It’s that time of the year again, we’re at the halfway mark of 2023 which means it’s time for the Mid-Year Freak Out tag. But really, where has this year gone so far? I mean, it flew by so fast! Unlike last year, I’ve read less. I’m not even halfway to my reading goal of 100 books. On a positive note, I’ve only DNF’ed 2 books so far. Well, let’s take a look into this first half of 2023 with this Mid-Year Freak Out tag!
1. Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2023?
Well, let me think for a moment. I’ve reread several books which got a Dutch translation, but I don’t think I should count them as a nominee for the best book so far. Otherwise I’m really torn between These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong (reread) and both new reads Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver.
2. Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far in 2022?
Without a doubt, Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston. I mean, this is the only new-to-me sequel I’ve read so far this year and I’ve rated it 5 stars anyways.
3. New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To?
To be honest, I’m quite out of the loop with new releases. I have so many books on my TBR that my focus this year is not on keeping up with the new books coming out. Also, there are several new releases, but they have been out in English for a longer period in time. So if I have to choose one, it should ben Cursed Crowns by Catheryne Doyle and Katherine Webber, but technically it comes out in July since I’ve pre-ordered the Dutch edition.
4. Most Anticipated Release For Second Half of 2023?
I haven’t even looked up the books that are to be released in the second half of the year, so I really can’t answer this question.
5. Biggest Disappointment?
When it comes to books I have DNF’ed, it’s definitely Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree. I’ve expected to like this, but unfortunately I was bored out of my mind. When we talk about books I should have DNF’ed but Didn’t, it’s both Tithe and The Stolen Heir by Holly Black. Especially Tithe was a disaster. Maybe I will like The Stolen Heir, once I can be bothered to reread the entire “The Folk of the Air” series but I doubt I ever will.
6. Biggest Surprise?
Twisted Love by Ana Huang, absolutely! I thought I wouldn’t even finish it, let alone like it, but I had a good time reading it.
7. Favorite New Author?
Well, I haven’t read many new-to-me authors so far, and the ones I have read, I am not able to judge as my favorite new author yet.
8. Newest Fictional Crush?
Like I said last year, I don’t do fictional crushes.
9. Newest Favorite Character?
I notice a difference in my reading this year, I don’t have a new favorite character either. Oops.
10. Book That Made You Cry?
I still am not a book cryer.
11. Book That Made You Happy?
I have read several 5-stars so far, but most of them are rereads. So I actually knew the storyline already.
12. Favorite Book To Movie Adaptation You Saw This Year?
I’ve only seen one movie this year overall and it’s not even a movie. It’s the series they’ve made of Daisy Jones & The Six and to be honest, the story came to life for me. I liked the book, but found the interview format a bit hard to read. Now, we get a real storyline and for me that works much better.
13. Favorite Review You’ve Written This Year?
I’ve written many reviews this year already, but I can’t really choose a favorite. I have been experimenting with my review formats and I think I found one I quite like yet. However, this can still change any moment.
14. Most Beautiful Book You Bought So Far This Year?
This is actually a physical book I’ve got because I got a ticket to a book event. It’s the Dutch edtion of Court of Shadows by Victor Dixen. It will be out in the US in the fall, so a review will be up soon.
15. What Books Do You Need To Read By The End of The Year?
Well, that are a lot of them. I don’t mention any here because I’m the absolute worst in sticking to reading plans, so I don’t want to jinx it LOL.
Oh wait, that’s it! How has your first half of this year been? You can take this tag if you want to, because I’m not taggging anybody. This tag is very popular, so I don’t know who is planning to do this themselves or already has done it.
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