Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag 2019

The purpose of this book tag is to horrify you with a reminder that the year is half over look back on the books that have filled the first half of your year. I don’t think any further explanation is necessary, so let’s get into it.

Best Book You’ve Read Yet in 2019

Ugh this prompt is always agonizing – I’ve actually left it for last because
~ a v o i d a n c e ~.

I guess I’m going to default to the book I’ve mentioned multiple times in the rest of this tag, which just so happens to be the…

…Best Sequel You’ve Read so far in 2019

The Kingdom of Copper by S. A. Chakraborty.

New Release You Haven’t Read Yet But Want To

The Book of Dreams by Nina George. I received an ARC from the publisher and have yet to find the time to read it (the book was published in April).

Most Anticipated Release for the Second Half of the Year

I feel a little odd answering this, because my level of passion for anticipating new releases is quite low. Furthermore, I don’t have a list of anticipated releases that I’m choosing from, so here are two books that I’ve added to my TBR that happen to have publication dates in the second half of 2019: The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee and House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig.

Biggest Disappointment

Vengeful by V.E. Schwab. In last year’s Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag, this was my answer for the above category, “Most Anticipated Release,” so it was extra disappointing to DNF it this year. You can read my thoughts about it here.

Biggest Surprise

In the Negative Sense: It’s a toss up between not finishing The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry and disliking “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (because of Alice) by Lewis Carroll.

In the Positive Sense: I was blown away by Clever Maids: The Secret History of the Grimm Fairy Tales by Valerie Paradiž.

Favorite New Author

Like I said last year, since this doesn’t specify new in the debut sense or new in the personal sense, I’m going with the latter: Julia Alvarez.

Newest Fictional Crush

I’ll never tell.

Newest Favorite Character

Syenite in The Fifth Season (Broken Earth #1) by N. K. Jemisin.

Book That Made You Cry

The Little French Bistro by Nina George.

Book That Made You Happy

The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis – this reread always makes me happy.

Favorite Book to Film Adaptation of 2019

Is answering with either of Marvel’s blockbusters of this year a stretch? Yes? Then I don’t have one because I haven’t seen any. But I am looking forward to seeing the film adaptations of The Goldfinch, Artemis Fowl, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Little Women, and why the heck did nobody tell me We Have Always Lived in the Castle had been made into a film??

Favorite Post You Have Done This Year

I’m pretty proud of this book review.

Most Beautiful Book You’ve Bought This Year

Technically I purchased it last year (pre-order), but I received it in January so I’m counting it: this US hardcover edition of The Kingdom of Copper by S. A. Chakraborty.

Books You Need to Read by the End of The Year

All of the books on my shelves. I’m hoping the #20booksofsummer Reading Challenge will give me the push I need to do so.

Now onto July and the second half of 2019. I tag you, person reading this, and if you have already done this book tag leave a comment so I can check it out.