Hey guys! I am so excited to be bringing you another Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag. I was recently reminded of this tag by seeing some people on Youtube talk about. I haven’t been blogging as of late so figured this would be a good way to catch you guys up. So let’s dive in!
Best Book You’ve Read So Far
One True Loves By Taylor Jenkins Reid
So back in December I read just the chapter of this book and was instantly sold on the book. However I was doing a lot of traveling so I knew the book would be put to the side. After reading that first chapter I knew this wasn’t a book that I could just push aside. I had a feeling I was going to get hooked and not want to put it down. That was the case with this book. Taylor Jenkins Reid does not disappoint with this one. It did make me emotional but after reading two other books by her that’s excepted. I highly recommend this book!
The Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far
The Tea Dragon Tapestry By Katie O’Neill
So I got into the Tea Dragon Society series last year. I ended up falling in love with the story and the art. I mean just look how beautiful the cover is. I do feel the story does take a more darker turn in this volume. It’s wild because the art is so beautiful and then there is just so much sadness in the story. It really is so well done. Plus I really like that this takes place during fall and winter. So I felt the art was just extra stunning during this volume. It’s just so cozy. It’s my favorite in the series by far.
New release you haven’t read yet but want to
Clap When You Land By Elizabeth Acevedo
He Started It By Samantha Downing
Mexican Gothic By Silvia Moreno-Garcia
So I’m sure majority of you guys are familiar with Elizabeth Acevedo. I picked up her book Poet X last year during a readathon. I ended up loving it! After that I told myself I will pick up anything Elizabeth Acevedo writes. I did try picking this up maybe a month or so ago. I didn’t really fully pay attention to the audiobook so I decided to return it to pick it up at a later date. I currently have it on hold at the library. So can’t wait to try this again.
Last year I ended up loving Samantha Downing’s debut novel. It was one of my favorite thrillers of last year. It was just so well written and very fast-paced. So the moment I heard she was coming out with another book I added it to my TBR. I don’t really remember the plot but I do like not knowing much. I also have this on hold and am anxiously waiting for it to be my turn.
Last but not least is Mexican Gothic. I have been hearing about this book nonstop. So it’s no surprise that this book is one I can’t wait to pick up. I do kinda have an idea what it’s about but I try not to know too much. I do really enjoy the cover a lot. I think it’s beautiful. Plus I don’t think I’ve heard a single bad thing about this book so that gives me high hope. I am hoping this can become a new favorite.
Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
Kingdom of The Wicked By Kerri Maniscalco
So I noticed I have a couple of books on my TBR that haven’t been released yet. I haven’t been keeping up with new releases like I normally do this year. However I am a huge Kerri Maniscalco fan. Sure I am sad to be leaving the characters of The Stalking Jack The Ripper series behind but can’t wait to start this new series by her.
Another new release I really can’t wait for is One By One by Ruth Ware. I absolutely loved her last book. So I have been excited about this one. I actually ended up winning the arc on Goodreads so I was really happy about that. I usually get denied for her e-arcs so that was such a plus. I do plan to read it next month.
Biggest disappointment
The Last Mrs. Parrish By Liv Constantine
I was really looking forward to reading this book. I went to a book signing last year and got this book signed there. However this book just ended up really disappointing me. I wasn’t a fan of the main character. I only ended up finishing this book because I wanted to know how it ended. Honestly with the way this year has gone, I feel like I read it last year and not this year. I did write a review for this book so you can get more of my thoughts here.
Biggest surprise
House of Salt and Sorrows By Erin A. Craig
For this one I couldn’t pick between these two. They both ended up surprising me and being such great reads.
House of Salt and Sorrows was a book I added on a whim. I had seen people talking it about it. Plus I ended up loving the cover. So I decided to add it to my TBR. Right from the start I knew this was going to be a good read. I just loved the eerie atmosphere and there also was some mystery in there which I wasn’t excepting.
The Mall was another great read. I picked it up because I ended up really liking the cover. Then I saw that it was set during the 90s and I was sold. I thankfully got accepted for the e-arc and read it before release. I didn’t know what to expect going in but I ended up really enjoying it. It was such a fun read. It really brought me back to that time period. I have a review for it which you can read more about here.
Favorite new author
So on Twitter I was asking people for a fluffy contemporary. So people suggested I read Geekerella. I had heard a lot of great things about it and ended up loving it. It was just what I needed. I ended up picking up the second book. I didn’t like it as much but to be fair it was when I wasn’t in a great head space and I wasn’t fully paying attention. The third book in the series comes out next month. I keep checking to see if my library has the audiobook so I can put a hold on it. No luck yet. I do hope it’s there soon.
A book that made you cry
I’m not sure I read any books that ended up making me cry. I have to admit a lot of the books I read at the beginning are a bit of a blur. This has been one wild year. Time has been flying by and what was only a couple of months ago feels a lot longer. There might have been something that made me cry but if so I don’t remember.
A book that made you happy
This book was honestly such a cute fluffy bundle of joy. I ended up loving it so much. I can definitely see myself rereading this in the future at some point. I really do highly recommend checking this out if you like contemporaries.
Favorite book to film adaptation you saw this year
My boyfriend is a very big Wes Anderson fan. Since quarantine started we have been trying to catch up all his movies. Fantastic Mr. Fox has been a movie we have wanted to watch for a while now. We almost watched it once but our internet was crappy and wouldn’t stop buffering. We finally put it on and it was just so well done. Just like all his other movies he has such a great cast of people. It’s so well done. I ended up really enjoying it.
Favorite review you’ve written this year
So looking through the posts that I have posted this year and honestly there aren’t too many. I didn’t start blogging until the middle of January. I was sick for the beginning of the year. Then February was me catching up on things I didn’t post in January. I guess since it’s very limited it would have to be my review for You Are Not Alone By Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. That was one of the first thrillers I read this year that I ended up really enjoying. You can find a full review here.
The most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year
I honestly haven’t been buying books this year. I have been getting rid of books a lot this year. So I decided I would just pick the most beautiful book I’ve read so far this year.
The Tea Dragon Tapestry By Katie O’Neill
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
Little Secrets By Jennifer Hillier
A Good Marriage By Kimberly McCreight
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 
I’m so curious about the Tea Dragon Tapestry! I’m about to add that to my wishlist rn.
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Omg it was so good. Definitely a bit sadder than the others but absolutely loved. Also it has major fall/winter vibes.
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