luvtoread

So far this year I’ve read 49 books – just 51 left to go to hit my goal of 100 books!! And since we are a bit past the middle of the year, here’s the Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag.

Big thanks to Sophie @ Blame Chocolate for tagging me for this post!

This post is jumping in front of the plethora of other posts I have to do because there is somewhat of a time constraint on it. No one wants to read a Mid-Year book tag in October.

Clicking on the book’s title will take you to my review of the book.

Best book I’ve read so far in 2016: The best book I’ve read this year has to be Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. But that’s a classic, and so I’ll also say that the best book written by a contemporary author that I’ve read this year has been the haunting Shark Dialogues by Kiana Davenport. Tracing the history of Hawaii throughout the generations of one family, it is fascinating, shocking, and disturbing, and has at its core a strong and memorable female character named Pono.

 

 

Best sequel I’ve read so far in 2016: Best sequel is definitely Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery. And best contemporary sequel? I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I really enjoyed Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. I’ve got issues with this series, especially with the first book, but Crown of Midnight was nonstop.

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. It’s almost here!!

Biggest disappointment: Has to be The Raven Boys.  I had heard so many wonderful things about this book and the series, and this just did not live up to the hype.

Biggest surprise: At the end of last year, I asked my husband to choose a book for me to read in 2016.  He’s not a reader, and I had no idea what he would choose for me.  He choose Moby-Dick, and I fully expected to hate this book and find it boring.  But it was really exciting! There are some boring bits that read like a textbook, but all in all, it’s a great classic and has a great character in Captain Ahab. Don’t be intimidated by this book! It’s really good!

Favorite new author: Fredrik Backman. I adored his books A Man Called Ove and also Britt-Marie Was Here. Seriously, go read his books! They are wonderful.

Newest fictional crush: Jesper from Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. I don’t know if it is his suave demeanor, or the pearl handled revolvers he carries, but I just have a thing for him.

Newest favourite character: Hercule Poirot from the classic Agatha Christie books. He is a funny, smart character who just makes me smile. I really enjoy the few Agatha Christie books that I’ve read! I’ve read and reviewed The Mysterious Affair at Styles, The Murder on the Links, Poirot Investigates, and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.

Book that made me cry: Me Before You. Ugly cry. And I read the book twice.

Book that made me happy: I’m not into reading humor, but the book that made me smile the most while reading was Tales From the Back Row by Amy Odell.

Favourite book to film adaptation: I’ve really been slacking off on my movie watching this year, and I’ve only watched three book-to-film adaptations so far in 2016, in which I’ve also read the book as well. So, my choice is Great Expectations with Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham as the best adaptation.

Favourite post I’ve done this year: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I just really like it, and it’s one of my most popular posts!

 

Most beautiful book I’ve bought this year: I adore the cover to Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. It’s stunning and captures your attention, and is even more captivating once you’ve read the book, which is excellent and is in my top ten of 2016 so far.

New release I haven’t read yet but want to: Stars Above by Marissa Meyer. A book of short stories set in The Lunar Chronicles. I raced through all four books in The Lunar Chronicles last year, and I really want to read this book.

What book do I need to read by the end of the year? I keep telling myself I need to attempt my read of Outlander by Diana Gabaldon again. I tried reading it once several years ago and couldn’t get past the first 100 pages. Everyone says it is marvelous and wonderful however, and so I want to give it another shot. It sounds like something I would really love. I have enjoyed the 5 minutes of the TV show that I’ve seen.

So there’s my mid-year report, just a tad late! How does your mid-year report look? Are you on track to read what you hoped? What’s been your favorite read so far this year?