MID YEAR BOOK FREAK OUT TAG 2019

Hullo, bookdragons!

This post might be late but I’m still doing this tag because I did it last year and had a lot of fun answering all the prompts. Also, the tag name is so appropriate because I AM DEFINITELY FREAKING OUT. I’ve only read 35 books so far this year and truth be told I can really do better. Someone has to spend less time on twitter and stop procrastinating (that someone may or may not be me).

I tweaked the questions a bit (I removed two from the original, made one of my own, and copied one of @paperfury’s prompts) but here are the OG questions if you want to do this tag on your blog:

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2019
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2019
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

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2019

I currently have eight books in my GR best of 2019 shelf—seven of which are fantasy books and one contemporary book (my favorite genre jumped out dhdjdk). OH AND SIX OUT OF EIGHT ARE BOOKS WRITTEN BY ASIAN AUTHORS CAN I GET AN AMEN. Even though I haven’t read a lot of books so far, I’m happy that I’ve read a lot of quality content.

Note: Only seven are enumerated below because I read The Gilded Wolves in 2018 but it’s still one of the best releases of the year for me.

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2019

The Dragon Republic gutted me one hundred times over. I still haven’t written my review for the said book because I think I’ll have another emotional breakdown if I do. I don’t have enough words as to how LEGENDARY this series is. R. F. Kuang is a writing queen and even though she continues to break my heart, I will still be screaming about her books forever.

The Wicked King is another book that chomped my soul out of existence. My hands shook while I was reading the last chapters and my heart couldn’t decide if it will break itself into a hundred pieces or explode. Why do I always love the books that hurt me??? Make it make sense.

3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to

I’ve got a lot of answers to this one but Legendary and Aru Shah and the Song of Death are the first ones on the priority list. I love the Caraval series so much (even though I didn’t enjoy Legendary as much as Caraval) and it’s a CRIME that I haven’t read Finale yet. Also, the sequel to Aru Shah and the End of Time is one of my most-anticipated releases of the year and I’m kicking myself for not reading it sooner.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

Queen of Nothing and Ninth House are out there lining up to destroy my heart very soon. Holly Black and Leigh Bardugo are pure geniuses and I’ll always be here to support their work.

I can’t help but be scared and excited for the conclusion to one of my most favorite series of all time. I’ve invested so much of my emotions in Cardan and Jude and it’s going to be very difficult to say goodbye to them. Oh and I definitely can’t wait for Leigh Bardugo’s adult debut. I even made the stupid bold decision to send an email to flatiron books to request an ARC because I’m that desperate. They still haven’t responded by the way. Not that I’m checking my inbox for a response every minute. I’m not doing that AT ALL.

5. Biggest disappointment

Romanov is not exactly my worst read so far but I was just greatly disappointed by it. It has one of the greatest covers I have ever seen and has a good premise as well so naturally I had EXPECTATIONS. I was just let down by the very slooow pacing and there were just too many filler chapters that didn’t serve any purpose to the storyline. I also wasn’t able to connect with any of the characters and there wasn’t enough magic in the book 😔

6. Biggest surprise

I didn’t expect that I would love this book so much. I haven’t seen the Pan’s Labyrinth movie so almost everything that happened here was a surprise for me. Pan’s Labyrinth is so dark and magical—a perfect read for rainy days. I highly recommend this to fans of dark fairytales.

7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)

Rin Chupeco and Fonda Lee are two authors I discovered this year who I have come to love very much. They’re both brilliant at world-building and their characters mean the world to me. I’m also very excited for their upcoming books (I’m so honored to have ARCs dhdjsk) so expect me screaming about them in the near future. Watch out for my Jade City review too. Will post it anytime this week. Anyway, ALL HAIL THESE ASIAN QUEENS!

8. ‎Favorite audiobook you’ve listened to so far

I have to give this to Illuminae which has, by far, the best audiobook production I’ve ever come across with. I’m so late in reading this series but I’m so glad to inform y’all that IT’S WORTH THE HYPE. I will die for my space children if I have to.

This prompt reminds me that I’m definitely failing at audiobook listening. I have a lot of unread ones and I really need to get to them soon.

9. ‎Favorite underrated gem

I hardly see book bloggers talk about this series which is a shame because IT DESERVES BETTER. The Missing of Clairedelune is a book full of adventure, magic, and mystery. It’s the best sequel to A Winter’s Promise because it gave more detail to the world and its characters. My faves grew so much in this book and I can’t wait to read more about them in the next book.

10. Newest fictional crush

I’m giving the honor to Gavriel from Holly Black’s The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. He’s a vampire who has about a hundred screws loose in his brain but I love him all the same. Leave it to me to get attached to crazy vampires. Cool move, Rain.

11. Newest favorite character

Two Jade City mentions in one post because it deserves everything. I recently read this masterpiece and I really loved reading about the Kaul siblings. Shae is the closest to my heart because she’s a woman who has a strong sense of independence. She’s also smart and knows how to play her strengths in a world of men. A QUEEN IN HER OWN RIGHT YAS.

12. Book that made you cry

I probably shed a tear or two for almost every book I’ve read so far this year because I’m a crybaby. However, I’m picking The Boy Who Steals Houses for this one because it deserves its own spotlight. I must say that Cait’s books never fail to break my heart. TBWSH is a story of family, love, broken dreams, and hope. It has fluffy scenes that can melt the heart and it also has its share of painful scenes that can destroy the soul. If you’re looking for a bittersweet book that will make you laugh and cry, this one’s for you.

13. Book that made you happy

If you’re thinking that this iconic post would be complete without a Riordan mention, YOU THOUGHT WRONG. Nine from the Nine Worlds consists of nine short stories narrated by my favorite Magnus Chase characters (minus Magnus himself). This book filled me with happiness because it gave me more Magnus Chase content. Also, Uncle Rick’s witty dialogues never fail to make me laugh AND there are gorgeous illustrations inside this book which brightened up my life. Hello deckled edges too.

14. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)

The honor goes to two of the latest additions to my Grishaverse collection—the Six of Crows Collector’s Edition and King of Scars. I won the gorgeous SoC collector’s edition in a giveaway and King of Scars was a gift from a friend (hullo Sam if you’re reading this! you’re the absolute best). I’ve been blessed this year obviously. Thank you to all these generous bookdragons in the community.

15. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

*sweats nervously and screams in TBR pile*

Here are some books I need to read by the end of the year:

I forgot to include about a hundred books but this will do for now.

What’s your best read of the year so far? What are upcoming releases you’re looking forward to? Tell me about your reading progress too!