Hey, guys!
I admit I’m not as active lately as I wish I could be. I don’t really have a good excuse besides laziness. đ§ But this is my blog and I’m doing it for fun, so I’m not gonna beat myself up over it.
Anyway, I thought it’s high time I did the mid-year freak out tag! Thanks for reminding me, Stephen. Can you believe that the year is already half over? My perception of time is definitely all warbled. Now, without further ado, off to the questions!
How much have you read?
According to Goodreads I have read 51 books. At least as of the time I’m writing this post. That’s actually rather good, considering that I want to read 80 books until the end of the year.
What have you been reading?
I have been reading a lot of Middlegrade and I feel good about it. I have also read some short stories and some graphic novels. In total it’s a good mix for me at the moment. I don’t need too much of the hard stuff.
Best book youâve read so far in 2020
That’s not too easy to answer tbr but this one was definitely up there. I loved it and am waiting hard for the next installment of the series.
Best sequel youâve read so far in 2020
I don’t really have read too many sequels this year yet. I mostly started new series and books, so there is not too much to choose from. But this one I rather liked.
New release you havenât read yet, but want to
That’s obviously the latest and last in the Mirrorvisitor series. It came out just a little while ago and I’m dreading the end but I’m also so excited. I want to read it and I don’t want it to end and it’s just sweet, sweet torture. đ
Most anticipated release for the second part of the year
Ooooh, there are so many. For example I’m dying to read Hollowpox by Jessica Townsend which was pushed back to September. Or Owl and the Lost Boy by Amy Wilson which can’t come soon enough. Or the aforementioned Jungledrop by Abi Elphinstone. Or Dragon Mountain by Katie and Kevin Tsang which I think will be amazing. You see it’s hard to choose just one. đ
Biggest disappointment
So far, I think it might be Internat der bösen Tiere that has disappointed me the most. It’s a German written book and I haven’t written a review yet. I felt that there were too many jumps and I couldn’t quite like the main character. There are some good ideas in there but it just didn’t work for me.
Biggest surprise
Funnily enough, the biggest surprise is this here. Funny because it has a similar premise like the book above but I just like it so much more. I ended up enjoying it so much that I’m now at book six in the series. I’m invested and I’m really curious how this is going to end.
New favourite author (debut or new to you)
That might just be Jenny McLachlan. The Land of Roar has definitely enchanted me and I loved the characters and world she created. Can’t wait for the sequel.
Underrated gems youâve discovered recently
I just realized that it was actually this year that I read the first book by Abi Elphinstone. I can’t quite believe it because it feels like I have always loved her books. And I don’t really know if you can even call her books underrated because I feel like everybody acknowledges how great her stories are. But still. They are gems.
Rereads this year
I have reread The Menagerie Series by Kari and Tui Sutherland like I do every year. I love rereading those. They make me feel so good and happy.
Newest fictional crush
I don’t really have fictional crushes, sorry.
Newest favourite character
Oh, hard to say. I do have a new appreciation for Hercule Poirot though. Although I had that last year already too.
Book that made you cry
No books have made me cry yet this year but it might still come.
Book that made you happy
The Menagerie series, obviously. All the Percy Jackson short stories I read this year. Um, yeah, the Woodwalkers too, I suppose.
Favourite book to film adaptation
I recently watched “The Willoughbys” on Netflix after reading the book and quite enjoyed it. Since the book is rather short, the movie seemed more fleshed out and richer. I had quite a lot of fun watching and reading this story.
Most beautiful cover youâve bought (or received) this year
I have bought quite a lot of books this year but I’m very much in love with “Im Sturm der Echos”‘ cover. It’s so gorgeous and fits perfectly with the other books in the series.
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
I still have two Netgalley eArcs at home that need to be read and that’s pretty much it. Sure, there will be more books coming for my bookclub but since I don’t know what’s gonna come… đ
Favourite posts you have done this year?
There were a few I quite liked, actually, and am quite proud of.
- Opening lines in books that have changed my (reading)Â life
- 7 reasons why I love Middlegrade
- Mini-Review âThe Menagerieâ Trilogy
What books did you read so far this year? Which one did you like? Which one did you hate?
I love Abi Elphinstoneâs books too – her writing is amazing and always has such wonderful positive messages.
I love her books so much. Luckily I still have Skysong at home and am currently contemplating if I should read it immediately or if I should keep it for a rainy day. đ
Sky Song was the first book I read by Abi – itâs gorgeous!
I think it’s important to remember that blogs are supposed to be FUN. I sometimes forget it myself. xD Why do we do this to ourselves? lol.
I just had a hold come through for Abi Elphinstone’s book, finally, so I’ll be checking it out soon! I’m pretty sure it’s the US version of Rumblestar? All these different titles confuse me haha.
I still need to read The Menagerie series! It’s sitting on my desk, staring at me. I try to only have one physical book at a time (because I don’t generally bring them on the go, so I only read them at home, so it’s harder to get to them), and I’m doing a buddy read currently. Hoping to pick up the first Menagerie book after I finish that for my physical read. :3
Yeah, sometimes it’s just easy to forget that you are doing it for yourself and not for others. đ
Yes, you need to read the book. They call it “The Unmapped Chronicles” in the US, I think. There is acutally a small prequel to it that came out for World Book Day but I don’t know if that’s available for you. Maybe as an ebook? It makes some things clearer, I think. đ€
Also, I’m very glad you are saying it yourself, because I’m trying really hard not to ask you about the Menagerie books everytime I come visiting your blog. Did you get the second book? (The ones with the dragons?)
Oh, I didn’t know that, and I don’t know that it’s available here, either. I did get book one through a hold, though, so yay!
Bwahaha, I finished my physical book, and I’ve officially moved Menagerie into my book sleeve so I can start it. đ I’m just waiting for a hold on the second one, but it should come through about the time I finish the first. :3
I love seeing everyone’s answers for this tag, and I liked reading yours! Hercule Poirot is a fantastic character, I definitely should get to re-reading and reading the books (and maybe check out the tv show again).
And I hope we both enjoy Hollowpox~ đ