Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag

It is that time of year again! How!?

Best book you’ve read so far in 2021

I can’t possibly choose between Pachinko and You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty! Pachinko reminded me why I love multi-generational stories. It is a book I was saving because I knew it would become a favourite, and I was right! Akwaeke Emezi is one of my favourite authors, so I was bound to love their first romance. You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty has grown on me over time.

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2021

I plan to read a ton of sequels this summer, so I don’t have many to choose from yet, but I really did love A Psalm of Storms and Silence. I know it gets mixed reviews when compared to the first book but I loved the character development and seeing the fallout from the events that occur in A Song of Wraiths and Ruin. I know that Bitter is a prequel, but it still counts! I think I enjoyed this book even more than Pet!

New release you haven’t read yet but want to

Wrath Goddess Sing and We Were Dreamers are two of the newest books in my collection and I cannot wait to read them both. It will definitely be happening this summer. Wrath Goddess Sing is a Greek Myth retelling and We Were Dreamers is Simu Liu’s memoir!

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

There are so many! I had to reign myself in! The Oleander Sword is the sequel to The Jasmine Throne, which was one of the best books I read last year. It feels as though I have been waiting for a new release from Blake Crouch for years! Upgrade is one of my five-star predictions. I think many of us are excited for Babel! The early reviews have been incredible. Heart of the Sun Warrior is the sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess, which is a book I adored. I love that we are getting both books within the same year!

Biggest disappointment

No surprises here because I have shared my feelings about Book Lovers and The Maid quite a bit. Book Lovers had so much potential but I wasn’t invested in the sister relationship and the romance felt like it took a backseat. The Maid is full of stereotypes and it was a frustrating read for me!

Biggest surprise

This Vicious Grace was one of my most anticipated books for the month of June and I knew I was going to enjoy it, but I was not prepared to become as obsessed with it as I did. The “her touch can kill” trope is nothing new but I thought that this was an original take. And it was the perfect bodyguard romance! I have never read anything from Nina LaCour, so I had no idea what to expect when I picked up Yerba Buena. I ended up loving LaCour’s first adult romance!

Favourite new author (debut or new to you)

I noticed that I have read a lot of repeat authors this year, but T. Kingfisher is new to me and I have a feeling I will be reading quite a few of her books this year! There is something about her characters and her humour that just works for me.

Newest fictional crush

Well technically I read Part of Your World last year, but it came out in 2022, so it counts! Daniel has become my favourite romantic hero of all time. He is so sweet, is great with animals and with people, and is a woodworker. What’s not to love!? I have also fallen in love with Donovan from Fake It Till You Bake It. I have always had a soft spot for footballers, and the fact that Donovan is also a baker is everything!

Newest favourite character

This is a hard one because I have found a lot of new favourite characters. Viola from A Lady For a Duke is a standout character for me. There is such a quiet strength about her that I admire. Luli Wei from Siren Queen is everything! She fits to create her own path in Hollywood without being silenced or making extreme sacrifices.

Book that made you cry

I am often drawn to books that make me cry, but I haven’t read that many this year! Salt to the Sea is definitely a tearjerker, though it didn’t make me as emotional as I was expecting because I was so prepared for it. Beautiful and heartbreaking book though! Rebecca Serle always makes me cry, and One Italian Summer was no exception. Blood Scion is one of those most brutal and intense books I have ever read. I never had a chance to breathe!

Book that made you happy

I have read quite a few sweet and happy books this year and it has been good for my soul! I recently read D’Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding and everything about it brought a smile to my face. The chemistry is off the charts and the whole reality show concept was just hilarious. Legends and Lattes is the ultimate happy and cozy book! The Girl From the Sea is the cutest graphic novel, even if the ending itself is a little bittersweet.

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

This edition of The Complete Grimm’s Fairytales was a birthday present and it is one of the prettiest books I have ever seen. There are so many details and I am a sucker for gold foiling. Speaking of gold foil, the UK edition of Elektra is beyond stunning, especially in person. Every edition of Daughter of the Moon Goddess I have seen is gorgeous, but the Fairyloot edition is truly something special.

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

I have realized that I have been neglecting the books for my 12 Challenge. The Bone Charmer, Dreams Lie Beneath, and Witch in Time are three books from the challenge that I already own, so they are high priority!

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

I just started Pachinko, and though it feels different from the book, I think it is beautiful and moving and the actor is incredible. Of course, I had to shout out Heartstopper! I think I have watched it three or four times now and it is just so charming and well done.

There are a few adaptations I still need to watch and some that aren’t out yet! Conversations with Friends and The Essex Serpent are out now, but I haven’t watched them yet. Blonde, Daisy Jones and the Six, and The Wonder are adaptations I cannot wait to watch! An adaptation of Persuasion is coming out in July, but I have seen the trailer and I don’t have high hopes.

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