Mid-Year Freak Out Tag

It should be illegal that we’re already halfway through the year! It doesn’t make any sense to me. Seriously. Where did the time go? I think this is what being old is. Constantly complaining about how fast time is passing lmao. Regardless, I have read quite a number of books already this year, and have yet to read even more! I will say I’m on track to reach my 100 books before the end of the year goal, so let’s see if I can make it happen!

Best book you’ve read so far in 2022:

I don’t even know what to say about these! They’re all so so amazing. Dowry of Blood is a historical novel about vampires and an abusive relationship. A Lesson in Thorns is a dark poly romance set in a spooky english manor. And manacled in a Dramione fic that completely ruined me. RUINED ME!!! Probably the most I’ve cried all year.

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2022:

I’ll never forget this series and I’ll never forgive Kate Stewart for writing Exodus!!! It broke me. Completely. I liked the first book in the series, but the second??? jfc. If you’re interested in dark romances and having your heart broken, I would very much recommend this one.

New release you haven’t read yet, but want to:

I have no excuse for not having read these books yet! I have arcs for three of them (shame!) and let one expire from my library hold’s list (rip) I haven’t heard much about any of them tbh, but Emily Henry, Hannah Capin, and Seanan Mcguire have put out some of my favorite books, so I’m crossing my fingers I will love these as well.

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year:

I feel like a lot of these are just highly anticipated releases for most people in the book community. I’m obsessed with all of Ruth Ware’s and Blake Crouch’s books, so obviously I’m including their newest releases. The premise for The Honeys sounded amazing when I read it. A little weird and a little culty? Yes please. Babel is a dark academia that focuses on racism written by one of my favorite fantasy authors. Yes. And the final two books are sequels in series I have been loving this year! 100% will be reading all of these asap

Biggest disappointment:

I’m so sad I did not love this as much as everyone else. I wanted more!! I feel like we didn’t get to see a lot of what they were actually doing/learning/etc. I don’t really know what even happened in this book tbh. It just felt like something was missing for me, unfortunately. I haven’t decided if I’m going to try to read the sequel or not. We shall see.

Biggest surprise:

Three of my favorite books of the year and three books I was not expecting to love so much lol. They all took me by surprise, and I couldn’t be happier that they did!

Favorite new author:

I’m not going to lie… I don’t think I’ve found a brand new author that I would consider a new favorite. It’s very possible either Mary E. Pearson or Sierra Simon could be, but I think I need to read more from them to be sure!

Newest fictional crush:

I’ll be in love with Dom forever <3

Newest favorite character:

This is actually so hard for me. I feel like I tend to fall in love more with stories than with characters?? Like even if the characters make the story, I will still not be able to choose a favorite character?? Idk. Anyway. No newest favorite character for me!

Book that made you cry:

What can I say, some of my favorite books also destroyed me!! I think one of the ways I determine whether a book is a favorite or not is whether it made me feel. All of these destroyed me completely and I also love them all dearly. (Pls if you have any recs for amazing books that will also tear me to pieces lmk)

Book that made you happy:

Okay, I don’t know what it is about Elle Kennedy’s writing, but it always brings a smile to my face! I can be in the worst mood, and I’ll start reading one of her Off-Campus books and all of a sudden be giggling out of nowhere. For real, if you need something to lift your mood. This is it.

The most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year:

This is the only book I’ve bought this year, so it is by default also the most beautiful. I have yet to read it, but I know it’s supposed to be amazing and I can’t wait.

Books you need to read by the end of the year:

These are a bunch of arcs I have received over the past two years and have yet to read. Truly shameful!! Will be reading them all before the end of the year, and hopefully even sooner.

Favorite book to movie adaptation you’ve seen this year:

OMG!! This was so much better than I ever could have expected. It made me laugh, it made me cringe, it made me SOB!!!! Seriously. If you’ve been thinking about watching it, now is the time! I will say there are a few cringy moments with slang usage, but the story, the moms, everything. It was so good.