The Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag (2022)
Tuesday, June 14, 2022I've been doing this tag every year—except last year, unfortunately—since I first found it. Check out 2020’s post. It's always a blast to be able to go through all the books I've read so far in the year and discuss my favorites. As of today, I've read a total of 123 books! I’m just as shocked as you are. I graduated college last December and dove head first into reading tons of books. I’ve considerably slowed down since the first few months of the year, but I am thinking of trying to finish 200 books by the end of the year. I’ve never read that many in a year, so wish me luck! Let's chat about all the books I've read so far this year:
The best book you've read so far in 2022:
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas: I finally read this book in time for its sequel’s release. Though, I haven’t picked up the sequel yet. This was absolutely fantastic! I liked the urban fantasy world with its large cast of characters. I was obsessed with the romance. It was everything!
Your favorite sequel(s) of the year:
A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer: What a great conclusion to the Cursebreakers series! The whole series had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Since I gave every book before this one in the series five stars, I had a feeling that I was going to love this one and I did!
A Touch of Ruin by Scarlett St. Clair: I saw A Touch of Darkness somewhere on TikTok and since I adore Greek mythology retellings, I thought I’d give this Hades and Persephone retelling a try. And I adored both of these books. It’s an ongoing series so I am waiting until the series is completed to continue, but it is such an addictive book!
Into the Hollow by Karina Halle: Last year, I discovered the Experiment in Terror series and have been reading my way through these books. It follows paranormal investigators as they hunt supernatural creatures and fall in love. While I’ve rated all of the books highly, this installment serves as a turning point for the characters, where readers get the most character development. I adored it!
A new release that you haven't read but really want to:
Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram: After Khorram’s fantastic debut, Darius the Great is Not Okay, I will read anything he writes. This one follows a boy band star, Hunter, as he navigates life on tour.
See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon: The author that brought you the 5-star reads of Today Tonight Tomorrow and We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This comes a time loop romance. I am completely sold; can’t wait for this one!
Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer: Kemmerer is back with a new series set in the Cursebreakers world. Do you know what that means? Some of my favorite characters will be making an appearance! This is going to be such a fantastic book!
Most anticipated release(s) for the second half of the year:
Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle (10/4): After adoring Hogle’s first few books, I have a feeling that she is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me. This one will most definitely cement her place as one. Just Like Magic is a holiday-themed contemporary romance.
The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (8/30): I have so many questions after reading the previous book in the series, The Hawthorne Legacy. This also is the third and final book in the Inheritance Games and I can’t wait to see what happens next with the Hawthorne gang.
Frightmares by Eva V. Gibson (7/5): I discovered this one recently and it was sounds like it will be perfect for the autumn months. Everything changes when Dave, an employee at a struggling haunted house, finds an actual dead body hidden in plain sight. Why isn’t anyone talking about this one?
Your biggest disappointment:
Honor Lost by Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre: I finished the book and my first thoughts were, “What just happened?” I’m in the minority here as all the reviews I’ve read have really loved the third book in The Honors trilogy. I was so excited to read this one after loving the first two books, but I may have hyped it too high, because the book fell flat for me.
Biggest surprise of the year:
All of Us Villains by Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman: I was counting down the days until I could borrow this from the library. After all, it was marketed as The Hunger Games with magic, which sounds magnificent. However, it was a surprise that I didn’t like it as much as I was hoping to. It just wasn’t for me.
Radiance by Grace Draven: It has been a while since I read an indie-published book, but I am so glad that I gave this one a try. I completely loved this one and now want to read all the books Draven has ever written!
Favorite new-to-you or favorite author:
Alexis Hall – Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake: I have never read anything by Alexis Hall, but I’ve seen some of their work around. After reading Rosaline Palmer, I need to read more from them. It was such a fantastic story with superb writing. I can’t wait to start working on Hall’s backlist!
A book that made you cry:
The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks by Mackenzi Lee | Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
A book that made you happy:
My Fine Fellow by Jennieke Cohen | All Fired Up by Dylan Newton
Favorite book-to-movie adaptation:
Heartstopper vol. 1-4 by Alice Oseman
The most beautiful book you bought/received this year:
What are some books that you need to read by the end of the year:
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas | From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout | The Roommate by Rosie Danan
I tag all of you. Let's chat about our favorites of the year so far!
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