I honestly cannot believe we passed the halfway mark of the year. Time seems to fly by so fast but with everything going on in the world, it also feels as if it is going by incredibly slow. This book tag is one I have been meaning to do for a while but I have not gotten to it until now. I am so excited to look back on the past few months and answer these questions!
HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU READ SO FAR?
At the beginning of the year, I decided not to pressure myself when it came to my reading. I made my Goodreads goal only 20 books but so far, I have managed to read 54 books this year. I, of course, would have liked to have read even more but my mind has not been able to focus with everything going on.
BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2020?
Honestly, without a doubt, House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas. I absolutely love all her books and she is one of my favourite authors as she got me into reading fantasy years back.
You can find my full review here.
BEST SEQUEL YOU’VE READ SO FAR THIS YEAR?
Definitely Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim. It is the second book in The Blood of Stars duology. I recently read the first book, Spin the Dawn, and it was just as amazing as I hoped it would be.
You can find my full review here.
NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET, BUT WANT TO?
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown. I have heard so many amazing things about it and am buzzing to get to it!
MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR?
Honestly, this question made all the answers fly right out of my head but there are two that I have been thinking about a lot recently: The Invisible Life of Addie Larue and How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories. I have yet to read V.E. Schwab’s books but I am hoping to binge them before the end of the year. Recently, I binged Holly Black’s books from The Folk of the Air series and I loved them all so, so much!
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT?
Probably The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. It really was not bad at all but I did expect to love it with all my heart, just like everyone else. I was definitely let down by that but am hoping to pick up the rest of the books in the series soon.
BIGGEST SURPRISE?
As Edward’s book is coming out next month, I started binge reading the books a little while ago and I ended up loving the first book, Twilight, a lot more than I thought I would. It definitely is not the best writing but I enjoyed it so much and kind of flew through it.
FAVOURITE NEW AUTHOR (DEBUT OR NEW TO YOU)?
I have so many favourite new authors but this answer would go on forever if I name them all so, I am naming the first one that immediately comes to mind: Holly Black. I love her writing so much and cannot wait to read more of her books, hopefully soon.
UNDERRATED GEM YOU’VE DISCOVERED RECENTLY?
I have not really come across any underrated gems lately but one that I do not see many people in the book community talk about is Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid. It is one of the best short stories I have ever read as I am still not over the plot twist at the end.
You can find my full review here.
BOOKS YOU’VE REREAD THIS YEAR?
I have reread quite a few books this year: A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Strange Weather in Tokyo, Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom.
FAVOURITE BOOK TO FILM ADAPTION?
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. I watched the 1995 film adaption at the beginning of the year and absolutely fell in love with it.
You can find my full review here.
NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH?
Definitely Cardan from The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black. I mean, he does have a tail?
NEWEST FAVOURITE CHARACTER?
Bryce from House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas. She is a complex character who has many flaws but her strength and willpower to bring justice is what made my love her.
NEWEST CHARACTER YOU DISLIKE?
Taryn from from The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black.
BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY?
Becoming by Michelle Obama. It was such an important and inspiring read. I really learned a lot from it.
You can find my full review here.
BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY?
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson. It was a light and easy read and there were quite a few sweet and funny moments.
MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU’VE BOUGHT SO FAR THIS YEAR?
I have only bought seven physical books so far this year as I am unable to get to a bookstore because of the virus. The most beautiful one, without a doubt, is the 10th anniversary edition of City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.
BOOKS DO YOU NEED TO READ BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR?
There are so many that I really want to get to! I made many lists at the beginning of the year and still need to get to most of them. Here are eight books I am hoping to get to.
FAVOURITE REVIEW YOU’VE WRITTEN SO FAR THIS YEAR?
I have written quite a lot of reviews so far this year as I tried to review each book I read but there are two I had most fun writing. My review for House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas which you can find here, and my review of Unravel the Dusk which you can find here.
FAVOURITE POSTS YOU’VE DONE SO FAR THIS YEAR?
20 Books I Want to Read in 2020
This book tag was such fun! I had a lovely time reflecting and looking back to what I have achieved these past months.
I also just quickly wanted to mention and thank Cielo from Bellerose Reads for interviewing me for her book blogger highlight section on her blog. It was definitely a highlight for me this year and I feel so honoured that she thought to interview me. You can find the interview here! Please make sure to check out her blog too, if you haven’t already. It is one of my favourites!
Keep reading and never stop telling stories.
White Rose Stories 
Ah I love all your answers so much!! 54 books is so amazing GO YOU! I’m very excited to read Spin The Dawn and its sequel eeppp. So sad you didn’t love The Raven Boys, I can totally see that its not for everyone. That Cardan fanart omg SO STUNNING. I’ve been desperately wanting to reread Six of Crows too. I also need to get to If We Were Villians, A Little Life and The Book Thief xx
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Aw, thank you!! Yes, I think you’ll love Maia and Edan’s story! I’m sad about that too but I’m hoping I’ll get more into the story when I continue the rest of the series. I KNOW! Cardan with a rose 🥺 Ah, can’t wait to see what you’ll think of them all ✨
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I read The Book Thief last year and it’s one of my favorite books 😍
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I’m so happy you loved it! I am excited to get to it, hopefully, soon! ✨
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