Hey guys! I honestly can’t believe we are in the middle of June right now. I swear June 1st was just yesterday but we’re almost at the end and July is fast approaching. I can’t get over how quick this year is just flying by. It needs to slow down.
Anyway, I have seen this tag going around on youtube and saw some blogger friends post it as well so I thought I’d hop on board and do it. I honestly forgot that I did this last year but I’m excited to do it again! I feel 2019 has been a bit of a difficult reading year for me. I’ve read 38 books so far. I feel this has been a decent reading year. I’ve had some books really stand out and others I haven’t really enjoyed. I also just got out of a bit of a reading slump which I’m glad that’s over with. I do feel I’ve read some enjoyable reads this month so that makes me very happy. So let’s dive in!
Best Book You’ve Read So Far
My Lovely Wife By Samantha Downing
So I had heard people talking about this book and how they ended up really enjoying it but I was not ready to like it as much as I did. I don’t want to say too much but this book had me hooked right from the start until the very end. I am pretty sure by the end I was overthinking the ending but man I wanted to email the author and just send her all these questions. Also this is her debut novel which is amazing. I need more from this author!
The Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far
Surprisingly I haven’t read many sequels this year. I like series but I feel I don’t usually gravitate towards them unless I’m really into the serious. I’ve been meaning to pick up Obsidio for months now but have been slacking on that. King of Fools it is! It sounds like I’m settling in a way but I’m not. There are 4 sequels I’ve read this year. Two of them are comics and I just don’t really want to count them for this. I have to say it did take me some time to get into King of Fools but Amanda Foody did not disappoint. So much happens in this book that I feel I need to go back and refresh everything that I’ve learned. I thought this was a great way to continue on with the series. I really can’t wait to see what she’s going to do with book three because this book hurt and I know she’s just getting started. Nobody is safe.
New release you haven’t read yet but want to
The Hiding Place By C.J. Tudor
The Missing Years By Lexie Elliott
The Favorite Daughter By Kaira Rouda
I’m sure you’re not surprised that my new releases that I haven’t gotten to yet but want to are mystery/thriller. The Hiding Place is on my June TBR. I still need to pick it up. I’m hoping to soon. I almost bought the kindle but I want the physical book. I don’t know if I’ll be getting to this in June but if not hopefully July.
The Missing Years, I picked up from the library. I had it on hold and was going to wait to get it but I saw it on the new releases shelf and thought why not. I really enjoyed Lexie Elliott’s debut book last year, The French Girl so I’m excited to see what it’s about.
I’ve been anxiously waiting for Kaira Rouda to come out with a new thriller. I got an arc of Best Day ever at Book Con 2017. I really liked it. So when I saw The Favorite Daughter was available on Netgalley I had to check it out. I am behind on reading it but I’m hoping maybe next month. I’m trying to catch up with my Negalley books. I have a lot.
Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
Capturing The Devil By Kerri Maniscalco
The Starless Sea By Erin Morgenstern
So I told you guys that I haven’t read many sequels this year and it just so happens to of my most anticipated releases for the second half of the year are sequels. Also mind you the ending to two different series. Capturing The Devil is part of The Stalking Jack the Ripper series. I can’t wait to see what Audrey Rose and Thomas get up into this book. I’m so sad to see it ending because these characters have been an absolute joy to read about. I will miss them dearly.
I honestly can’t wait to get my hands on The Starless Sea. It has been so long since Erin Morgenstern put out a new book. I really liked The Night Circus so I can’t wait to see what this book is all about. I am so jealous of all the people who got arcs at BEA. I would have loved to get my hands on that.
Of course last but not least is The Toll. I have been waiting for this the moment I finished Thunderhead, last year. I am dying to know how Neal is going to end this series. I honestly am probably not ready but I need to know everything. I’m excited for all of these books but this is the one I am most excited for.
Biggest disappointment
The Sun Is Also a Star By Nicola Yoon
I really really wanted to like this book. It should have been a DNF but I read it for the OWLs Magical Readathon. I pushed myself to finish it. I really wish this book was about the two character’s lives and not a romance of them instantly falling in love with each other. I did enjoy some parts of this book but that was when these characters weren’t together. Both of them had major things that were going on in their life and I wish it was just about that the whole time. Maybe they could have crossed paths but I could do without the falling in love part.
Biggest surprise
My Sister, The Serial Killer By Oyinkan Braithwaite
So I had my eye on this book but I probably wouldn’t have picked it up for a little while. It ended up being a group buddy read. I am so happy this was a pick because I ended up really enjoying this book. The story starts right away in an intense situation. So I was hooked from the very start of the book and the book just goes from there. I did not lose interest at all this book. It had me hooked the whole time. I do have to say I was a little sad with the ending but at the same time I understand. It’s a really hard choice to make. I definitely will be checking out more from this author.
Favorite new author
My Sister, The Serial Killer By Oyinkan Braithwait
The Silent Patient By Alex Michaelides
So here are three new authors that I really ended up enjoying. I am so happy to be finding some new thriller/mystery authors. I’m always trying to find new authors and these 3 did such an amazing job with their stories. I know two of them have books coming out next year so you bet I will be picking those up as soon as they come out. I can’t wait!
Newest favorite character
Lock Every Door By Riley Sager
I did just finish Lock Every Door but wow did I enjoy the side characters in this book a lot. I was a big fan of the doorman. I thought he was just the sweetest guy. He wasn’t perfect but I could understand where he was coming from. There is another character that appears in the middle of the book. She doesn’t have a huge roll in the story but I was so happy seeing her show up again at the end of the book. I honestly was surprised she popped up again but I was really happy about that. The scenes with these two characters honestly made me happy and lifted my spirits throughout the wild journey that is this book.
A book that made you cry
Second Chance Summer By Morgan Matson
Omg Second Chance Summer hands down is another favorite of mine. This was such a great book. This is definitely my favorite Morgan Matson book. I just loved it so much. Plus it broke my heart as well which I saw coming but wasn’t ready for. I don’t want to say too much but if you read this you’ll understand why.
A book that made you happy
Daisy Jones & The Six By Taylor Jenkins Reid
So first I was excited because I got an e-arc of Daisy Jones and The Six. I honestly didn’t think I was going to but I feel very lucky to have gotten a copy. I ended up really enjoying this book. It felt as if I was reading a Behind The Music on VH1. I kept wishing this was a real band. I feel Taylor Jenkins Reid did such a great job bringing these characters to life. I haven’t listened to the audiobook but I really would like to.
Favorite book to film adaptation you saw this year
So my favorite book to film adaptation was Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. I just haven’t read the comic. I really would like to because I really ended up enjoying the movie a lot. It was so well done. I really would like to watch it again.
Favorite review you’ve written this year
So one of my favorite posts I did was a Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. The theme for the Tuesday was (First Ten) Books I Reviewed. It was really interesting to see what were the first books I ended up reviewing on my blog. It was so nice going down memory lane. It honestly feels like it was a lot longer since I read some of those books but it’s only been about 2 years. I do like going down memory lane and would like to do something similar hopefully in the future.
The most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year
The Devouring Gray By Christine Lynn Herman
So this year I haven’t bought that many books this year. This is one of my favorite covers. I just love the colors and just how creepy this cover looks. It definitely is one of my favorites so far of the year.
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
The Turn of the Key By Ruth Ware
I am anxiously waiting the release of The Turn of the Key. I got rejected for the arc so I need to wait until August for it to come out. I don’t know too much about this one but I don’t like knowing too much about thrillers going into them.
I own Renegades and I actually met Marissa Meyer at the 2018 Book Con. I ended up getting the second book for Christmas last year. I have been wanting to pick up the series especially because a third book was added to it. It comes out this year so I would like to pick it up before that happens. Hopefully I do.
Did you guys end up doing the Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag? If so let me know, I would love to check out your answers. Let me know down in the comments below!
Bookish In Bed
Bookish In Bed 
Just watch Neal decides The Toll isn’t the last book so we have to wait longer for the next one.
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Oooh man, Second Chance Summer!! I’m never gonna stop being upset over that one lol. I’m sorry you got turned down for the Ruth Ware ARC. 😦 I hope you get to read it as soon as it comes out!
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King of Fools is so good, but I am essentially sobbing about it again. Need book 3 NOW
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