The Mid Year Book Freakout Tag 2020

Posted on by ilsa

This is one of my favourite posts of the year!! I know everyone else says that but it’s for a good reason because this tag…is so much fun.

You can check out me doing this tag in previous years…But I recommend you don’t (I cringe)

2019 / 2018 / 2017

Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2020

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen // Who knew a classic would become an all time favourite of mine? Can you believe Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet invented the very concept of romance? Because, I can. 

You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle // What does it say that my two favourite new 5-star reads of the year are both…ROMANCES. Who have I become? I am shocked and surprised at myself. I’m pretty sure you’ve heard me all rant about this book but uh, this book had a second chance romance, a hate to love storyline, loads of banter, and is super cute, and I am OBSESSED with it. 

Best Sequel of 2020 so far

*me desperately searching for sequels I’ve read this year* okay, look I haven’t read many sequels this year. I’ve read The Winner’s Crime, which isn’t exactly like the greatest sequel ever – I enjoyed it. And then there’s some series finales like The King of Crows and Imagine Me, which I rated both 4 stars. So I don’t know? I haven’t read enough sequels for this question, and will therefore leave it unanswered. 

New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want to

Bold of you to assume I keep up with new releases! But, the few I am excited about are:

Felix Ever After – I’ve been hearing the most amazing things about this book lately – and I really hope I enjoy this! 

Beach Read by Emily Henry – The premise of this literally sounds SO amazing (the love interests are both writers, and they decide to swap genres…and they’re both nemesis…but then…they fall in love) and I have no doubt I will love this one! Also, if any book is described as “hate-to-love” you already KNOW it’s on my TBR because that is THE superior trope and you can’t convince me otherwise. 

Most Anticipated Release of the Second Half of 2020

WOW THESE COVERS GO PRETTY WELL WITH EACH OTHER??

The Invisible Life of Auddie LaRue by V.E Schwab – I have a feeling I’m really going to enjoy this!! I love Schwab’s books and he premise sounds awesome: the main character makes a deal with the devil, and is doomed to be forgotten by everyone she meets, but then someone remembers her name?? Fuck yes.

A Deadly Education – Even though I didn’t like Uprooted by Novik, I’m excited for this because a “a school for the magically gifted where failure means certain death” – I’m in?? Plus, the cover is gorgeous. 

How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories – this is a novella from CARDAN’S PERSPECTIVE…and if y’all don’t think i’m judecardan trash before I am person…then you are mistaken. I would like this book in my hands!! Right now!! 

(Honestly I have so many anticipated releases and I think I should make a post on this? Let me know if that’s something you’d want to see!)

Biggest Disappointment

I’ve actually read a lot of disappointing books this year…YIKES but I’ll narrow it to two books that begin with D (D for disappointment am i rite)

Daughter of Smoke and Bone – I am absolutely in love with Strange The Dreamer by Laini Taylor, it’s one of my favorite duologies of all time. But this? I’ve been wanting to read this series for so long but I am so let down by how terrible this book was. It started off okay, but I hated the writing style, and the rest of the book was this stupid, boring, dry insta-lovey romance. Which!! Is not what I signed up for 😦

Darius The Great Is Not Okay – I genuinely expected to love this book so much, and for it to become a new favourite. Unfortunately, i had huge problems with the main character’s narration and found this book very boring. You can read my review here for more in depth thoughts. 

Biggest surprise

Can I say…You Deserve Each Other because I didn’t expect to love it so much … I really need to shut up about Nicholas and Naomi BUT I REFUSE TO. 

The Winner’s Crime series was definitely a surprise to me. I had this weird notion it’d be a really trashy series (but in a good way) series and it wasn’t. While there was lots of romance, there was also a plot…WILD. I haven’t talked about this series a lot yet on my blog, and while it’s not a new favourite, I love the characters and their dynamics ALL SO MUCH!!!!

Favourite New Author

Casey MqQuinston, author of Red, White & Royal Blue. I will read anything !! and I mean anything !! they write. I’m so excited for One Last Stop (an f/f rom com with time travel aspects?? I know I will love it) to come out in 2021, because I loved their debut so much. 

Newest Fictional Crush

Pride And Predjudice Elizabeth Bennet GIF - PrideAndPredjudice ...

I don’t think I really get fictional crushes (apart from Warner) but I do love Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Your YA bad-boys-with-a-tragic-past could NEVER (I’m calling myself out here) Mr Darcy is simply the sweetest soul in existence and him and Elizabeth’s conversations are the light of my life. 

Newest Favourite Character

Elizabeth Bennet,,, I’m TRYING to stop talking about Pride and Prejudice but look, Elizabeth Bennet is simply the most intellectual, composed, intelligent, smart, any other synonym, and I love her for it. She just speaks so poshly and is so sure of herself and I just love her?? So much??

Also, Kestrel from The Winner’s Crime series – something about really intelligent and composed female characters…it does something to me. Anyways, I love Kestrel SO MUCH and I enjoy reading her character so much. She’s SO SMART and CLEVER and whenever she talks about politics i’m like “i don’t know what your talking about but 😍😍😍”

Book That Made You Cry

Peter Pan has made me sob in a way that no other book has made me sob. Sure I cry at books, but I haven’t cried at a book like THIS (weeping, sobbing, everytime i stopped crying I would think of the ending and start crying again) in a very long time. I can’t even begin to describe why this book is so meaningful and so good, and why J.M Barrie is such a genius, but you’ll just have to take my word for it .

Book That Made You Happy?

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman! This is such a cute web-comic. I don’t know why it took me so long to start reading it but it’s so, so cute and soft and wholesome and AHHH. I get excited for every update. 

Also, not to be annoying, but YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER BY SARAH HOGLE made me so unbelievably happy because it ws funny and sweet and I love Naomi and Nicholas WAY too much…I’M SORRY I DON”T MEAN TO TALK ABOUT THEM SO MUCH BUT I LOVE THEM. 

Favourite Book to Movie Adaptation You’ve Seen This Year?

I’ve watched a few movies this year, but the only two in which I’ve read the book and seen the movie, are P.S I still love you (to all the boys #2) and Love, Simon (I’m very late, I know) I really didn’t like the Sequel to To All The Boys, it wasn’t executed very well, and Peter was so annoying, and John Ambrose was clearly the better option!


So, I’m going with Love, Simon, because while I had issues with this movie (especially with the whole Martin thing…it was handled badly), it was still so wholesome and sweet, and I loved the friendship and romance portrayed a lot! 

(I also want to watch The Sun is Also A Star because it LOOKS CUTE and I am trash for romance movies)

Favourite Review You’ve Written This Year?

the way I haven’t been writing  a lot of reviews this year and the ones i’ve written are barely coherent,,, yeah. I feel like I only like my negative reviews … so here are two 🙂

Darius The Great Is Not Okay // The Henna Wars

Most Beautiful Book You Bought or Received So Far This Year?

I’ve received a total of 5 books this year and out of all of them, it isn’t very hard to choose…The Starless Sea!! It’s SO SO beautiful. The hardback is just so pretty and perfect to hold. It’s just so gorgeous!!! (and bonus: i loved the actual books well)

What Books Do You Need to Read by the End of the Year?

uhm, all of them. I feel like I just curse myself whenever I put books here and I end up not reading stated books for so long so I’ll just insert some images. 

Favourite book community member

I’m going to alter this question to say fave book community member that I’ve only discovered this year. Ash @ Starlight Strands simply has the most beautiful blog ever and her posts are so much fun to read and I’m so glad I discovered her site!! You should all follow because she’s amazing!!

hi please link your mid year book freak ot tags in the comments i love reading them!!

ilsa

59 thoughts on “The Mid Year Book Freakout Tag 2020”

  3. *flails over Starless Sea with you* IT IS SO STUNNING. Okay back to earlier questions, I just had to mention that.

    ILSA!! YOU are now the main reason I am going to read You Deserve Each Other. I’ve been reading quite a few adult romances this year but eh some of them that sound super cute are just not what I’m into (*cough* the unhoneymooners smh *cough*). But we have like basically all the same interests in romance so I trust you. I was just… apprehensive because it sounded too cutesey and I prefer those in movie format but I shall read AND hopefully love.

    Also gahhh CARDAN CARDAN CARDAN!! Can November ~ come ~ already

    Like

    1. it is is gorgeous inside and out…imagine me loving a character more than Zachary 😳 could not be me

      Oh no the unhoneymooners in my TBR I thought I’d love it but now I’m cautious 👾 and it’s deffo not too cutesy!! I’m not a fan of overly sappy but up until the last chapter (which is super sweet) it’s got a good balance !!! You are gonna love it (I hope) cardan is sexc but I just pretend his tail doesn’t exist

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I dnf’ed Unhoneymooners just bc it’s not my thing. Idk if I wasn’t in the right mood but it was too much like ‘fun times’ and the characters felt kinda flat in my opinion. I read like 70% of it but wasn’t enjoying AT ALL unfortunately.

        Omg the tail sksksks… its lowkey hilarious, you have to admit Ilsa

        Like

  4. Isn’t Pride and Prejudice just THE BEST?!?!?! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it, it’s my favorite book of all time. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are just so … awesome as individuals, but put them together and it’s magic. Plus, pretty much every enemies-to-lover romance can be traced directly back to P&P.

    Like

  5. Yeay!! I’m happy that you enjoyed Pride and Prejudice so much. I thought it to be slow at times but overall it was a really nice read for me, too. //Also: I need The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue because that concept is amazing and I want to read about it so bad!! ❤

    Like

  7. Peter Pan is AMAZING. That book is so special and so meaningful on so many levels- my sister actually wrote a twenty page paper on it as a senior project in college- there is THAT much stuff to talk about with this one. So good.
    Mr. Darcy and Lizzie are pretty wonderful. 🙂

    Like

  9. I’m so excited for Schwab and Holly B’s new books! The latter half of this year has so many books I’m looking forward to reading. I didn’t know that Nora Novik has a new book coming out. I enjoyed Uprooted and the premise of the new book sounds really good! I’ll have to add it to the shopping list. And welcome to the P&P club. We are ardent fans of Bennett +Darcy forever and always LOL

    Like

  10. the fact that every year the book blogger community bands together to do this tag… idk why but it gives me Happy Feelings, mybf tag keeps winning

    hope you have a wonderful next six months! and I’m planning to read the starless sea soon too… I will let you know if I adore it or now :))

    Like

  11. The Starless Sea is definitely one of the prettiest books I own!! It is STUNNING. I hope you get to read Beach Read soon- I loved it so much!! I’m also so excited to read Addie LaRue 🤩 I have really high expectations for it!!

    Like

  12. Ooh, thanks for bringing my attention to Addie La Rue!! I didn’t even know it was coming out, but it does sound spectacular!! And I should probably read the book about Cardan lol. Tho I’m still salty about how The Queen of Nothing ended. I’m so sorry that Darius disappointed you! It does get boring pretty easily, but I kind of connected to Darius in a way
    Great post ✨❤

    Like

    1. Addie LaRue should be on everyone’s radar it sounds like it will be EVERYTHING. I actually enjoyed Queen of Nothing’s ending..what were your problems with it 😦 I’m glad you connected to Darius even though it wasn’t for me

      Like

      1. Haha, *SPOILERS for The Queen of Nothing!!*

        So, I found everything fell so flat. The war? Bleh. Cardan turning into a snake and the subsequent drama with that was…eh? the thing that annoyed me the most was how everyone got off so easy at the end. And Idk, they all kind of weren’t really themselves? (Jude felt a lot more emotional, and Nicasia was ????) And the amount of times Cardan was there and not a snake were so few and I just….wanted more. Anddd the book was so short. it ruined it by being so short 😭 it just didn’t live up to my expectations at all.

        But I’m glad you still enjoyed it! 💕✨

        Like

      2. oh it definitely wasnt a perfect finale…I agree . I think Jude was herself but she’s just changed and grown a lot over the books and so has cardan…but I get what you mean. But also yeah 😭 cardan was Hardly in the book it made me so sad. I think it should’ve been like 100 pages longer imo. But in the end I loved the characters and that’s what matters most to me (even tho I wanted way more cardan)

        Liked by 1 person

      3. 100 more pages would have made a huge difference. I guess, I was only attached because of TWK (I didn’t really like TCP lol) so I still had the capacity to not like it, instead of just loving the characters and accepting the book anyway. Sighh

        Like

  13. Yesss I love seeing P&P in your favorites 😀 Darcy and Elizabeth truly did invent the concept of romance…wow.
    I also didn’t love Uprooted BUT I’m very curious about Naomi Novik’s new book. Could be amazing?? Hopefully?? Also…yeah I also wasn’t a fan of daughter of smoke and bone when I read it a few years ago. Rip.
    Okay same about Casey McQuiston!! Their new book is going to absolutely murder me, and I can’t wait!! Also, wow, that edition of the Starless Sea is just stunning.
    Good luck with your reading going into the second half of the year! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  14. I’m starting to get the idea you want everyone to read You Deserve Each Other. Not sure why, just a feeling… 😂 I’ve not read anything by Naomi Novik before but I stumbled across A Deadly Education on NetGalley the other day and I really like the premise, so maybe I’ll finally give her writing a go. I love the story of Peter Pan but I don’t think I’ve ever read the original. I should get on that! Great post, I love this tag! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  15. i need to read more classics so perhaps i shall read pride & prejudice… also i literally keep forgetting you haven’t read evelyn hugo aahh!! i see the secret history is on your list of books to read before the end of the year and i also need to read it so maybe….. br??

    dosab is so TERRIBLE i’m very happy that you also did not love it ❤ the insta love just killed me, it was so embarrassing to read lmao. and i'm ignoring the fact that cardan's book is on your anticipated releases list ❤

    Like

    1. oh no sweetie I don’t think you’d enjoy pride and prejudice at all not because it’s a classic just because of the story it is…and yes I would love to br it sometime soon!! My sister has a copy so I’ll just steal it off her. Thank you for having the correct opinion of dosab pls it was so awkward to read the insta love. And why are you ignoring it…Team cardan’s tail!!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. i need to read You Deserve Each Other asap, i’ve only heard good things about it!! also omg Felix Ever After and Beach Read are both on my tbr, i really hope we’ll love them both. i’m so sad we didn’t enjoy Darius but i’m also happy to have found another person who doesn’t like it because literally EVERYONE loves it so much and i don’t get the hype lmao

    i really want to watch The Sun Is Also A Star and Love Simon, i’m a sucker for romance movies too haha. this comment is literally just me screaming about things i want to read/watch but! The Starless Sea!! WTFOH!! The Poet X!! CDTH!! i need them all too 😭

    also just ignore me CRYING OVER HERE!! like excuse me you’re too nice, your words made my day! 😭😭😭 i’m so honored that you enjoy my blog because you’re one of my fav bloggers ever, thank you so so much!! 🥺🥺🥰❤

    Liked by 1 person

    1. YEs please read it!! I am glad you have found my soulmate because we both don’t like Darius. Love, Simon is good (mostly!!) and fun and i’m hoping to watch The Sun is Also A star too! I hope you get to read/watch and enjoy all the things you want to!! And omg any time i love your blog ❤ ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Loved reading this post – these are always my favourite tags to read and I cannot believe it’s that time of year already. I say this every year but 2020 has actually flown by considering I’ve done the whole of nothing all year.
    Pride and Prejudice I still need to read!! I started it a few months ago but then stopped because I wasn’t in the mood for a classic (cons of being a really strong mood reader ://). Hopefully I’ll get to it at some point.
    Also please read Becoming!! I just picked it up in June and it was so incredible. Michelle Obama is so inspiring and she talked about some really important things. + I love politics so it was fun to get a behind the scenes insight (especially because I’m from the UK so know nothing about American politics and how it all works).

    Like

    1. Thank you emme!! I feel like I have accomplished practically nothing in 2020 but I’m trying to remind myself we’re in a pandemic so it’s okay !! I’m currently reading Becoming and so far so good! (and yes I’m in the UK so in a similar position to you!)

      Liked by 1 person

  19. You mentioning Pride & Prejudice like six times in this post is honestly my favorite thing ever and gave me all the P&P feels!! I just love Mr. Darcy and I laughed out loud at “your YA bad boys with a tragic past could never.” He and Elizabeth are simply unmatched and now I’m off to go finish my reread of this because the P&P emotions are real>>

    Oh, I really enjoyed Becoming and I hope you do too!! Michelle Obama is such a role model and the whole book is incredibly inspiring, as well as really sweet to read about her relationship with her husband and how they met and everything…I highly recommend. I hope you have a wonderful rest of 2020! xx

    Liked by 1 person

  21. I always love this tag! The answers are just so fun and always so guilty, haha. I love how obsessed you are with Pride and Prejudice, because relatable. I’ve only read it once (on audio, and it’s been ages), so I really need to give it a reread, and I still have yet to see any adaptations (I know, it’s a tragedy). You’re really making me want to read the Winner’s Curse trilogy! It used to be such a highly anticipated book for me but I eventually convinced myself that I wasn’t interested? After Marie Rutkoski (sp?) came out with The Midnight Lies, I’m thinking I’ll pick that one up first and decide from there if I like her writing.
    Heartstopper is literally the best thing ever and I am obsessed… and that’s all I have to say on that.
    OH my gosh I basically love everything you have on your need to read list. The Weight of the Stars, With the Fire on High, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo are a few of my all-time favorites. Really hope you love them! Anyway, lovely post – good luck with the rest of your reading year! 🙂

    Like

    1. I read it mostly on audio too and it was a great experience! I’ll probably re-read it sometime in the future! I need to see the adaptation to it as well! The BBC mini-series is very good though, I do recommend it. I do want to read The Midnight Lie but I’ve heard Kestrel (the main character from Winners Trilogy) ‘s character is ruined so I’m hesitant. Thanks Amy!!

      Like

  22. I just love tags and reading them is so fun ! I need to do this tag ! I am new to the blogging community just started my blog a month ago and I am not aware of many tags but this surely sounds exciting . And after you mentioning P&P so many times I really need to read it . As I am only 12 I need to wait for one more year before reading the original one but i have read a retelling and i just love Elizabeth and Darcy together !! They are a perfect math for each other

    Like

  24. i cannot wait to read pride and prejudice and you deserve each other!!! also i’m so happy you enjoyed the winners trilogy! i don’t consider it a fave either because it has its flaws, but kestrel and arin’s dynamic is so good. and you’re right kestrel is so smart 😍 hope you enjoy the rest of your reading year ❤

    Like

  25. I love these types of posts too 😍 reading them…doing them too 😚 so much fun. Anyway YAY for all of this! I’m glad you’re loving romance books and classics this year! I really loved the Winner’s Curse series too omg throwback tho!! And agreed about Love Simon. It was lovely and warm hearted, but there were a few ugh issues with the movie direction. I also saw the Love Victor TV show and it was so cute!!! but also so cringey!! 😂 but I’m excited for S2. ALSO STARLESS SEA YES. My fave of the year.

    Like

  27. Ahh I loved reading this post so much! I’m a little sad that you were so disappointed in Darius 😦 but I’m thrilled to see you have so many good reads to get to. I really reaaaaaaaaally hope you’ll read Evelyn Hugo and Emergency Contact, they’re two of my ultimate favorites, I’m still not over how incredible Evelyn Hugo is aha. Happy reading!! ❤

    Like

  28. i am fully aware that you posted this two weeks ago and that this comment is embarrassingly late!!!! still commenting!!!

    you deserve each other is GODTIER and anyone who says otherwise is wrong!! but pride and prejudice is just so 2.5stars for me :((( please do not mob me for this but…. i…. hate….. lizzy 😦
    your most anticipated books are so valid luv, yes to addie larue!!! it sounds magical and just!!! the cover is so pretty ahhh!
    also i will read the winner’s crime series soon! i get what you mean by “trashy in a good way” bc i feel the same way about it (100% because of the girl with a pretty dress on the cover, it reminds me of the selection *sobs*) the starless sea sounds so beautiful and magical and i hope to get to read it soon!!

    sorry this comment was all over the place ~ hope you have an amazing rest of your year!!!!

    Like

  30. I WANT TO READ THE STARLESS SEA (but I still need to own a copy *sobs quietly in the corner*)

    Anyway I enjoyed With the Fire on High a lot!! I’m not a big fan of contemporary but this one managed to capture my heart 💖

    Like

  31. You Deserve Each Other sounds so fun, and I’ve heard so many good things about The Winner’s Trilogy that one of these days I need to check it out! Especially now that the author’s released a new f/f book set in the same world…

    I do enjoy Pride and Prejudice, but I don’t think I’ve ever been able to get the whole way through the book? I should try and do that at some point. I do love the 2005 adaptation, though! I’d also highly, highly recommend Persuasion–it’s my favourite Austen (and her best novel imo), and a great one to try if you like second chance romance. 😀

    You can check out my Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag here, if you like: https://jessticulates.com/2020/06/18/mid-year-book-freak-out-tag-2020/ 🙂

    Like

    1. please read you deserve each other!! And yes omg the midnight lie is very high up on my TBR.

      and ahh i still have yet to watch the movie adaption im very excited for it though!! (and i’ll add persuasion to my TBR thanks! I love a second chance romance)

      ❤

      Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.