Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag 2022

Technically we have already passed the mid-year mark but I enjoy taking part in this tag and seeing everyone else’s answers.

Best book you have read so far in 2022

This is a hard one to answer already because I’ve loved a few. However, I’m going to go with The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett as that is the book that has been the most memorable. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author hopefully in the second half of the year.

Best sequel you have read so far in 2022

Does Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes count? It’s the second book in the Walsh Family series so I’m going with that. I didn’t know what to expect with this one but it had a lot of depth to it and was unputdownable. Again, I would love to pick up more by this author soon.

New release you haven’t read yet

I have gone to read it several times but picked something else to read instead. But How To Murder Your Family by Bella Mackie is still sat on my shelves waiting to be read. I think because I’ve seen a mixed reaction to the book I’m afraid to jump in but it will probably be my next read as I was excited to read it when I bought it.

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

There are a few but the one I’m most excited for is probably Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. After reading Malibu Rising, I can’t wait to learn more about Carrie Soto and the tennis world.

Biggest disappointment

It’s not that I disliked the book entirely but I think The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas is one that I didn’t love as much as everyone else. I am intrigued by the authors next book description so I will give them another chance.

Biggest Surprise

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams. I’m not sure what I was expecting but it was brilliant. The writing was beautiful. I liked that there was a realistic reason for the miscommunication trope too unlike some other books where it’s just thrown in for conflict.

Favourite new author (debut or new to you)

This is an easy answer. I loved Book Lovers by Emily Henry so much I read her other two books in the same week. She’s definitely a new auto-buy author for me.

Newest favourite character

This is a hard one. I think Rachel from Rachel’s Holiday because I loved her sense of humour. But Nora O’Malley from The Girls I’ve Been also stands out as a strong, memorable heroine too.

Book that made you cry

I don’t tend to cry while reading. However, the most emotional book I read was a memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. It was a hard read at times but I thought it was one of the best auto-biographies I’ve read. There are many trigger warnings for this book though so I would check those out before diving in blindly. I would recommend the audiobook too as she narrates it herself.

Book that made you happy

I’m going with Emily Henry again for this answer because when I think of her books I just think of the word joyful. You and Me On Vacation was a nice, happy read for the summer.

The most beautiful book you have read so far this year (or received)

Crying In H Mart by Michelle Zauner has the most beautiful illustration. If you understand the concept of the book, I think you would appreciate the art even more. The book is wonderful too, would definitely recommend.

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

The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker, How to Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie, Sunny by Sukh Ojla, Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason, Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman and more.

Favourite book to movie/ tv adaption you have seen this year

This has got to be The Summer I Turned Pretty. It’s so close to how I pictured it would be when I read the book in 2010 and is definitely one of my favourite tv shows now.