Mid Year Book Freak-out Tag

Ciao!!!!

So, I think this is my first ever book tag? I can’t be certain and at the moment, I am too lazy to check. Oh, well.

Anyway, it’s June already! Can you believe it? I can. I mean, it is June, whether we believe it or not. I am getting off-track. Also, this post was supposed to be up on Sunday but because I didn’t schedule and kept it as a draft (accidentally, of course!), it is up now. It was too late on Sunday to post, so, you get it on a Monday. Sorry!

So, I came to know about this tag from BookTube and it’s a neat tag, I have to say. Then, I saw it done on WordPress, too! So, I decided to do it, too because it is a really fun tag. I have read 57 books so far in 2018, yes, I know. What do I do in my life other than reading books? I am twelve books ahead of schedule, I should maybe slow down. Maybe. (I am pretty sure, I won’t. I mean, this is me.)

Best book(s) you’ve read so far

Oh, boy. I have read so many good ones this year but I can’t pick just one. It’s just not possible. I had to narrow it down to three, even then, it was so tough! I decided on these three because each of them blew my mind in different ways, I think I read them at the exact right time and place in my life, too! One of them (The Secret History) had been on my TBR for far too long, and the other one (All The Light We Cannot See) had been on the horizon. The third one, The Book of M is a new release and it seriously blew my mind.

  

 New release(s) you haven’t read yet but want to

There are many books I haven’t yet managed to read but of the lot, I am super excited to read these three. All three of them are from different genres and I can’t wait to read them!

  

Most anticipated release(s) for the second half of the year

You know what? I give up trying to find one book release that’s more anticipated than others. So, here’s another three book releases that I am looking forward to! These are from very different genres? I am including Vengeful because I am about to buy Vicious and I already know that I would want to read the sequel.

  

Biggest disappointment of the year

Hmm…wow. I had to think hard for this one because there were some hit and miss this year. There are two strong contenders for this one and to be honest, I am not quite sure about the second one? But it sort of deserves this place. Both had such a good premise and it failed to deliver in one way or another.

 

  Biggest surprise of the year

Before I joined WordPress or bookstagram, there were some books I hadn’t really heard of and there were some series that I hadn’t really given much thought to and this is one of those series. I am seriously stunned still to realise that I hadn’t read the series because it’s frankly so good!

  

 

  Favourite new author

There are so many new authors I have been introduced to this year but if I had to pick just one, this one would be it!

Tad Williams : ‘Memory, Sorrow and Thorn’ trilogy made it so obvious that he’s a great author with an in-depth knowledge of his world. The story, the writing, the characters, everything came together and created a wonderful trilogy. I have the next books in the series in my TBR because frankly, I am not ready leave Osten Ard quite yet.

Your newest favourite character

Ooh!!! This one is so tough! I mean…I have read such good books and have been introduced to such memorable characters but if I had to choose just one, I would choose Inej Ghafa from the Six of Crows duology. This girl, along with Kaz Brekker, were one of the best characters I have come across so far. Monty from The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue comes a close second.

A book that made you cry

I am picking this one because for such a small book, this one packs one hell of an emotional punch. At least, it did for me. Also, the illustration made it all very atmospheric as well, so I was extra emotional.

A book that made you happy

These two made me so happy. Both belong to different genres but they both manage to bring a smile to one’s face without fail. I think these two will remain in my heart as those books that I can read when I am down and want to feel better.

 

Favourite book to film adaptation you’ve seen this year

I think the answer to this is going to be very obvious in my case. Yes, I am talking about Call Me By Your Name. This film and the book, both surpassed my expectations. I am aware that there are people who didn’t find the book or the film particularly interesting or good but for me, it was a really good adaptation.

         

Favourite review you’ve written this year

Ooh! This is a good one. I think I would choose the review of ‘The House of M‘ for this one because it is, perhaps, one of my favourite books of the summer so far and I think I also like the way I wrote the review.

 

Most beautiful book you’ve bought this year

Ooh, there are many that I bought that would be considered truly beautiful but if I have to pick, I would pick these two. They are from the same series and both the illustrations so freaking gorgeous! The Bear and The Nightingale and The Girl In the Tower, both by Katherine Arden.

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

Oh, there are quite a few but of the ones I own, here are the books:

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden

City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty

How to Stop Time: The Illustrated Edition by Matt Haig and Chris Riddell

Plus there are some books coming in that would make the list if they had reached me in time.

Overall, I think I have had a pretty good year when it comes to books. I have read a lot and managed to keep up with the blog and everything which, if you knew me at all, you would know it’s a miracle. So, I am very happy with the results so far.

So, how has your year been so far? Books or otherwise? Have you read any of the books or do you have plans to? Please, don’t hesitate to share in the comments.