reviewing 2020, the halfway point | mid-year freak out tag
Hi friends! It is the time of year where everyone on the bookish community shares the highlights (and some lowlights) for their reading year so far. It was actually super hard to come with answers for this because I feel like, despite reading a lot more books than I usually due (thank you quarantine?), I haven't read that many books that have stood out to me. However, after much deliberation, I have my list of answers - hooray!
best book you read this year?
I just finished this book and it completely blew me away with its complexity and beautiful prose. All the characters are so three-dimensional and interesting to read about - literally go pick this up because so many themes that are addressed in The Killing Moon are so so relevant to our society today (review).
best sequel you read this year?
I've shared my thoughts on the Folk of the Air trilogy and how The Wicked King completely changed my opinion so I think it's a given. I'm also currently reading Unravel the Dusk for a blog tour and even though I haven't finished it yet, I'm already emotional.
new release you haven't read by want to?
I'm a bit ashamed that I haven't picked this up because it has received nothing but high praise on Twitter since its release. I also haven't read a ton of Asian historical fiction and the ones I have read have always ended up impacting me so much so WHY am I taking forever to pick this up. 😭😭
most anticipated release for the second half of 2020?
I COULD NOT PICK JUST ONE.
biggest disappointment?
This book pains me just a little to look at - I was so excited for a fun summer read about self-discovery, cultural identity, family reconciliation, all the good things. Instead, I got incredibly frustrated by the character's vapidness and my eyes became the only fit part of my body because I rolled them so much when reading (review).
newest favorite author?
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed Loveboat, Taipei (review) and definitely have to chalk it up to how Abigail Hing Wen managed to capture an Asian American experience that I related to. I haven't read a ton of books with Taiwanese-American MCs so this one definitely has a special place in my heart.
newest fictional crush?
This question was so hard and technically Mik isn't a new-to-me character, but I definitely fell in love with his character after getting to hear more from his perspective. Honestly, I would die for Mik and Zuzanna they are literally perfect.
newest favorite character?
I haven't talked about this gem a ton on the blog so I figured I'd give Harley a quick shout-out. This is beautiful coming-of-age novel with a wonderful friendship and family dynamic/reconciliation, the power of taking ownership for your actions, and just following your passions.
book that made you cry?
While I didn't necessarily cry, this book definitely made me feel all the emotions. I fell in love with these characters and just wanted to protect them all (review).
book that made you happy?
I listened to this on audio and could not stop smiling the entire time. I already adore Zuzanna so much from the original trilogy but getting to hear a story from her voice was just 👌👌
most beautiful book that you bought?
Quarantine has really done some damage on my already tiny college-wallet, but staring at the books I have recently acquired, I'm not too mad? I absolutely love this edition of Vicious and had to go with it for this question.
must read by the end of 2020?
I picked up the entire Shades of Magic trilogy and they're just sitting on my shelves now looking super gorgeous so ideally picking them up would be the next step.
The Daevabad Trilogy is finally complete and the book community has been raving about it for years. I know that I'm going to be absolutely wrecked after seeing all the praise but I'm so excited to pick up the first book.
I adore Erin Morgenstern and for some reason have been putting off reading The Starless Sea - it sounds so wonderful and magical and I just need to read this ASAP.
Despite this tag being difficult to complete, I still had a lot of fun answering all these questions. For one thing, it's definitely made me more conscious when choosing what books to actually pick up and read.
If you've done this tag, please link it down below so I can check it out! A quick question starter - what was your favorite book you read in 2020?
4 Comments
I'm about to start The Wicked King and I'm excited! I'm really excited for releases you mentioned too, it seems like the second half of this year are full of amazing releases!
ReplyDeleteTasya // The Literary Huntress
Ooh that's so exciting - I hope you end up enjoying it as much as I did! Ikr?!?! Ahh I don't know how to choose what to read next!
Deletethe starless sea is also on my need-to-read list for the rest of the year!! i started it in january and never finished 😭 and i'm also so excited for all the upcoming releases you listed, especially tvd and tbg! i hope you have a great last half of 2020 <3
ReplyDeleteI need a time machine because I need tvd and tbg asap in my life! Thank you May, I hope the rest of 2020 is amazing for you as well!! <3
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