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Hi everybody! Since we are a little over halfway 2020 (when did that happen?), it’s the perfect time for me to do the Mid Year Book Freakout Tag! And this year is a special one, because I ALREADY REACHED MY READING GOAL! I have been reading more than usual for me (because apparently, reading is my coping mechanism for being in lockdown and temporarily without a job due to Corona for 115 days now already) and just this week I finished my 50th book! Woop woop!
To give you an idea, last year around this time I had read 28 books. Small difference…
Now, I’m just wondering whether I want to update my challenge or keep it a chill second half of the year without a new challenge… We’ll see 🙂
This tag is created by ReadLikeWildfire and Ely Jayne
Let’s get started!
1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2020.
Look, let’s just start this off by saying I am terrible at choosing so for most of these questions I will just not choose. I loved all of these three books equally, I rated them all five stars and they all hooked me and got me thinking about them for weeks. So yes, these are my 3 favorite books that I’ve read so far in 2020.
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020.
I LOVE ANNETTE MARIE AND EVERY SINGLE NEXT BOOK JUST GETS BETTER AND BETTER. That is all.
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to.
There are a whole bunch of new releases I haven’t read yet, but want to. These two are just the first ones to come to mind.
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
This story of a Latinx trans boy who wants to prove himself as a brujo but ends up accidentally summoning a wrong ghost… and falling in love with said ghost has already been so hyped by early reviewers and I NEED IT NOW PLEASE!
5. Biggest disappointment.
Even though I knew in advance I would not LOVE a story from the POV from Snow, I really, really wanted to LIKE this and I still ended up disappointed somehow.
6. Biggest surprise.
I started this story expecting a fun but albeit forgettable sci-fi story, but I was surprised by how invested I got in the characters and their story by the end. I NEED THE SEQUEL SO BADLY.
7. Favourite new author. (Debut or new to you)
I read two Mhairi McFarlane books in 2020 and they were both absolute wins. And my first Kacen Callender book was also such a great read that I’m eager to read more!
8. Newest fictional crush.
I don’t know who I love more: the sassy and snarky sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn from Sorcery of Thorns, or the quiet but brave Dawes from Ninth House.
9. Newest favourite character.
FINIAN DE KARRAN DE SEEL OWNS MY HEART.
10. Book that made you cry.
Often when I say a book made me cry, I mean like a little tear or two. But House of Earth and Blood had me sobbing like a baby. And I think it lasted for almost the entire last 25% of the book. So yeah, props for that.
11. Book that made you happy.
Both of these books are such feel-good books and made me feel ridiculously light and happy. The Switch is such a wholesome read about two women, a grandmother and granddaughter, swapping lives for a few weeks. And Upside Down has amazing ace rep and the cutest, most adorable romance.
12. Favourite book to film adaptation you saw this year.
I’m cheating on this one because I hardly watched anything except kdramas this year. I did love The Witcher, though I have to admit I haven’t read the books yet, so I can’t speak for the adaptation but the show was pretty amazing anyway.
13. Favourite review you’ve written this year.
Any time I can rave about this beautiful series and these wonderful characters I feel happy, so this overall series review is definitely my favorite review of the year 🙂
14. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
I listened to this on audiobook first, but I loved the story so so much that I just needed to have a physical copy for my book shelves. I mean, look at that cover, isn’t it gorgeous?
15. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
This is always the hardest question, because I NEED TO READ ALL THE BOOKS THIS YEAR. But these three are some of my most anticipated and I hope I’ll get to them as soon as they release.
I Tag You!
What are some of your favorites this year so far? And your most anticipated reads for the rest of the year?
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is my biggest disappointment of the year (so far…) too!
The most positive thing about Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is that it made me want to re-read and re-watch The Hunger Games though 🙂
I passed on Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Sequels, prequels…they often disappoint me.
I’m eagerly looking forward to new book by the author of The Switch.
Good call on passing BoSaS! I was gonna pass it at first, but then my curiosity got the better of me.
Yes, I’m definitely looking forward to more Beth O’Leary as well!
Great job on finishing your Goodreads goal! I did too, because I’m definitely reading more with COVID and not being able to really go or do anything else. LOL I have Ninth House to read – glad to hear you loved it. And I’m so excited for Addie LaRue!!!
-Lauren
Congrats on your Goodreads goal as well! 🙂 Yeah, if there’s one good thing about 2020, it’s the extra reading time. I really hope you’ll enjoy Ninth House!
I’ve also already reached my Goodreads goal for the year! Definitely been reading a ton during quarantine. The Honey-Don’t List is one I still have to get to, also!
Nice, congrats on the reading goal! Yeah, quarantine is not fun at all, but it’s been good for reading at least. Hope we’ll both enjoy The Honey-Don’t List!
Go Lindsey! I also already hit my reading goal.
Nathaniel is such a cutie haha.
Thanks! And congrats on your reading goal as well! Go us haha 🙂
Nathaniel is adorable 🙂