Hello, lovely readers! It’s already half-way through July, which means it is past half-way through the year! And what a year it’s been… I thought it would be fun to look back at this year from the lens of what I’ve been reading, so I’m doing the mid-year book freak out tag to talk about all my favorite (and not-so-favorite) books I’ve read so far!
I’ve read 51 books out of my goal of 95 for the year. Follow me on GoodReads to see my thoughts on what I’ve read!
Best book you’ve read so far in 2020
LOL like I’m going to choose just one?! My favorites so far include: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (which I’ve already read twice this year?), Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid, and More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn (read my review!). In non-fiction, I’ve loved The Autobiography of Martin Luther King. Jr., and How To by Randall Monroe
Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020
Hm – I reread the Throne of Glass series, so I’m gonna say Heir of Fire, because I just love that book. I also thoroughly enjoyed Murder on the Rockport Limited, the second graphic novel based on The Adventure Zone podcast
New release you haven’t read yet, but want to
Definitely A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown – it has such an interesting magic system and also maybe an enemies to lover trope which is my favorite?! Also The Black Veins by Ashia Monet – It got compared to The Adventure Zone podcast and I think it’s like a magical road trip novel so yes please!
Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
Love and Olives by Jenna Evans Welch! I adore the first two in this series, so I can’t wait to travel to Greece in this one. I also can’t wait for The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab. Her writing is so captivating, and the premise of this book intrigues me so much.
Biggest disappointment
The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas. I never read this prequel when I first read the series, so I figured while I waited for my copy of Kingdom of Ash to come, I’d enjoy more of the world in this book. Reader: I did not enjoy it. I’m sure partially because I knew how a lot of the stories end since they’re woven into the main series, but it also just fell so flat for me.
Biggest surprise
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor. I’d read a few of her short stories and always meant to read this book, but didn’t really think much of it when I finally got around to picking it up from the library, since I’m not a huge sci-fi fan. But then I DEVOURED it. There were so many levels to the story, and the voice was totally unique. It’s also super short, which I appreciate in sci-fi!
Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
Casey McQuiston!! I cannot get over how much I love her writing style. Every word of Red, White & Royal Blue felt raw and real and was either heartbreaking or hilarious. I would devour anything she wrote.
Newest fictional crush
Ooh…maybe Luke Greenly from More Than Maybe. It’s such a sweet story and I loved getting to see his perspective!
Newest favorite character
Probably Elias from The Ember in the Ashes series. I binged this during January, and I’m so fascinated with Elias’ journey…no spoilers but I can’t wait to see how the series ends. Also, Alex and Henry from Red, White & Royal Blue of course.
Book that made you cry
Y’all, I am heartless. I basically never cry at a book. Maybe Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas? I mean, I definitely didn’t *actually* cry, but I might have felt the emotion?
Book that made you happy
Red, White & Royal Blue (yes, again). It’s SO FUNNY. I somehow forgot about the Great Turkey Calamity during my second read and laughed just as hard as the first time I read it?! Also Ghost Squad Claribel A. Ortega. This is such a sweet and fun book that celebrates family and friendship and also has the perfect amount of spooky.
Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender! This cover deserves allll the heart-eye emojis!
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
LOL like all of them?! More specifically, I’m trying to actually read the unread books that are on my bookshelf. A very small sample of that is: On the Road by Jack Kerouac, The Lucky Ones by Liz Lawson, Istanbul by Orhan Pamuk, and The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert (currently reading it now and I’m in love!)
Favorite book community member
Ahh so many good ones! C.G. Drews aka Paper Fury, Charis Rae, Joel Rochester aka Fictional Fates, and Read With Cindy, to name a few!