Hi Friends,
Honestly, I cannot believe we are halfway through the year. It feels like just yesterday we were still dealing with the mess that was last year, and setting goals for 2021. I am happy that this year is turning out to be much brighter than the previous. And I have been reading more books than ever. I am going to be doing the “Mid-Year Book Freakout” tag. This is a book tag that was created a couple of years ago that has question about how your reading year has been going thus far.
Best Book You’ve Read So Far This Year?
Out of all the books I’ve read so far my favorite two are You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson and If I’m Being Honest by Austin Siegemund-Broka and Emily Wibberley. I gave both of these books five stars and have reviewed them as well.
Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far This Year?
Sadly, right now I have only read one sequel, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” by J.K. Rowling. I had never read the entire HP series before, so in 2019, I decided it was time to see what all the hype was about. Although the author is not my favorite person, to say the least, I still wanted to continue reading the books.
New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, 
But Want To?
I am sure there are a ton, but one that comes to mind is Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales. It was released in March, and is, Leah On The Offbeat meet To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. It has a bisexual main character and what seems like a complicated romance. For me, this book could either be a two-star read or five-star, so I am nervous to pick it up.
Most Anticipated Release For The Second Half Of The Year?
I had to do a little research for this question, and a book that caught my eye was Kendare Blake’s “All These Bodies”. I don’t know if it’s the fact that it reminds me of the Freeform series Cruel Summer, or that I am dipping my toes into the thriller side of reading. But I am interested in picking this book up as soon as it is released, on September 16. The story takes place in 1958—correct me if I’m wrong, and is about a serial killer that drains the blood from his victims. But when the Carlson family is murdered, the lead suspect is Marie Hale, who was found at the seen covered in blood. Does that not sound creepy and gripping?
Biggest Disappointment?
I hate raging on books, but there are some that haven’t lived up to my expectations. The biggest disappointment for me was Time Of Our Lives by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka. To say my that I had high-hopes for this book is an understatement. I was very frustrated with the book, and it was a major letdown for me.
Biggest Surprise?
The Thousandth Floor (The Thousandth Floor #1) by Katharine McGee automatically comes to mind. I am not a sci-fi fantasy reader normally, but this book was amazing. I loved most of the characters, and all the plot twists and turns. I hope that the rest of the series falls in the first books footsteps and surprises me as well.
Favorite New Author (Debut Or New To You)?
This year I have read a few new-to-me authors, but I wouldn’t say any of them have become a favorite. I have liked some more than others, yet I haven’t discovered a new instant-read author.
Newest Fictional Crush?
I am a happily married woman and love my husband dearly. But I do occasionally find some fictional characters very charming. Funny enough, my newest fictional crush is from a one of my disappointing reads of the year. I fell head-over-heels for the awkward, nerdy wordsmith that is Fitz Holton in “Time Of Our Lives.” He was sweet, smart and innocent, and he always put his family first. What girl can resist a guy like that?
Newest Favorite Character?
Is it bad to say I don’t have one. I have read many books with great characters this year, but none of them stand out to me as a favorite.
Book That Made You Cry?
100% Tunnel of Bones (Cassidy Blake #2) by Victoria Schwab, which might be a strange answer. For some reason this story book my heart. This series falls a young girl who can see ghosts, and along with her ghost best friend, Jacob, they help other spirits to move on. This book was a tad spine-chilling, but what pulled at my heart strings was the tragedy of the ghosts death. It was hard for me to read, and I shed some tears.
Book That Made You Happy?
Geekerella by Ashley Poston, since it was your typically lighthearted YA contemporary. The story was sweet and simple, as was the romance. I thought Ashley Poston did a fantastic job turning the classic story of Cinderella and turning it into a modern-day teen romance.
The Most Beautiful Book You’ve Bought So Far This Year (Or Received)?
I haven’t bought or received any books so far this year. I do love the cover of House Of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland. I wouldn’t say it describes the book plot as at all, but it is a very spring and summer cover with an unusual element.
What Books Do You Need To Read By The End Of The Year?
I don’t think there are any books that I have to read before the years end. But I have a lot of books that I would love to get to read. I want to finish some of the series I have started, and some hyped books I never got a chance to pick up. I would be happy to finish the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins that I started back in 2018.
This tag is a fun way to catch you up on my reading before the end of the year. I will likely be doing this tag in the years to follow. If you do this tag, please let me know in the comments below. Also, you can leave me a comment letting me know how your 2021 reading is going. Please support my blog by liking and sharing this post, or following the blog via email.
Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny
The book is about an aspiring teen journalist that gets the story of a lifetime. It is targeted as Almost Famous meets the “Me Too” movement. I have never seen Almost Famous, but it is one of my husbands favorite films. I am looking to forward to seeing how this book unfolds.
The plot sounds amazing and something I haven’t ever read about. It is historical fiction and YA contemporary combines, which is intriguing. The story takes place in 1992 during the Rodney King riots. It is a coming-of-age novel, and 1992 just so happens to be my birth year.
Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes #1) by Sara Raasch: I heard about this series from one of my favorite booktubers. It was released in 2014 and is a young adult fantasy novel. I can hear the gasps from here. I normally don’t go for fantasies, but something about this story sounded appealing. Also, I heard the world building in this series was amazing.
Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone: I am a big fan of books that deal with mental health, but I don’t feel that I have read enough in my life. This one deals with the popular girl in school. She seems to have it all together, yet she is hiding her struggles with severe OCD. She gets introduce to a group of mists that all have their own issues and with them she is able to be her true self. This book was published in 2015 and deals with an illness that is talked about much.
Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die #1) by Danielle Paige: This is another series that was published in 2014 that I have yet to start. Honestly, I haven’t heard that many good things about these books, but the idea behind them is intriguing. Tell me that a YA retilling of the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy has become mad with power doesn’t sound awesome.
Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella: This is another 2015 releases that just so happens to have mental health representation. This book seemed to have fallen under the radar for a lot of book lovers, still it has been on my tbr for years. This novel tells the story of a teenage girl who’s controlled by her social anxiety. The book has polarized opinions I’m interested to see where I fall on the scale.
Heartless by Marissa Meyer: Don’t hate me but I haven’t read anything from Marissa Meyer. I know that many people love her Lunar Chronicles series, yet I’ve been fascinated by this book since its 2016 release. This is an Alice and Wonderland retelling about the Queen of Hearts, and her life before becoming queen. I don’t know why villain origin stories interest me, but the only reason I can come up with is that I was Team Regina during the series Once Upon A Time.
Frostblood (Frostblood Saga #1) by Elly Blake: I am going to admit that I barely no anything about this 2017 release. The two things I do know are that it sounded awesome back in the day, and the author is possible Canadian. Heard about this book from one of my Booktube favorites, Hailey LeBlanc (
To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo: Yes, I technically dnf this book, but I didn’t put it down forever. At the time of it’s releases, in 2018, I was in a huge reading slump and pretty much 
Slayer (Slayer #1) by Kiersten White: This was a 2019 release that I was very excited about! It is a Buffy the Vampire Slayer story where new slayer, Nina, is chosen. I have watched all seven seasons of Buffy, and though I wasn’t a die heart fan I am curious to see a new take on the story. Also, I am a bookworm, so I am happy we get a book version of the show.
The Everything I Have Lost by Sylvia Zeleny (May 11th): This is a coming-of-age young adult story about 12-year-old Julia who is struggling to deal with life in Juarez, Mexico and her fathers sudden disappearance. Zeleny is a bilingual author from Mexico, and I love it when others can write from personal experience. Also, I thought that this story was different from traditional YA novels, since the lead is younger and just beginning her teen years. This is sure to be a very emotional story.
A Chorus Rises: A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow (June 01st): The story follows a teen influencer that has the perfect life. She posses fame, beauty and is a Eloko. This means that she has a melody that nobody can resit. However, her life takes a turn for the worse when she gets canceled for exposing a Siren to the world. I love the mix of contemporary and fantasy in a very unique way. I haven’t read a lot of magical realism, so I am looking forward to try a new genre.
The Stars of Whistling Ridge by Cindy Baldwin (June 15th): A middle grade novel about magic, a curse town and finding a place to call home. I have never been drawn to middle grade stories, but this one sounded adorable. Honestly, I feel like this could be the plot of a Disney movie. I just know that it is going to take me on a magical journey, and tug at my heartstrings.
They are best known for their Lady Janies series that contained of three book each a retelling of a fame Jane (Lady Jane Grey, Jane Eyre and Calamity Jane). In this new series of books we will be following Marys starting with Mary is the queen of Scots. I have only read the first book in the Janies series, My Lady Jane. However, I absolutely loved it. I was very happy to get this ARCs since this story takes place in the same world as My Lady Jane.
Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier (Aug 10th): This is a graphic novel that deals with social pressure, friendship and cheerleading with trans and queer representation. I am not a huge graphic novel fan, but I think that this will be a new favorite of mine. Truth be told, I am a total fangirl for cheerleading stories. I have seen all the Bring It On films and was obsessed with the short-lived Hellcats series. Also, you know I love me some diverse characters.
The Endless Skies by Shannon Price (Aug 17): An epic fantasy about a hidden city home of the Leonodai warriors. Seventeen-year-old Rowan is ready to become a Leonodai until a deadly disease plagues the city’s children. Soon Rowan discovers secrets that could change her future and everything she once dreamed. I have made it no secret that I don’t read a lot of fantasy. Although, I was very intrigued by not only the plot, but that this was a standalone. This book gives me classic YA fantasy book feels, which I am loving. As well, as the fact that I don’t have to worry about adding another series to my tbr.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyers: Me and my husband started the audiobook about a month back, and I ready to dive into this once popular series. I have seen all the movies, but my husband isn’t a Twiheart. Most of you are probably aware of the plot, still I will give you the shortened version. This is the story of what happens when a human girl falls in love with a vampire boy, and all the must overcome to be together.
The Project by Courtney Summers: I decided to pick this up on a whim since I have heard nothing but good things about Summers books. She writes YA/new adult mystery thrillers with her most notable being Sadie. The Project follows a nineteen-year-old girl as she tries to uncover the truth about “The Unity Project” a religious group that many see as a cult. She knows that the project isn’t as holism as they seem, and believe they are the reason behind her strained relationship with her older sister.
Conceal, Don’t Feel by Jen Calonta: I have wanted to read this for a while not, and I was finally able to get my hands on a copy from the library. This is part of The Twisted Tales book series, which are middle-grade Disney retellings. This is Frozen retelling we see what would happen if Anna and Elsa never knew each other. I am not a huge Frozen fan, but I do think that this could be a fun read.
10 Truths And A Dare by Ashley Elston: I read “10 Blind Dates” from this author, and loved it! I knew that I had to pick up her next YA contemporary as soon as it came out. The plot follows Olivia, a character from “10 Blind Dates,” as she finds out she might not get to graduate with her senior class after all. These books are usually light, fluffy reads that I cannot get enough of.
You’re Not Special by Meghan Rienks: I started this book a while ago, and ready to finish it. It is a collection of memoir type stories by YouTuber Meghan Rienks. I was never an avid watcher of Meghan’s channel, but I thought it would be an interesting read.
Snow In Love by Various Authors: I am a big fan of YA story collections, so I was happy to pick this up back in January. However, I have yet to make a dent in it, and it is already May. I am enjoying the first story thus far, and would love to have it read by the end of the month. Also, I don’t mind a little holiday spirit anytime of year.
After the death of her best friend, due to cancer, she sets out to complete her bucket list. One of the major tasks on the list is getting back at Lincoln Kolb, her late best friends jerk of an ex-boyfriend. However, these enemies might not start to look past their bad blood.
Aideen can’t solve her own problems, so she takes it upon herself to solve one for her overwhelmed classmate. After her act of kindness more of her classmates want Aideen’s help.
Addie LaRue made a deal of a lifetime with the devil. She will live forever, yet be forgot by everyone. She tries to leave her mark on the world and be remembered however she can.
Girl meets boy online. They become the best of internet friends. Girl moves to a new town. Boy happens to live in that town. Girl hides her online identity from boy. A tale as old as time, right?
a celebrity mom and amazing prom date. However, things get less than perfect when her mom gets arrested for participating a college admission scandal. Chloe must come face to face with the truth and everything she has taken for granted before.
I thought it would be fun to let you know how my reading has been going. Also, I thought I would throw in what I have been watching and listening too lately. I plan to do this type of post each month, so I hope you guys like it.