Shout-out to Gabriella of Gabriella M Reads for tagging me in the Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag! I’m so excited to be participating again this year. If you’d like to check out my post for 2017, click here.
This tag was originally co-created by IsThatChami and Earl Grey Books.
Mid-Year Freak Out 2018
Feel free to click the links to read my reviews of the books if I have already read them, or check out their Goodreads listing if I haven’t.
1. The best book you’ve read this year?
This has been an amazing year so far! I’ve read 24 five-star reads as of July 1st! Ah, to pick just one… I would have to say that my favorite of the year so far has been The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor. It is a wonderfully written mystery/thriller that I couldn’t put it down! I need to reread this one soon.
2. The best sequel you’ve read in 2018?
Force of Nature (Aaron Falk, #2) by Jane Harper. After reading The Dry, I wasn’t sure I wanted to see this turn into a series because of how powerful the first one was. But I’m SO glad that the second book was just as amazing.
3. New releases you haven’t read yet, but want to.
The Outsider by Stephen King. I picked this one up shortly after it was released but I haven’t had the chance to read it and it’s killing me! Hopefully I’ll be able to get to it soon!
4. Most anticipated releases for the second half of the year?
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite! I keep hearing amazing things about this one, and I cannot wait to get my hands on it!
5. Biggest disappointment?
Bonfire by Krysten Ritter was not a book for me. I don’t enjoy pushing through books that I’m not enjoying, but for some reason I pushed through here. I knew right away that the writing style was going to drive me crazy, and it only got worse. For how excited I was to get my hands on this one, I was really disappointed!
6. Biggest Surprise?
Mask Beneath Her Face by Rafael Chandler. I accepted this one as an honest review months before I was able to get to it, so by the time I picked it up, I had totally forgotten the synopsis. When I turned on my Kindle and read the first page, I was totally surprised! I could not believe how violent it was; I was hooked!
7. Favorite new to you or debut author?
For a new-to-me author, I definitely have to say Katherine Arden. I read The Bear and the Nightingale for book club and totally fell in love with her writing. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!
8. Newest fictional crush?
I don’t crush on fictional characters.
9. Newest favorite character?
Hug from Hug Chickenpenny: The Panegyric of an Anomalous Child by S. Craig Zahler. My goodness, this little guy. Hug is such an amazing character and one that will certainly stick with me for a long time to come. Hug is so unique and otherworldly. Right from the synopsis you can tell that he doesn’t have an easy life. But no matter what was thrown his way, he remained hopeful and positive.
10. Book that made you cry?
I very rarely cry while reading, but I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara had me very close! Just reading about the crimes was gut-wrenching and how seeing how the case consumed Michelle, but knowing that she passed before the killer was caught was heartbreaking.
11. Book that made you happy?
Soul Render (Soul Stones, #1) by T.L. Branson. I had been very anxiously awaiting this one! I had the chance to read the short stories leading up to the release of the full length novel. With each new short story, the anticipation grew. When I received an ARC, I was ecstatic. I adored this book!
12. Favorite book to film adaptation?
Ready Player One! It was a bit different from the book, but I think the film captured the heart of the book wonderfully! I loved the film!
13. Favorite post you have done this year?
Honest Review Requests Gone Wrong. This was just so much fun to put together and it provided me with a great outlet for my frustration about this process.
14. Most beautiful book you have bought this year?
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid. This cover is one of my all time favorite covers. It is just stunning. Photos don’t do it justice. The content of the book, however, just wasn’t for me.
15. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
Oh gosh, so many…. I have a bunch of honest reviews booked out that I have to get to. Other than that, I’m just hoping to keep up with my two book clubs and slot in a few books that I was to read just because.
Wrapping things up:
2018 has certainly been an interesting reading year so far. With how insanely busy I have been, I’m really happy with what I’ve been able to read so far!
I tag anyone that hasn’t yet been tagged but would like to participate!
Thanks for reading!
If you’ve completed this tag, I’d love to read your answers!
I need to read The Outsider, too. I need more King in my life. I just got The Bear and the Nightingale, so hopefully I can read it sometime this year. I’m on a giant waitlist for I’ll be Gone in the Dark. Who knows when I’ll get that one.
Aj @ Read All The Things!
Wahoo! I hope you love all three!! I can't wait to see what you think!
I've heard so many good things about The Bear and the Nightingale. I need to get around to reading it.
Definitely! It's so lovely! I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
I'm so happy to see Katherine Arden made your list. I love that series too!
I still need to get to the second book!!
Even with all the changes, I agree that Ready Player One was a great adaptation! It was really neat to see that world come to life!
😀 Right?! My fiancé loved it as well! He's really into video games so he thought the whole premise was so neat. I want to try to get him to listen to the audiobook sometime 🙂
Isn’t it crazy that the year is half over?! I’m so impressed that you’ve read 24 5 Star reads! I haven’t been so lucky.
I can't believe it- to both!! Time has FLOWN, and with how much I feel like I'm slacking with my reading this year, my stats prove me wrong! I hope you get some five star reads soon!
I'm not sure how, but I had never heard of The Outsider before. It definitely sounds like an interesting read. Also, despite our previous talks about Bonfire, I bought it. We'll see how that goes. I'm glad you did the tag and I loved your answers despite never hearing of a lot of these books. Lol.
😀 I hope you have better luck with Bonfire! I do know quite a few people that loved it! I think the style just wasn't for me. Thanks again for tagging me!
I haven't read any of these yet but I can't wait for my library hold on The Outsider to come in.
I really liked the Ready Player One movie too – they definitely got the tone and spirit right! 😉
I need to get on this tag soon…
😀 Definitely! I'd love to see your answers!
The Bear and the Nightingale was so good. I just bought myself the sequel, so can't wait to dive in. I'm glad to hear that you've had an enjoyable reading year so far. Wishing you lots of good reads for the latter part of 2018.
Wahoo!! I can't wait to see what you think about book two! 🙂
Great answers. I don't crush on fictional characters either – but fictional dogs – yep. They always get a spot with that question whenever it comes out. You need to start The Outsider now….I'll wait. I can't post my review until later because it was the buddy read for me and Stormi this month but I will let you know I loved it!
😀 I cannot wait to get to The Outsider!! I'm hoping to read it after I finish Children Of Blood and Bone!