2020: Mid-Year Freak Out Tag!

I can’t believe that it’s July. I don’t think there’s been such a weird year in my entire life. So when the lovely Anne from Rooting Branches tagged me in the Mid-Year Freak Out tag, it seemed like a good way to look back at the books I’ve been reading in 2020 and take stock before looking forward!

1: Best book you’ve read so far in 2020!
It maybe shows how 2020 is going, but it’s The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. It was just a really honest depiction of depression. I can see myself coming back to it over and over in the future.

2: Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020!
I haven’t actually read many sequels so far this year. Although, Katherine Howard: The Tainted Queen by Alison Weir* is the fifth book in the Six Queens series and it was another great addition to the series. I do want to read more sequels, it’s really nice to get a new plot with all the world-building already done in your mind.

3: New release you haven’t read yet, but want to!
I’ve been pretty good at actually reading my pre-orders this year so I don’t have any unread at the moment. But, my copy of My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell is currently in quarantine at Waterstones and I’m having to balance my want to read it with my fear of actually going to get it. Truly a 2020 problem!

4: Most anticipated release for the second half of the year!
I’m so keen to get my hands on Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas. The news of the publishing date push-back ruined my whole day when I found out. At least an October release date makes it perfectly timed for Halloween season!

5: Biggest disappointment!
Not an individual book, but more a feeling I’ve had when reading. It seems to be getting harder and harder to immerse myself in a book. Hopefully it’ll pass soon.

6: Biggest surprise!
I knew I was probably going to enjoy How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather but I didn’t think I’d love it so much! I didn’t know much going in and was expecting the usual fun YA that’s mainly action and romance, but it ended up being a really smart and impactful story about bullying.

7: Favourite new author! (Debut or new to you)
Valerie Valdes’ debut, Chilling Effect* was an absolute romp of a space opera and I’m dying to get my hands on the sequel. Space cats!!!!

8: Newest fictional crush!
I’m not sure it counts because it’s more a I-want-you-in-my-life crush rather than romantic but I love Jeeves! I just finished My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse and immediately moved on to The Inimitable Jeeves. They’re such fun books and I want Jeeves to fix all the problems in my life.

9: Newest favourite character!
Hazel from Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens was a treasure. I really enjoyed the way that she wasn’t the leader of the detective society, so she got dragged into a lot of drama. I related to her a lot.

10: Book that made you cry!
I don’t really cry at books, I’m afraid! I did get a little choked up at Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, but who didn’t?

11: Book that made you happy!
I don’t know about anyone else but it has been so stressful lately that almost no books have been making me happy. However, Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome will always pull a laugh from me.

12: Favourite book to film adaptation that you’ve seen this year!
I’m not sure I can claim this since I’ve never read the books, but the Netflix series Virgin River has been an absolute delight. I found myself wanting to read a romance which is not really my genre. Maybe I need to ease myself in with some paranormal romance and see how I get on.

13: Favourite review you’ve written!
I’ve only written one full review this year- yikes! But I was very fond of A Messy Affair by Elizabeth Mundy* and really liked my review.

14: Most beautiful book you’ve bought (or received) this year!
I was blessed by the ARC angels and got my hands on an early copy of The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow* and that cover? Every time I look at it, I swear I find something else I haven’t noticed before. Hopefully the book inside is just as beautiful.

15: What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
I don’t really need to read anything but I’m trying to keep up with all the books I’m purchasing… which is more than usual in lockdown! Top of my TBR is Wranglestone by Darren Charlton, Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett and The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin!

That’s all folks! I think everyone and their mother has done this tag by now so if you haven’t, I tag you!

What books are you looking forward to in the tail end of 2020?