Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag 2020

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 have the name of the creator of this tag, so if you do please let me know in a comment.

Let’s get started.

Best Book You’ve Read Yet in 2019

This is always difficult for me to decide because I usually read quite a range of genres, and as far as 2020 goes, I have loved or at least enjoyed almost all of the books I’ve read. But enough stalling: I am going with The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai. It’s a generational story (which I love), it features real places and events, and is so immersive between the storytelling and character development. Read it if you haven’t already.

Best Sequel You’ve Read so far in 2019

It’s the third in a series, but Harbinger by Olga Gibbs is definitely the best series continuation I’ve read so far.

New Release You Haven’t Read Yet But Want To

Afterlife by Julia Alvarez.

Most Anticipated Release for the Second Half of the Year

I’m sorry to say that I’m not really in the loop with what’s being released in the second half of 2020, so I don’t have an answer – which book(s) should I be anticipating?

Biggest Disappointment

The Sisters Grimm by Menna van Praag really let me down. I didn’t end up finishing it, and you can read my review for my full thoughts.

Biggest Surprise

I was not expecting to be as captivated by Drift Stumble Fall (M. Jonathan Lee) as I was. It’s such an uncomfortable, entrancing, and interesting book. Sometimes taking chances on NetGalley auto-approvals pays off, friends.

Favorite New Author

I can’t believe I let J.D. Mason’s The Real Mrs. Price sit unread on my shelves for as long as I did. Her writing is…affecting. Definitely a new favorite author.

Newest Fictional Crush

I’m quite smitten with Tommy from Sarah’s Cross (Dean M. King).

Newest Favorite Character

Florine in Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea (Morgan Callan Rogers).

Book That Made You Cry

Like Nothing Amazing Ever Happened by Emily Blejwas – this book had me both laughing and sobbing.

Book That Made You Happy

The Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie. It’s the first introduction to the duo Tommy and Tuppence (for me and across Agatha Christie’s catalogue), and I adored reading about them. Even with everything that came with the crime and mystery in the book, their banter and relationship never failed to make me happy.

Favorite Book to Film Adaptation of 2020

I’m not really a cinephile, and although I was hoping to have seen the new Emma adaptation by now, I haven’t. This is all to say I don’t have an answer for this one.

Favorite Post You Have Done This Year

A Mystery Book Haul from The Green Hand Bookshop.

Most Beautiful Book You’ve Bought This Year

I don’t have the copy yet because it’s not yet out here in the US, but The Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty is definitely the most beautiful book I have purchased so far this year (and probably for the entire year).

Books You Need to Read by the End of The Year

Too many to list here. I’m currently working on my 20 Books of Summer reading list, and I would like to put a more sizable dent in my unread Book of the Month book stack.

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