Hi friends! I hope the month has been kind to you so far ?
It’s that time of the year again where we look back on aaaaaaaaaall the books we’ve read so far, the ones we fell in love with, the unexpected surprises, the disappointments and more. Nyx and I reunited for this annual Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag and, you know, to casually scream about books.
A million thanks to Caro @ Book Cheshire Cat for tagging us in this!
1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2020
Marie : Time of Our Lives. I answered this after Nyx and am now discovering she picked the same book, aerm… OOPS.
Nyx : Time of Our Lives. It’s a story about home and getting out into the world. It’s about outgrowing your fears and growing into the future. We really need more books with a college setting and damn those characters were so well fleshed out. Go read it now!
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020
Marie : We Unleash The Merciless Storm!! We Set The Dark on Fire was a favorite last year, and this sequel certainly delivered in giving me all the emotions. Carmen’s POV was incredible and I GASPED AND LOVED THISSSSS.
Nyx : The Electric Heir. I’m surprising myself this year, I’ve already read 4 sequels (for someone who has trouble committing…). This sequel was intense! It’s filled with complex, deeply human characters and a stunning world-building.
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to
Marie : The Henna Wars. There are SO many books to pick from, but I think I’ll pick the book that’s been on my mind since a couple months, now, The Henna Wars. This book sounds incredibly good and I just can’t WAIT to be able to get a copy!
Nyx : Pretending. Oh man, this question was so damn hard. There are SO many great books that have come out in 2020 that I’m dying to read. Anyway, this one is about April who can’t seem to get past date five so she starts pretending to be someone else. It’s adult, it’s romance, it sounds deliciously fun and brillant. I just can’t wait to get my hands on it!
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
Marie : Not Your #LoveStory. UUUUUUh there are way too many books to choose from?!!! I picked out that one, a story with the main character dreaming of earning from her youtube channel and finding herself in the middle of a viral scandal and fake relationship and internet fame and I’m just screaming because this sounds SO GOOD.
Nyx : Instant Karma. My auto-buy author writing a romance? The queen of retellings is releasing a contemporary??! I need it now! It’s about a girl who is suddenly gifted with the ability to cast instant karma on those around her – both good and bad. This sounds really really promising!
5. Biggest disappointment
Marie : The Sullivan Sisters. It just wasn’t, unfortunately, the mystery I expected it to be. I liked the focus on sisters‘ and family relationships, a lot, but I just felt like… something was missing.
Nyx : Castle in the Clouds. Don’t take it the wrong way, it was still a really enjoyable read full of mysteries, romance and humor. I really liked the hotel setting and the main character. Yet, I found the pacing a bit uneven and I was a bit lost with all the characters, never able to remember who was who.
6. Biggest surprise
Marie : I’m going to say Almost Adults. I just loved reading a book with 20-something almost adults trying to figure out life, love, work and everything in between while still having each others’ backs.
Nyx : The Edge of Anything. I didn’t expect it to love it so much! I really liked the friendship and all very real it felt. The characters were flawed and three-dimensional. And I absolutely loved the message behind it, it’s an authentic story about hope, identity and self-awareness.
7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
Marie : I’m going to go with Elizabeth Lim and Spin The Dawn. I just fell in love with the author’s writing style and the world she creates and can’t wait to read more!
Nyx : Abigail Johnson – Every Other Weekend. This book is a pure gem and I’m so grateful because it made me discover this fabulous author! I loved the dialogue and the writing. I adored the way her characters were depicted, messy, complex and just plain real. The slow-building romance and the family relationships were on point. I will be reading more from the author, that’s for sure.
8. Newest fictional crush
Marie : Adam, from Every Other Weekend. I just want to protect him and for him to be okay and I feel like he deserves all of the love and hugs and everything in the entire world.
Nyx : Luke – More Than Maybe. He is a British boy with a charming accent, do I need to say more? No seriously, he’s sweet and passionnate about his music. He’s also a bit insecure. I loved how he always put his friendship with Vada first despite his enormous crush. I enjoyed seeing how he dealt with his outgoing and meddling brother and the pressure with his famous punk rocker dad.
9. Newest favorite character
Marie: It Sounded Better in My Head was the unexpected coup de cœur of my year so far. It’s a young adult contemporary set in Australia and it has such a relatable main character, it had been such a while since I could relate to a character so much.
Nyx : Carmen – We Unleash the Merciless Storm. She is a badass and I love it! She is torn between the girl she loves and the success of the rebellion she’s devoted her life to. I loved seeing Carmen’s journey and getting to know her. She’s such a strong and fierce character, set in her beliefs and she did not let anything or anyone get in her way.
10. Book that made you cry
Marie : I have been actively avoiding emotional books, because these are a big nope for me lately. So I’m going to go with We Used To Be Friends, because it made me a little bit emotional. It’s this story about friends growing apart and it’s heartbreaking, yet really, really well written and it’s the kind of stories we need more in young adult books, if you ask me.
Nyx : The Lucky Ones. If you’re looking for an intense, emotional and poignant debut novel about grief, PTSD and survivor’s guilt, I’d definitely recommend this one. It was such a heart wrenching story, full of hope, with powerful characters that will, without a doubt, shakes you to the core.
11. Book that made you happy
Marie : More Than Maybe, that’s for sure. I got lucky enough to read this book already and I fell in love with it. The characters, the relationship, the music, I just devoured this book.
Nyx : The Learning Curve. So this one is adult and is a bit long for a contemporary but this story just made me really happy. I had such a great time reading it! It’s about a teacher struggling to balance her love life and career. This book is vibrant, has a teensy-tiny feminist touch which I absolutely love and it’s full of colourful characters!
12. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
Marie : I have read Permanent Record last year, but only bought a physical copy of it earlier this year. It’s just too stunning and I loved this book so, so, so much.
Nyx : When the Stars Lead to You. This cover is so pretty I wanna cry! I love the colors, I love the setting with the sea and the girl, I love everything about the title. Without even turning one page, you already know it’s going to be an emotional read about love and loss. Spoiler alert, the inside is as pretty as the outside!
13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
Marie: UUUH there are way way way too many books I want to read, I don’t even know where to start. Let’s try and pick three books, shall we….
- Cinderella is Dead, because I’m already obsessed with this Cinderella retelling with Black queer main characters and need it like, yesterday.
- Today Tonight Tomorrow, because I love Rachel Lynn Solomon and can’t WAIT to read her upcoming book!!
- On a Sunbeam, because I feel like reading graphic novels a little more and that one sounds way too wonderful to pass up on.
Nyx : Something to Talk About, Recommended for You, Most Likely to only name a few! I could go on and on with all the books I would love to read by the end of the year but I guess we don’t have all day, haha! Anyway, those are the three I’m choosing and here’s why with some key words :
- Something to Talk About : Hollywood, scandal, romance
- Recommended for You : booksellers, rivalry, enemies-to-lovers
- Most Likely : feminism, friendship, from the creator of the hit TV series The Bold Type (!!)
14. Favorite Book Community Member
We’re not answering this question, because honestly there are like 10 people coming to mind without even thinking that deeply, soooooooo we’ll still be here tomorrow if we answer to this.
Keep an eye on the blog, though. We’re always doing our best to boost book bloggers and their work in monthly wrap-ups, and are hoping for another event to kick off sometime this year to celebrate you all.
We would love to read these book bloggers’ answers to this tag, if they wish to do so, as well as anyone else!
- Meeghan @ Meeghan Reads
- Linda @ Flourish Reader
- Belle @ Belle Can Read
- Azia @ The Uncharted Word
- Malka & Chana @ Paper Procrastinators
Copy the questions to the mid-year book freak out tag below, friends!
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
5. Biggest disappointment
6. Biggest surprise
7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
8. Newest fictional crush
9. Newest favorite character
10. Book that made you cry
11. Book that made you happy
12. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
13.What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
14. Favorite book community member
What are your favorite books so far this year? Any new favorite authors, new favorite characters?
What are some of your most anticipated reads for the rest of the year? We would love all your recommendations in comments!
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We Used To Be Friends is on my TBR! Can’t wait to read it 🙂
The Bookish Life Of Tiffany
Ahh I hope you’ll love it! 😀
I agree – The Electric Heir was an amazing sequel. Maybe even better than the first book.
Yeees! SO good! ??
I adore this tag! I definitely think I might have to take part! Great post as always <3
Thank you, we’re so happy you enjoyed it! ? And yeees please do it ?
Today Tonight Tomorrow was AH-mazing! There’s a smile spreading across my face just thinking about it.
AH SAM I’m so happy to hear that! I can’t wait to read this one 😀
Great post 😉
Thank you! 🙂
Anytime 😉
Oh my goodness, When the Stars Lead to You is *so* pretty! Just added More Than Maybe to my tbr because I’m feeling romancy this summer.
Right?! SO pretty, I think I’m in love ?? Yaaaay, you’re going to love it! ?
Awesome list, as always!
Thank you so so much! ??
I always love reading this tag! I hope you both have a great second half of the year!
(Www.evelynreads.com)
Aww, you’re so sweet! Thank you!! ??
Ahh I am SO PUMPED to read The Fever King and just fall in love with that series <3 I am,,, terrible and literally haven't gotten to any of these books yet agh. I am really pumped about reading Mary HK Choi's books 🙂
Well…hurry up! ? That series is just SO good ? Yeees, I love her books! ??
Both of you picked the same book for as the best one you read so far?? // This can’t be a coincidence! Nyx, I am sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy A Castle in The Clouds that much, I had the same issues with the book (too many characters, uneven pacing) but overall I thought that it was really entertaining and a great christmas read. Also; Kerstin Gier’s books are ones that got me into reading so maybe I am a bit biased here… // A book I am anticipating for the 2nd half of the year is Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco since I am a big fan of her SJTR series. I can’t wait for that book to finally come out annd thank you for tagging me!! (I actually wanted to skip the tag this year considering the small amount of books I’ve read so far but I guess I’ll have to change the plan. <3
… or write a blog post about the books I’ve read so far. I think with ~10 books that would be easier. * hides in a corner *
That would work too ?
Haha, I guess this one was really really good ??
Yeah, it’s really too bad about A Castle in The Clouds because it’s got so much potential! Still had a good time reading it though! ?
Oh haven’t read of this one, going to check it out!
You’re welcome but please don’t feel pressured to do it if you don’t want to ?
Thank you so much for stopping by ??
Loveee this post!
Thank you so much! ?
My favorite book this year – Priory of Orange tree, autoboyography, No Signal by Jem Tugwell, Pretty Things by Jenelle Brown, Lucy ones and Ghosts of Harvard
I’ll need to check those out! ?
Thank you so much for stopping by ??
Thank you for this! A bookworm like me always accepts new book recommendations with open arms and heart haha!
Hahaha, you’re welcome ??
Picking the same book shows that you both have excellent taste ? In all seriousness though I’m all for a book that’s set in college and looks at the relationship between fear and growth. Almost Adults sounds like it was written for me and We Use to Be Friends sounds incredible emotional. I think everyone can relate to the grief that comes with losing a friendship.
Oh yeees it really does show that ?
YEES, we need more books like this one!!
Almost Adults was so good, I really enjoyed it and I hope you will too ?
Totally and I feel like we don’t have enough books dealing with friendship breakups!
Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Happy reading ??
Yay! Thanks so much for the tag! I can’t wait to do this one ? I’m sad that I haven’t read any of these books but I’ve had my eye on It Sounded Better in My Head and More Than Maybe for a bit now. It’s wonderful to hear that they have some great characters and make you guys happy! Will have to bump those up on the shopping list haha. And I’m really looking forward to Cinderella is Dead too! Love the fact that it features black queer characters AND it’s a retelling (I’m a sucker for those). Lovely post, as usual! ?
Our pleasure ?? Oh yeees, you definitely have to bump those up!! Those stories were really amazing ??
Oh my, I’m also a sucker for retelling! I need this one asap! ?
Thank you so so much ??
I agree that A Castle in the Clouds was a bit of a disappointment – a cute read, but I was expecting more!
Yeah, that’s really too bad ?
Ok the fact that you both picked the same book as your favorite of 2020 means that I need to read it ASAP!! Also, I’m actually starting Today Tonight Tomorrow today, as it’s one book I also need to read this year!! I hope you enjoy it ?
AH YES you should it’s a fantastic read, I love it so much <3
Ahh can't wait to hear what you think of it. It sounds amazing <3
Thank you! <3
I have The Electric Heir and need to read it soon, but I know it’s going to be an intense read. I loved The Fever King though. I also have Permanent Record to read!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Yeees, it’s an intense read for sure! You’re going to love it ?
Oh yaaay, happy reading!! ??
I absolutely can’t wait for Instant Karma ahhh Marissa Meyer is the queen! I really want to read We Used To Be Friends, More Than Maybe, and Every Other Weekend, so I’m so happy you liked 🙂 And the cover of When The Stars Lead To You is legit the most gorgeous thing ever I??? I want to read this book so badly and maybe more than that I just want to stare at its beauty because I am a shallow sucker lol <3 <3 Loved reading this post and I hope the second half of the year has many great books in store for you guys <3
Same here! I’m SO excited!!! ??
Yaaaay, you’re going to love them all ?
Right??! I think I’m in love with that cover ? And let me tell you the story is as pretty ?
Aww, thank you so so much! Same for you! ??
Such a great post! This makes me want to read so many of these books! I just read we used to be friends and it was such a good book.
Thank you so much!! Well…you’re welcome ?
I totally agree! I also loved it ?
I know I wasn’t tagged specifically, but I feel like I should do this regardless haha I do it so sporadically on the blog, but I’ve actually really enjoyed reading this year.
I wish I could comment on any of the books you mentioned, but I literally haven’t read a single one of the ones you mentioned haha but considering the ones you are looking forward to, I could see myself liking them too. Especially the Marissa Meyer one … I think I wished for it on Netgalley even.
Can’t wait to read your post ??
Well…you can go ahead and read them all ?
Oh yeees the Marissa Meyer one, I’m so excited ?
I love this post! I also really want to read The Henna Wars!
Thank you so much!! Yeees, me too ?
I haven’t been reading any blogs lately, but reading this post really reminded me of what I’ve been missing and why I love this blog so much ??. This tag is always so much fun to read and both of your answers did not disappoint! I LOVE how much YA you both read ?! YA book covers have been so lovely recently too ?. Ahh, I remember Marie’s review for Time of Our Lives – the book sounds so good! I also have Almost Adults high on my TBR because of you both hahaha. We Used to be Friends seems like a great, subtly emotional book to read ?. And The Lucky Ones also has so many great reviews ? – I’m glad you enjoyed it so much, Nyx!
Thank you so much for tag ??! I hope you’ve both been healthy and feeling well ?.
Awww, you’re so sweet ??? We’re glad to have you back!
Haha, we’re both real suckers for YA ?
I totally agree, all those covers are so pretty that’s crazy ?
Yaaaay! You’re welcome ? I hope you’ll enjoy them all!
We’ve been all right, thank you! I hope everything is good for you and thanks again for all your sweet words ??
Ahaha I love that both of you picked the same book for your favorite book of the year! I guess I’m going to have to check that one out…
I also loved Elizabeth Lim’s writing style in Spin the Dawn, and I can’t wait to read the sequel 😀 Ahhh I hope you love On a Sunbeam – it’s one of my favorite graphic novels!!
Ahh thank you Margaret! I’m so excited to read On a Sunbeam, it sounds so amazing! <3
Ohhh, I’d love to do this! <3 And Permanent Record is on my TBR list along with Emergency Contact! I loved the covers and I'm looking forward to reading them both.
Please do ? Those covers are just gorgeous!! You’re going to love them both ??
Thank you so much for stopping by ?
i’m so happy you both loved time of our lives so much!! (it’s so cute that you both named it as your best book of the year haha ?) and AH marie i hope you get to read on a sunbeam soon, it really is a feel-good kind of book and it’s just so, so beautiful, in every way ? and it still makes my heart so happy to hear that you enjoyed spin the dawn too, i feel like any fantasy you love has to be good since you’re much more of a contemporary person ?
Thank you so much!! <3 I can't wait to read this beautiful book, I really can't, it soudns so amazing <3
Ooh I can’t wait to read Pretending either. It’ll somehow be my first book by the author but I love the sound of it. And have a few others of theirs on my TBR. I guess it’s kind of a good sign that you both had the same favourite book? Surely that means it’s especially good. And I just have way too many books due out over the rest of the year that I’m excited for. I think I’d majorly struggle to even narrow it down to three ?
Yaay, I’m so excited about this one! I’ve read other books by this author and I’m pretty sure I’m going to love it ?
Yeeees, it was really really good! ?
Haha, I totally feel you ?
I hope that you do end up loving it then ? and can’t wait to see what you think of it if you end up sharing your thoughts on it.
Thank you! ??
A great selection of books, including some that have now been added to my TBR! I don’t know that I’ve read many outstanding books, but one that comes to mind right now is The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune!
Yaaay, thanks! ?
Oh, I’ll need to check it out ?
It’s already time for this tag?! How is it almost July?? Really lovely post though! A lot of these are already on my TBR, but a few are going to be added shortly. Something to Talk About is one I’m about to start, so hopefully it’s good! 🙂
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ?
Right?! Time went by so fast ?
Thank you, we’re so happy you enjoyed it ?
Oh yaaay, I hope it’s as good as it sounds ? Happy reading ??
Ahhh!! Thank you for the tag!! I had this on my list to do anyway, but it’s always nicer when you can thank someone for tagging you!!
I love so many of the books on your list too!! I think It Sounded Better in my Head is going to make my list too. Also, I love that Nyx read The Learning Curve!! I’m sure I’ve said it before, but Melissa Nathan was an auto-buy author for me when she was releasing books, and her retelling of Pride and Prejudice is still my fave retelling ?
Our pleasure ??
It Sounded Better in my Head is really really good, I’m pretty sure you’re going to love it! ?
Awww! I absolutely loved it, I need to read more books from her! ??
Thank you so much for stopping by ?
I haven’t read any of these books so I will have to return to this post if I need more for my TBR! (Who am I kidding, I’ll never finish my TBR as it is) I’m glad you’ve found some amazing books this year, and I hope the rest of 2020 is full of beautiful books!
There is never enough books on our TBRs ?
Aww, thank you so so much! Happy reading ??
Loved reading this post – cannot believe it’s this time of year already?!
Not Your #Love Story actually sounds so good!! I hadn’t even heard of it but it sounds right up my street
Thank you! ? Right?! Time went by so fast ?
Yeah, I’m also really excited about it ?
I am IN SHAME because I still haven’t read TIME OF OUR LIVES. I think I’m at a point where I’m really intimidated to read it so I’ve been putting it off ?
Haha, I totally get that!! I hope you’ll get to it soon and you’ll enjoy it as much as we did ?
Thanks for stopping by! ??
OKAY BUT YOU NEED TO READ IT I LOVE IT ahhhhhhhh. I’ll remind you of it every day ahah
I loved reading both of your answers for this!! This post definitely enlightened me to some new books I need to take a look at, so thank you for that.? Wishing you both happy reading for the rest of 2020! xx
Thank you so much!! ?
Awww, our pleasure ☺️☺️
Thanks, you too!! ?
Loved reading both of your answers! So many of these books I have on my TBR and I seriously need to get around to reading them!
Aww, thank you!! ?
Yeees, you absolutely need to ??
Thank for stopping by ?
Thank you so much for the tag! I’m so excited to do it! Although since we’ll hopefully be doing it in July it won’t really be mid-way through the year, but oh well! We do have procrastinators in our blog name, after all!
Time Of Our Lives was so good! I can definitely see why it was a favorite for both of you! One of the things I loved about it was how unique and nuanced the portrayal of preparing for college was. I feel like most books either take place in college with the characters struggling in some way or falling in love, or they take place in high school and even though the character’s life is all about college plans, the setting is still high school. So I loved how this had characters in high school on college campuses discussing college!
Yessssss, On a Sunbeam! I really enjoyed that graphic novel! It actually surprises me how much I think about that book even though I read it a while back and I have already forgotten books I read 2 weeks ago, whereas I believe I read On a Sunbeam a full year ago! But the art style was super unique and beautiful and whimsical and it was such a great story, and I just really hope you love it!
I just got an ARC of Recommended for You in the mail a few days ago because I’m a part of the blog tour and I SQUEALED! I’m so excited for that book! It’s going to be one of my top priority books for July! (Or maybe early August, so that I’m closer to the release date. I guess I’ll see!)
Our pleasure! ? Haha, well…in that case you’re staying on brand ?
Yeeees! I totally agree with you about Time Of Our Lives!! We need more books like this one!
Oh my god, lucky you!! I hope you’ll enjoy it ??
Thank you so much for stopping by, talk soon ?
Something to Talk About was really sweet but a slloooowwwww burn!
I can’t wait to read Cinderella is Dead!
Can’t wait to read it! ?
Yeeees, same here ??
So happy to see you do the Tag ? I also loved The Electric Heir, it was such an amazing, but also heartbreaking book and it made me fall in love with the Duology again! I’m also very excited for Instant Karma, I love Marissa Meyer so much! I also very much need to read Spin the Dawn! I got it on my Kindle now, so I need to get to it ? Also yes to It Sounded Better in my Head! I loved Natalie so much, she was so relatable ❤ And We Used to be Friends made me cry so much as well ?
Aww, thank you ?
So heartbreaking! It’s a really good duology, one I didn’t expect to enjoy so much ?
Yeees, I adore Marissa Meyer ??
Nathalie was so relatable, I agree!
Same here ??
ah, i can’t believe i haven’t read we unleash the merciless storm yet! i really need to know what happens to dani and carmen ? this post was so fun to read, and i’m so glad that it looks like you two have had a great reading year so far! i hope it continues for the rest of the year <3
You need too!!!! It’s really really good ?
Aww, thank you so so much! Happy reading ??
It seems you’ve both read great books so far!!! 😀 I also wanna read Cinderella Is Dead as soon as possible, because it seems really good! I hope the rest of 2020 will be great too <3
Yeeees ??
Yaaay, so excited about that one!
Thank you, happy reading ?
oh my gosh, you picking Time of Our Lives? let me just read that next now please! hehe! i loved this. i hope you only have the happiest of days and reading this last half of 2020! <3
yeeeeeees ahh I hope you will, I adored it so much <3 thank you, Mel, hope you're okay, take care of yourself ❤️
I loved seeing Every Other Weekend on this list—such a great read! I also really enjoyed Cinderella Is Dead, so I hope you get to it!
Yeeees, I loved it! ?
Yaaay, can’t wait to get my hands on it! ?
Thank you so much for stopping by ??