Hope everyone has been enjoying our 5 year blogoversary celebrations this week. Today, we’ll be doing the Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag to recap the first 6 months of our reading year! I think some of these answers might surprise you!
1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2017?
Jenna: I’ve read far fewer books this year than I normally do and my reading slump has made it kind of hard for me to actually enjoy the books that I’ve been reading but my favourite read of the year so far is probably The Secret of a Heart Note by Stacey Lee.
Aila: The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee. This book is the book I pined for as a child.
Jeann: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor – Find out why with my review!
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2017?
Jenna: Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare. It’s no secret that I love the Shadowhunter Chronicles and this sequel definitely did not disappoint. (But it also has to be noted that I don’t think I’ve read very many sequels this year).
Aila: A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi. Technically it’s a companion sequel but I have yet to read a direct one this year that blew my socks off.
Jeann: A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi, I still haven’t reviewed this because I can’t find the words but yes, it features an antagonistic, slow burning romance with a fierce protagonist and Indian mythology. And it’s BRILLIANT.
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but what to?
Jenna: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. Okay, okay I have started this book and am on page 56. But I’m currently in Canada and my copy of the book is in Australia… so… I’ll pick it back up in October! (Jeann – HURRY UP AND READ IT JENNA)
Aila: Saints and Misfits by SK Ali. My preorder is at home, and I’ve been pining for it this whole summer since I can’t have my hardcover.
Jeann: Here Lies Daniel Tate by Cristin Terrill. I love my psychological thriller and this one sounds fantastic! It’s only out in the US on hardback though, so that’s pretty expensive.
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of 2017?
Jenna: You can’t ask us to just pick one… The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee, Renegades by Marissa Meyer, The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo, They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Aila: Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi, The Speaker by Traci Chee
Jeann: Warcross by Marie Lu, Unearthed by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
5. Biggest disappointment?
Jenna: The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich. This book had so much potential but it ended up being cheesy and boring…
Aila: You can’t have disappointing books when you don’t go into them with expectations in the first place. 😉
Jeann: Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh, because I had to suspend my disbelief at too many points.
6. Biggest surprise?
Jenna: The End of Our Story by Meg Haston was definitely a surprise to me. I knew I was going to enjoy it but I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did! It was just full of all the things that I love to see in contemporary YA novels.
Aila: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. With all the surrounding hype and my dislike of the author’s debut book, I didn’t think this one would be so fun! But it was. Thanks Jeann for pushing it on me!
Jeann: Miss Lily’s Lovely Ladies by Jackie French, I don’t normally read historical fiction especially set during the World War era, but I ended up really enjoying it!
7. Favourite new author?
Jenna: I haven’t really read enough this year to have a favourite new author… but I really loved The Secret of a Heart Note by Stacey Lee so I’m super excited to read more of her novels (I’m pretty sure I already own all of them).
Aila: Nic Stone, whose debut Dear Martin comes out in October. It’s such a short and simple yet nonetheless impactful book.
Jeann: Angie Thomas for sure, who wrote The Hate U Give! She’s so inspirational as a #blacklivesmatter advocate especially for POC teens everywhere!
8. Newest fictional crush?
Jenna: So this is a bit unusual… but I don’t think I have one? WHO EVEN AM I?
Aila: Jason Zhou from Want, because GOT DANG this bad boy is all sorts of trouble with a butterfly knife. I love him.
Jeann: Definitely Rishi, I think we need more soft boys and those who actually like their culture!
9. Newest favourite character?
Jenna: Um… again, I don’t think I have one? I’VE JUST BEEN REALLY SLUMPY OKAY? If I had to choose, I’d probably say Lazlo from Strange the Dreamer… but I feel like I can’t say this yet because I’ve only read 56 pages of the book.
Aila: Genie Lo; she’s relatable as heck and honestly #studentgoals.
Jeann: Starr because she’s fearless, flawed and so brave and inspirational. I loved her thoughts in the book and her insecurities, it felt so relatable.
10. Book that made you cry?
Jenna: NONE (I’M HEARTLESS). Again, I don’t know what is wrong with me. I’m a book cryer. I cry about everything! But no book has made me cry yet this year…
Aila: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. There were just moments in that book, that made my heart go “umph.”
Jeann: I haven’t found a tearjerker yet this year either!
11. Book that made you happy?
Jenna: Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han. All of the books in this trilogy have made me insanely happy. Nothing brings more happiness than a good dose of Lara Jean and Peter K!
Aila: Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde. I loved all the diverse representation, the characters, and the slice-of-life journey the book took readers on.
Jeann: When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandya Menon! Here’s our discussion review on why.
12. Favourite book to movie adaptation that you saw this year?
Jenna: I haven’t seen very many movies this year but maybe Beauty and the Beast? If that counts?
Aila: None because I’m not about that adaptation life.
Jeann: Wonder Woman if that counts, because it’s adapted from the comics? I’m all about the girl power in that film!
13. Favourite review you’ve written this year?
Jenna: I’m not sure that I have a favourite but I remember word vomiting my review of The End of Our Story by Meg Haston.
Aila: The Traitor’s Kiss by Erin Beaty. For some reason this gained popularity on Goodreads, but I’m glad it could caution readers about the more problematic aspects of the book.
Jeann: 5 Reasons Why You Should Read Strange the Dreamer
14. Most beautiful book you bought so far this year?
Jenna: Strange the Dreamer UK First Edition. I mean… it’s hardback, it’s got blue pages, it’s got beautiful gold foiling on the cover, it’s got a printed signature on the title page and it’s got a beautiful naked cover. I don’t know how much more I need to say. It was so beautiful that I preordered two copies.
Aila: This is cheating but I preordered The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty and every time I glance at that cover my heart beats a little bit faster.
Jeann: My Harry Potter 20th anniversary special editions!
15. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
Jenna: ALL THE BOOKS! But if I had to narrow down that list, I would say Strange the Dreamer because there’s no excuse for not finishing that one. And I’ve made a promise to Jesse @ Books at Dawn that I would read his favourite series, Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes before the year is over.
Aila: Warcross by Marie Lu. I need it and I need to love it.
Jeann: UNEARTHED by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner, it sounds amazing and that tomb raider space life will be mine.
Hope you guys enjoyed our answers to this tag!
Jenna
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[…] noticed this book tag on two of my favorite blogs (more specifically: Happy Indulgence and Paper Fury) and decided to try it out myself! (Sidenote: This tag was created by Chami @ […]
This is so fun, ladies!! There are so many books to comment on, I don’t even know where to start! Like Jenna, I am having a bit of a slump too, it seems. Most of my answers were like “Idk, everything sucks”. But it doesn’t even SUCK, it’s just been… underwhelming, I suppose? Plenty of 4 stars, not really many 5s. SO many here that I NEED to read. The End of Our Story, Genie Lo, Warcross, Unearthed, When Dimple Met Rishi (still waiting on that “I need a contemporary!” feeling that I will have eventually 😉 ) , A Crown of Wishes- actually, look, I need ALL your anticipated books immediately, okay? I also loved Strange the Dreamer and The Hate U Give.
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight recently posted…Tag Time
Awesome tag!! I’m reading Lord of Shadows right now and I totally agree that it’s an awesome sequel. A Crown of Wishes is definitely on my tbr though. Ooh Rishi is my crush too omg. I also want to read ALL THE BOOKS by the end of the year haha. It’s so hard deciding what to read next when there are so many awesome diverse books being released this year.
Rachana recently posted…book review: lady midnight by cassandra clare ~ an wildly compelling story
Strange the Dreamer was so amazing. Definitely one of the most unique fantasies I’ve read. I love Aila’s mindset about going into books with no expectations I gotta start doing that more! Queens of Geek was wonderful too. I’m so excited for Warcross!!
Happy 5 years! This is a fun tag. Warcross and Unearthed are two I’m really looking forward to as well. And Queens of Geek was fun.
Greg recently posted…Ivory and Bone
Yes to all of the soft boys Jeann! Haha I love Aila, you’re like ‘you can’t be disappointed if you don’t have any expectations’.
Savannah recently posted…Why We Need Less Romance and More Friendships in YA: A Discussion
I totally loved reading this!! YOU MENTION SO MANY GOOD BOOKS AHHHH. I’m a huge Strange the Dreamer fan too. I mean, that book. That story. THAT WORLD. ❤️❤️ I have so much appreciation. Also I reeeally loved The Hage U Give and Dimple & Rishi. (I mean how could anyone not?! They’re so amazing! And Dimple & Rishi made me smile SO MUCH…heck yes to more Soft Boys and Powerful Girls <3 bless them.) And nothing's made me cry this year either.
Cait @ Paper Fury recently posted…5 Underrated Writer Problems That NO ONE TALKS ABOUT
The Love Interest is getting a lot of bad reviews which sucks because I was so hyped about it. I loved Dear Martin, already read it twice, so good!
Kei @ The Lovely Pages Reviews recently posted…SO MANY BOOKS, VERY FEW FAVORITES
I finished The Epic Crush of Genie Lo yesterday and it is totally epic. I loved it. <3
I love this post! I had fun reading your answer! Made me want to one too
Hana Bilqisthi recently posted…The Real Secret How I Can Read 100 Books a Year
Awww girls I loved reading this post and I am soo glad and happy that I have discovered you!! ^.^ Thanks to you now my TBR will be nearly as high as Everest, but I don’t mind it I am all for tue bookss!!! I am yet to read Strange the Dreamer and How Dimple met Rishi and until now I was delaying picking them up, but now I want to read them more than ever!!! I am a new fan of all of you much love from a Bulgarian book worshipper *.* ♡♡