So…despite not posting on this blog for a while – I noticed my stats going off on last year’s Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag (shocked pikachu face) and damn, I’m so grateful! But also, this is the perfect time to do the tag again! I haven’t been reading as much this year but I’m honestly cruising along guilt-free and embracing my reading motivation as it comes. Now that I’ve got some energy and motivation to blog, let’s talk about my reading so far this year and what I’ve loved and not-so-loved. I’m super excited for more blog content to come – so look out for that too!
This tag was originally created by Chami, who is amazing! And I will tag Noura from The Perks of Being Noura and Malka & Chana from Paper Procrastinators 🙂
Let’s get onto the tag!
Best book you’ve read so far in 2020
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
After god-knows-how-long, I finally read this beauty and it took me a good bit to get into this one but I can 100% see the hype. I really loved it, there were so many complex layers that I had to actively be thinking and theorising things to understand the concepts within the story. This story and this world really captivated me and Morgernstern’s writing was so beautiful! I’ve popped it as the best of this year so far because it is still so memorable and I want to reread it soon!
Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020
The Mask Falling by Samantha Shannon
This sequel knocked it out of the park and just pushed this series even further up my favourites. It was honestly a game changer and the ending – I need the next book, it was certainly worth the wait and I can’t wait to read more from Samantha Shannon. I love these characters and how strong the plot continues to develop throughout the books. Highly recommend this sequel, it certainly stood out! You can find my spoiler-free review here.
New release you haven’t read yet, but want to
The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab
Yes…I still haven’t read this. I really want to! It’s been on my anticipated list for a while and honestly the biggest reason I haven’t read it yet is that I couldn’t find the edition that matched my existing V.E. Schwab book collection. I almost got the right edition but then I found out that a special edition with an even prettier cover is coming out in a few months so I’ll get that one and I will read this soon. I’m super excited to!
Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson
Holly Jackson has been the author that truly enthralled me in her A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series. I loved both the first and sequel equally and I’m so happy that this is expanding to a third. I’m getting my hands on this one as soon as it comes out! This is a series that fulfils all my murder-mystery, whodunnit, crime solving, mixed media book cravings and I’m itching to read it.
Biggest disappointment
The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
I laugh a little bit putting this novel here because I predicted that this book would be a 1-star book in my Prediction Book Tag…and it kinda was? I gave it 2-3 stars purely because it had an interesting concept but this novel was so boring. The execution wasn’t there, and it was a disappointment. It’s so interesting how Patrick Ness’ books are such a hit or miss with me. He really does some of these out-there concepts and I wish this one had been better.
Biggest surprise
The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent
This cute adult fiction romance novel really surprised me because it was just so fun and a great read. I really connected with the characters and it didn’t stress me out as much as anticipated despite the fact that the main character is literally committing identity fraud. It was a cute read, had such a great scenery that I could envision myself working in a restaurant and seeing the beautiful views. The British accents were spot on and the character dialogue was quite funny. My review can also be found here.
Favourite new author (debut or new to you)
Akemi Dawn Bowman is definitely one of my new favourite authors. I read Starfish recently in just over 2 days on the kindle app of my phone because I couldn’t stop reading. It was so emotional, had such amazing character development and it really blew me away. Her writing is so digestible while conveying complex themes – highly recommend Starfish and I’ll definitely be reading more from her soon.
Newest fictional crush
I will reiterate that I don’t have fictional crushes, never really did, my SO is the only crush I need.
Newest favourite character
I actually don’t think I have one this year…although I’ve read some great books, no particular character has really stood out as a favourite for me, which is a bit sad but I’m hopeful for the rest of 2021.
Book that made you cry
Starfish and Radio Silence didn’t make me sob or cry my eyes out but I definitely teared up! They were so emotional, both dealt with important mental health themes that I could really relate to and they were just so good and so sad. Highly recommended if you need an emotional, cathartic read!
Book that made you happy
Starsight by Brandon Sanderson
I was honestly so happy to finally get to this sequel and it was on just another level for this series. I absolutely loved it, it was exactly the adventure I needed. We got to meet cool new characters, see some amazing world building and expansions and it just made me happy to be back in this world. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book after this ending. November can’t come soon enough!
The most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Sutanto
This cover is SO pretty, I couldn’t help but pick it up recently for my birthday. The pop-art comic style is adorable and has such a beautiful orange colour that pops off on my shelves. This is on my list to read soon and I hope I enjoy the book as much as I love the cover.
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson
After reading Skyward and Starsight and being super impressed by Brandon Sanderson. I can see the hype and I’ve had the Mistborn trilogy for so long that it’s about time that I read it. It’s on my to-read list for this year and I can’t wait to dig into another new world by Mr. Sanderson.
Favourite book to movie adaptation you’ve seen this year?
To All the Boys: Always and Forever
I know that the To All The Boys movie series has been controversial with book fans but I actually loved them all. The final movie for this series is also the only book to movie adaptation I’ve seen this year but I truly loved the adaptation for the whole series. I think I enjoyed them more than the books to be quite honest, and it was just amazing to see Lara Jean and Peter again on screen after the last instalment.
And that’s the end of this year’s Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag!! What are your picks for some of the prompts? Do let me know 😀
Until next time,
10 Comments
Malka @ Paper Procrastinators
Thanks so much for the tag! Hopefully it will be the push we need to make a post summarizing our thoughts on our reading for the first half of the year!
Also, I’m SO happy to see that The Starless Sea is your favorite book of the year so far! I just started reading it and I’m really enjoying it, so I’m hoping that I’ll end up loving it!
Tracy
OOOH yay!! I hope you love the starless sea too 🙂 Thank you so much, it was pretty therapeutic putting it all together to summarise.
theperksofbeingnourablog
Thank you for tagging! Absolutely love your answers. The Starless Sea was amazing 🥰 I started The Bone Season this year and I loved it!
Tracy
No worries <3 YAY I'm so glad you loved it too :)
Samantha @WLABB
I am sad but excited for the Holly Jackson book. Excited because I have loved this series, but sad because it’s the end. I read the Ness book a few years ago (I think I had an ARC from BEA). I didn’t hate it, but it was weird.
Tracy
Same for Holly Jackson!! I can’t believe it’s about to end, it feels like I just started it last year. And yeah, it was really strange!
Ali @ In the Lost & Found
I’m so excited to finally read the sequel to Starsight. I think I’ll need to do a reread since it’s been so long since I last read it. Starfish made me cry so much when I read it, too. It’s such a beautiful book.
Tracy
I’m so excited too!! November can’t get here fast enough, and starfish really was beautiful <3
Kal @ Reader Voracious
yay it’s my fave tag! loved reading your answers and i should read the starless sea asap
Tracy
thank you!! and yes you must!! I believe the hype haha