#mid year book freak out 2021

[meraki-yao]

That question was super serious im trying to figure out what's going on, love that taylor got all that exposure but it was a bit surprising, Im from a super homophobic country (illegal/death penalty type homophobic) and china is probably more progressive from where i stand but by western standards its still a lot conservative. So it was odd that an actor who's only popular in certain groups for playing a queer character is getting hyped up there.

Heads up, I went on a rant lmao

I agree. And I was really freaking anxious the whole time he was there because of it.

Okay, for those who don't know, here's the thing about LGBT+ in China. And I'm only gonna talk about the sexuality aspect because the gender aspect is a whole other topic and a lot less progressive than the sexuality side (that being said trans lives matter)

The official stance promoted by the government, ergo the public, is condemning it. Thankfully not in an illegal/death penalty type, but more in a "if we ignore it and don't talk about it, it will go away" type.

There were a couple of years I think in the mid-2010s where significant progress was being made in terms of both representation (see shows like Guardian, the Untamed, Word of Honor) and pride organizations and support (see Shanghai Pride)

But starting in mid-2021 the government suddenly cracked down on queer representation. "Effeminate" men were publicly condemned and called "sissy" BY THE OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT NOTICE (I was fucking fuming when I read it). Dangai (BL, or simply, adapted from gay novels) shows were banned. Multiple LGBT+ organizations were shut down without explanation. And just this year, when a singer with a famous song about being an LGBT ally supporting the community held a concert in Beijing, anyone with anything remotely resembling a rainbow was banned from entry and had to hand in the rainbow object, even if it was their clothing. And those stuff were never returned. The older generation, such as my parents' generation, condemn it. It's not an optimistic sight.

But here's the fucking truth: queer people, have always existed, and always will. So actually, younger people, I'd say 30 years old and younger, the vast majority accept queerness. Gay couples are sharing their lives on Bilibili. Danmei (explicitly gay) radio dramas, novels, and comics are still being produced and consumed. There are so many people watching Western gay shows and movies such as RWRB as well as producing gay fan content. And honestly, part of it is due to the shipping culture here (which is a whole other topic I can write a dissertation on).

Either way, what I'm trying to say is regardless of whatever the "official stance" is, the demographic that's active on social media is accepting of it. Which is why RWRB could gain such popularity in China.

As per my last ask, I think the main reason for inviting Taylor is his willingness to try things the local way. A lot of times Chinese capitalists/executives don't really care where the star got their fame from, they just care that they are famous.

The difference with Taylor is that actors in China of a similar level of status locally to Taylor and who have been in queer productions don't talk about it after the promo period is over. If anything, gaining fame from being in a Dangai is kind of considered shameful. In fact, they actively avoid it. Taylor is of course, more than willing to talk about RWRB. In fact, during the videos, live streams and stuff, I was actively observing if RWRB would be brought up by the Chinese side/host. It wasn't. During the Little Red Book livestream, despite basically everyone in the live chat spamming RWRB comments, Taylor was the one who said "Oh I see talk about RWRB, what do you want to know?" And I understand that there are several potential reasons why RWRB wasn't brought up by the host, including time constraints, pre-set questions, pre-set agendas etc, but latent homophobia is also a potential reason.

Either way, yeah. I don't really know what the conclusion of this ramble is but here you go 😅

[magpiefngrl]

mid-year book freak out tag

Let's talk about books! Thanks for tagging me @bloody-wonder ❤️😘

1. Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2023?

I've read 48 books till now but nothing leaps to mind as The Best. Like a novel that knocked me out, you know? If I had to choose one, I'd say Seven Summer Nights, a romance by Harper Fox, because I adored the first half and because it's the only book so far that gave me a book hangover.

2. Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far in 2023?

The 2nd novel of Alexis Hall's trilogy, How To Blow It With A Billionaire, was delightful. Judging by the title I'd braced myself for angst, but instead 90-95% of the book was Arden and Caspian falling in love and getting closer (until the last chapter and the inevitable heartbreak). It is one of the most skillful, heartwarming and sexy relationship progressions I've read.

3. New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To?

This has been on my sights since 2021 but still haven't got around to it: She Who Became The Sun.

4. Most Anticipated Release For Second Half of 2023?

There's nothing that I'm truly impatient about. The first that comes to mind is KJ Charles's A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel.

Also, A Power Unbound by Freya Marske. I can't say I was blown away by the first two novels, but I have a feeling the ship in this one is my kind of ship.

I'm curious for a lot of books, but not eagerly anticipating them.

5. Biggest Disappointment?

Oh boy. I left a long review on GR about it and I still cry bitter tears about how let down I was by Alexis Hall's third installment of his Billionaire series. Like I said above, I really enjoyed the second book. It ended in heartbreak but I assumed we'd see the pairing work their way through their issues together and end up HEA. What I did NOT expect was that they'd be apart for most of the novel, only getting together at 90%. I don't want to be (even more) spoilery so I'll say nothing more. Just that this book had the promise of being truly spectacular and it turned out all over the place, and it hurts.

6. Biggest Surprise?

The Lodestar of Ys by Amy Rae Durreson, a short novel I got because a GR pal left an enthusiastic review and said that it was available for free. I don't know the author and mostly read it for research and was not prepared to enjoy it as much as I did. The writing is solid, the worldbuilding fascinating, the rivalry between the ship is realistic and convincing as is their growing attraction to each other. Good smut, which isn't normally the case with pub romance. Becomes a tad too cute for my tastes towards the end, but still a great read. And free!

7. Favourite New Author?

No one stands out. I guess Amy Rae Durreson (see above) is a new to me author that made me go and check out her other books, so let's go with her.

Oh I'm also really enjoying The Scottish Boy by Alex de Campi so her too.

8. Newest Favourite Character?

Bucky Iain from The Scottish Boy, I guess?

9. Newest Fictional Crush?

No one. How weak has my reading year been??

💕Best Ship💕

Richard and Alec from Swordspoint. I refuse to read the sequels where they (I think?) break up. NOPE.

10. Book That Made You Cry?

I cry pretty easily and I'm sure I cried at a novel this year (if not more) but for the life of me I can't remember which.

11. Book That Made You Happy?

I had the most fun during my reread of Scum Villain's Self-Saving System. Gods, what I wouldn't give for more authors having so much fun with their stories.

12. Favourite Book Adaptation You Saw This Year?

I watched the final season of BBC's The Dark Materials early this year. It makes me happy to have such a great adaptation of one of my fave series of all times.

13. Favourite Review You’ve Written This Year?

I haven't written a lot of reviews this year. In the past there were times when I'd write long essays; now I'm all for short and sweet. Can't be arsed for more tbh. Unless I disliked the book and I need to rant.

14. Most Beautiful Cover?

I mostly read ebooks and I rarely notice covers. I did, however, notice the stunning cover of A Taste of Gold and Iron, which turned out to be a book I hated, so I'm even more distrustful of covers now.

15. What Books Do You Need To Read By The End of The Year?

I have a bunch of unfinished series to complete (see 2023 reading goals), so that's my first goal. My second target is reading some of the dozens of unread books I own (both on the shelves and my ereader). I do need to finish Checkmate, this is getting ridiculous, but I keep getting distracted by romance.

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Overall, it hasn't been a spectacular year. I've read a LOT--esp in June I couldn't stop reading--but I've reread a few series to complete them, which ranged from meh (The Nikolai trilogy and Darker Shades of Magic) to flawed-but-interesting (The Dreamer trilogy) to seriously uneven (the Billionaire series). Early in the year I finished JS&MN and Spinning Silver which were great, but they feel a long time away and nothing amazing has come since. Idk. Some of my reads were unusual and made an impression, but can't say I enjoyed them fully. The most satisfying books these past few months have been a few romance novels. Fingers crossed for a more exciting second half of 2023.

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follow me on goodreads!

2022 mid year book tag

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tagging: @lettersbyelise @tackytigerfic @julcheninred @lqtraintracks @shealwaysreads @the-starryknight @wolfpants @violetclarity

[livvyofthelake]

the thing of it is that nicholas galitzine is not necessarily Good at playing gay, because well at the end of it all you can tell he does it for attention. which i think is a feminist win but that’s neither here nor there. i mean that he has the like, vibe of a man who believes so deeply within his soul that he’s heterosexual so he thinks playing gay is fun because it’s Acting in a way that playing straight is not. bear with me, you’re about to get a glimpse of 2021 beth. and by that i mean i’m about to bring up pete davidson. actually maybe most of you should stop reading his post right now or possibly two sentences ago. anyway. what i mean to say is that he’s like if pete davidson was like. talented. if pete davidson could act and sing he’d be doing everything nicholas galitzine is doing, but he can’t so he’s doing mid comedy and like so much weed. god bless america. basically pete davidson is so deep in method acting as a straight man he doesn’t even know he’s performing. i don’t mean to suggest that he’s secretly gay i’m just saying if you analyze his behavior you can like. see within him where the staten island ideal of heteronormative masculinity took root inside his soul. you know. basically you can tell that his whole life is a performance and he thinks he’s winning but he’s not because he will never be happy until he can deconstruct the roles gender and sexuality have played in his endless quest to find acceptance. he needs a lesbian friend so bad and GOD i wish that were me. i had a point. hold on. so like. i don’t know shit about nicholas galitzine as a person but i’ve been looking at the man on various screens for months and there is something about the way he moves and the way he says certain things, especially while he’s playing gay, that gives pete davidson to me. so i’ve taken that similarity and extrapolated from it that he almost definitely has similar issues. i don’t think a lesbian friend would fix him though i think whatever his deal is is unfixable and we should probably put him down in a few years before he does anything crazy like date a kardashian or star in a biopic or something idk. my point was basically going to be that i think. actually i forgot my point. oh yeah i think he loves playing gay for attention but he’s not super good at it because he still has the last sliver of internalized homophobia you can’t knock out of a man until he tries gay sex or talks to a lesbian once or has a daughter who’s in middle school. it’s complicated. don’t argue with me about his ability to play gay i think i know more about the subject than you ok i watched the craft legacy i was there. ok i was half there i don’t truly remember that movie. but i remember the vibe ok i was there. basically. WHAT was i talking about. i love stream of consciousness posting i’ve been writing this post for like 20 minutes probably. basically it’s crazytown that this movie is being sold as a gay romcom but they don’t even make out sloppy it’s like what’s the point if we aren’t getting a little nasty. a little freaky. casey wouldn’t approve of this. ok well. casey did approve of this i’m pretty sure they’re a producer but they didn’t write the movie and i believe in my soul that if they had been more involved in this process there would have been freak shit happening. i’m reading this book ok i know henry is slipping alex so much tongue and it was NOT translated onscreen!! and i’ve chosen to blame that british man and also matthew because he has ras syndrome. which is when you’re gay and in charge of a movie or show and you’re fucking obsessed with the hot straight man who’s playing your gay little character that you like so bad. ras is not the first to do it but he is by far one of the worst offenders i’ve ever seen like goddamn can we free kj apa from his clutches. i forgot the point again. basically. i think if nicholas took a break from playing gay in movies and tried gay sex he would become better at playing gay in movies. or he would stop entirely. idk

[dooareyastudy]

Mid Year Book Freak Out 2023

Thank you @lizziestudieshistory​ for tagging me <3 and sorry for doing this so late !! I always procrastinate those and end up doing it after the trend hahaha

1. Best book you've read so far…

Le roi pêcheur, by Julien Gracq ! It’s not really a surprise, considering I love Gracq but each of his books I read seems to updo the other, and that’s a pleasant surprise !

2. Best sequel you've read so far…

I don’t think I read any series this year !

3. New release…

The most recent release I read so far is probably Le Visage de pierre, published in 2021 in France. Dind’t like it at all and probably would have forgot about it if I didn’t keep note of everything I read.

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

Not really keeping up with new releases ! I usually get my books from second-hand stores so I tend to be a bit late with those also.

5.a. Biggest disappointment…

L’événement, by Annie Ernaux. I really wanted to like this but her writing style just isn’t for me.

5.b. Most hated…

Torn between Le Visage de pierre that I really mentionned and Le Dix-huit brumaire by Albert Ollivier which was the worst historical essay I have ever read, and probably will read because no one in their right mind can publish such a bad book. Le Visage de pierre was not my style of book, but Le Dix-huit brumaire was objectively bad.

6. Biggest surprise…

Sous le soleil de Satan, by Bernanos. Didn’t think I was going to cry when I picked this one up. Really, really enjoyed it. It’s already a favorite for this year.

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

I’d say Anselm Jappe, an author part of the Wertkritik that I discovered this year.

8. Newest fictional crush/favourite character…

I can’t think of one rn

9. A book that made you cry…

See question 6 !

10. A book that made you happy…

I am reading a modernized version of some of the Arthurian cycles and I really enjoy it !

11. Favourite adaptation…

See question 6 again ! Sous le soleil de Satan had been adapted in a movie by Maurice Pialat (starring…….. Depardieu, yikes, ik) and the movie is really one of my favorites.

12. Prettiest cover…

hummmmmm this one is clearly up there!

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

I have a lot on my to-be-read pile… I really want to read something bu Moishe Postone !

Tagging : no one, I think I am way to late to do that hahaha

[crazedfangirl14]

I posted 909 times in 2022

That's 909 more posts than 2021!

87 posts created (10%)

822 posts reblogged (90%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@theseasonismerrybutimnot

@ducky-died-inside

@stopstealingtomatoes

@camelspit

@ahyesitsshmeegus

I tagged 372 of my posts in 2022

#love - 209 posts

#kotlc - 21 posts

#stellarlune spoilers - 17 posts

#kotlc amy april - 12 posts

#i tried to draw :d - 12 posts

#lol - 10 posts

#kotlc amy - 10 posts

#writing - 5 posts

#same - 4 posts

#this is so cool - 4 posts

Longest Tag: 102 characters

#cuz i've been desperately wanting to know who's tribunal that was since they're not a common occurance

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

So...here’s some random thoughts on Fitz being a jerk. I’m reading the first book to my little sister and he literally laughs at Sophie every. Single. Time some thing he’s used to but humans most definitely are not happens and Sophie’s just like “wtf?!” as she very well should be and he literally shames her for having freaking survival skills and she’s like “I gotta keep my cool” Girl you most certainly do not need to keep your cool child this is all new to you. Be afraid. Be shocked. Be amazed. Hate Fitz

Thank you.

17 notes - Posted March 30, 2022

#4

Hey guys! So I'm going to stop using tumblr because technically my parents didn't allow me to start using tumblr and I'd get in trouble if they find out so I'mma stop while I'm ahead.

I did make an email address just so people from tumblr can still socialize with me if they wanted so that's

seasellsseashells14@gmail.com

So yeah you can email me or send an invite on google chats

I'm now going to tag all of my moots so y'all enjoy that

@callas-pancake-tree @everenvacker @lady-hunkyhair @perhaps-it-was-never-before @myminddefiesreality @stopstealingtomatoes @rajenkinswrites @camilomyshiningsun @ducky-is-dead-inside @squishmallow36 @books-over-boys @axels-corner @camelspit @swansongsblogs

Even if you were tagged you're not obligated to email me and if you want to email me but weren't tagged feel free to do so!

Everyone please tell me what your tumblr url is when you email me

So good bye ig

21 notes - Posted May 22, 2022

#3

Okay all the stats on the abilities are the worst.

Inflicting is the rarest ability but Marella says there's one that she knows of but there might be another. How is that the rarest?

Mesmer only has one reported elf

Same with whatever the heck Terik does

And then telepathy is one of the rarest but literally everyone is a telepath. It bugs me so much

22 notes - Posted May 9, 2022

#2

GUYS GUESS WHAT

I'm actually 47

*having a mid life crisis*

I'm actually 14 guys

Y'all should take it here and tell me your "age"

25 notes - Posted April 10, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

@myminddefiesreality @stopstealingtomatoes

Roomies

I am going shopping. What do you need (beside bandaids, gloves and a new fire distinguisher)?

I have a $100 budget

63 notes - Posted May 3, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[gorgxoxus]

I posted 2,378 times in 2022

57 posts created (2%)

2,321 posts reblogged (98%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@rinezha

@satellitesunset

@justasmallbloginabigklainefandom

@blog-carmex

@backslashdelta

I tagged 1,469 of my posts in 2022

Only 38% of my posts had no tags

#heartstopper - 136 posts

#fanart - 96 posts

#klaine - 61 posts

#taylor swift - 58 posts

#kurt hummel - 52 posts

#kurtbastian - 37 posts

#a little life - 34 posts

#glee - 33 posts

#blaine anderson - 33 posts

#heartstopper spoilers - 31 posts

Longest Tag: 141 characters

#i’m going to listen to smooth criminal gcv (it’s the only way i can ever listen to a mj song again now that i know some of mj’s backstory 😬)

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Mid year book freak out tag:

Best book you’ve read so far in 2022?

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I made both my mother and sister read this book, that’s how much I loved it. I love a morally grey bisexual disaster and I adore TJR’s writing! It was one of the first dual POV books I’ve read where the voices were very distinct, which is telling of great writing.

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2022:

Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman. The Paris Trip is still my favourite part of Heartstopper and I’m looking forward to the day that mess of a trip will be displayed on screen!

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

Time is a Mother by Ocean Vuong. It’s a poetry collection and it’s gay and I want to get my hands on a copy soon. It’s also my only 2022 release on my tbr 😭.

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year:

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’m 🤏🏻 close to preordering a copy. Also the reviews that have been coming through of people who’ve already read the book are giving high praise so that’s getting me more excited.

Biggest disappointment:

I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman. But also I knew the premise (boy bands and fans) wasn’t something I really enjoy so it wasn’t a surprise I didn’t love this book. Also I read this right after A Little Life so Alice Oseman had no chance sorry.

Biggest surprise:

The Gentlemen’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee. I put off reading this book for years after buying it on a whim in Canada and it was genuinely great! Also I started it in 2021 and couldn’t get into it but once I pushed past chapter 2 and the adventure begun it was very interesting. It also went in a different direction to what I expected which was a nice surprise. Also I hadn’t heard a lot about the book, but in the end I gave it 4.5 stars.

Favourite new author (debut or new to you):

Brit Bennet - I LOVED The Vanishing Half and I want to read more of her books! So far this year I’ve mostly read from authors I’ve read before this year.

Newest fictional crush:

See the full post

11 notes - Posted June 16, 2022

#4

I’m experiencing so much joy rereading this fic and I’ve forgotten that reading can make me so happy.

11 notes - Posted March 21, 2022

#3

I will be in the US so soon!!!!!!!!

11 notes - Posted July 13, 2022

#2

I have officially finished Uni 😅🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

12 notes - Posted June 4, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[princessofbookaholics]

MID YEAR BOOK FREAK OUT TAG 2021

It’s the first day of July (where has the year gone?!) and it's time to check in on those reading goals! My reading has been amazing this year except for June because work was busy and I anticipate it to be busier so I'm gonna be reading even less now so I'm glad I've already reached my goal for the year. As always I have multiple answers for everything so here goes:

1. How many books have you read so far?

I’ve read 106 books so far woohoo (out of which 4 were rereads)

2. What genres have you read?

Here are the genres by stats:

28 mystery/thriller books

18 romance books

17 fantasy/sci-fi books

15 contemporary books

12 graphic novel/manga

6 non fiction

4 historical fiction

2 anthologies

2 poetry/in-verse books

2 classics

3. Best book you’ve read so far in 2020

I read The Midnight Library at the perfect time and it just made me feel, You Deserve Each Other was a perfect romance book more people should read, The Traveling Cat Chronicles was the sweetest story and I balled my eyes out, The Decagon House Murders was based on And Then There Were None which is one of my favorite books and it exceeded my expectations!

4. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020

Obsidio was amazing and I finally finished this series, Rule of Wolves was a whole RIDE, Death Note was an amazing series as a whole and I enjoyed it, The Box in the Woods had all the summer camp murder vibes

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

Ace of Spades just sounds amazing and the rest are by authors I've loved before so I want to get to their new releases ASAP

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

I love Riley Sager so im obviously excited about his new book, Quan is finally getting his story in The Heart Principle and I'm freaking out, we needed Here's to Us, like, yesterday, and You've Reached Sam just sounds like it's a hard hitting book that's going to make me cry and I'm here for it

7. Biggest disappointment

I hyped these up too much in my head which ended up with some average reads:

8. Biggest surprise

I didn't expect to love these as much as I did:

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

I haven't read enough from these authors but I would surely like to read everything they write:

Sarah Hogle

Sophie Gonzales

Gillian Flynn

Ichigo Takano

10. Underrated gems

Not enough people have read these books:

11. Newest fictional crush

Alex from People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry was so sweet!

12. Newest favorite character

Kakeru from the Orange manga series!! I would like to give him all the happiness in the world 😭

13. Book that made you cry

These made me cry (in a sad as well as happy way):

14. Book that made you happy

You wanna smile then read these:

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

Going for some sparkly floral vibes here

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

So my year's goals were:

Read a total of 100 books (done)

Read an Agatha Christie every month (on track)

Read an Indian author every month (on track)

Read the books from my TBR Buster Challenge (14/25 books done)

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

The only books I have planned to complete by the end of this year are in my TBR Buster Challenge!

[megsbooklr]

Mid-Year Book Freak Out 2021

Best Book You’ve Read So Far: Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

It was also the first book I've read this year - there's nothing better than a strong start! :D A very lyrical mystery, a bittersweet take on cracks in reality... It left a deep impression on me for quite some time.

Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far: Faraway Wanderers by Priest

To be honest it should be called a spin-off rather than a sequel of Lord Seventh, but anyway - I really loved this webnovel! It was hilarious and chaotic, coupled with emotional stabbing with a blunt knife every now and then :)

Most Anticipated Release for the Second Half of the Year: the sixth book in in the Opowieści z meekhańskiego pogranicza series by Robert M. Wegner!

Biggest Disappointment: The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu

I still liked this book, I was just a little bit disappointed that it was yet another volume written more like a chronicle of events than truly focused on the characters, with constant time skips... Anyway - it was still interesting enough, so most probably I'll continue reading this series.

Biggest Surprise: The poetry of G.B. Smith - The Spring's Harvest

Usually I'm the last person to read poetry of my own free will, but these poems have truly moved me.

Favorite New Author: there's nobody new that I would go crazy about, but I guess Alix E. Harrow has my respect now :)

Newest Fictional Crush: um... Wen Kexing? Kinda? :)

Newest Favorite Character: The Elders of the Demonic Sect (from Record of the Missing Sect Master), especially Miao Wang :D

Book That Made You Cry: Faraway Wanderers...

(blame Gu Xiang & Cao Wenning, and Ye Baiyi Extra chapters)

Book That Made You Happy: Record of Missing Sect Leader by Yushi Huashang is absolutely hilarious!

Favorite Book to TV Adaptation: Word of Honor - the drama adaptation of Faraway Wanderers :)

Most Beautiful Book You’ve Bought This Year: I always assume this question is about covers... if so - The Order of Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho :)

New Release You Haven’t Read Yet But Want To: House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

I just bought it, it seems like a perfect book for summer reading!

Book You NEED to Read By the End of the Year: hmm... The Shaping of Middle Earth, I guess? I gotta get back to my "reading HoME quest" :D I'd also like to read The Wall of Storms by Ken Liu, while I still remember what happened in The Grace of Kings ^^

[bibliophilecats]

Mid Year Book Freakout Tag 2021

I saw this floating around ( @belle-annd-the-book, @the-forest-library I think) and liked it, so here are my answers. Since I could no be on tumblr a lot in the recent days/weeks, I have no idea who already did this but I am interested in other people’s thoughts. Feel free to tag me so I can see your list.

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

Minor Mage by T. Kingfisher. There are many really outstanding books I read so far this year, but T. Kingfisher’s Minor Mage is just a masterpiece and great escapism.

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

Well, What Abigail Did That Summer by B. Aaronovitch is not technically a sequel but a novella set in the Rivers of London universe ... Oh, I also read Not Your Villain by C.B.Lee which is a proper sequel and quite fantastic.

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

Several. For example Mister Impossible by M. Stiefvater (though I need to read Call Down the Hawk first).

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

I cannot think of one.

5. Biggest disappointment.

Snuff by Terry Pratchett. There are very few Discworld novels I do not care for, but sadly, Snuff is among them.

6. Biggest surprise.

I had several this year, since I read a little outside my normal genres and topics. What I discovered this year specifically is (queer) YA contemporary by Irish and British authors (Adia Jaigirdar, Ciara Smyth, and (though not new to me) Alice Oseman)

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

T. Kingfisher. I just saw a picture of A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking and it looked and sounded fun.

8. Newest fictional crush/Newest favourite character

No new one, sorry

10. Book that made you cry.

So many. I am very wheepy this year. I am just now listening to an autobiographical story and the author’s cat just died. Had to stop. 

11. Book that made you happy.

The Circle of Magic quartett by Tamora Pierce. I read the books years and years ago and I was so happy to find that I did still enjoy them and that they hold up to the test of time and my awareness to social issues.

12. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)

That’s a tie between What Abigail Did that Summer and Hani & Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating (hardcover).

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

I want to read all those books of my tbr that were on it on January 01 but basically, I want to read all the new books. And reread many of my old favourites.

[roseunspindle]

Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag p4

Most anticipated release for the next half of the year

[lizziestudieshistory]

Books of 2021 - Mid Year Book Freakout Tag

I haven’t been tagged but I need something to queue while I’m on holiday, and I want to revisit my reading for the first half of this year... Anyway, if you want to do it then consider yourself tagged by me!

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2021

Okay two answer because I’m one of those people who can’t make a straight forward decision!

Best reread: Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb - Farseer is technically not Hobb’s best series, but it’s my favourite and Assassin’s Apprentice is my nostalgic favourite within the series. Whenever I read this book it feels like I’m coming home and not many books have managed to make this impression on me.

Best new read: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgommery - it was hard to choose this one because there were a few I’ve loved but I’m trying not to repeat answers. I’ve loved every adaptation of Anne of Green Gables I’ve seen but I’d not read the book all the way through before, well I managed it this year and fell completely in love. It made me laugh, cry, and feel like a little girl again!

2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2021

The Burning God by R.F. Kuang? - I’ve not read that many sequels this year, not new to me sequals anyway because I spent last year trying to finish my ongoing series... I’ve read a surprising amount of standalones and first books in series though, so I’ll have some by December I suppose. So it’s this one by default.

I did like The Burning God, but it’s the weakest in the Poppy War trilogy and I was slightly disappointed by the ending. As a historian I appreciated the messiness and unsatisfying nature, but as a reader I was left questioning ‘is that it?’ I also have major issues with the structure and pacing of this book, so I’d take this answer with a pinch of salt.

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

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley - I love Pulley’s writing and this one sounds SO GOOD, I can’t say much more to be honest. Someone remind me to read it if I haven’t by December!

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

The Untold Story by Genevieve Cogman - another one by default... I’m not that up to date on new releases unless it’s from an established author. I need to read 3 books before I can start this one though...

It would be Agatha’s installment in Gail Carriger’s Delightfully Deadly series but I’m not sure if it’s coming out this year or not? I’d be very grateful if anyone knows and would let me know!

5. Biggest disappointment

Again two books because I’ve got a book I hated the most, and one that was a let down - I guess disappointment isn’t hatred but I’m going to give both answers.

Hated: Villette by Charlotte Bronte - I can’t say much more on this than I already have... However, I hated it with every fiber of my being! I was looking forward to Villette, especially as I’m not a fan of the way Bronte framed the romance in Jane Eyre and I was told this one would make up for it. At least with Jane Eyre it felt like Rochester genuinely liked Jane, it wasn’t healthy but I understood it. This one was worse, so that in addition to the appaling writing style and framing has put me off Charlotte Bronte completely - which is a shame because I wanted to complete all the Bronte’s novels before I turn 25... Well at least I still have Anne and Emily!

Let down: Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan - I just didn’t get on with this one, I’m not a fan of action driven fantasy novels, or hard magic systems. The magic felt gimmicky (in a similar style to Mistborn, but less well developed and I didn’t like Allomancy that much...) and the characters fell flat. It’s a book that will, and does, work well for other people but it wasn’t for me.

6. Biggest surprise

The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo - I usually dislike YA fantasy, especially earlier series that I missed when I was a teenager. I also typically dislike fantasy that focuses too much on relationship drama... Yet I devoured this one?! I couldn’t stop reading! I’m not going to claim it’s a great piece of literature, however, I had so much fun with it. If you think too hard this series will fall apart at the seems, but it’s a lot of ‘trashy’ fun and incredibly entertaining.

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

Tamzin Merchant!* She could have fallen into the biggest surprise category because I was expecting her prose to be a bit...purple? And the story to be a bit naff - that’s my own prejudice against actors writing novels showing. But this book was a delight to read. To be honest Merchant’s prose was a bit purple BUT it suited the story so well! She knocked it out of the park with her debut children’s story, The Hatmakers, and I’m in love! I can’t wait for the sequel and I suspect I’ll be reading whatever she decided to release.

*I don’t typically like to claim an author as a favourite until I’ve read more than one book by them, however, I’ve not read that many new to me authors this year as I’m reading through my physical tbr. The only other option would be Lara Elena Donnelly but she’s featuring elsewhere! However, Donnelly is another one who astonished me with the quality of her writing, much like Merchant her prose perfectly fits the tone of her series.

8. Newest fictional crush

The Darkling and/or Nikolai from Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse - another by default sort of answer, I’m not one for fictional crushes but the Grisha trilogy brought out my inner teenager. These two would have been right up my alley when I was 15. (Now if we’re talking about the Shadow and Bone tv series then Ben Barnes is just... well hot!)

9. Newest favourite character

Again, I can’t just give one answer because characters become favourites for different reasons! (Technically newest would be Cyril and Aristide though)

Cyril DePaul and Artistide Makricosta from Lara Elena Donnelly’s Amberlough Dossier - I can’t accurately describe why I love these two, especially as I’m trying to avoid spoilers, you need to read the book. However, they are truly FABULOUS both together and separately. I’m so invested in them at this point it’s bordering on an obsession. They’re the reason you read these books, and Aristide in particular carries the whole show with his unique blend of vulnarbility, strength, and sass.

Brutha from Terry Pratchett’s Small Gods - Brutha is a character who crept up on me... I started out feeling indifferent about him, but as we saw his unfailing constancy in core personality I came to love Brutha. He went through so much character development and realisation, but he never really changed? To the end he was just Brutha - simple, honest, faithful, and truly good. In the space of a single book Pratchett made me love Brutha as much as I do Death, Granny Weatherwax, and Sam Vimes (who have huge roles to play in Discworld!) The last scene in this book just took my breath away and made me realise just how good Brutha’s character had been. He’s seriously rivalling some of the best written character in the series and I’ve never felt this way about Pratchett’s standalone novels.

10. Book that made you cry

Anne of Green Gables - just one word: Matthew

11. Book that made you happy

How to Marry a Werewolf by Gail Carriger - this is probably my favourite of Carriger’s novellas. and possibly my favourite of her adult novels! I just smiled the whole way through this one, which is exactly what I want from Carriger who is my ultimate comfort read author.

12. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)

The Amberlough Dossier by Lara Elena Donnelly - just LOOK at these gorgeous covers! They also really suit the tone of this series - the whole thing is stunning really.

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

What don’t I need to read? A few urgent reads:

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

Lord of Emperors by Guy Gavriel Kay

Master of Sorrows by Justin Call

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

The Painted Man by Peter V. Brett

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

[brin-guivera]

Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag 2021

Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag 2021

Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag 2021 Well, it’s partway through another year so it’s time to again tackle this tag! It’s been another year of strife for most people, what with the continuing pandemic that feels like it’s never going to end (and it’s looking likely that this virus is just something we’ll need to learn to live with, however it unfolds). Like most people I’ve been staying at home under…

[missams53]

2021 Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag

2021 Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag

It feels like forever since I have done a book tag. I have done this book tag years ago. I believe that the last book tag that I did last year was the Mid-Year Freak Out Book tag.  Here are some of my rules with this book tag. One, I am not going to use rereads. I have reread a lot of books this year, but I have also read some great new books. Out of the 24 books, that gives me about 10 to 12…

[lindsglenne]

Mid-Year Book Freak Out

Mid-Year Book Freak Out

It’s that time of year again! Continue reading

[reddjena]

2021 Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag

2021 Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag

I wanted to participate in this year’s Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag. This tag was created by Ely @ Earl Grey Books and Chami @ Read Like Wildfire.  I got kind of busy at the beginning of July, but the month’s not over yet! My goal is to list just a few titles under each category while avoiding too many repeats (although there will likely be a few)! Although I haven’t been reading as much as I was…

[paperbacktomes]

2021 Mid-Year Freak Out Tag // Book Edition

I took a trip down my memory lane to sum up what I've been reading so far in 2021. Read my 2021 Mid-Year Freak Out Tag // Book Edition on my blog (Just what I needed to write on a Monday). #booktwt #bookBlogger #ReadingCommunity #booktag

Hey Guys! I have been stessing out a lot lately and my anxiety is not helping me at all. It’s been a rough month (mostly year) and I’m trying to find my ground. Except for The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, I haven’t read anything last week. I’m not gonna review that book now, so I came across this tag on Paper Fury and decided to write it for today. There are many versions of this tags and I liked…