I am back from my break and ready to get back into things. So to start off I am doing my annual Mid-Year Freak Out post. This has been an interesting year so far, I seem to be reading slower and I found myself struggling to answer some of the prompts this time around. Hopefully the second half of the year will be better.
How Much I Have Read So Far This Year:
I was initially surprised to see myself behind on my challenge, I am usually ahead by midyear, but then I remembered that I upped my challenge from 150 to 180 books. So, I guess I’m okay with being behind a bit? I have also been reading a lot of long books, especially audiobooks, this year, so that hasn’t helped either. Not making excuses, just wanting to explain a bit. Hopefully I can make up some ground this summer.
Best Books I have read so far this year:
These are the ones that I would consider my favorites so far this year.
A Game of Fear by Charles Todd was sublime and I really enjoyed the mystery in this one. There were some good twists and unexpected consequences in this one.
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse was an unexpected delight. I really liked how this story is unfolding and I can’t wait to see how it ends in the next book.
An Impossible Imposter was so good. I really enjoy this series, but I am a bit concerned that the main characters will not be able to reconcile after this one.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager was such a good mystery, and what a twist! I never saw what was really happening until it was revealed.
Finlay Donovan Knocks ’em Dead by Elle Cosimano was hilarious and even better than the first book. I really enjoyed the audiobook as well.
Best Sequel so far this year…
I honestly haven’t quite finished this one yet, but I can just tell that this is going to be my favorite so far this year. I have quite a few sequels coming up in the next half of the year that might knock it off the pedestal, but we shall see.
New Releases I haven’t read yet!
All of these look so good and I hope to get to them soon.
The Woman in the Library has been getting some time in the spotlight and I hope it is as good as it sounds. I love the setting and the story sounds really good as well.
Friend of the Devil is one I have had my eye on for awhile. It is a debut for this author, but it just sounds so intriguing.
The Murder of Mr. Wickam caught my eye because of the author. I have read and enjoyed other books by this author and this Jane Austen mashup look promising.
I requested an ARC for We Made It All Up, but did not get it. Technically it comes out in the second half of the year, tomorrow to be exact, but I’m still counting it as I am late getting this done.
Most Anticipated Release for the next half of the year:
This one began to get ridiculously long. So to keep it no more than 5 books per prompt I had to make some heavy decisions. Basically though I made the cuts by choosing only those books I don’t have ARC’s for. For three of these I may have to reread the first book before reading the second as I want to have them fresh in my mind before reading it.
Biggest Disappointment so far this year:
I was so disappointed by this one. I was expecting witch spies helping out the Queen and saving England from destruction, but what I got was a long boring political rant about gender identity. Still not sure why I finished it, although there were a couple of characters I liked which made up for the slow and boring plot.
Favorite New Authors:
Both of these authors are not exactly new to me this year, but they have now been entered onto my favorite authors list this year. I just love their styles and in the case of Elle Cosimano her humor. Both of them are masters at adding twists I did not see coming.
Under Rated Gem:
I really enjoyed League of Liars and I am really hoping it does well enough that we get a sequel. The magic system was really unique and I loved the whole heist and the reveal of what was really going on at the end was well done.
Books that made me happy:
Sorry to repeat myself, but these books were hilarious and make me smile whenever I think about them. It will be a long wait for book three.
Book that made me sad:
I don’t usually include this prompt, because I don’t like to read books that make me sad. But I wanted to include at least one book from the Dresden Files and this is the one I chose. I did cry while reading this one because a very much loved character was killed. I was initially shocked and mad and couldn’t believe that the author killed her off as she has been in every books since the start. But like Harry, I have come to terms with it.
Goals for the rest of the year:
At the start of the year I set a goal to read some books that I have had sitting on my shelf for a very long time. I chose 11 books to get through this year which I thought was reasonable, because it was around 1 per month. Well six months in and I have only read 3 of them. I’m not sure what that says about me or the books I have chosen. I keep thinking of picking them up though, so that is something.
Well I hope you enjoyed my mid-year freak out. It is a lot of fun looking back on all of the books I have read so far this year. What is your favorite book so far this year?
Confessions of a Serial Reader 