Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back (with seemingly the only book tag I do now): 

The Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag! 

This tag has been going round for literal years now, so I think everyone has done it at least once, so I'm opting out of the tagging, once more. 

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy it. 

~The best book you've read so far in 2024~

There were a couple that I was thinking about choosing this year (as there always is), but Matthew Perry's book is a book I still think about often. It moved me in a way a book rarely does, and changed the way I think about him, about the way some things are in the world, and what we should do to change them. 

An extremely riveting, honest and engaging story about the intelligent, sensitive, wonderful, Matthew Perry. May he R.I.P. 

~Best sequel you've read in 2024~

I'm so happy to be able to say this but- I actually enjoyed this more than the first one! Didn't feel like I gradually started to enjoy this, more loved it from the start. The 2nd volume gets a bit more personal, and I loved the way Clementine grew as a character. 

Because they're graphic novels and I know I can get through them quickly, I will definitely be re-reading them in preparation for the final volume, which I think will be released in November (no official date yet though). 

~New release you haven't read yet, but wanted to~

I recently posted my Anticipated Releases post, so if you want to see what I'm looking forward to being released in the next three months, then look there.

~Most anticipated release for the second half of the year~

After taking a peek at the last Anticipated Releases post, I chose this. 

The Loudest Silence is a book about two teens that want, more than anything, to be on the stage. Things couldn't be worse for Casey- after experiencing sudden, extreme hearing loss, right before her family moves from Portland to Miami, she feels like she's lost everything. 

Feeling like a fish out of water, Casey meets Hayden, who is keeping secrets. After three generations of his brothers have scored instant success on the soccer field, Hayden feels he has to hide his true desire: pursuing a career on Broadway. If only his Generalized Anxiety Disorder didn't stop him from spilling it all out. 

Casey and Hayden are very much the focus of this light-hearted, funny, book about music, and pursuing your dream in the face of adversity. 

~Biggest disappointment~

Genuinely don't have a pick for this one, this time around. 

Gonna have to opt out. 

~Biggest surprise~

Could list a number of books to fit this category, but this is definitely the best book for this category. 

Good for a girl: A Women Running in a Man's World, follows Lauren Fleshman's journey from a junior runner at high school, to becoming professional. She discusses her relationship with food, weight and achieving time, so she can be taken seriously as an athlete, in a man's sport. 

There are more issues that crop up, the ones above are only off the top of my head! 

I was lucky enough, going into this book, not to know how in the limelight Lauren Fleshman is, but I know that may not be the case with everyone, especially in the US.

But if you are an athlete, male or female, a coach, or someone that just has an interest in female athletics, then this book is worth the read. 

~Favourite new author (new to you)~

Given the majority of the books I've read in the last year have been by her, it made sense to include Lucinda Riley in this tag. Her books are all written beautifully, they take place all over the world, they're family centred, that are very much about people finding out the truth about their past, and changing their future ultimately. Wonderful to read about, I'll definitely be missing picking them up when they're all read. 

~Newest fictional crush~

Okay, I know he's real, but he's a character in his own novel, so I'm breaking the rules and including him in this. I know I'm not alone in liking Tom Felton, but it was so wonderful to hear about how he got into acting, find out about his HP escapades in more details, as well as what he's been up to since the francise came to a close. 

This book does have some sensitive issues included, it's not all daffodiles and sunshine, so be aware of that before picking it up. I will say that it all reads in a light-hearted, almost random way, but just be aware of some subject matters going in. 

Fantastic read, so glad I picked it up. 

~Newest favourite character~

Mal, easy. Not the main character, but the story centres very heavily on her. Lovely, genuine, exiciting character that comes crashing into Christopher's life and changed it absolutely. I can't wait to see what Mal is like in the 2nd book (pretty sure it's a series, but can't be certain) but I know it'll be interesting to see what direction her character goes in. 

(Wonderful book by the way- blurbed by some pretty huge middlegrade authors if you're into that sort of genre.)

~Book that made you cry~

Just one volume left- I'm in tears just at that. 

But seriously, I feel all the emotions for Nick and Charlie. I feel like I cry during every volume, for all their struggles, and then happy tears for all the challenges that they've overcome. 

They've gone from volume one, meeting and getting to know eachother, getting together, telling people, and now Nick is off to Uni! Will they ever get more than a short time of happiness together? There isn't a release date for Volume 6 yet, but rest assured, I will be buying a copy as soon as I can get my hands on it. 

~Book that made you happy~

Absolutely. They're little balls of fluff that purr! Absolutely, one of my favourites for the year! 

I even have a review of all my in-depth thoughts, linked here.Go and read it! 

~Most beautiful book you've bought this year (or received)~

Although I didn't actually purchase this in 2024, I did get it in the past year, which is why I'm counting it. 

If you're a fantasy fan/ V.E. Schwab fan, you're going to know about this. 

It's the first book in a new series that's set in the same world as the Darker Shade of Magic series, which concluded a few years back. I am very excited to delve back into this vast, interesting world, and the cover is just as gorgeous as the world is, in my opinion. 

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

Just all the Lucinda Riley books. I think I have six standalones left of hers to read, and providing I keep up with this kind of schedule, I should manage it. As well as my CR, here's the list of Lucinda Riley books I have yet to read:

1. The Girl on the Cliff

2. The Murders at Fleat House

3. The Butterfly Room 

4. The Olive Tree

5. The Royal Secret

CR: The Angel Tree 

I own The Murders at Fleat House, and hopefully my colleague Liz will continue to lend me the rest, until I've finished them. Thankyou Liz, if you're reading this! 

~Favourite book to movie adaptation you've seen this year~

Haven't actually seen any this year, but this film is at the forefront of book to movie adaptations I'm anxious to see, especially since the Haymitch book and film have just recently been announced. 

If you didn't know, Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is from the POV of President Snow, at the 10th Hunger Games, when he is mentor for the female district 13 contendor, Lucy. 

Thoroughly enjoyed the book, will probably re-read it again at some point, followed closely by the film. 

Let me know in the comments what you thought, if you've seen it. 

Okay! That's the Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag! 

Like I said up top, everybody has done this tag, so I'm not tagging anybody. 

Of course, feel free to comment down below if you do, I'd love to find out your answers! 

I hope you have a wonderful day, wherever you are! 

I'll be back soon with my Wrap Up for the month of June! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxxx