The Mid Year Freak Out – Book Tag!

I’ve been trying to stay away from tags lately but this one looked too fun! And with the year almost half over (SERIOUSLY?! Where has the time gone??) it’s nice to take a step back and look at your progress and what you’ve read. So here it is!

1 – THE BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2017

I tried. But I couldn’t pick just one!! It’s impossible! I’ve read so many amazing books this year I just couldn’t narrow it down. So we have a Fantasy – The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – which was one of the most descriptive and beautifully written books I’ve ever read! Then we have a YA Contemporary – The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas – which is a book that I would recommend to literally any and everyone!! And a science fiction – Starflight by Melissa Landers – which was such a great adventure that rekindled the spark of reading just for fun!

2 – YOUR FAVOURITE SEQUEL THIS YEAR

Going back through the books I’ve read this year, I realized I haven’t read too many sequels this year! Surprising! But A Torch Against the Night was really good! I enjoyed book 1 (An Ember in the Ashes) but book 2 was so much better. I love the direction this one went in and can’t wait to see what happens next!

3 – A NEW RELEASE THAT YOU HAVEN’T READ BUT REALLY WANT TO

This one was just released on June 6th and I need it – NOW! I’ve had it on my wish list, counting down the days, and now I just need to wait for my book store to get it in!

4 – MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR

Tell me it’s written by Ryan Graudin and I’m all in! But then mention ancient Rome and Gladiators – HELL YES! Here’s the synopsis:

Farway Gaius McCarthy was born outside of time. The son of a time-traveling Recorder from 2354 AD and a gladiator living in Rome in 95 AD, Far’s birth defies the laws of nature. Exploring history himself is all he’s ever wanted, and after failing his final time-traveling exam, Far takes a position commanding a ship with a crew of his friends as part of a black market operation to steal valuables from the past. 
But during a heist on the sinking Titanic, Far meets a mysterious girl who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Armed with knowledge that will bring Far’s very existence into question, she will lead Far and his team on a race through time to discover a frightening truth: History is not as steady as it seems.

5 – YOUR BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

This. I’m sorry. I wanted to love it so badly. But I just couldn’t. I’m going to cry in bed out of shame now!

6 – BIGGEST SURPRISE OF THE YEAR

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. This was on everyones radar for most anticipated at the beginning of the year. I had never read a book written by her before, and the synopsis honestly sounded confusing, but it was available as an ARC from the publisher and I thought I would give it a shot. SO glad I did! It was one of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read. Seriously, her writing style is something I will forever cherish and admire. Not only was her writing amazing but the story was so unique and sucked me right in! I expected to like it but didn’t expect to become obsessed!

7 – FAVOURITE NEW TO YOU OR DEBUT AUTHOR

Angie Thomas. This book was so powerful and so important. But if it wasn’t so well written then the message wouldn’t have been as strong, or could have been lost all together. She managed to capture this explosive situation from literally every angle. It wasn’t one sided in any way and you understood every aspect. I will read anything this woman writes!

8 – YOUR NEW FICTIONAL CRUSH

Oh, the question was new fictional crush? Well no – that won’t be happening. I only have eyes for this guy. We are made for each other and I could never hurt his feeling by looking at another man. (husband – if you’re reading this – I still love you! This post will show me if you actually read my blog or not!!! But seriously honey, he has wings. WINGS! And he also has dark hair and tattoos. You could be friends……. don’t divorce me)

9 – NEW FAVOURITE CHARACTER

Rishi from When Dimple met Rishi. He was such a great person! I loved how traditional he is, how much he loves his family, how smart and creative he is, and how feisty he can be to protect the ones he loves. His one liners had me laughing so hard! Really great person and I actually wish I could be friends with both of them!

10 – A BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY

I shed so many tears during this book but it was only because I was laughing so damn hard! I haven’t cried over a book yet in 2017, but this one made me laugh so much that my husband questioned my sanity. I’m being serious! I was listening to the audiobook while working and would burst out laughing out of nowhere. And the more I tried to be quiet, the harder I laughed, until my face was so full of eyeball leakage that I had to stop working and get a towel. Yup.

11 – A BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY

I was really trying not to mention the same book twice in this tag but I smiled so much throughout this one! It was sweetness overload!

12 – YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION THAT YOU’VE SEEN THIS YEAR

Sadly I haven’t seen any this year!

13 – FAVOURITE BOOK POST YOU’VE PUBLISHED THIS YEAR

I don’t really have a favourite. I pour the same amount of effort into all of them! But the one that I had the most fun writing was The Zombie Apocalypse tag

14 – THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU HAVE BOUGHT/RECEIVED THIS YEAR

I don’t know what it is about this cover but I love it!! It’s so much more shiny and vibrant in person. The colours and the symmetry of the design are just so appealing to me!

15 – WHAT ARE SOME BOOKS THAT YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR

I don’t normally tag people but thought I would this time around. DO NOT feel obligated!!

• Kristin – A Simply Enchanted life
• Steph – Lost Purple Quill
• Kyera – Kyera’s library
• Joe – J.W. Martin Storeys of Stories
• Maria – Big City Bookworm

Until next time, happy reading!