2021 Mid-Year Freak Out Tag // Book Edition

Hey Guys!

I have been stressing out a lot lately and my anxiety is not helping me at all. It’s been a rough month (mostly year) and I’m trying to find my ground. Except for The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, I haven’t read anything last week. I’m not gonna review that book now, so I came across this tag on Paper Fury and decided to write it for today. There are many versions of these tags and I liked this one the most.

I haven’t kept a track of what I’m reading this year. I usually have a reading journal but I’m lagging behind in many entries. Writing this tag is like a small recap for me and I had to keep going back to the Goodreads page a lot. Anyway, let’s get to the tag now.

1. HOW MUCH HAVE YOU READ?

I’ve read a total of 72 books so far. I took it slow this year and wanted to enjoy most of the books I picked. They did live up to my expectations and have read many books that have kept me tied to them. I still have 5.5 months to go and aim to get at least 150 books done by then. I’m really happy that I don’t have to worry about my Goodreads Challenge this year, though.

2. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN READING?

This year has been the year of Fantasy, most specifically YA Fantasy. I love reading Fantasy books and it’s no secret. I found great reads that became my favorite and I hope to find more in the second half. Besides Fantasy, I’ve read a couple of books by BIPOC authors. It was my goal to add more diverse reads to my TBR this year and I have read them and it’s been great. I still have to read a few classics, which I haven’t touched since December.

3. BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2021

I’m already not sure what to choose here because I have a great number of picks that I absolutely adore. But here it goes.

4. BEST SEQUEL YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2021

I finished many trilogies and a duet by June. I want to finish at least 2 more trilogies by the end of the year. I have to read the next book in AEITA series. Y’all must know how much I enjoyed reading Clockwork Princess and A Gathering of Shadows. Definitely glad I finished the Shades of Magic series though!

5. NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET, BUT WANT TO

I’m dying to read these books so badly since May. Many bookstagrammers and bloggers have been raving about Made in Korea and Perfect on Paper. I’ll have to pick them soon.

6. MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR

I’m a huge fan of these three authors. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen next in Our Violent Ends. I’ll have to try to reread These Violent Delights before book 2 releases and get ready for OVE.

Defy the Night is an all-new series by Brigid Kemmerer, I’m so excited to start it.

Helena Hoang’s third novel is set to release next month, and she’s hinted that this was the most difficult book to write so far. I’m hoping that this is as good as book 1 and 2.

7. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

I hardly rate books 2 or 1. A Deadly Education was a complete letdown for me and I never expected the book to be too sluggish.

ACOSF was really my most anticipated read of this year. I’m still happy that I read this book because Cassian and Nesta deserved their story to be told, but my problem was how it was told.

OLS had a great cast with a diverse rep, but the story didn’t work for me. So, Sorry not Sorry.

8. BIGGEST SURPRISE

Both these books started off poorly, for different reasons. But their plots took me by surprise at different junctions. Definitely Recommend!

9. NEW FAVOURITE AUTHOR (DEBUT OR NEW TO YOU)

I loved reading many debuts and by new authors (to me). These are just a few that I haven’t mentioned before.

In many ways, An Ember in the Ashes and Spin the Dawn have the same pacing. I love an evenly-paced book, so these two were the right books to spend a good day in a different world.

Shea Ernshaw’s writing has left a huge impression on me and I want to read more of her books.

Slingshot is an amazing YA debut. It has been popping up in my mind lately, definitely a favorite debut for this year.

10. UNDERRATED GEMS YOU’VE DISCOVERED RECENTLY

Many people don’t pick up this book. I’ve seen many DNF’ing it and I can understand if the pacing is the reason, but this book has a lot of potential and is one of the best witch stories I’ve read. So don’t dismiss it yet.

11. REREADS THIS YEAR

I was planning on rereading a lot of books this year, but those on my TBR are taking up all my time. I managed to reread only this book in 2021 and hope I add more to this pile.

12. BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY

I’m a sucker for tragedies and sad stories. TILOALR wasn’t sad or tragic compared to other books, but the ending made me feel so sad and lost. I never expected to cry, but there I was wiping away my tears when I reached the end of this book.

Many must have cried reading Lord of Shadows, but I cried while reading QoAaD. The grief was too strong here and I had to collect myself before continuing with this book.

Instructions for Dancing was a sweet surprise for me. I never expected it to break my heart, but the story left me in pieces anyway.

13. BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY

I realize that all these questions are a different way of speaking about my favorite books.

KiW was hilarious. I was laughing and rolling on the floor. I love books when they end up being a great Sunday read and this one was worth the weekend.

Where will I be if I haven’t read City of Bones? Obviously here, but I’d have missed so many of my favorite characters. After this book, I started annotating separately for whatever Jace said (even Will has one). I think the banter and bickering was a lot in book 1, which I missed in the other books because of Morgensterns. So there you go.

I thoroughly enjoyed NHtbL. It’s my new favorite YA and it just made me happy to read this fantastic rivals-to-lovers book.

14. MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU’VE BOUGHT SO FAR THIS YEAR (OR RECEIVED)

I brought a few books this year because I read a lot of ebooks and don’t want to keep staring my TBR and worry. There are many beautiful book covers on my shelf, but I just love this edition of Little Women. From the matte cover, the slightly enlarged font, and the feel of holding this book- everything makes me want to keep this book safe and untouched.

From my Bookstagram

15. GOALS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR

• I haven’t read a single classic this year. I’ve been waiting to read Charles Dicken’s book after seeing him quoted in The Infernal Devices. So along with his books, I want to read a total of 5 classics this year.
• I need to finish two more trilogies by the end of the year.
• I’ve reviewed 37 books on NetGalley and want to cross 50 or 60 reviews.

I Tag: You; consider yourselves tagged.

That’s all for today. I hope you enjoyed reading this post and I’ll meet y’all soon.