I’m officially freaking out because it’s June.
How can it already be June? 2018 doesn’t have my permission to go by this fast. Due to my state of panic at this rapidly passing year, it’s only fitting that I participate in the Mid-Year Book Freak Out tag. 😉
Even though I haven’t read at all much this year, I still wanted to take part in this fun tag. That way I’ll be able to look back at the end of the year and see what I was reading way back in June! Maybe by then I won’t be 9 books behind on my Goodreads challenge.
First of all, thank you to Lily for nominating me for this tag! Lily’s blog is beautiful, her posts are amazing, and on top of all of that she’s so incredibly kind. Definitely go check out her blog and her post. Thank you again, Lily!♥
I’m so excited to do this tag, because although I’ve read only a little this year, I’ve discovered a lot of amazing books and some of my new all-time favorites. Without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Best book you’ve read so far this year
This is the hardest question ever! (Says every bookworm ever.) I’ve been lucky enough to read so many books that really left an impact on me. I think it’s going to have to be a tie between A List of Cages (my review here) and They Both Die at the End (my review here).
If you haven’t read either of these…please do, they’re amazing!
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far this year
The only sequel I’ve read this year was a reread of The Perilous Journey, by Trenton Lee Stewart. It’s the second book in the Mysterious Benedict Society, a middle grade series that I highly recommend to anyone looking for some quality MG. 🙂
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to
Literally so many?? So many bloggers have been doing amazing “new release” posts that cause me to add about 10,000 more books to my TBR. I’m slowly drowning under its weight, but it’s fine.
These were all published in May, and are all books I really want to read soon. I’m hoping they become available in my library soon so I can read them!
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
Honestly, I’m not 100% sure? But I do know that I absolutely can’t wait for What If It’s Us, by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera (!!).
This year I got introduced to Adam Silvera and learned of his tendency to break my heart in each and every one of his books, BUT I always end up loving them so much and I just can’t wait to read this one! (I haven’t read any of Becky Albertalli’s books, but I’ve heard she’s amazing as well!)
Y’all, I can’t wait.
5. Biggest disappointment
The only book I’ve read that I completed despised was 1984, by George Orwell. I had to read it for school, and while I know it’s a classic and maybe I shouldn’t despise, I just do.
Okay, maybe I just disliked it because I was forced to annotate it? And because I had to write essays about it? Whatever the reason, I don’t recommend it and will not be rereading it (even though I own a copy because yay! annotations!).
6. Biggest surprise
This definitely has to be The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green.
After everything I’d heard about it, and after waiting so long to jump on the bandwagon, I really didn’t know how I’d end up feeling about it. But I LOVED it! I can see myself reading it again in upcoming years.
7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
Does it surprise anyone that the answer is Adam Silvera??
8. Newest fictional crush
Okay, how am I supposed to remember all the amazing characters from books I read way back in January? *cries* I may be leaving someone out, but I have to pick Adam from A List of Cages.
I did way too much gushing about him in my last post, but if you missed it: he’s sweet, kind to everyone, clumsy, has the best relationship with his mom, takes in a younger character like a brother, and just all around is the best guy. I wish he weren’t fictional.
9. Newest favorite character
I don’t know that a character from a book I read this year is my new all time favorite character, but one of my favorite character out of all the books I read would have to be Starr Carter, from The Hate U Give.
She’s so strong and brave and so many other things that I don’t even have the words to describe. I admire her so much as a character!
10. Book that made you cry
I cry a lot in books. And, as it turns out (as I look at my Goodreads), I’ve read a lot of books this year that broke my heart into a million fragments. I’m looking at you, Adam Silvera.
I apologize for the long list, but how could I pick just one? So many books have contributed to slowly breaking my heart.
11. Book that made you happy
This has to be Happily, by Chauncey Rogers (my review here).
It was a fairytale retelling that just left me feeling so happy and just…ahh, I love fairytales and this book so much.♥
12. Favorite book to movie adaptations you’ve seen this year
The only one I’ve seen so far was the 2018 A Wrinkle In Time movie, and I really liked it! I know a lot of people disliked A Wrinkle In Time, but the movie was really well done.
13. Favorite review you’ve written this year
I’d have to say my review of A List of Cages! (I’m sorry not sorry for the amount of times I’ve mentioned this book in this post.)
I enjoyed that book so much, and genuinely loved writing the review. I was typing a mile a minute because I had so, so much to say and all I wanted to do was share my love for the book with everyone else!
14. Most beautiful book you’ve bought (or received) so far this year
I’ve only bought a few books this year (thanks to Barnes & Noble gift cards), and I’d have to say the most beautifully, cover wise, is More Happy Than Not.
There’s a lot going on, but I love it. The rainbow just makes me so happy, and the way the cover is about half an inch shorter in width is really cool. (If that makes sense at all. 😉 )
15. What book do you need to read by the end of the year?
I’m going to take a leaf from Lily’s book and say… a ton of books on my TBR. I just want to get as much reading done as possible!
And that concludes my freak out! It was really nice to look back over what I’ve read this year and remember some favorites in particular. 🙂 I know by the time this post goes up, June will be close to being over (what?), but there’s still time to do this mid-year tag.
I nominate…
Aimee // Elizabeth // May // Tiffany // Bella // Michelle // Kimberly // Joanna
As always, no pressure at all to do this if I nominated you! And if I didn’t and you’d like to do this, go right ahead (and let me know if you’re doing it so I can read your post).
So, tell me about your 2018 so far, reading wise. Favorites? Least favorites? What books made you cry? Have you read any of the ones I’ve mentioned? I’d love to chat with you in the comments.
Photo by Beatriz Pérez Moya on Unsplash >> Credits for the image I used in my featured image! Thank you to the photographer.
a wrinkle in time! I haven’t watched the movie yet, but I enjoyed the book.
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I enjoyed the book, too! The movie was so good, and I really recommend it. 🙂
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I love this tag 🙂 Don’t worry about being behind on your challenge, I’m sure you’ll catch up! I have also read some great books this year! My favourite has to be The Bear And The Nightingale by Katherine Arden ❤
xoxo
http://gingersnaphattie.blogspot.com
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Aw, thank you! Hopefully I’ll be able to catch up soon. 😉 Oh, I just looked up The Bear and the Nightingale, and it looks super good. I’ll have to check it out. Thank you for the recommendation!
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Aww I’m SO GLAD you loved A List of Cages and They Both Die At The end!! Agreeeed that they are so so good (and cry worthy in the best possibly way). 😭💛💛 And I need to read More Happy Than Not! Kind of hoping to read it this week but like…I have such trouble planning my tbr so who knows.😂 And I’m glad you’ve found so many good books to love!
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Ohh, they’re so good. *screeches* And cry worthy, yes! I don’t know how many tears I lost for Rufus and Mateo and Julian and… Haha, I hope you get around to More Happy Than Not! It was also so good but it’s Adam Silvera so naturally is tore my heart apart. Thank you Cait, and thank you for reading!💓
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I love your answers, Olivia, and I’m so glad you enjoyed doing this tag. ❤
I can't wait to read Always Never Yours as well, and I really hope you enjoy Girl Made of Stars. ☺️
Such a beautiful post. 💞
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Thank you, Lily! Thank you again for nominating me, I had such a fun time doing this. 🙂
Oh, me too! I think I may have slightly copied you on putting Always Never Yours on the list, haha. Ooh, have you read Girl Made of Stars? If you did, what did you think of it?
Ahh, thank you again, Lily, you’re too kind!💞
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I hope we both love Always Never Yours!! ❤ And yes, I read GMOS last month & I liked it! 🙂
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Me too! Ooh, I’m glad you liked it, thank you for letting me know what you thought of GMOS. 🙂
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*clapclap* I love the Mysterious Benedict Society!
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*screams* Me too, it’s the best!
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YES YES I am so happy you did this tag, Olivia!
I’m so glad you loved A List of Cages so much – seriously it is such a great and underrated book. ❤
I hope you'll read Always Never Yours soon, I loved that book so, so much (as you already know, haha, I am repeating myself but I LOVE IT OKAY)
Since you love Adam Silvera so much, I'm going to need you to convince me to pick up his books as soon as I can haha. I only read More Happy Than Not so far and I really loved it, but didn't get to his other works just yet…. so you can remind me of it every once in a while haha. Seriously, I am just really glad you love his work so much, he seems like such a fantastic author (and person!) ❤
And oh, We Were Liars made me cry so much – I did NOT see that coming hahaha.
Loved your answers! 😀
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YAY, me too! A List of Cages is amazing, and I will be recommending it for the rest of my life, or at least until more people read it. 😉
Ohh, I’m so excited to read Always Never Yours (I think I saw it from your blog post). The cover! And the Goodreads summary!
That sounds good, I will definitely keep reminding you to read They Both Die at the End. I haven’t read any besides More Happy Than Not and TBDATE, but I really want to read any of his others. I agree, not only is he a great author but he genuinely seems like such an amazing person, too.
Me neither! It’s probably the biggest plot twist I’ve ever read.
Thank you so much Marie, and thank you for the lovely comment!💓
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YAY! I hope you’ll love Always Never Yours, seriously that book deserves all the praise and love ❤ ❤
You're so welcome!! ❤
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I hope I enjoy it too- I’ve just started it and so far I really like it 🙂
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*hears What If It’s Us mentioned* *swooppppsss in w happiness bc adam silvera is our true leader*
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*screams because YES* I wish I had What If It’s Us in my hands right now… 😂
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ahhh right now I’m sitting here and adding more books to my Goodreads tbr XD typical life of a bookworm… I’ve been wanting to read The Hate U Give for SO long, and I have put on hold for it at the library since forever and it’s still not here!! *cries* there are so many books I want to read – I don’t know if I’ll finish them in this lifetime XD great post, and thanks for the nomination!! can’t wait to do it 🙂 xx
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That’s me every time I read a blog post that mentions books, haha. 😉 The Hate U Give is such a great read, I hope you get it soon! *glares at the person who still has it checked out* Same here, I doubt I’ll ever see the day my TBR is at zero books. XD Thank you Kimberly, I can’t wait to read your post!💓
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[…] you so much to Kelly from Another Book in the Wall, Lily from Sprinkles of Dreams, and Olivia from Purely Olivia for tagging me to freak the fudge […]
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I saw Love and Luck but I didn’t pick it up- do you remember what it’s about? I love the covers of Girl Made of Stars and Always Never Yours. Yes, Mysterious Benedict Society!! Hm, I would say 2018 has been pretty good reading wise. The Story of Owen was very close to making me cry. THUG! That was a good book. Favorites: I just read a book called 84, Charing Cross Road. I wouldn’t say it’s a favorite, but it was good.
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I think it’s about a girl who travels to Ireland, and other than that I don’t know the plot. I love reading ‘traveling’ books, so I’m excited. XD Yes, those covers are so pretty…and yes! I’m really glad 2018 has been good reading wise for you! 🙂 I haven’t heard of any of the books you mentioned, so I’ll have to go look them up. Thank you for commenting, and by the way I really like your new profile picture!
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Oh, interesting, I hope you like it!! Hm, I don’t feel especially drawn to traveling books, but that’s probably because I haven’t read many in the first place. Can you think of your favorite books that include traveling off the top of your head? Ooh, I hope at least one of them intrigues you. You’re welcome and thanks!!!
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Thanks! Okay, off the topic of my head a couple of my favorites are Love & Gelato and Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour. The first one is about a girl who travels to Italy, and the second one is road trip style. 🙂
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Thanks for the recommendation! Ooh, I’ve heard good things about Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour- but I didn’t really like The Unexpected Everything.
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Of course! Oh yes, I wasn’t the biggest fan of The Unexpected Everything, either. :// Definitely my least favorite of Morgan Matson’s books!
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Okay, whew, I’m glad I wasn’t the only one. That’s the biggest reason why I haven’t read her other books, like Since You’ve Been Gone and Amy and Roger.
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Oh, makes sense! Well, if it helps at all, I loved all of her other books. 🙂
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[…] Again, for now. Thanks so much to the amazing Tiffany @ Read by Tiffany, and the lovely Olivia @ Purely Olivia for tagging me! Without further ado, onto the […]
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[…] I nominate: Rose| Marie| Lily| Catherine| Kristin| Kay| Azu| Olivia| Shanah| Becky| Saily […]
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Thanks for sharing! Did you ever read a Wrinkle in Time?
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Thank YOU for reading! And yes, I have, and really enjoyed it. 🙂
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I love this! Your blog is so cute
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Awe, thank you so much!💓I just looked at your blog and it’s so cute as well!
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Thank you for the tag! I haven’t read A List of Cages or They Both Die At The End yet, or any other Adam Silvera book – they scare me 😂 I just KNOW I will cry so I just end up not getting them and thus not reading them lol One day though. I’m definitely excited for What If It’s Us because I love Becky so maybe that will help me overcome my fear of Silvera’s books 😛
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You’re welcome! Ahh, I understand being so scared by Adam Silvera’s books (because same) but they’re honestly so worth it and just amazing. *tear* You won’t regret reading them, I promise. 😉
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thank you so much for the nomination! I only just saw the post (my laptop was broken for almost a month and I got it fixed really late last night) ❤ this is such a great post! I read 1984 for the first time this year too and even though I did it voluntarily, it was a little bit too dry for me haha
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You’re welcome, Joanna!💓Ahh, no worries, I’m glad to hear you got your laptop working again. 🙂 Yesss, 1984 was just…*screams internally*
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[…] Mid-Year Freak Out Tag 2018 // Cue a lot of freaking out because it’s the middle of the year and that’s cause for a major freak out. […]
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[…] seen bloggers like Kerys and Olivia do it and I thought that it would be fun. So, let’s get into […]
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you have such good books to read Olivia! I love reading books too but I haven’t been able to find some good ones 😦 but now I know that HERE I can find lots of good reviews and reccomendations! I can’t wait to read your future posts! 😉 *presses follow*
ella xx
p.s. just realised our blog names are similar lol
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Oh, it makes me so happy to hear that you were able to find good recommendations, because reading is just the best. 😉 Thank you, thank you, thank you for the follow and sweetest comments! 💓And haha our names are very similar, that’s hilarious. XD
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yesI i screenshotted them and will place them on hold! what is your all time favourite book?
el x
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Yay! Ooh, that’s such a hard question. Of all time, I think I would have to say Anne of Green Gables?! But I honestly don’t know, another favorite is They Both Die at the End.
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Oooh that last one sounds cool! What is it about? x
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It’s amazing! It’s contemporary fantasy (basically, it reads like a contemporary but has fantasy elements) and is about two boys who meet each other on the day they’re both destined to die. Then it shows all their adventures, and it’s SO emotional and I loved it a lot! It’s by Adam Silvera in case you were curious. 🙂
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[…] Jake Peralta ‘WHAT’ gif*) and about the books we’ve read so far. Thank you Olivia @ Purely Olivia for tagging […]
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I LOOOOVE seeing A List of Cages on your list. I feel like that book is so underrated and it was SOO GOOD????!!!
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OH MY GOODNESS, YES. A List of Cages is probably the best book I have read in 2018 so far! I’ll be recommending it to people forever.❤️
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[…] participated in this tag the past two years (my 2018 and 2019 posts), so even though I’m cutting it close by posting this on the second to last […]
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