The Mid-Year Freak-Out Tag

This tag has been around forever. I think I’ve done it several times already. Good thing I always have new stuff to freak out about.

The Mid-Year Freak-Out Tag

A snapshot of my reading so far. I'm 2 books behind where I should be.

Best book you’ve read so far in 2018?

The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock. When I say that I like stories with a strong sense of place, this is exactly what I’m talking about. This novel is set in the 1970s and stars a group of teens who are growing up in rural Alaska.

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2018?

A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin. My Game of Thrones obsession is still going strong. I’m tempted to binge watch the show for the billionth time.

New release you haven’t read yet but want to?

There are so many! Let’s go with The Outsider by Stephen King. I haven’t read any King so far this year. My life is incomplete without him.

Most-anticipated release for the second half of 2018?

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak. Zusak hasn’t published a book since 2005. Bridge of Clay was supposed to come out in 2011, but it didn’t. To say I have high expectations would be an understatement. October needs to get here now. Also, I’ll be devastated if the book sucks. I’ve been waiting for an eternity!

Biggest disappointment?

I’ve been DNFing books before they can disappoint me. I’m quickly being crushed under the weight of my TBR mountain, so I don’t have time to waste on books that get on my nerves. That being said, I should have DNFed The Long Shadow of Small Ghosts by Laura Tillman and . . . And Now Miguel by Joseph Krumgold. They’re both tedious. I kept reading because I hoped they’d get better. (Spoiler alert: they didn’t.)

Biggest surprise?

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. Since I’m a very serious grownup, I’m skeptical of talking animal stories, but I adored this children’s book. It’s an escapist read with depth! It’s about forgiveness, and how nice mice sometimes do bad things, and the importance of soup.

Favorite new author?

Mackenzi Lee. It’s very hard for a retelling to impress me because I usually find them predictable. This Monstrous Thing impressed me. It’s even more impressive because I loathe Frankenstein, which is the story that’s being retold. Mackenzi Lee must be talented if she can take all the stuff I hate and transform it into one of my favorite books of the year. I love the characters, the plot, the steampunk world, everything. 

Newest favorite character?

Anne Jacob from The Butcher’s Hook by Janet Ellis. Anne is a proper, upper-class woman from 1700s London. Then she brutally murders a ton of people. I need to find more historical literary horror novels. This might be my new favorite genre.

Books that made you happy?

All of these! They made me happy because they’re good books. I recommend them all.

Favorite book-to-movie adaptation?

I don’t believe I’ve seen any movies yet this year. I’m not a movie person. I did binge 42 hours of the Outlander TV show. I’m proud of myself for sitting still for 42 hours. I haven’t read the books, and I don’t plan to, but the show is fun.

Most beautiful books you bought so far this year?

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

So many! I own around 60 unread books. Twenty-something of them were bought last year. The rest are from this year. I guess the older ones should be a priority? I feel bad for neglecting them.

Do you want to do this tag? Consider yourself tagged.