Biggest surprise?
I’m still new to reading contemporary books. So whenever I go and start one, I go in with low expectations so I’m not disappointed if it’s not my thing. With that, I am happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved this book! I knew it was going to be a fluffy book, but it was also funny, and didn’t take long to care about the characters. Of course, the main character being bi was a huge plus. I’m glad books with bi representation is starting to grow. I enjoyed this book a lot, and I read it as an audiobook on Libby at the time!
Question #7: New favorite author?
I’m glad I finally started reading V.E./Victoria Schwab’s work last year! I have been following her on social media for years, and come to really love her as a person. I started with THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE last year, and have read the rest of the books above this year so far. GALLANT was my most recently finished book of hers. I currently have her Monsters of Verity duology and Shades of Magic trilogy sitting on my TBR shelf right now. I fully intend to read those five books of hers before the year is over. Saving her Villains duology, and her other YA series for 2023. Also by then, her first book in her Threads of Power series (spin off to Shades of Magic) should be out. I love being a Reader, always something to look forward to!
Question #8: Newest fictional crush?
Question #9: Newest favorite character?
I don’t really have one? I’ve read a lot of new books this year, but there aren’t any new characters that are standing out as “NEW FAVORITE OMG”. Maybe that’ll change with the books I read during the second half of the year? We’ll see!
Question #10: Book that made you cry?
Ok, so this book didn’t make me cry exactly, but it did make me emotional. I recently finished this, and I loved it so much. I knew it was going to be sad, but it still hits you in the gut. Thao makes it really easy to love his characters, and the emotional journey Julie goes on keeps you hooked the entire time.
I’m really impressed with Dustin Thao, because this is his debut novel. It doesn’t even read like a debut it is that well done. I’m looking forward to reading more of his work (he has a book coming out next year, I think?).
Question #11: Book that made you happy?
I read this book earlier this year, because I decided I was an adult that was allowed to enjoy Christmas things whenever I wanted. Before then, I had never actually read a cute, fluffy, Christmas themed rom com. I’m so glad I did, because I had the best time reading this. It obviously takes place during Christmas time, and I loved how the main character put herself in such an awkward position from the very beginning. It was very entertaining, and a story I would absolutely re-read during Christmas time. I’m glad I picked this as my first Christmas related rom com read, because it makes me excited for all of the other ones I’ll read in the future.
Question #12: Favorite book to screen adaptation?
This year I read the HUNGER GAMES books for the first time, and also saw the movies for the first time. I did so at the recommendation of my friend Esther and little sister Sarah. I’m so glad I did, because I enjoyed both so much! The films were very close with the books, which was nice to see. Obviously, they weren’t perfect, but still impressive and similar. Catching Fire was my favorite book and movie. I avoided this series as a teen because of the hype. I didn’t want to jump on the bandwagon at the time. I’m kind of glad I waited, though, because I’ve been enjoying a lot of certain content more as an adult. I’m more awake if that makes sense.
Question #13: Favorite review you’ve written so far?
I don’t have one? I mean, I’ve written quick reviews for stuff here and there, but I don’t have a “favorite review”. That’s kind of a weird question, honestly.
Question #14: Most beautiful book added to your collection?
Question #15: Books you really want to read by the end of the year?
These are just a few. I’m currently reading A SHADOW IN THE EMBER. And I want to read the complete series of every first book you see here. SIX OF CROWS duology is a re-read, because it’s been awhile and I’ve forgotten most of it. There a lot more, and these are just the physical books in my TBR. I will be reading audiobooks as well, but I don’t have a set list for that format. I pretty much check them out and read them when they are available on Libby.
Thank you for stopping by! More posts are to come! Here’s to a fun and successful second half of our reading years!