You might’ve seen this tag floating around on other readers’ blogs. But in case you haven’t, this 2024 Mid-Year Freakout Book Tag is a way to look back at what you’ve read during the first six months of the year. You can participate every year (or not). I’m not sure who created this 2024 Mid-Year Freakout Book Tag. If you do, then please let me know so I can attribute it properly.

Best Book You’ve Read So Far in 2024

The book that immediately comes to mind is ADELAIDE by Genevieve Wheeler. Published last year, it’s more in the line of literary fiction or contemporary fiction. It’s a debut novel that focuses on a young woman named Adelaide and why she attempted to unalive herself. Yes, there are quite a few content warnings in this book. I binged this book and just wanted to be friends with this young woman even though my personality differs from Adelaide’s. Hopefully I can write up my review for this book soon!

Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far In 2024

I haven’t actually read that many sequels this year. That makes my answer a little easy. You might think I’d say HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOW. But that one was so much to take in that I don’t really remember a ton of it. So I have to pick THE SHADOW QUEEN by Nicola Tyche. It’s the second book in a completed and independently published dark fantasy trilogy. I think the characters are well written. And I feel like the worldbuilding is quite good, too.

New Releases You Haven’t Read Yet But Want To

Well, it’s no surprise that it’s fairly easy for me to list a few here. POISON IN THEIR HEARTS by Laura Sebastian is a library book and the final installment in a YA fantasy trilogy. HOW TO BECOME THE DARK LORD AND DIE TRYING by Django Wexler and LORE OF THE WILDS by Analeigh Sbrana are both ARCs. And THE FAMILIAR by Leigh Bardugo and BIRDING WITH BENEFITS by Sarah T. Dubb are books that I bought.

Most Anticipated Release for the Second Half of the Year

Well, of the ones I know about, probably THE BRIGHT SWORD by Lev Grossman. I love a good Arthurian retelling. In fact, I have a whole post about Arthurian retellings. However, carving out time to read them is something I’m working on. (Albeit, not actively…but I have goals! They’re just…longer term!) But this one looks like quite the epic. I preordered it. If I’m good then maybe I’ll read it when it gets here. (Realistically, though, will that really happen?)

Biggest Disappointment

IMMORTAL PLEASURES was hands down the biggest disappoint of the year thus far. The premise of an ancient Aztec vampire who roams the modern world in search of vengeance was such a titillating premise. Ultimately it fell flat for me for so many reasons. Looking at the Goodreads rating now, many others seem to feel quite similarly. It might be the lowest-rated book on Goodreads that I’ve read. You can read my full review here.

Biggest Surprise

When BOOK OF NIGHT by Holly Black came out, I saw a good amount of middling reviews. Or, I remember the commentary about it was so-so. I decided to borrow the e-book while on vacation with the goal of offloading my physical copy of it afterward. I thought I’d also fall withing the “this was ok” camp. However, I thought it was much better than I expected. It just goes to show why I try to stay away from reviews if I know there’s a chance I might read a book. Now I’m trying to decide whether to keep or sell my physical copy!

Favorite New Author (Debut or New to You)

In all honesty I would pick ADELAIDE by Genevieve Wheeler again. In an effort to avoid repetition, though, I pick Chloe Angyal who wrote PAS DE DON’T. I can’t remember if I found this book on a Kindle daily deal or if I saw the deal mentioned on bookstagram. Regardless, it’s a contemporary romance set in the ballet world. I wasn’t expecting much, but I ended up really liking it. I definitely plan to pick up the next book in her ballet world series of standalones.

Newest Fictional Crush

Hm, this is a tough one. While I have read some fantasy romance and contemporary romance, no one stood out to me enough to be my newest fictional crush. I suppose if I have to pick it’d be Marcus from PAS DE DON’T. (Sorry for the repeat answer!) Not only is he a principal dancer (albeit healing from an injury), but he’s a great communicator. He also cares a great deal about his family. At the end of the day, though, Rhysand from ACOTAR is still my favorite book crush.

Newest Favorite Character

Ok, technically Lirael isn’t new to me this year, but I read ABHORSEN by Garth Nix to finish the trilogy. She is such a badass character. The writing style makes her actions seem somewhat understated. But Lirael is one of those characters who does her best to take things in stride. She isn’t without fear, but she rises to the occasion and learns what she needs to learn to get the job done. Maybe at some point I’ll continue reading the other books in this world, but until then I’m content to admire Lirael in her coming-of-age adventure.

A Book That Made You Cry

I’m not doing a very good job at avoiding repeat answers here! But it’s true that ADELAIDE made me cry. I’m also throwing in SHADOW QUEEN because I would’ve cried if I hadn’t been reading it on a plane. It’s why I ended up crying a lot after finishing ADELAIDE. There’s a sub-theme in SHADOW QUEEN that really hit home for me that was also unexpectedly in ADELAIDE.

A Book That Made You Happy

I have to go with something whimsical and ridiculous for this one. THAT TIME I GOT DRUNK AND SAVED A DEMON was a lot of fun. It wasn’t an amazing book, but you go into it knowing it’s for fun and laughs. I mean, look at that cover! It screams fun! And it was nice to fly through it and not have to invest a ton of brain energy figuring out the world and magic system. I’ve read two of the three books in this series of standalones. This is a reminder to myself to pick up the last one when I need a change of pace. You can read my review here.

The Most Beautiful Book You’ve Bought So Far This Year

Well, I’m fortunate enough to subscribe to a few special edition book subscriptions. Out of what I’ve received so far, the Fairyloot edition of FEATHER SO BLACK by Lyra Selene is one of the most stunning. I’m too lazy to take and upload a photo. So here’s a listing on pangobooks to look at.

Books You Need to Read By the End of the Year

I’m trying to finish some series I’d started prior to 2024. I call it my Series Completion Challenge. I need to read all of these, but I’m not sure that I will. The only one I really need to read in 2024 is IRON FLAME by Rebecca Yarros. But I’ll also try to read POISON IN THEIR HEARTS by Laura Sebastian, FOR THE THRONE by Hannah Whitten, THE AMBER SPY GLASS by Philip Pullman, and THESE TWISTED BONDS by Lexi Ryan.

Favorite Book to Movie Adaptation

I think the only book I’ve read this year that has a movie adaptation is SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson. But I haven’t seen the movie nor do I have plans to.

And that’s it for the 2024 Mid-Year Freakout Book Tag! Feel free to join in the fun.