the mid-year book freak out tag

It’s that time of year again! June is coming to an end (how is it already almost July?), and it’s time to freak out about how half the year is already over. Thank you to Amy @ A Fangirl’s Opinion for tagging me!

Reading this year has been a little slow compared to other years, but I’m hoping to pick up the pace soon, so I can reach my goal of finishing all the books I physically own. For now, let’s talk about the books I’ve finished in the first half of 2021!

──────── ●⚫● ────────

Best book you’ve read so far in 2021?

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: everyone needs to read this book! There are so many important social issues it covers, and the story is absolutely fantastic. Who doesn’t like a thriller murder mystery?

Best sequel of 2021 so far?

Aurora Burning by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

I’ve forgotten how much I love the books that these authors write together. They’re fun, intense, and emotional, and Aurora Burning was no exception. I can’t get enough of Squad 312, and I’m terrified of what’s in store for them in the finale.

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

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

I’m not an impulse buyer (even when it comes to books), but this is the first book in a very long time where I felt a strong urge to immediately buy it after I read the blurb. The premise is so stinking cute (who doesn’t like a time travel lesbian romance?), and I need it in my hands, ASAP!

Most anticipated release of the second half of 2021?

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

👏 I 👏 am 👏 so 👏 HYPED 👏! I thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth Lim’s Spin the Dawn series, so I’m super excited to see what she’s going to do with her next series. (Plus, look how stunning this cover is!)

Biggest disappointment?

Rise of the Red Hand by Olivia Chadha

I wanted to like this book. I really did. It has a bunch of cool elements to it: it’s steampunk, futuristic, dystopian, set in the South Asian region, and talks about the aftermath of a third world war. However, I couldn’t get past the writing style and characters. It was a little clunky, and I had a very hard time getting through the first half of the story. I really wished I DNF-ed this.

Biggest surprise?

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

ACOSF surprised me in two ways. 1) I didn’t think this book would hit as hard as it did (the talk about mental health hit close to home). 2) I didn’t think I’d struggle with the length of this book, but I did. I haven’t had trouble reading SJM’s longer books in the past, but I think my reading stamina is slowing down.

Favorite new author?

Casey McQuiston

Do I even need to explain myself here? I feel like I’m super late to the Casey McQuiston fan club, but she has a way of writing super lovable yet real characters that I can’t get enough of. (I seriously need to get my hands on One Last Stop, because I’m dying to read it.)

Newest fictional crush?

At the moment I don’t have any new book boyfriends/girlfriends/partners. A lot of the books I’ve read so far this year are sequels to series I started in the past, so I haven’t been introduced to a lot of new characters yet.

Newest favorite character?

Kind of like the “newest fictional crush” prompt, I don’t really have a new favorite character because I haven’t read a lot of new books yet.

Book that made you cry?

Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman

This series makes me cry for several reasons. First, it made me cry because the homophobia and general nastiness Charlie and Nick go through. Second, it made me cry because of how cute the two are together. Third, it made me cry when their friends and family were supportive of them because it made me so darn happy (because who doesn’t love wholesome support from loved ones?). I’m starting to realize I cry for a lot of different reasons….

Book that made you happy?

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Weird choice, I know, but hear me out: the reason this book made me so happy is because of the representation and the talk about racism and microaggressions. It made me feel heard, and there were times where I yelled “thank you!” out loud in public when Juliette goes into how frustrating and annoying these things can be (I got a few weird stares but whatever). Also, I was scared half-way through the book I wasn’t going to like it, but the second half picked up the pace and it ended up being 4.5 stars for me.

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

Shadow and Bone Netflix adaptation

This isn’t a movie, but I feel like it counts anyways. S&B was THE book-to-screen adaptation of 2021 (so far). At the time I’m writing this, I still haven’t finished watching season 1, but so far it’s really good! I’m always hesitant when books are turned into something else, but I think Netflix did a really good job combining the timelines and characters of the Grishaverse.

Favorite review/post you’ve written this year?

Probably my most recent one: Aurora Burning. I wouldn’t say it’s my best writing, but I had the most fun and ease writing this one. Some books I have a hard time thinking about what I want to say, but this review my thoughts flowed right out of me.

As for my favorite post, I’d have to choose Let’s Talk: Diversity and Representation in YA books. It took a long time to write, and I’m proud of the end result. It also sparked some good conversations, which was ultimately the end goal. My ACOTAR books 1-3.5 recap is probably my second favorite.

Most beautiful book you bought or received so far this year?

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

I usually try not to use the same book twice as an answer in a tag, but look at this cover! It’s so stunning. When I got this in the mail I gasped out loud. The picture looks great, but trust me, it looks even better in person.

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

So… many… books. I *may* have broken my book buying ban and gotten a few more books over the last few weeks. These are the books I physically own that I want to read before the end of this year:

──────── ●⚫● ────────

I’m not going to tag anyone because there are a LOT of questions, but if you want to try it, consider yourself tagged by yours truly!

clean template (for copying and pasting)

Best book you’ve read so far in 2021?

Best sequel of 2021 so far?

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

Most anticipated release of the second half of 2021?

Biggest disappointment?

Biggest surprise?

Favorite new author?

Newest fictional crush?

Newest favorite character?

Book that made you cry?

Book that made you happy?

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

Favorite review/post you’ve written this year?

Most beautiful book you bought or received so far this year?

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

──────── ●⚫● ────────

Stay awkward and amazing!