#2023 mid year tag

[bekah-reading]

2023 Mid-Year Book Tag

Best book you’ve read so far

Haunting Adeline by HD Carlton

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Manicalco

Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far

Twisted by Emily McIntire

Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco

Vein Pursuits by Rhett C. Bruno

Best New Release You’ve Read So Far

Immortality by Dana Schwartz

How to Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

Episode Thirteen by Craig DiLouie

New Release you haven’t read but want to

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

Most Anticipated Release for the 2nd half of the year

Crossed by Emily McIntire

The Ashfire King by Chelsea Abdullah

Heartstopper Vol 5 by Alice Oseman

Biggest Book Disappointment

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

Most Surprising Book of the Year

The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah

Most Beautiful Book You’ve bought this year

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

Being really hopeful- but I’d love to end the year with no physical TBR other than my November bday and Christmas gifts.

But barring that- Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom, The Hacienda, Area X, Jurassic Park, and Love, Theoretically.

How many books have you read this year so far?

65 books.

What have you been reading?

Horror, Gothic, Romance, Dark Romance, Short Story Collections, Sci-fi, YA Fantasy, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Extreme Horror, Splatterpunk, Western.

Out of Comfort Zone

None-I have yet to step out of my comfort zone this year.

Books that made you happy

The Stardust Thief, Twisted, Illuminae series, Stalkign Jack the Ripper series.

New Favourite Author

Kerri Maniscalco

Chelsea Abdullah

H.D. Carlton

New Favourite Crush

Zade Meadows (I had no hesitation to put his name down)

Thomas Cresswell

Crowley from The Black Badge Series

Shadow and Venom

Qadir

Julius

Newest Favourite Character

Audrey Rose and Thomas Cresswell

Sibby

Noemí and Francis

Tarquin

Duddits

Books that made you cry

Dreamcatcher- not ashamed to admit it.

The Stardust Thief

[sil3ntm0thart]

All you gotta do is not open this bag

[bibliophilecats]

Mid-Year Book Freakout 2023

Thank you for taggin me @books-are-portals

1. Best book you’ve read so far this year

The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill.

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far this year

I want to be a wall Vol 02 by Honami Shirono

3. New release you haven’t read yet

So many! The most recent book I received is The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty.

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

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

5. Biggest disappointment

The French Chateau Dream by Julie Caplin (and kinda also The Secret Cove in Croatia though I stopped that after about 5 pages because I did not feel in the mood). It is always difficult for me to find romance books I like but I thought that Julie Caplin was another author whose books I would enjoy. Unfortunately, the first book I read from her seems to have been a fluke because the rest was mediocre to bad.

6. Biggest surprise

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna. I did not expect to enjoy the book this much.

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

Heather Fawcett. I already own several of her books but finally got around to actually reading one this year. And I will continue with the Fetch Philips books by Luke Arnold as audiobooks. I really enjoy his reading.

8. Newest fictional crush/newest favorite character

Not a crush, but I found Kissen in Hannah Kaner’s Godkiller a highly interesting character.

9. Book that made you cry

None so far. But I did get very emotional over The Tea Dragon Society.

10. Book that made you happy

Miss Hazeltine’s Home for Shy and Fearful Cats by Alicia Potter.

I tag @themelodyofspring @emily-reads-books @smalltownfae and @lizziethereader (no pressure!)

[garden-ghoul]

some people have been posting about their least favorite books of 2023 and I finally remembered mine, which is midworld. recommended to me at some point as conceptually interesting sci fi I guess? I didn't get very far. to read any classic sff you have to be able to tolerate authors not being normal about women, but this author is also not normal about indigeneity and it's the subject of the whole book, so. it was such a baseless caricature that it made the story supremely unbelievable and uninteresting.

[princessofbookaholics]

MID YEAR BOOK FREAK OUT TAG 2023

It’s the first day of July and it’s time to check in on those reading goals! As always I have multiple answers for everything so here goes:

1. How many books have you read so far?

I’ve read 103 books

2. What genres have you read?

Here are the genres by stats:

39 romance books

35 mystery/thriller books

10 fantasy/sci-fi books

7 contemporary books

5 anthologies

4 graphic novel/manga

2 non fiction

1 historical fiction

3. Best book you’ve read so far this year

For the first time, I have only one answer. I have fewer 5 star reads so far this year but the one that left the most impact on me was Babel by R. F. Kuang.

4. Best sequel you’ve read so far this year

I really loved the last book in the Dirty Air series called Redeemed by Lauren Asher. I think it is her best book ever! I loved the last book in the Red Zone Rivals series as well which is called Hail Mary by Kandi Steiner.

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

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

7. Biggest disappointment

8. Biggest surprise

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

I would like to read everything they write:

Mimi Grace

Keigo Higashino

Catherine Cowles

10. Underrated gems

Not enough people have read these books:

11. Newest fictional crush

Santi from Redeemed.

12. Newest favorite character

Ramy from Babel.

13. Book that made you cry

14. Book that made you happy

If you want to smile then read these:

15. Most beautiful book cover of a book you’ve read so far this year

16. How are you doing with your year’s goals?

So my year’s goals were:

Read 100 books (done)

Complete 5 book series (2 series finished)

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

I don't have a list this year but I do want to challenge myself to read a big classic, either les miserables or the count of monte cristo.

[denmark-street]

Mid-Year Freak Out Tag | 2023

Best Book of the Year

Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel (watch the show)

Best Sequel

Le Conte de l'Assassin, Jean-Philippe Jaworski - part 2 of Le Chevalier aux épines : flashforward chapter, return of a fan favorite character + seeing the bastard fail (it's what he deserves). I enjoyed it a lot.

Biggest Disappointment

Le Conte de l'Assassin, Jean-Philippe Jaworski : the first half was a slog because it's mostly the same story as part 1 but from another point of view. So only the latter half was 'new'.

New Release You Want to Read

Fourth Wing, La Tour de la garde, Poppy War, the new Fred Vargas etc.

Most Anticipated Release of the Second-half

i mean...

Book(s) You Want to Read Before the End of the Year

TRG + Fourth Wing, La Tour de la garde, Poppy War + SW High Republic phase 2, Powder Mage, Sea of Tranquility (+ finishing Glass Hotel); finishing Daemon Voices, Le Traitre et le Néant + reading more French fantasy

[someonelookingpraediti]

Mid Year Book Tag 2023!

I've seen a few of these going round, so I thought I'd give it a go! If anyone else does one of these, tag me so I can see!

1. What's the best book you've read so far this year? Probably A Little Life! It lived up to the hype, but it was so emotionally draining! I've also really been enjoying Lockwood & Co.

2. What's the best sequel you've read so far this year? If I had to pick, I'd say The Stolen Heir. It's a brilliant continuation of the Folk of the Air books, and I can't wait for the next book! But Hell Bent is a close second.

3. What's a new release you haven't read yet, but want to? The Sun and the Star! I'm determined to read the books in order though, so I've got LOADS to read before I get there - I'd better get started!

4. Which new release are you most anticipating for the second half of the year? Never a Hero! I loved Only a Monster, and I'm hoping the second one lives up to my expectations! I'm also super looking forward to Defiant - the final Skyward book! I feel like I should re-read the series first but I just don't think I have the time!

5. Which book was the biggest disappointment? I've DNF-ed one book so far this year, which was The Foxglove King. But my biggest disappointment was probably Tress of the Emerald Sea, just because I was really looking forward to it and it turned out to be a bit of a let down.

6. Which book was the biggest surprise? Actually, it was Kings Rising! I wasn't expecting much from the series, and the first book wasn't any good, and completely put me off. But I had a cold, and was stuck in bed, so I stuck with it, and by the third book I was in love!

7. Who is your favourite new (to you) author this year? I haven't actually read many new authors so far this year, I need to work on that for the second half! My favourite so far is probably Donna Tartt. I finally started reading The Secret History this month, and I'm nearly finished with it! It's so good, I'm really enjoying it!

8. Do you have a new favourite character? Ooh I guess any of the new demigods from Heroes of Olympus! Or Anthony Lockwood! Although I should probably finish the series before I make that kind of declaration.

9. What was a book that made you cry? Well, obviously A Little Life! I also re-read a series from my childhood, The Magician's House, and that made me absolutely sob, which I wasn't expecting!

10. What was a book that made you happy? Howl's Moving Castle! Such a cute story! I can't wait to read the next book!

11. What was your favourite book-to-screen adaptation this year? I really just don't watch that much tv. Genuinely the only adaptation I've watched this year is season two of Shadow and Bone! But it was absolutely amazing, I loved that they shook it up so much.

12. Which book had the prettiest cover? Belladonna! The UK cover is gorgeous (I've seen the US edition and yuck) and I've got the FairyLoot special edition and its so pretty!

13. How are you doing with your yearly goals? My yearly total is 100, and halfway through the year I've read 48, so I'm a little behind... but I'm nearly there! I had a few really poor months early in the year, and fell way behind, so really had to push myself to find lots of reading time in the past two months to catch up. I might have been a little ambitious with my goals.

14. What's a book you need to read before the end of the year? I've got a couple of reading lists I've barely made a dent in. I'm very keen to finish Lockwood & Co, and to try and get through the Riordan books. Other books I'm going to try to get to soon: Caraval, The Tarot Sequence, Small Miracles, The Mary Shelley Club, The Maidens, the list goes on

[ashxketchum]

So uh I'm pretty sure this existed before (even though when I searched the tag I didn't find anything posted in the last year or so) but I'm going to post Takao content on every Tuesday and Max content on every Monday starting from next week. I just think that the Beyblade tag, specifically the Bakuten Shoot tag, could do with more content of these two cuties and favs of mine.

I'll post gifs, edits, headcanons, shitposts, screencaps basically anything I can manage on that day, and the tags will be #max mondays #takao tuesdays

I will try to post every week regularly, unless life happens or something, but it'll be fun if occasionally other people join in too (I'll be tracking the tags!).

[lizziestudieshistory]

Mid Year Book Freak Out 2023

Thanks for tagging me @dauen! I was worried I wouldn't have enough answers this year as I've been more eclectic than usual with my reading, but I do 😅 And apologies for the frequent mention of le Guin, 2023 is the year of Ursula K. le Guin for me!

1. Best book you've read so far...

The Red and the Black by Stendhal

I was surprised when I was swept away by the second half of this book, it not only made me love the second volume but gave me a new appreciation of what Stendhal did in the first volume. I'm still thinking about The Red and the Black months later and it's a strong contender for my favourite book of the year.

However, there were two book I could have mentioned that were new reads for me, but I've gone with this as the other is...

2. Best sequel you've read so far...

The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin

This did something to my brain, as much as I'm thinking about The Red and the Black, I'm obsessed with The Tombs of Atuan. The atmosphere, le Guin's writing, and Tenar came together to create an almost perfect (for me) story.

3. New release...

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

By default... I've only read Tress so far - I didn't even particularly enjoy Tress 😬

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

Errm none? I've got no idea what's going on with new releases because I'm trying to clear my blacklist and physical tbr.

5.a. Biggest disappointment...

The Leviathan by Rosie Andrews or Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

I've separated biggest disappointment and most hated this year because they really do belong in different categories (see 5.b). Both of these would've been great for someone else... I shouldn't have read The Leviathan as a specialist in 17th century, it ended up annoying me with it's blend of history and story. Howl's Moving Castle just isn't my cup of tea, it was a bit too whimsical and it rubbed me up the wrong way.

5.b. Most hated...

Witches: James I and the English Witch-Hunts by Tracy Borman

I've made no secret of how this one pissed me off with it's bad faith portrayal of James I and the witch-hunts in England. I was left seething when reading it, so it deserved it's own spot in a created category.

6. Biggest surprise...

The Poetry of Christina Rossetti

I'm typically not a poetry girl, and when I have read it I've tended to prefer epic and narrative poetry. So when I picked up a collection of Rossetti's poetry I expected to find it tedious... However, I loved exploring her poetry! I now how copies of my favourites in my commonplace book and she's inspired me to try more poetry in the future.

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

Ursula K. Le Guin

Without a doubt she is a new favourite. I've read so many essays and short stories, watched pretty much every speech she gave that I can, and, of course, been in awe as I've read through the first half of Earthsea.

8. Newest fictional crush/favourite character...

Ged from the Earthsea Cycle

I've spent far too long trying to think of a non-le Guin new favourite character... But it's definitely Ged.

9. A book that made you cry...

None!

10. A book that made you happy...

Emma by Jane Austen

Emma always makes me happy and it's the happiest I've been so far this year.

11. Favourite adaptation...

I haven't watched anything new 😅 I rewatched House of the Dragon which was better the second time around, and Emma 2020 is always a favourite - but I don't think they count.

12. Prettiest cover...

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott

I haven't really bought that many pretty books as I've mainly shopped second hand this year... So, it's probably this vintage copy of Ivanhoe, but we have room for improvement!

13. A book/books you need before the end of the year...

Oh I have a stack, but some off the top of my head:

A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay

Fugitive Prince by Janny Wurts

The Charterhouse of Parma by Stendhal (technically I started this, but I got distracted by other French novels... Oops)

Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Bradden

Silas Marner by George Eliot

Tagging: @oneanxiousstudybuddy and @dooareyastudy (I think you haven't been tagged yet but could have missed it, sorry if you have 😅)

[readingoals]

Mid Year Book Freakout (2023)

I wasn't tagged to do it but I did this last year so thot I might as well do it again this year lmao.

It's a little bit of a cop out maybe, but I think the best book I've read this year is Pride and Prejudice. It's about the hundredth time I've read it and it was my top book from last year, so it feels like cheating to say it. But it's also an edition that Lauren annotated for me so reading it was an entirely new experience too because of all her notes!

This one's easy because it's the only sequel I've read this year, and that is A Clash Of Kings by George R.R. Martin! I really love the ASOIAF series and I'm so enjoying this re-read.

This is tough because I've re-read a few books this year but I think I have to say Sylvester by Georgette Heyer. It's been years since I first read it but I'm so glad I revisited it. I had the best time reading it again and annotating it.

Just like last year, mystery is my most read genre so far. I've been continuing to make my way through all of Agatha Christie's books - one per month - as well as some extra mysteries on the side, so it's really not a surprise.

Aside from mystery, my next most read genres are historical and, much more surprisingly, romance, with three books each.

Oh, so many. But the ones at the top of my list are The Villa by Rachel Hawkins, The Cloisters by Katy Hays, Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill, and The Adventure Zone: Eleventh Hour graphic novel by The McElroys.

For the first time in a long time I actually do know about and am looking forward to a couple of releases. I have Hopeless Aromantic: An Affirmative Guide to Aromanticism by Samantha Rendle on pre-order. It'll be released at the end of this month. And then I think Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson is due to be released later this year too.

The Maidens by Alex Michaelides was a huge disappointment. I'd heard so many good things but I just hated it so much.

I think the biggest surprise so far has been Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie. Mostly because it started off a little slow and I thought it'd be one of her more ~okay~ mysteries, but it ended up being quite exciting and interesting and fun.

Either that or Victoria Frankenstein's Monster Cock by Broken Arrow because reading Frankenstein inspired erotica was not on my personal 2023 bingo card and it ended up being actually not bad.

I think I have to say my fave new (to me) author is Tirzah Price who wrote Pride and Premeditation (and the other Jane Austen Murder Mystery books). Partly because Pride and Premed was such a fun read and really well done. But also partly just because process of elimination leaves her as the only real option.

I've only read from 6 authors I'd previously not read from so far, and of those I hated 1, I disliked 2, and enjoyed 2 but not enough.

I think I have to go with Sylvester, Phoebe and Tom from Sylvester by Georgette Heyer. I just really loved their dynamic and they were so frickin fun to read about.

Runners up would be Jon and Rick from Bachelor Kisses by Nick Earls purely because they were such dumbass dickheads.

At first I was going to say nothing I'd read so far this year had made me cry but then I remembered that I re-read Daisy Jones and the Six. Even though I knew what was coming the ending still got me.

Bachelor Kisses by Nick Earls. It's set close to where I live, I find the characters and story so funny, and I love Earls' writing style. Re-reading it was an absolute joy.

But also Ace and Aro Journeys just cause it was nice to read something that related so directly to me.

There's a couple of books that stand out I think. Number 1 has to be the illustrated edition of A Clash Of Kings. I already owned AGOT and I'm excited to eventually have the whole series in a matching set.

I guess The Villa would also be up there - I love the colours, how bright it is. And then also the hardcover Penguin Classics edition of Frankenstein which was one I'd wanted for ages.

There are only a couple that I absolutely have to read. The copy of Frankenstein that Lauren annotated for me is top of the list. And then also Pride and Prometheus by John Kessel - I said I was going to read it all the way back in March and then didn't, so I'd love to actually pick it up.

I also want to prioritize reading my backlog books. I'm trying to read 5 of them this year and so far I've only read one (although I'm also currently reading one now), so I definitely want to pick up a few more in the second half of the year.

[roseunspindle]

Mid-Year Book Freak-Out Tag 2023

Best Book you’ve read so far in 2023?

Best Sequel you’ve read so far in 2023?

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

(so hard to choose which of the many!)

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?

and

(hurry up Yen Press!)

Biggest disappointment?

Biggest surprise?

Favorite new author (Debut or new to you)?

Katrina Leno 

Newest Favorite Character?

Jena from Wildwood Dancing

Book that made you cry?

Book that made you happy?

Favorite Book to Movie Adaptation?

What books do you need to read by the end of the year? (Only 55 on my Current TBR shelf....^_^’)

*the following are the harry potter books, I am re-reading them but also so we are clear I do not support JKRowling in anyway. 

[aro-aizawa]

honestly the cruelest thing abt the newest doctor who episode is that they’re saying it’ll take a whole year for the next episode 💔

[camreadsum]

I've been having quite a reading season so I thought I'd do the MID-YEAR Freak Out Tag to document it all since that was the point of this account before I abandoned it. 😬

Anyways Let's Go!! (I will not be going into detail about the books, just how/why they fit the question)

Best Book So Far: A Strange And Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows

If ever there was a book designed for me as the target audience, it's this one. This book is everything I want when I pick up a fantasy romance. This is proof that you do not need to abandon or half ass your world building because "the focus is the romance anyway"

Honourable mention :A Taste of Gold And Iron by Alexandra Rowland. Another M/M romantasy with lovable characters in a lush, well realized world of fantasy.

Good fucking Soup!!

Best Sequel: Winter of the Witch.

Third book in the Winter night Trilogy. Historical fantasy. Epic conclusion to an amazing series. Russian folklore, utterly unforgettable MC, old gods vs Christianity battle it out in the unforgiving world of medieval Russia. Full of myth and extreme stakes. Went straight up my top 5 fave series of all time.

Honourable mention: The Long Game by Rachel Reid (book 8). A hockey romance that was just pure fun. Both light and heart-felt. Chaos and Fun. Overall good time.

New Release I haven't Gotten To Yet: Yellowface by R.F Kuang

Most Anticipated Release for the 2nd Half Of The Year: He Who Drowned The World (coming August 24) Sequel to She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker Chan.

Biggest Dissapointment : Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas. This was such an unpleasant experience. A one note character who was so removed from her reality and surroundings that I was unable to connect with her or the story. She had no reactions to any of the horrendous things happening to and around her. She didn't care, had no goals, motivations etc. She just WAS! (One would would argue that that was the point given the self medication and trauma, and perhaps they'd be right) I just couldn't help but feel like I wasted my time here. Thinking about this book still makes me angry.

Honourable mention: The Beautiful Ones by Sivia Moreno Garcia.

Several trusted sources hyped this book up as not only a really juicy historical romance but the best from Miss Garcia. And as someone who didn't get the hype behind Mexican Gothic, I was hoping this would be my chance to appreciate Silvia's work. IT WASN'T!! I'm starting to think Me n Silvia just aren't suited to each other. (I will still read Gods of Jade And Shadow since I already own the audiobook but I won't pick up anything new moving forward)

Biggest Surprise: Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secrets Of The Universe.

This is contemporary fiction featuring sad gays coming of age. I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed and was gut punched by this story. This duology did for me what SONG OF ACHILLES did for the girls.

Honourable Mention: Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco. I don't even have words for how this book swept me away. Another MC I would lay down my life for. Charming characters, dark world, monstrous creatures and sexy vampires. AGAIN a book designed with ME in mind.

Fave New Author: T Kingfisher.

Technically I discovered them last year with the Paladin Series but I've only gotten to expound on their catalog this year and boy do they keep GIVING!! Their writing style is equal parts Humour, whimsy, vivid and just hits all the beats. Her characterization is obe of my favorites for sure. An auto-read author for me moving forward.

Honourable mention :KJ Charles

An indie author who focuses on queer romantic and historical fantasy. She's yet to let me down

Newest Fictional Crush: I don't really crush on book characters but for the sake of this question Delilah Green from Delilah Green Doesn't Care(super tated Butch Lesbian with percings and mommy issues?! Come on now)

Honourable mention : Tadek from A Taste Of Gold And Iron. The complete Chaos that is this man. We would be best friends immediately!!

Newest Fave Character : Velasin Vin Aaro- Aeduria from A Strange And Stubborn Endurance. Fits the archetype of all my favorite male characters. Cute, shy, super smart and entirely a cinnamon role. Him, Cae and Markel are the PERFECT chaotic Trio. (Pls go read this book y'all I need someone to die over it with me)

Honourable mention : Ilya Rozanov from Long Game. Look, this man is a total bastard, a delinquent, an utter S.O.B but I stand by him. *Keke Palmer voice* I KNOW HIM Y'ALL!! I KNOW HIM!!

Book That made me Cry: Satisfaction Guaranteed by Karelia Stetz-Waters.

Listen, I may have been going through some things at the time but that last act L0ve Declaration GOT ME!! just cheesing and sobbing like "love is real y'all"

Book That Made Me Happy: Swordheart by T Kingfisher.

The utter WHOLESOMENESS that is this book!!!the FMC was so pure and guileless and genuine I wanted to hug her. The high jinks, the shenanigans and the wonder of it all. This story was utterly hilarious, sweet, emotional and fun. All the things I want in my romances. Solidified Kingfisher's Pen Game as unclockable.

(The audiobook narrator for Halla is one of the most talented in the game. Give her all the gigs!)

If you see this and are interested pls join in. I'd love to see what everyone's been reading.

[meltotheany]

2023 Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag

The original tag was created by ReadLikeWildfire and Earl Grey Books! oh hello friends! it is time for one of the best blog posts of the whole entire year! i love being able to see where i am at with my reading and my goals, and being able to reassess and refocus on what i want my reading in the last half of the year to be like! the first half of 2023 has truly been filled with a lot of happy…

[sandramiksaauthor]

mid year book tag | mid year book wrap up 📖