Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag 2017

I know we're passed the halfway point of the year but I've been seeing this around and have finally had some spare time to write one up. No one tagged me in this and I'm not going to tag anyone, but if you still want to do it, or have one up already, please let me know in the comments because I'd love to read them!

1. Best Books You've Read So Far This Year

Caraval, The Magicians, A Court of Wings and Ruin, Lord of Shadows, The Name of the Wind, and The Wise Man's Fear. If I had to narrow it down to most influential it'd be Name of the Wind and Wise Man's Fear, which have had such an impact on me, more than pretty much any other book ever has, that I've changed how I think about certain things. So, yeah, there's that.

2. Best Sequel of the Year So Far

A Court of Wings and Ruin really takes the cake as the best finale to a series I've read in a long time so I'll go with that.

3. New Releases You Haven't Read Yet, But You Want To

I just picked up The Traitor's Kiss and The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue and I'd say of the two I'm even more excited for the latter.

4. Most Anticipated Release of the Second Half of the Year

Wicked Like Wildfire, All The Crooked Saints, and Iron Gold are probably at the top of my list.

5. Biggest Disappointment

My reread of Lady Midnight didn't go nearly as well as I expected it to. I adored the book last year when it came out but it didn't hold up as well this time around. Thank goodness Lord of Shadows was such a stunner of a book.

6. Biggest Surprise

I liked the Handmaid's Tale far more than I thought I would. It's definitely a book I'll be revisiting frequently.

7. Favorite New Author (Debut or New to You)

Patrick Rothfuss takes the cake. Like I mentioned, the Kingkiller Chronicles (at least the two full books that are out) have literally changed the way I think about certain things and I won't be surprised if this ends up changing me as a person (for the better, of course). Will be reading his works forever as far as I'm concerned.

8. Newest Fictional Crush

Maybe Azriel from ACOTAR series? Like, I really liked him when I read ACOMAF when it first came out, but in ACOWAR he stole my heart along the way. Quite the pleasant surprise.

9. Newest Favorite Character

Just a bunch of them from Kingkiller Chronicles. Namely, Kvothe, Bast, Chronicler, Denna, Devi, Auri, Tempi, Vashet, Elodin, Felurian... okay it's a long list that can go on for a while but I think you're starting to get it. I also really liked all the main characters from Truthwitch.

10. Book That Made You Cry

Lord of Shadows. Even after a few weeks distance from the book, if I think about it for too long I get weepy.

11. A Book That Made You Happy

Frogkisser had me laughing quite frequently.

12. Favorite Book To Movie/TV Adaption You've Seen This Year

AMERICAN GODS

13. Favorite Review You've Written This Year

I haven't written many reviews this year because I just haven't been around, so I'm just pretty proud of all the ones that I've managed to get out there.

14. Most Beautiful Book You've Bought or Received This Year

Caraval- I have the US Arc, US Hardcover, and a UK Hardcover and they're all gorgeous.

15. What Books Do You Need to Read By the End of the Year

I've promised some people that I'd get to Night Circus this year (and I really, really want to) and I'm also hoping to get to Strange the Dreamer and The Song Rising because I was waiting for so long for those to come out.