Mid Year Freakout Tag

So everyone loves this tag on Youtube and I have done it a couple of times before so I  thought that I would give it a go again this year! Also, I keep telling myself that I should do it! Although I'm a bit late as it is now July and I haven't been reading regularly because I have been a bit burnt out, I am still reading and those books deserve attention! This tag was created by ReadLikeWildFire (now Chami although the original video is no longer available for both) and Ely Jayne. Let's get started...

1. Best book you've read this year so far?

The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune

I have to admit that my reading has been a bit average this year, so even though it is one of the first books I read this year, The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune is one of my favourites. I loved the comedy and the relationships and lots of the twists that took place. The sequel has just been released and I will definitely be getting to it soon!

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

Heartstopper Volume Four by Alice Oseman & A Beautiful And Foolish Endeavour by Hank Green.

Both are great and they both continue the series and level it up on all parts. The way that the stories are going and where make the stories go is so great. They both are discussing mental health and relationships which is also done well. A Beautiful and Foolish Endeavour also feels like a pandemic book so it was perfect to read now. 

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

Ace of Spades Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Bookishly Ever After by Lucy Powrie

I preordered these for a reason and that was because I really wanted to read them. Ace of Spades because I really wanted to read more Dark Academia and the plot really interests me and I was excited about it. Bookishly Ever After because I have loved the rest of the books in the series and want to see how it ends!

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

The Upper World by Femi Fadugba

Ever since I heard what the book was about I have been eager to read it. I want to read more sci-fi and love good British sci-fi and this has both. The book has already been optioned for the film so it is safe to say that I should get on it quickly!

5. Biggest Disappointment

I think for me this has to be The Drowning Of Arthur Braxton by Caroline Smailes as this book has been loved so many but I just didn't love the book. I love weird books but this was just completely different for me. It just felt a little dated, even though it was released in 2015. 

6. Biggest Surprise 

The Crossing by Manjeet Mann

I really enjoyed Run Rebel but for me, The Crossing is a lot better and one of my favourites of the year. It has so many truths about refugees and deals with trauma. It has my heart and I loved every second. 

7. Favourite new author

K. L. Kettle  

I really enjoyed The Boy I Am and I thought that it made some really interesting plots and it kept me really captivated for the most part. I can't wait to see what they come up with next and I am sure that I will have it preordered. 

8. Newest fictional crush

As a queer person, I don't really have crushes on fictional crushes so here is a cat gif. 

9. Newest favourite character

I have loved the character of Squirrel Girl for years and I finally read the first volume of the comic this year and I love her. So Squirrel Girl and I definitely have to read more soon!

10. Book that made you cry 

I don't cry at books instead here is another cat gif. 

11. A book that made you happy.

I'm going to say Blue Flag by Kaiko. I have really loved this manga series and I love the queer elements in the book. I really enjoyed seeing the characters evolve and everything come together. 

12. Favourite book to film adaptation you saw this year.

Words on Bathroom Walls. Even though I have not read the book, the film was really great. I loved the whole story and the acting was also really loved and I think that it was a little bit different and made it stand out. 

13. Favourite review you've written this year

Not a review but I really love the post that I wrote in response to Disfigured by Amanda Leduc. So feel free to read it here!

14. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year?

We Are Okay by Nina Lacour 

I have wanted to read this book for the longest time and I finally bought it. I also accidentally bought the hardcover which makes it a lot more beautiful than just a normal paperback. 

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

Any of the books that I have mentioned in this post so far as well as The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon it has been sitting on my nightstand for months and I need to read them!

So that's the tag! If you want to do it feel free!

Have you done the Mid Year Freakout Tag? What were your favourite books of the year? Let me know in the comments below!