Hello bookworms! I am very much aware that the middle of the year has already passed. But better late than never in posting this book tag.
I haven’t been posting a lot of book tags lately because I am a lazy daisy. But here we are now with this oh-so-popular tag that has been circulating in the book community in the last couple of weeks.
Looking back in my reading year, I am proud of myself. It was only the middle or the not-so-middle of the year and yet I am almost done with my reading goal in Goodreads. The only positive thing about this pandemic, I guess.
There is a lot of questions in this tag, so let’s get into it.😉
Yeah, I am that smooth with transitioning from one thing to another.🤣
Best book you’ve read so far.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
↠This is by far the best. I cannot stop thinking about this since I read it. I’ve been evaluating myself and everyone around me. I cannot recommend it more to everyone. So if you have not read this yet, do check it out!
Best sequel you’ve read so far.
Wildcard by Marie Lu
↠I thought this question will be easier as I’ve been reading a lot of series but it was not. I’ve read this book back in January or February and it’s still the best sequel that I have read so far. It was a solid conclusion to the dulogy. Moreover, I like how the author ended this book and the series as a whole. I appreciate the bit of reality in this fictional world. If you have not read it, go check it out.
New release you haven’t read yet but want to.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
↠This is my most anticipated release of 2020 and yet I have not read it yet. Although to my defense, I only hauled this last June and I have yet to reread the Mockingjay because I want the story to be fresh in my mind when I read this book.
Imagine Me by Tahereh Mafi
↠This book is the same case as The Ballad. I have not read Defy Me yet and I only hauled this book like a week ago.🤣 And to be honest, I am scared to pick up both books because I am afraid that it might ruin the series for me because of all the mixed reviews that I’ve been hearing about these books.
Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
The Last Confessions of Mara Dyer and Noah Shaw
↠This book was supposed to come out in 2019 but it was pushed back this 2020. But I am not sure if this book will be published this year as I’ve heard rumors that the publication date was once again pushed back. Hopefully, there will be a final publication date for this and hopefully, it will be this year!
Biggest Disappointment
The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
↠The second book in the Mistborn trilogy is a struggle. I already struggled with the first book but this book is tougher. I have to stop at 45% as I felt like nothing is really happening. We have different points of view and yet it feels like we are stuck in the same side of the story. It was boring and as soon as I am warming up with Vin, she became annoying again and I just can’t do it. I was really expecting to love this book because I loved Elantris but I’m only disappointed.
Biggest Surprise
Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
↠I am not much into romance but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed and loved this book. It may not be a 5-moon rating because of the writing style but I love the story. I felt like I read it in the right mood and at the right time. Highly recommend. But once again, just endure the writing style.🤣
Favorite new author
Stuart Turton author of The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
↠I almost did not have an answer for this prompt as I am mostly continuing with the series that I’ve started years ago or rereading some books to finish a series. But I remember finishing his book and heading to Goodreads to check if he has more books that I could devour. So I take that as a sign that he might be a favorite. I guess his book coming out this year will decide as to where this author really stands. But for now, he is a favorite.
Newest Fictional Crush
No one.🤣 I don’t know if it’s just me outgrowing this concept but I don’t have any fictional crush. It’s kinda funny since I’ve been reading a lot of romance this year and yet no swoon-worthy character to have a crush on.
Newest Favorite Character
Prince Raoden from Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
↠He is my favorite character in this book. I love his ideals, his passion and his characteristic as a whole. He is not the arrogant, problematic guy with a mysterious background. I can really see why the people in their land loves him and I can feel their loss in knowing that he is gone. (Not a spoiler, it’s in the synopsis!)
Book that made you cry.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
↠I reread this book in preparation for the prequel. I already know what happened in this book but I still cry. I felt how deep the story is in this reread than when I first read it or when I reread it before. That scene hits hard and I am getting emotional just by thinking about it.
Book that made you happy.
Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett
↠This book plays with my emotion in a good way. I love the banter and chemistry of the characters. It is not just about romance; there’s also friendship, family relationship, and a coming-of-age story in a way. The only thing that I dislike about it is the synopsis. I think the story would be better if they did not spoiled things in the synopsis. So I am not linking the Goodreads page for this book. Go read it without checking the synopsis! This is about anonymous pen-pal friends, a hot bodyguard, and movie geeks. That’s all you need to know.
Most beautiful book you’ve bought (or received) so far this year.
Shades of Magic Collector’s Edition Boxed Set by V.E. Schwab
↠The moment I saw this on the bookstore, I’ve been eyeing it online eversince. And so when I saw it on a trusted book seller’s online shop, of course I have to checked out this lovely boxed set. I am also obsessed with the Maps of the different Londons included in the box! And because I’ve been obsessing at how beautiful these books are, I am currently reading the first book right now even though I still have a ton of books to read on my shelf.🙈
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
These babies. It felt like a throwback when I first started reading. It’s nostalgic but at the same time, a good choice of books for the new decade. Fingers-crossed to getting into it this year.
So that is all for this mid-year book freak out tag. I am not gonna tag anyone because you all have probably done yours weeks or months ago.
This long blog post is exactly the reason why I am not able to post this on time.🤣 But oh well, better late than never!
Until next time!
Maria❤
A Daughter of Parchment and Paper 