Welcome to another Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag! I've read 92 books so far this year, which I'm very happy about, but it does mean that it was tough to narrow down the choices for my answers. This tag as it's one of my favourite tags to see on Booktube/Book Blogs. So, without further ado, let's get on with it!
1. Best book you've read so far in 2020
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
I actually just finished this today and it immediately became my favourite book of the year so far. Usually, this spot is taken by a fantasy book so this is pretty unusual for me, but this book was just surpassed everything I expected. With the Fire on High follows Emoni, a senior in high school, who is also a mum to a 2-year-old girl. She is juggling school, being a mum, while also trying to pursue her dream of becoming a chef. This book was so pure and wholesome, but it also delved into so many deeper topics such as race, sexuality, absent parents, disability, slurs, shootings. Emoni was such a wonderful character and she honestly felt so real to me. I also adored her 'Buela and Malachi. If you want a diverse contemporary that will warm your heart then definitely pick this one up.
2. Best sequel you've read so far
Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
The Stormlight Archive is fast becoming my favourite Brandon Sanderson series that I've read so far. As this is the second book in the series, I won't say much about it except that the world and characters in this book are fantastic. I especially love Kaladin and Shallan, and it was so good to see a lot of characters finally meet and start interacting with one another. Yet another Sanderson series I recommend, especially if you like high fantasy!
3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin
In all honesty, I don't know a whole lot about this book and I kind of want to keep it that way. I'm highly anticipating reading this book as I read N.K. Jemisin's Broken Earth Trilogy a couple of years ago and loved it. I'm so excited to see what this new book from her is like!
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
This book sounds amazing: Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs. But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the colour of impurity and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death. This fantasy sounds so unique and I believe it's a west-African-based fantasy, which I just haven't read enough of! I'm highly anticipating this book.
5. Biggest disappointment
Infinity Son by Adam Silvera and A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
I've sadly had a few disappointing reads so far this year, but I think the most disappointing in terms of how much I was looking forward to them was Infinity Son and A Discovery of Witches. Infinity Son sounded like an incredible X-Men-type sci-fi and it was written by Adam Silvera, whose books I've enjoyed in the past. Unfortunately, this book was just so lacking in world-building for me and the characters fell so flat. A Discovery of Witches sadly felt like an adult Twilight and the characters were so bland. The main love interest was horrendously possessive and, honestly, not much happened in a book that was nearly 700 pages long. Overall, I found both of these books a bit of a chore to read and I'd expected to give both of them 5 stars.
6. Biggest surprise
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
This is an Adult Contemporary novel about Lydia Bird whose fiance is killed in a car accident. The book then follows Lydia dealing with grief, but when she falls asleep her life continues as though her fiance had never died. I honestly didn't expect too much from this book and I was so pleasantly surprised by it! This book deals so so well with grief and loss, as well as friendships and sibling friendships. I will say that I didn't particularly love the ending, but overall this was such a compelling contemporary that I do recommend.
7. Favourite new author (Debut or new to you)
Nic Stone and Holly Jackson
I've read so many new-to-me authors that this was difficult to choose, so I've narrowed it down to two. One is Nic Stone who wrote Dear Martin, a fantastic contemporary that deals with racism in America, as well as being beautifully written. Another author is Holly Jackson who wrote both books in the series that starts with A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Her thrillers are fantastic and the plot twists were so unexpected that I just couldn't put the books down.
8. Newest fictional crush
Meh, I don't usually get these and I don't have any love interests in mind from any of the books I've read.
9. Newest favourite character
All the characters from House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas, but especially Bryce and Danika.
10. A book that made you cry
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Of course, I had to mention this book on this list. I really enjoy Sarah J. Maas's other books so I was highly anticipating this book this year and I wasn't disappointed. Despite this book being a little bit too long, everything in it contained was amazing. Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life—working hard all day and partying all night—until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths. This urban fantasy was incredible. The characters were so fleshed out and the world was absolutely fascinating and unique. Honestly though, the best thing about this book was the last 300 pages. I pretty much read that final part of the book in one sitting because I could not put it down. If you like adult urban fantasies then pick this one up!
11. A book that made you happy
Nyxia: Uprising by Scott Reintgen
I read the first book in the Nyxia Triad series a few years ago now when it first came out and it was easily one of my favourite books from that year. This year I finally continued on with the trilogy and Scott Reintgen did not disappoint. This is a YA sci-fi series that follows Emmett who is recruited by a corporation to enter a competition to be the chosen humans who will go down to a newly discovered planet, called Eden. This is a fast-paced, unputdownable thriller sci-fi that constantly surprises the reader. The characters are all diverse and very realistic. This is the third book in the trilogy and it was probably one of the best finales I've read. If you like sci-fi mixed with a Hunger Games-like contest, then I recommend this book.
12. Favourite book to film adaptation you saw this year
I haven't seen any yet.
13. Favourite review you've written this year
I don't have any favourites for this year!
14. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)
Complete Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Anderson and Run Rebel by Manjeet Mann
Both of these books are just stunning 😍
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. Scythe by Neal Shusterman
2. Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson
3. The Passage by Justin Cronin
4. The Black Prism by Brent Weeks
5. The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
So many books! Let me know if you've done this tag and if you've read any of these books! :)
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