Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag 2017!

So, it's been a while but I'm going to stop saying that whenever I have long gaps between blog posts! Had a very busy year with moving and starting a new, awesome job. Because of this I've read 46 books so far this year, which is good but not as well as I've done in previous years. Regardless, I've decided to do the Mid-Year Book Freak Out tag as it's one of my favourite tags to see on Booktube/Book Blogs. I'm not sure who originally created the tag but all credit goes to them! Basically, the tag is to go through the books you've read so far this year to see which are the best/worst/etc. I'm going to try not repeat myself too much with these so hopefully there'll be no books mentioned twice, even though I definitely could! Here we go:

1. Best book you've read so far in 2017

For this it will have to be Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. In fact, I would love to pick both books in the duology because they were such incredible books! I first read Bardugo's YA Shadow & Bone trilogy this year which I found to be pretty good, but this spin-off duology just blew me away. The world was so well built and the characters were some of the best I've ever read. I would definitely read more books with these wonderful characters in them and I recommend them to anyone, whether you've read the original trilogy or not (although it will have spoilers for the trilogy!). 

2. Best sequel you've read so far

I've read so many incredible sequels this year (as mentioned above already), but for this I will have to say Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake. It's the second book in the Gormenghast trilogy; a high fantasy set of books that are absolutely incredible and not that well known. My sister has been telling me for years to read them and I'm really glad I finally got around to it. They are quite dense and intimidating but well worth the read as the story is so captivating. 

3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas. No two ways about this one! I am currently re-reading A Court of Mist and Fury (one of my favourite books from last year), so hopefully I'll be on to this soon!

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

This one is a bit tougher as there are a lot of books I'm looking forward to coming out, but I think it will probably be a toss-up between Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas or Warcross by Marie Lu

5. Biggest disappointment

I've already had a few disappointing reads this year and this question is definitely between two books: Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige or Caraval by Stephanie Garber. Unfortunately, I think Caraval has been the bigger disappointment purely because I got an advanced reader's copy and it had so much hype around it, but didn't live up to it. I may write a full review of my biggest gripes at some point.

6. Biggest surprise

Where am I Now by Mara Wilson. This was mostly a surprise because I don't often read non-fiction and really enjoy it, but I most certainly did for this. In fact, her book was absolutely incredible and perfectly described what growing up with anxiety is like. It also contained so many anecdotes from her time on Matilda, Mrs Doubtfire and many more films, which made me chuckle.

7. Favourite new author (Debut or new to you)

Tara Altenbrando who wrote The Leaving. This book was captivating and just perfect for me. I love thriller/mysteries and this was just what I needed at the time. If you enjoy that genre of book then you'll definitely enjoy this suspense-filled novel. Could not recommend it more.

8. Newest fictional crush

Meh, I don't usually get these, but I do love Rhysand as a character from the Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy.

9. Newest favourite character

Ronan from the Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater. I think I found him to be the most three-dimensional. I also loved how much of anti-hero he was because of his struggles, but he was still ultimately a good guy.

10. Book that made you cry

The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer. This book was spectacular. It portrayed someone suffering with mental health difficulties in an extremely realistic and moving way. It was so cleverly written; skipping between the past and present and using different fonts to portray where the character was. It was also full of unreliable narration and drew attention to the fact, which I also really enjoyed. I read this book in one sitting and it moved me to tears. Highly recommend it!

11. Book that made you happy

Pokemon Adventures Volume 1 by Kusaka and Mato. I first read this when I was about 7 or 8 and I've finally bought them all and read them in order. So much nostalgia. They follow Red, Blue and Green, and their adventures as Pokemon trainers. If you were a fan of the Pokemon video game then these are definitely for you. Also, a lot more sinister than the TV show ever was!

12. Favourite book to film adaptation you saw this year

I actually haven't seen any yet, but I did read If I Stay this year so I might try the film! Let me know if any of you thought it was any good.

13. Favourite review you've written this year

As you might have noticed, I've been rather absent this year on my blog so I don't have a favourite review. Hopefully, I'll write another one before the end of the year.

14. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)

This has to be either The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon, or Uprooted by Naomi Novik. Those covers <3

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

SO MANY BOOKS. I have a very large TBR Pile. To name a few I definitely want to get to soon though, I'll limit it to the top five I want to read this year:

1. Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

2. The Black Prism Trilogy by Brent Weeks

3. American Gods by Neil Gaiman

4. Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith

5. Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

So many books! Let me know if you've done this tag and if you've read any of these books! :)