mid-year book tag

I love this tag and it wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t post it!

What Is the Best Book That You’ve Read So Far in 2025?

I had no idea that when I picked up Is This a Cry for Help? randomly during a layover at the airport that it would become my favourite book over the year. I managed to devour it in that same airport and I have not been able to stop thinking about it. On paper it doesn’t sound like the most interesting or impactful story but I fell in love with Emily Austin’s writing style and have added her entire backlist to my TBR. There are just some author’s who seem to be able to bring the human experience to life through words and I think she is one of them. I liked being inside Darcy’s head and seeing her work through her feelings. I especially appreciated the scenes of her in therapy. They felt so raw and you could see her working through her feelings and coming to realizations throughout the story and how that affected all aspects of her life. I just thought it was deeply human and powerful. I am hoping to pick up Interesting Facts about Space this summer!

What Has Been Your Favorite Sequel of The First Half of The Year?

Not only is Score the best sequel I have read this year it was so close to being the best book I have read so far. There is just something so special about the way Kennedy Ryan writes romance and I always know I am in good hands. She takes on different topics in such an authentic way to the point that Verity felt like my best friend who I just want to give a hug to while also being so in awe of her.

Is There a New Release That You Haven’t Read Yet, but You’re Really Excited To?

The Missed Connection just came out so it isn’t too surprising that I haven’t read it yet, but I just adore Tia Williams so I really should be dropping everything to get to it. I have this vision of reading it on the beach this summer though!

I have heard amazing things about Kiran Millwood Hargrave, so I was excited to find a copy of Almost Life at Shakespeare and Company in Paris. The fact that it is set in Paris is a bonus!

I am always excited for a new Carley Fortune release and read them every summer! I have had Our Perfect Storm since it came out but saving it for a beach day.

What Is Your Most Anticipated Release for The Second Half of The Year?

So many of my favourite authors have books coming out in the next few months and I am so excited! Swordheart was the best book I read last year and it was supposed to be a standalones but I am actually thrilled we are getting a sequel. I will never say no to more T. Kingfisher!

Kimberly Lemming is hilarious and she is one of the few authors who can make me laugh out loud. The title alone is ridiculous and it is the second book the Cosmic Chaos series. I thought the first one was over the top in the best way. I just like knowing what I am going to get with Kimberly Lemming!

Sea of Charms is the third book in the Spellshop series and I adore the first two. Every time I read something by Sarah Beth Durst it ends up on my best books of the year list and I am sure that will be the case again.

I honestly cannot believe we are getting something new from Becky Chambers! It has been so long! She is one of my favourite authors and I have a whole shelf dedicated to her. I think she is an interesting voice in scifi and I will be reading As You Wake, Break the Shell on release day!

What Is Your Biggest Disappointment So Far?

I was so sure that I was going to love Dungeon Crawler Carl not just because of the hype and my love of an immersive audiobook but I struggled with it. This is one of those things where either the humour is going to work for you or it is not and it just didn’t land for me. Of course I adored Princess Donut but she was not enough to compel me to want to continue on with the series. I found a lot of it repetitive and had zero attachment to Carl. The fact that the books just get longer and longer also doesn’t help.

What Is Your Biggest Surprise So Far?

I thought I might like Gifted & Talented because it is compared to Succession and I love a good family drama. I have also had success with Olivie Blake in the past. That said, I was a little weary because this had mixed reviews and I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the fantasy elements but this ended up being very much for me. It is also not a book that I can recommend easily. I would have to have a deep understand of your reading taste. It is light on the fantasy, no one is likable, and it is wordy but I adored every single second. I need to read Olivie Blake’s entire backlist!

A Book That Made You Cry?

I was trying not to repeat my answers but I was a mess while reading Score. It always shocks me how quickly I grow attached to Kennedy Ryan’s characters and I was so rooting for Verity and Monk both as a couple and as individuals. There were sad tears and happy ones (I am someone who is more likely to cry when good things happen to people!) and it is a book that will stay with me for a long time. I need to reread Reel asap!

A Book That Made You Happy?

I marathoned Below Deck this year and I love it, so I had a blast with Love Overboard because it was like watching an episode of the show. I am not sure it would hit the same if you are not a fan of the show but I devoured it. It might feel overdramatic but that is how the show feels as well and I think the author did a great job of capturing what makes reality tv so interesting. I also liked reading some of the behind the scene stuff. I hope this becomes a series!

First-Time Caller had so much hype and it deserved it!

What Books Do You Want to Read by The End of The Year?

I want to start falling in love with romantasy again and I have been hearing incredible things about Beneath!

I have been saving this series from T. Kingfisher because I don’t want to finish her backlist but it is time!

I would love to read your answers to any of these questions!