Mid-Year Freak Out Tag 2020

MID-YEAR FREAK OUT TAG 2020

    2020 has been quite the year. I've been pretty MIA on here and the same can be said for my reading life. Despite the shitty year, I've managed to read some books- not a lot, but better than nothing. As I don't have school or work for damn near two months until my pre-PhD program starts, I've finally got time back in my hands to do things like read and blog. I figured what better way to get back into things than to go with a good old-fashioned tag. I actually used this as an opportunity to get back into booktube, so if you'd rather watch my tag than read, you can check that out at the end of the post. Without further ado, here's the tag!

1. Best book you've read so far in 2020

This one was a close one, but ultimately it came down to House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas. I enjoyed the high(ish) fantasy elements, especially the absurd amount of worldbuilding that went into this book. The characters, plot, and romance were very much in the fashion of Maas's other works, but hey, if it works, it works.

2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2020

As of today I haven't read any sequels in 2020.

3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to

Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout just came out this week and I was lucky enough to get the ebook from my library this week, so I plan on reading it ASAP.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

I absolutely loved Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin and cannot wait to read Blood and Honey, the sequel. I just might have to do a reread before I pick up the second book, that's how much I loved it.

5. Biggest disappointment

In the Darkness by Mike Omer was such a pile of hot shit compared to the first book that I can't even believe it was written by the same person. There were so many problematic elements in the book that it was just unbearable to read.

6. Biggest surprise

Unfortunately, One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus just did not meet the mark. I do not understand why there was so much hype around this book in the booksphere. This book was incredibly predictable and middle of the road. There wasn't a single aspect of the book that I thought was unique or mind-blowing. I was really surprised because I was looking forward to a good YA mystery, but honestly this was along the same vein of Riverdale, and that is not a good thing.

7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)

I read The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary and quite enjoyed it. Women's lit or contemporary isn't really my thing but she made it work for me.

8. Newest fictional crush

If I had to pick, I guess it would be Hunt from House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J Maas. Like he didn't really do anything for me in like a crush way, but he was such a badass that like I wouldn't mind hanging around him.

9. Newest favorite character

Poppy from From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout took the crown for this one. Listen, I am well aware that most of Jennifer L. Armentrout's books are essentially the same thing, tweeked, and her characters are pretty cut and paste, but I still really enjoy those books and those characters. So is Poppy like those other characters? Yes. Do I care? No.

10. Book that made you cry

I don't really cry when reading so...

11. Book that made you happy

I reread Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston and it just made me really happy and feel-good. It's just some wholesome queer shit that makes me smile.

12. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year.

You cannot look at me and tell me that House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin Craig does not have a beautiful cover???

13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

I don't really do TBRs so this is up in the air. I'm very much a mood reader so I just kinda go with the flow as things come up. I'll definitely read Rage and Ruin and Blood and Honey, but other than those two, nothing else is guaranteed. 

    Well that was the written part of this post. If you're interested at all in watching the video I made doing this tag as well as giving a brief little update and doing a mini-unboxing, watch below! Otherwise, thank you guys for tuning and let me know what you thought of the tag and any of the books I mentioned above.