2022 Mid-Year Freak Out Tag

This year I somehow remembered to do prepare my Mid-Year Freak Out Tag answers ahead of time. Huzzah!

This tag was originally created by Early Grey Books on YouTube. I won’t be tagging anybody at the end, but feel free to let me know if you answered the questions, too!

Total Books Read in 2022 So Far

This isn’t an official question, but I included it last year and like the idea of it to include again. It’s cool to see where I’m at midway through the year. As of the end of June, I’ve read 126 novels this year, 138 books when I include graphic novels and picture books. My goal is to read 200 novels and 250 books total.

Best book you’ve read so far in 2022

I’ve read so many great books so far this year, but I have to pick I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys for this prompt. This book was not only well-written but it made me think a lot. I read it back in February and I’m still thinking about it.

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2022

Aurora’s End by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff is a great ending to the Aurora Cycle. So much happens in this freaking book and it is insane, but the ending is great. I also really liked Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality by Roshani Chokshi, another great ending to a series.

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

I’ve been keeping up with new releases better than I realized. Most of the ones I haven’t read yet are just because my library hasn’t gotten them yet. These include: Tokyo Dreaming by Emiko Jean, Love and Other Great Expectations by Becky Dean, and The Song that Moves the Sun by Anna Bright.

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

There are so many good books coming, but I cannot wait for Furysong by Rosaria Munda. I need answers and dragons and a happy ending, please!

Biggest disappointment

An Arrow to the Moon by Emily X.R. Pan. I feel like I’ve been waiting a long time for Emily’s next book, but this one just didn’t work for me. I was rather confused during most of it and the ending really didn’t help.

Biggest surprise

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean. I didn’t like Emiko’s debut novel, Empress of All Seasons, so I wasn’t really planning to read Tokyo Ever After. But a book club I was in decided to read it, and I really enjoyed it. So much so that I’m looking forward to reading the sequel soon!

Favorite new author (Debut or new to you)

Gillian Bronte Adams and J.C. Peterson. It’s weird to put Gillian on here because even though I only just read one of her books for the first time this year, I’ve followed her on social media for a while. Her life is so fun. J.C. Peterson had a debut this year, Being Mary Bennet, and I loved it so I’ll be keeping any eye on her future releases too.

Newest fictional crush

I don’t know if I really have “fictional crushes” anymore, but I can appreciate a good love interest. Akio from Tokyo Ever After was pretty great. I love the grumpy, stern/emotionless male type love interest and I am apparently trash for royal/bodyguard romance. (Who knew? I certainly didn’t realize that until I read this book.) So yeah, I like Akio. A lot.

Newest favorite character

Ceridwen from Of Fire and Ash by Gillian Bronte Adams. She’s similar to Eowyn and goes through so much in the book. I love her.

Book that made you cry

My Own Lightning by Lauren Wolk. At this point, I’m not even surprised that Lauren Wolk’s book made me cry. It seems to happen every time I read them.

Book that made you happy

Places We’ve Never Been by Kasie West. Look, sometimes you just need a fun, fluffy, summery, YA contemporary to get you through a book slump. Kasie West will always be the author for that kind of book mood.

Favorite Book To Film Adaptation

I think the only adaptation I’ve watched this year is Death on the Nile, which was good. From what I remember of reading the book several years ago (in anticipation of the movie’s release that got pushed back because of COVID), it’s fairly faithful and well cast.

Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)

It’s split between the 10th anniversary edition of Cinder by Marissa Meyer and the Owlcrate edition of Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor. Clearly, this copy of Cinder is beautiful because they went all out with the details, but Hotel Magnifique has a cover that glows in the dark! It also has gorgeous end pages, art on the back of the dust jacket, and a cool print on the hardcover.

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

I don’t know if I ever have books I *need* to read by the end of the year except maybe ARCs I received through NetGalley. But I want to finish listening to the Odyssey Award winners and nominees and read through all of Beverly Cleary’s books.

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