Hello! I planned on doing this without being tagged, and then left it in my drafts. But now the amazing Morgan has tagged me to do the Mid-Year Freakout – so I’d best get on it again! Haha 😄 If you’d like to do this tag yourself, consider yourself tagged by me.
For this tag, we will answer a series of questions about the books we’ve read and received so far this year (I will just look up to the end of June for this), and what we have to look forward too as well!
As its a long established tag – I’m not too sure who created it as I’ve seen a few different credits, but Morgan credits Earl Grey Books as one of the co-creators, so I will to.
Best book you read in 2021
I think it has to be The Bone Ships by R. J. Barker. It completely captured my attention and I’m already delving into the sequel (a rarity for me – I usually leave them ages!). It feels pirate-y, even though they’re not pirates, as we sail the seas unravelling the past of our main characters and delving into the mysteries and conspiracies of the world. The last in the the trilogy releases layer this year!
Best sequel you’ve read so far this year
I haven’t read many sequels, so there isn’t a large list to choose from – and that is making it super hard to choose! I think I’ll pick Heartsong by T. J. Klune. Its the third in the Green Creek series – and although doesn’t focus on my favourite character (Gordo, I seem to love a grumpy old man) I adored the mystery and all the heart-warming moments. There’s also some pretty big revelations in this one – and I just did not want to put it down.
A new release you haven’t read yet, but you want to
Gosh. There are so many 😅 Let’s pop Heartstopper Vol 4 by Alice Oseman top of the list. I still need to read the third though – but I seem to have lost my copy when I moved house. I need to rectify this ASAP!!
What is your most anticipated release in the second half of 2021
I won’t lie, I do not keep up with releases. If I stumble on something that looks good, I’ll pre-order it and then promptly forget about it. But as I’ve already mentioned it above, and I am currently loving the second instalment as I write – The Bone Ships Wake by R. J. Barker. It’s scheduled for release 28th September, so you have time to catch up and find a hype train with me. Choo Choo! (a ship would be more apt, but what noise do they make?)
Your biggest disappointment
Girl in the Walls by A. J. Gnuse.
Your biggest suprise
I think I have to go with 1356 by Bernard Cornwell. I’d owned it nearly a decade and finally picked it up for a readathon (read the book that’s been on your tbr the longest). About 25% of the way in I went to update goodreads and discovered its actually the fourth in a series. The rest of which I have not read…. A few people mentioned it could be read like a standalone though so I carried on, and it got a full five stars from me. If that isn’t a surprise, in more ways than one, I don’t know what is haha.
Your favourite new author
Can I say R. J. Barker again? (seriously, this series so far is a strong contender for a new favourite ever). No? Ok then, next up for this question is probably RuNyx. I read Gothikana by them and I adored it so much, I could not put it down! That is currently all I’ve read, but I definitely want to check out some more of their work.
Your newest fictional crush
Not really a question for me. I’m not even sure I’ve met any characters where I’m like “please PLEASE let me be friends” so far this year. The ones I’ve loved I think would scare me to death.
Your newest favourite fictional character
Oh – OK, so despite what I wrote above, I’ve just looked at my goodreads and HOW HAVE I NOT MENTIONED LEGENDBORN BY TRACY DEONN YET!? Bree is going up here – I adored watching her come into herself more and more over the course of the book. I can’t wait to see what happens next! I also really liked the character Sel in the book too.
A book that made you cry
I actually don’t know – I think its been a while. I’m sure I have cried at a book this year, but its lost to my memory.
A book that made you happy
The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O’Neill. This graphic novel was so adorable and I really really need my own tea dragon. I cannot wait to read more in the series.
The most beautiful book you’ve bought or received
There have been so so many! I think Ariadne by Jennifer Saint sticks out the most. The UK hardback is stunning! I still need to read it though of course ahaha.
What books do you need to read by the end of the year
The list is long… The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue by V. E. Schwab is very high on that list though, as it was one of my most anticipated releases of last year, and yet here we are 😅
The Bookworm's Feast 
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