The Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag

Chelsea over at Spotlight on Stories did this tag, and I really liked it so I thought I’d snag it!

1. The Best Book You’ve Read So Far In 2017

Saints and Misfits, also known as literally the first YA book I’ve ever read that positively portrays the Muslim community. Not only that, it’s clever, engaging, witty, and incredibly well-written.  I couldn’t put it down, even though I had to read it as a PDF on my phone (thanks, Netgalley), squinting and awkwardly maneuvering the pages.

 

2. Your Favourite Sequel This Year

A Gathering of Shadows.  I read A Darker Shade of Magic in March and while I liked it, I wasn’t awed by it.  Then I read A Gathering of Shadows, and I finally understood why everyone loves these books so much! While second books in a trilogy are usually slower and transitional, A Gathering of Shadows is shaping up to be the best book in the series. It’s got great pacing and buildup and incredible payoff.

3. A New Release That You Haven’t Read But Really Want To

  

I’ve heard nothing but good things about both of these books!

 

4. Most Anticipated Release For The Second Half Of The Year

    City of Brass is written by a history buff and is set in 18th century Cairo! I mean! What more could I ask for! I’ve read a short story by the author of Beasts of Night, Tochi Onyebuchi, called “Screamers” and it was haunting and incredible.  And of course, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns has been getting so much buzz! Plus it features an anti-heroine, so I’m already sold.

5. Your Biggest Disappointment

The Thief  was such a major disappointment. I had heard so many good things about this book and this series in general that I was really excited to read it, but by the quarter mark I was already struggling. It took everything I had to finish it and by the end I was skimming whole paragraphs just to get it over with. It was boring and uneventful and the only two female characters show up for a few pages at the end of the book.

6. Biggest Surprise Of The Year

I mean, I knew I would like The Beautiful Ones, but I didn’t expect it to be a romance novel (Reading Comprehension: 1, Hadeer: 0) and I also didn’t expect to love it so much as to be inspired by it to write a whole series! It’s always a special book that inspires me like that.

 

7. Favourite New To You Or Debut Author

  Rhoda Belleza really hit the ground running with her debut novel Empress of a Thousand Skies, an expertly plotted sci-fi novel with a fantastic understanding of the politics of race.  And every chapter ends with a cliffhanger! How! Sarah Beth Durst has been writing for much longer, but she is new to me, and The Queen of Blood was an excellent, vivid fantasy.

8. Your New Fictional Crush

 

Can I just say Sam Winchester and call it a day? No? I guess I’ll go with Alucard Emery. This smooth, charming bastard captured my heart from the very first moment he appeared on the page.

 

9. New Favourite Character

Delilah Bard, hands fucking down.  I mean, I have honestly never seen a female character written like this before, with all the traits that are usually assigned to men.  Lila is powerful and unafraid, and more than that, she embraces her power fully.  She’s not afraid of it or wanting to damper it; she wants it to let loose and destroy and she is amazing.

 

10. A Book That Made You Cry

  

Hmm, I don’t think I read any books that were  enough to make me cry.  Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom did make feel ALL the emotions, though, so there you go.

 

11. A Book That Made You Happy

Easy! When Dimple Met Rishi! Dubbed a rom-com, that book was truly cheerful and romantic, playful and sweet! It’s a quick, happy little read.

 

 

12. Your Favourite Book To Movie Adaptation That You’ve Seen This Year

I’ve only watched like four or five movies this year and none of them were adaptations, I don’t think. Can I say The Handmaiden? It’s based on Fingersmith by Sarah Waters but from what I’ve heard moving the setting to Korea worked wonders for it. I’ve never read the book but the movie captured my soul.

 

13. Favourite Book Post That You’ve Published This Year

 

Probably my Saints and Misfits review, which was retweeted by S.K.Ali herself!

 

14. The Most Beautiful Book You Bought Or Received This Year

The Girl From Everywhere is such a beautifully designed book! That color contrast is incredible.  Alas, I haven’t read this yet!

 

 

15. What Are Some Books That You Need To Read By The End Of The Year