The Mid Year Book Freak Out | Tag

I’ve read 46 book this year, out of a goal of 50 books. I knew I would pass it when I set it, but seeing as there were a couple months I barely read any books – and for the first time in forever a whole month where I didn’t read any books – I’m pretty happy the pace has gone up. And that the books have gotten better after a unlucky couple months at the start of the year.

Best Books You’ve Read So Far This Year:

I reread Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi after many years and it’s definitely holding up as an incredible piece of work, in my mind. The best new read is (Don’t You) Forget About Me by Kate Karyus Quinn! It’s so underrated and I nearly didn’t read it because it had been on my TBR for five years, but it had such a powerful story of facing reality and dealing with it or continuing making the easy decision of running from it. As a story it’s also on the line between fantasy, magical realism and dystopia in a way I haven’t seen before, set in a “paradise” where no one ever get sick or seem to die.

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Best Sequels You’ve Read So Far This Year:

Legion: Skin Deep by Brandon Sanderson was a four out of five stars. I reviewed the whole Legion trilogy! I find that I usually like sequels, I just haven’t read many this year. In this series the main character Stephen Leeds “hallucinates” different people with their own characteristics and specialized skills which help him be the genius he is, but he’s also very aware that they’re not real. The way this is written becomes a bit repetitive, but otherwise the plot is still exciting.

New Releases You Haven’t Read But Want To:

I made a post of exciting book releases for the summer of 2019. Wilder Girls by Rory Power is coming out the day I write this, and what I’ve gathered is that it’s a queer horror YA where people die from a mysterious infection – so that’s intriguing.

Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2019

I’ve both loved loved loved books (Six of Crows) & hated books (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy) by Leigh Bardugo, so I’m really interested to see what I’ll think of Ninth House, which is set to be released in October.

Biggest Disappointments:

I really didn’t like The Wicked King as a sequel to The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, which is strange because I feel like Black makes such amazing choices usually. I explain everything in the review, but Jude as a character felt off and it was like I could see outside influence of the popularity of fae books changing everything good about the first book. I’m even more angry as time goes past and probably would’ve given it a two out of five stars now.

Biggest Surprises:

I’ve talked about this short book, The Cybernetic Tea Shop by Meredith Katz, so much through the Pride Libary 2019 challenge. I never expected a romance between a robot and a AI techinican to be so wholesome and the book also portrays loneliness, or searching for something more I guess, in such a great way.

Favorite New Author:

Technically I’d never read anything by Richard Feynman before this and Six Easy Pieces showed why he’s considered the best teacher of physics, with introductory lectures shortened to fit 140 pages. I’m reading the sequel Six Not-So-Easy Pieces this summer.

Newest Fictional Crush:

My crush on Warner from Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi resurfaced with full force along with the reread. I really liked him already when he was an abused murderous military leader. It feels like cop-out and I would give another answer, but the only other option is someone from the friendgroup of If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio, but then I remember how annoying people reciting passages of old plays would be in real life, because they do it in literally every situation, and just noope.

Newest Favorite Characters:

Everyone on the Running With Lions by Julian Winters sports team, my favourite “trope” is friends becoming closer as if they were family through tough circumstances.

Books That Made You Cry:

(Don’t You) Forget About Me brought out some personal memories of being very lost, along with describing the hopeless situation of the main character so perfectly. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman for being so adorable.

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Books That Made You Happy:

These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling and Heartstopper by Alice Oseman both showed queer people in relationships and living their life to the fullest, supporting each other. Branches by Rhiannon McGavin is her first published poetry collection and it’s been so exciting growing up watching her spoken word poetry on youtube and seeing how she’s grown into this incredible writer.

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Best Book To Film Adaptation:

Hands down, Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman was the best film adaption this year and probably ever. Am I standing by that? Maybe not. But it was amazing to watch. So many details. I’m going to have to rewatch it to appreciate more what they managed to create.

Favorite Post You’ve Done This Year:

I really liked trying to compile a big TBR for all of 2019 because I frequently refer to it just to find out that I’m following it like maybe 40% of the time, by accident. I don’t think I have one specific post in mind as much as I like the format of the bi-weekly updates.

Most Beautiful Book You’ve Bought This Year:

I made a whole post on how Women in Science by Rachel Ignotofsky is the most perfect book, both visually and the descriptions. So much talent and work went into this.

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What Books Do You Need to Read By the End of the Year:

I don’t currently know how far I’m into 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami, as I left it behind on my Denmark trip, but you can trust me when I say it’s not far or any longer than the last time I mentioned it here.

I predict everyone who wants to have done this tag already, but feel free to tag me if you haven’t so I see it!