Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag

I look forward to this tag every single year! It is always so fun to reflect on my reading year so far and to see how other readers answer these questions!

Best book you’ve read so far in 2021

There were a few a books that were fighting for the title of my favourite book of the year so far, but I ultimately settled on Piranesi because the writing was so beautiful and I have never read anything quite like this, and I don’t think I ever will again. I loved this both for the setting and the characters, but it was the actual reading experience itself that has stayed with me.

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2021

I have read more sequels this year than I normally do at this point! I usually struggle with this question, but there were three books that stood out to me as amazing sequels! Talia Hibbert and Abby Jimenez are two of my favourite romance authors, so it is not surprise that their latest releases would end up on this list. Both Act You Age, Eve Brown and Life’s Too Short ended up being my favourite books in their respective series. I knew I would love Pumpkin by Julie Murphy, but I didn’t think I would be as charmed by it as I ended up being!

New release you haven’t read yet, but want to

The Echo Wife and The Mirror Season were two of my most anticipated releases on the year, and I am kicking myself for not having read them yet! I have a feeling I will adore them both, so I just need to prioritize them as they have been out for months now.

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

One release? Impossible! I feel like I talk about these four books all the time, but they are all new books in some of my favourite series. Redemptor is the sequel to Raybearer, which you know I talk about all the time. The Heart Principle is the third book in The Kiss Quotient series, where the second book, The Bride Test, is my favourite romance. The Book of Magic is a sequel to Practical Magic, which is exciting because so far we have only had prequels. Finally, Steelstriker is the sequel to Skyhunter, which is a YA Sci-Fi that really surprised me.

Biggest disappointment

The Maidens has so many of my buzzwords- it is dark academia and a thriller, but I was left feeling very meh about it. I think there was so much marketing behind this book, so the ultimate reading experience was disappointing. The book is titled The Maidens, but the maidens themselves were such a minor part of the story and felt like caricatures. The twist was obvious to me pretty early on and I wish the book was told from the perspective of a different character!

Biggest surprise

I loved Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman, but that book is contemporary while The Infinity Courts is Sci-Fi. I was curious to see what Bowman would do with this story and the outcome surprised me, in the best way possible! I can’t remember the last time I was so surprised by the last third of a book. Blew my mind!

Favourite new author (debut or new to you)

I feel like I talk about Honey Girl all the time because the writing is so beautiful. It is shocking to realize that it is Morgan Rogers’ debut! I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next!

I have been curious about Joan He’s debut, The Descendent of the Crane, and having read her sophomore novel, The Ones We’re Meant to Find, I am now even more excited about it. I love He’s writing and the world that she created.

Newest fictional crush

I don’t really get fictional crushes, but I will say that I fell in love with Sam from The Widow of Rose House. I had no idea going into it just how romance heavy it was going to be, but I ended up loving it. Sam is the definition of a cinnamon roll and I loved how respectful he was. I also adored his entire family!

Newest favourite character

No one writes characters quite like TJR does! I felt such a strong connection to Nina, the oldest sibling in Malibu Rising. I was cheering her on throughout the story and actually got emotional at one point!

Nausicaa is badass and complex. I loved how she becomes more vulnerable as the story goes on and I’m excited to learn more about her as the series continues!

Book that made you cry

Every Tiffany D Jackson book has made me cry, but Monday’s Not Coming is the only one I read in 2021. It was devastating! I sobbed!

You Should See Me in a Crown made me cry in a completely different way. I am someone who cries when good things happen to someone, and that was definitely the case in this book. There is a moment near the end that was so moving and made me tear up!

Book that made you happy

There is so much about Miss Meteor that brought me joy! It’s a wonderful book about friendship and acceptance. It has amazing representation and I appreciate books that revolve around beauty pageants. They are always fun!

The most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)

This was an easy one! I adore these Thomas Nelson Season Editions. The ones I purchased this year are the Spring Editions and they include The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Secret Garden, and Emma.

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

So many! I would love to finally read The Starless Sea. It has been on my TBR for way too long. I’d be so happy if I finally picked it up at some point in 2021.

Favourite book to movie adaptation you’ve seen this year?

I haven’t watched a lot of adaptations this year! The one that stood out to me is Nomadland, which is no surprise as it did win Best Picture at the Oscars. I thought it was so original. I haven’t read the book, but I’m curious about it!

YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads