The Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag: 2021!

School? Deadlines. Ahaana? Procrastination. Hotel? Trivago.

Those are all words that go together. I mean – imagine being on time? – Couldn’t be me! But I feel like something’s wrong, because I just searched it up, and apparently the middle of the year is July 2nd – and I’m really only like three days late? I’ve read so many wonderful (and terrible!) books so far this year, and I can’t wait to scream about them!

Also please note that I haven’t answered all the questions I was supposed to – I left out two I couldn’t think of the answers of!

General Update

I’m 50 books ahead of schedule for my Goodreads reading challenge! Last year I was able to easily finish 100 books, but to be honest, at the end I was just reading for the challenge, and not for my own enjoyment, which is why I decided to cut my goal in half this year, and even though I know I’ll easily pass 100, the stress levels are just way lower.

My top three most read genres so far have been fantasy (35%), contemporary (28%), and historical fiction (19%). My average rating for books I’ve read so far in 2021 has been 4.02 stars (which is honestly like really high lol), and hopefully I’ll love most the books I read for the rest of the year as well!

1. The best book(s) you’ve read so far

These Violent Delights: Honestly, I think I’ve screamed about this book so much, I don’t even need to say why I like it anymore. Go read it now if you haven’t!!!!!
Ace of Spades: Ace of Spades is hands down a masterpiece, and I was completely SHOOK by the plot twists omg!!
The Gilded Wolves: A lot of people like this, but a lot of people don’t as well. I loved it. I honestly don’t know how to explain so you can just click on my mini review if you want to know why I loved it!
Hana Khan Carries On: This made me feel so represented, and validated, and is just such a gorgeous book, please read it 🥺
Heartstopper: Volume 2: This book honestly gives me so much serotonin.

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2. The best sequel you’ve read so far

Everyone thinks this is a filler book, but I loved it so much, I cannot wait till The Bronzed Beasts is out!!

To be honest, a lot didn’t really happen, but I was really invested in all of the characters, and what the future held for them.

This ended on the biggest cliffhanger, and I know I said this before, but I really can’t wait till The Bronzed Beasts is out!

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3. A new release you haven’t read yet but want to

Dial A For Aunties: This sounds like the perfect summer read, and I’ve heard the best things about it, so I can’t wait to pick it up!! Also, nosy Asian aunties?? I need this now!!
Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating: I really enjoyed The Henna Wars, and now Adiba Jaigirdar’s giving us TWO?? South Asian sapphics??
Tokyo Ever After: This also sounds like a perfect read for the summer, and I can’t wait to see an Asian version of The Princess Diaries, that has been described as “pure serotonin” by so many of my favourite reviewers!! 🥺
For the Wolf: The synopsis for this sounds so interesting, and I don’t really know anything about this book, BUT THE SYNOPSIS IS SO INTERESTING OMG

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4. Most anticipated release(s) for the second half of the year

Both of these are endings to some of my favourite series ever, and with the previous books having ended on cliffhangers, I need these two even more! I don’t know how I’m surviving, but I really NEED to know what happens in these two, and I can’t wait anymoreeeeeeee.

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5. Biggest disappointment(s)

The Throne of Fire: Sadie (one of the two main characters) was so annoying (and selfish) it brought down my rating from 3 stars to 1.5 stars :’)
Sorcery of Thorns: I had such high expectations for this one, and honestly it felt like more vibes, way less plot. T.T
Blood & Honey: I found Lou and Reid (both the main characters) too annoying to handle, and tbh, this felt like a filler book, and nothing really happened. I also hated the ending.

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6. The biggest surprise(s)

The Ones We’re Meant to Find: The beginning of this was just so slow, I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did! I promise trudging through the first half is worth it for all the twists at the end!
We Are Not Free: I knew this would make me cry. But after finishing, I just sat on my bed, and processed the book for like 45 minutes, before crying again. I promise you will love this just as much as I did!
The Silvered Serpents: I set extremely low expectations for this one, expecting it to be a filler book (which it was), but I loved it nevertheless!

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8. Newest favourite character

Juliette Cai, and Hana Khan!! They’re both so three-dimensional, and complex, and I love them both for their own reasons.

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9. A book that made you happy

I realize 3 out of 4 of these books are Webtoons but they just gave me so much serotonin 🥺 I love Gourmet Hound, Your Letter, and Heartstopper with all of my heart, and they’re the sweetest things ever, so go read them now.

I also just felt really seen during Counting Down With You, and the desi rep, as well as just the story made me so happy omg!!! I loved it so much, and yes the book isn’t perfect, but it had everything I needed 🥺🥺

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10. A book that made you cry

We Are Not Free: I just can’t not include this book here, the AMOUNT I sobbed is unreal lmao.
Concrete Rose: All of Angie Thomas’s books reduce me to a pile of tears and wet tissues, and Concrete Rose was no different! It hit hard, and I loved it so much!

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11. Favourite book to movie adaptation you’ve seen

Definitely Shadow and Bone! The castings were perfect, and I loved seeing some of my favourite characters (especially the Crows) come to life! I’m so excited for Season 2, and hopefully the Crows will have the spotlight then! Even Moxie was tons of fun, and I enjoyed watching the movie for it, but Shadow and Bone was definitely way better.

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12. Favourite review you’ve written till now

My favourite review this year would definitely have to be for These Violent Delights just because I took so long to write it, and the amount of effort it took for me to put all my love for it into words was unimaginable!!

Book Discussion: These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Other reviews I had tons of fun writing include my review of Hana Khan Carries On and One Last Stop! I love all three of these books so so much, and writing these reviews helped me re-live my favourite memories from the books!

ARC Review: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

Blog Tour: Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin + Favourite Quotes and INTL. Giveaway // A beautiful You’ve Got Mail retelling, that hit close to home

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13. Most beautiful book you’ve bought or received so far

Ace of Spades just has such a gorgeous cover, I’m in love with it! I also adore the gold embellishments on King of Scars and The Gilded Wolves! The Crooked Kingdom collectors edition is also stunning, and though I didn’t enjoy the story, the metallic highlights on the Sorcery of Thorns paperback are also beautiful!

I’m sorry for the bad picture!!! I was in a rush oops.

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14. Books you need to read by the end of the year

Jade Fire Gold, A Lesson in Vengeance, and Last Chance Books ALL sound like utter perfection, and everything I could want in a book, which is why I’m hoping to pick them up before the end of the year!

Honestly, I’m not that excited about Rule of Wolves, because I haven’t heard the best things about it, and I really didn’t like the way King of Scars ended. But, it’s still the supposed last book set in the GrishaVerse, and I want to see the way things end!

What were some of your favourite, and least favourite reads of 2021 so far? What books are you anticipating, or are excited to read during the second half of the year?