The Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag (2019)
Tuesday, June 18, 2019I've been doing this tag every year since I first found it. Check out last year's and 2017's post. It's always a blast to be able to go through all the books I've read so far in the year and discuss my favorites. As of today, I've read a total of 68 books. Let's chat about all those books:
The best book you've read so far in 2019:
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer: I was a bit hesitant to pick this up, at first. A lot of reviewers were noting how the cover was similar to that of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, and being both Beauty and the Beast retellings, I didn’t want them to be too similar. I love A Court of Thorns and Roses but I didn’t want a duplicate, and Kemmerer took the classic tale and made it her own. You can check out my full thoughts in my review but I love love loved A Curse So Dark and Lonely and can’t wait to read the sequel when it releases.
Your favorite sequel of the year:
Imprison the Sky by A.C. Gaughen: Reign the Earth was my favorite book of last year so I was stoked to read its sequel/companion, Imprison the Sky. It wasn’t as amazing and inspiring as Reign the Earth was as it follows a whole new cast of characters. Imprison the Sky was still fantastic. If Gaughen wants to write several more in the series, I would not be opposed.
A new release that you haven't read but really want to:
I own all three of these. As soon as they released, I was itching to read them and can you believe that I haven’t gotten to them yet. I cannot wait to read Romanov by Nadine Brandes, a magical retelling of Anastasia. And I may wait until July to read Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, which is a romance between the First Son and the Prince of Wales. Swoon! There’s also Enchantee by Gita Trelease which I know little about but that cover is so gorgeous!
Most anticipated release for second half of the year:
You know I couldn’t choose just one. There’s Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim which is being marketed as Mulan meets Project Runway. My highly anticipated sequel of the year (besides Imprison the Sky) is Wild Savage Stars by Kristina Perez. Sweet Black Waves, a retelling of Tristan and Isolde, was magnificent last year and I can’t wait for the sequel! Gravemaidens by Kelly Coon is a fantasy that sounds full of heart.
Your biggest disappointment:
Ugh. Keplinger used to be an autobuy author for me but after That’s Not What Happened, I’m rethinking it. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson was just not for me. And I expected something different from French Exit by Patrick DeWitt but didn’t get it.
Biggest surprise of the year:
I was about to unhaul A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Calletti but then I decided to listen it on audio and give it a try. And I loved it! I can’t believe I was about to unhaul such a beautiful work. The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe by Ally Condie was also such a surprise. I didn’t like Condie’s Matched series but decided to give her another chance with The Darkdeep, a middle grade series she writes with Brendan Reichs. And then this one released and I was so hesitant but completely blown away at the discussion of grief and revenge are in this. It was such a great novel!
Favorite new-to-you or debut author:
I read Claire Eliza Bartlett’s debut, We Rule the Night, and it was absolutely amazing! If you haven’t read this one yet, I highly recommend it. There’s such a strong friendship that will be sure to blow you away. You can read my full thoughts in my review and get an inside look with the author interview.
New favorite character:
Penny from Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi: Penny reminded me a lot of myself as a freshman in college. I adored her narrative!
Felicity from The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee: For some reason, I didn’t really like Felicity in the first book but The Lady’s Guide follows her adventure. Her drive was so inspiring. Lee wrote such a fantastic role model.
Birdie from Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett: Birdie is the coolest. Her love for mystery would easily make us great friends if she were real.
A book that made you cry:
My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
A book that made you happy:
The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo | Bloom by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau | What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Favorite book to movie adaptation:
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson -> Netflix's The Haunting of Hill House
The most beautiful book you've received/bought this year:
Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers | Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry | When We Caught Fire by Anna Godbersen
What are some books you need to read before the end of the year?
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier | Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody | Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
I tag all of you! Let's chat about our favorites of the year so far!
2 comments
You've convinced me to read A Curse So Dark and Lonely! It's in my local library, and I'll be getting it out when my at home TBR lessens a bit (unfortunately that may take a while!). What If It's Us made me smile a whole bunch, and I almost picked up Bloom on my last bookshop venture. I might have to go back to it. Great post!
ReplyDeleteGreat read thanks for writing this
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