Today I decided to do my very first tag on the blog. It’s already a fantastic reading year for me and I can’t imagine that’ll change. So far I’ve read over 80 books and to be honest I did not see it coming, especially since it feels like I’ve done so many other things besides reading. This tag was created back in 2015 by Chami (ReadLikeWildfire) and Ely (Earl Grey Books) on youtube. I think it’s a great way to reflect a bit on what I’ve read these past six months. I can rarely pick just one book, but I’ll try to cut my answers down to the books I feel need to be included. Enough explaining. Here we go!
Best book you’ve read so far in 2017
I’ve read so many amazing books already this year, but if I have to choose I would say The Diviners by Libba Bray and Nyxia by Scott Reintgen. I know those are two books, plural. They’re just both so amazing.
Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2017
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. There’s no doubt in my mind. I love the world, character, well everything really. I WANT A TV SHOW. PLEASE MAKE MY DREAMS COME TRUE.
New release you haven’t read yet, but want to.
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus is described as a mix between The Breakfast Club and Pretty Little Liars. Enough said.
I’m very interested in almost everything Japanese, so when I read the synopsis of Flame in the Mist by Renée Ahdieh I was sold. Now I just have to make time to read it. But it’s definitely very high up on my tbr for the remainder of the year.
Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
There are so many amazing new releases coming out in the second half of 2017. Apart from the few arcs I’ve mentioned already and will mention later, I’m very excited for the following releases.
Odd & True by Cat Winters is set in 1909, where two sisters battle demons. I received and arc of it and have already read it. It’s such a fantastic book, I can’t wait for everyone to read it!
Biggest Disappointment
This is without a doubt Shatter Me by Teherah Mafi. I’ve said it before and I will say it again. I hate this book. The writing infuriates me and I cannot for the life of me understand why it’s so popular. It’s a poor romance imitation of the X-Men franchise.
Biggest Surprise
As I wrote in my review of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern I’ve never cared for the circus aesthetics. But that did not keep me from loving this book. The atmospheric setting of Le Cique des Rêves is hauntingly beautiful. It was a very pleasant surprise, and from now on I’m open to giving books that don’t initially intrigue me a chance before dismissing them.
Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
I have to say Michael J. Sullivan because I love both books one (Age of Myth) and two (Age of Swords) of The Legends of The First Empire series. The characters are precious and funny and the writing makes me feel like I’m there for all of it.
Newest fictional crush
I rarely get crushes on book characters anymore. If I have to pick one, I’d like to change it to a character I’d want to be friends with, because then I would choose Suri and her wolf Minna from The Legends of the First Empire series.
Newest favorite character
Roan from The Legends of The First Empire books. She’s introduced in Age of Myth, but she really gets to shine in Age of Swords.
Book that made you cry
I was sobbing at the end of The Dollmaker of Krakow by R. M. Romero. Not just getting a little teary eyes, I was ugly crying. It’s beautiful, magical and heartbreaking. It’s about selfless sacrifice and unconditional familial love between unlikely friends during WWII.
Book that made you happy
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han is a fun and cute contemporary. I picked it up as an audiobook on a whim when I was craving something light. It cheered me up when I needed it. As soon as I finished the first book I started listening to the second one, P.S. I Still Love You, which is also very cute though not as good as the first one.
Favorite book to film adaptation you saw this year
I can’t even remember if I’ve watched a movie this year. I haven’t even watched that much TV, which is usually my go to entertainment other than books. I’ve watched the first few episodes of 13 Reasons Why and I like it, but I can’t see myself being able to binge watch it. It’s just too damn depressing to be honest.
Favorite review you’ve written this year
I’m just generally proud of myself for starting a blog and being able to keep it going. Same time last year, I wouldn’t even have been able to imagine it as a possibility. When I write blog posts and reviews I always try to do my best, I would never post something I’m not satisfied with. With that said, I’m constantly improving my writing skills and becoming more aware of what to focus on when reviewing. And mostly I just genuinely love blogging about books. The blog post that I am most proud of is this one.
Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
Cover wise I would say And I Darken by Kiersten White. The flower petals and the sword along with the beautiful simple color palette makes my mouth water. Or The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco, now that is a stunning cover. I’m a sucker for purple, it’s such a mysterious and magical color.
What books do you need to read by the end of the year
Oh gosh, this is a tough one. There are so many to choose from and it’s so hard to narrow it down to a reasonable amount. I want to read every single book on this list, expect for the ones I’ve already read of course. Well actually maybe I want to reread a few of them. In addition to those, I think it’s time to stop putting it off and pick up A Court of Thrones and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and the rest of the series. How will I ever read them all.
Phew, that was a lot of questions. I hope the coming months are going to be as good to me as the past six have been. There’s really only been one book that I have strong negative feelings about. A few books have been okay, but I’ve read a whole lot of good books so far this year.
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