MID-YEAR BOOK FREAK OUT TAG 2021

It has been a while since I wrote a blog post. University has been keeping me really busy, but I was finally able to take a few days off after finishing all my assignments for the year. I am a bit late to this book tag but better late than never, right? Without further ado, let’s get on with the book tag!

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BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ THIS YEAR SO FAR

I have not read many books so far this year because university has been keeping me really busy. However, I did find a few treasures out of the few I have read. The best book I’ve read so far this year has got to be The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I could not put it down and it has forever found a special place in my heart. This book is heavy and light, darkness and sunshine all in one. I cried so much whilst reading this book and I do not think I will ever get over it.

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BEST SEQUEL YOU’VE READ SO FAR

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas. Even though I had other expectations for Cassian and Nesta’s story, I enjoyed reading Sarah J. Maas’ newest release. I always devour her books and am looking forward to her next release.

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NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET BUT WANT TO

Oh, there are so many I need to catch up on. The only ones that come to mind at the moment are Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim, One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston, Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman, and Gods & Monsters by Shelby Mahurin (but I still need to read the first two books).

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MOST ANTICIPATED UPCOMING RELEASE

Once again, there are so many, but as soon as I think of listing them all, they disappear from my mind. The few that I can think of at the moment is: Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber, The Hawthrone Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus, A Dance with the Fae Prince by Elise Kova and Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong.

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BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR SO FAR

Honestly, as I have only read 11 books so far this year, I have yet to come across a “bad” book. I quite enjoyed all the books I have read so far but if I have to choose, I would have to say Small Things by Nthikeng Mohele. It was my first read for my first year of university and even though I somewhat enjoyed reading it, I think the story could have taken a different and better turn.

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BIGGEST SURPRISE OF THE YEAR SO FAR

The book that surprised me the most was A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova. I saw this book in the book community a while back and remember finding it intriguing. However, as with all books by authors new to me, I did not have high expectations at the beginning. Never did I know I would enjoy the book as much as I did. I loved the relationship between the different characters and fell in love with the magic and faerie world. Really looking forward to the next book set in this world!

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FAVOURITE DEBUT OR NEW AUTHOR

I actually have four that I cannot choose from. Elise Kova, Markus Zusak, Oscar Wilde and Jennifer Lynn Barnes are all authors new to me, and I am really looking forward to reading more of their books soon.

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NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH

Eldas, the Elf King from A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova. He gives me the same vibes as Rhysand, so… :)

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NEWEST FAVOURITE FICTIONAL CHARACTER

I think Liesel Meminger from The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. We both share a major love for collecting books and overall, she is just such an inspiring and strong character.

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BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY

Again, I am going to have to go with The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It has been a while since I sobbed my eyes out as I did with this one. It touched and moved my heart and will always be one of my favourite books.

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BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert definitely put a few smiles on my face. I loved the sweet and funny moments throughout this book.

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FAVOURITE BOOK TO FILM ADAPTION OF THE YEAR

If I remember correctly, I think there is a book-to-film adaption for Oscar Wilde’s play The Importance of Being Earnest. However, I am going with The Book Thief’s film as I have not watched the other. I watched this film with my sister a while back and we both cried our eyes out. It was the second time I sat and sobbed about this story, so it definitely left its marks; those kind of stories are my favourite.

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FAVOURITE REVIEW WRITTEN THIS YEAR SO FAR

I only wrote one book review so far this year as I have not had the time to sit down and write my thoughts on the rest of the books I have read. Therefore, I am going my The Cousins book review which you can find by clicking on the link here.

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MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU’VE BOUGHT SO FAR THIS YEAR

House of Earth and Blood, How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories, His Dark Materials, Midwinter Murder, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue are all hardbacks I bought and they are all just so gorgeous in their own way that I simply cannot choose.

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BOOKS I NEED TO READ BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR

I am the most behind on my TBR than I ever was but a few books that I have been meaning to get to are: The Goldfinch, A Little Life and A Darker Shade of Magic, excluding this year’s new releases.

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That is it for my second mid-year book freak out tag. It has been fun answering all the questions and reflecting on what I have read and which books I still need to get to. University has been a big change in my life this year and it has been keeping me extremely busy. I have not had the chance to read the books I planned to and I barely posted on my bookstagram and blog in comparison to last year. Life has also been getting in the way of everything but I keep reminding myself that White Rose Stories is a hobby, so as long as I am doing the best I can and having fun, I am doing good.

Keep reading and never stop telling stories.

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