A Tag: Mid Year Book Freak Out

Hi, and thanks for stopping by.

Today's post is the Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag (essentially a way to wrap up the year's reading so far), which was originally created by IsThatChami and Earl Grey Books on YouTube. If you want to read my 2018 answers, you can do so here. I tag anybody reading this who wants to answer these questions for themselves - let me know if you do!!

1. Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2019

Easily my favourite book of the year so far (and I highly doubt anything else yet to come will beat it, though I'm happy to be proven wrong!!) is definitely This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills. I already want to reread this beautiful book. You can read my full review of it here.

2. Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far in 2019

This would have to be Stephanie Garber's Legendary. I loved Caraval so much, thought the world was so magical and most of all completely adored Scarlett and Julian's story...so when I found out the second book in the series wouldn't even be told from Scarlett's perspective, I was apprehensive at best. Legendary turned out to be just as wonderful, though. I can't wait to read Finale!!

3. New Release You Haven’t Read Yet But Want To?

To be honest, I've been a little uninspired by new releases these past couple of months (as you can probably tell by the teeny-tiny book hauls I've been posting) but Brigid Kemmerer's Call It What You Want comes out this month which I'm really excited for!!

4. MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black (the third book in the Cruel Prince series, for those who aren't aware) had its release date moved forward meaning we don't actually have to wait until 2020 anymore!! I believe it's due out on the 19th of November - I absolutely cannot wait to read it, because the ending of The Wicked King caused me pain.

5. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

I haven't felt too massively let down by anything I've read so far this year, which is lovely, but I guess I was a little disappointed by the execution of Sad Perfect by Stephanie Elliot; I was so shocked/happy to find a YA novel about ARFID, but sadly it fell short of what I had hoped it would be. I was also pretty let down by Happy Girl Lucky by Holly Smale.

6. BIGGEST SURPRISE

This year, I started "Book Club" with one of my best friends; we've been setting books to read most months and sharing our thoughts on them. One of the books she suggested was Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Now I probably shouldn't be surprised by how utterly amazing this book is because it is so hyped and loved by so many people, but it really isn't the classic kind of book I enjoy so my complete and utter adoration for it is kind of a huge shock to me.

7. FAVOURITE NEW AUTHOR (DEBUT, OR NEW TO YOU)

Again, this is such an easy question to answer. Emma Mills is absolutely my favourite new author (new to me, that is). A friend introduced me to her writing at the beginning of the year and I read all four of her books within a matter of weeks and have been impatiently awaiting next year's new release ever since. Her writing is absolutely gorgeous and right up there with my all-time favourites, like Jandy Nelson and Rainbow Rowell. She writes YA contemporary like I want to be able to some day.

8. NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH

Not to go on and on about Emma Mills, but this would have to be Gideon from Foolish Hearts, I think. Although, I do have a weird, Jude-esque love/hate relationship with Cardan from The Cruel Prince trilogy too...

9. NEWEST FAVOURITE CHARACTER

Again, I just want to mention about 7 different Emma Mills characters... in an unsuccessful attempt to narrow it down, I'd say Sloane (TAE) and probably Iris (FH). 

10. A BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY

I have to admit, I haven't really cried a lot over books yet in 2019, which is sort of unheard for me!! The only example I can think of right now is Robin Benway's Far From the Tree, the ending of which is so poignant. 

11. A BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY

A lot of books have made me happy in 2019. For the sake of variety, I'll say something I haven't yet mentioned, though; Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes was so happy and funny to read.

12. MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU’VE BOUGHT (OR RECEIVED) THIS YEAR

These are both quite simple covers, but they're so pretty. 

13. WHAT BOOKS DO YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR?

There are a few books coming out in the latter half of the year that I really want to get to, like The Queen of Nothing. I also really want to finish the Caraval trilogy. 

So those are my answers for 2019!! Hope you enjoyed reading. Hopefully the rest of the year will be just as much fun.

Till next time

Katie