Quick Take: My Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag explores twelve books including my favourite 2022 read so far, a book that made me cry, and anticipated new releases. I also have a TBR list to read before 2023!
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The Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag was originally created by two BookTubers in 2012, Chami and Earl Grey Books. However, I discovered the tag from BookTuber Alexandra Roselyn.
For each question, I’ve made an effort to not repeat books and select books that aren’t a re-read. Beware, only two of the books in my cover photo are discussed in this post, since all the books I’ve read are back home 🙈.
Best book you’ve read so far in 2022?
I’ve read a lot of great books in 2022. However, my favourite read so far is a recent read: Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian! It’s a feminist Arthurian retelling that centres the perspectives of Elaine, Guinevere and Morgana.
The author does a fantastic job subverting and challenging the sexist archetypes which render Elaine the perfect woman for her docility, Guinevere traitor refusing to accept her lot as a broodmare and Morgana the personification of evil for daring to be the most powerful person in the legend.
The seamless narrative alternating between past, present and future allowed the author to lean into the legend’s well-known ending while building tension. Both the reader and the main character, Elaine, know how their story will end since Elaine is an Oracle. The story follows Elaine as she struggles to find a way to prevent their doomed future from occurring and balance her duty to protect “Arthur above all else” with her and her friends’ happiness.
You can read my full review on Goodreads here.
Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2022?
By my understanding, a sequel is the second book in a series that continues the plot from the first book. Therefore, any series that is comprised of standalone books (with different main characters in each book) were not considered for this question.
The best sequel I’ve read so far in 2022 is Save Me by Ashley N. Rostek because it was one of my most anticipated 2022 releases and lived up to my expectations – I gave it 5-stars.
This book is the 2nd in the WITSEC series, a romantic suspense reverse harem novel that follows Shiloh, in witness protection, hiding from her stalker who murdered her family two years ago. I loved how the romantic relationships developed and that the plot realistically documents Shiloh’s PTSD and healing.
New release you haven’t read yet, but want to?
The Red Palace by Jane Hur was released in January 2022 and is a book I desperately want to read. But, I keep putting off buying it partly because I tend to only buy books on Kindle when there’s a sale, or I want to read that book immediately. And, I haven’t been in the murder mystery mood lately (if I have, I read books I already owned instead).
That being said, The Red Palace has an intriguing premise. It’s a historical murder mystery with a hint of romance set in Joseon (Korea), 1758. The heroine, Hyeon, a palace nurse, must navigate dangerous court politics and find the murderer before her mentor is put to death for a murder they didn’t commit.
Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
Love Me by Ashley N. Rostek is my most anticipated release for the second half of 2022 because every book in the WITSEC series has been 5-stars.
I’m excited for the plot’s continuation and the romance to develop further. It’ll be nice for the main characters to be a bit more settled in their relationship. But, of course, I need answers after the cliffhanger of the last book, Save Me!
Biggest disappointment?
To me, the biggest disappointment means I had high expectations, which the book failed to meet. While I’ve rated books lower than the 2.75-stars I gave The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning, this book is the one that failed to live up to my expectations.
There was so much potential for this gender-bent, The Princess Bride-inspired story. I was unimpressed by the princess’s characterization. Since she was raised to be a warrior, I wanted her to take what she wanted. She felt very much like a pawn the whole book, which felt realistic for a princess but not a warrior princess in a fantasy novel.
Lastly, I felt the ending (no spoilers) contradicted the purpose of making this The Princess Bride-inspired story gender-bent. The Hero was supposed to be the damsel (and is in this book), but the reveals at the end suggest he will eventually be the “chosen one” of the series. (I haven’t read the rest of the series, so I can’t say for sure.)
Biggest surprise?
Unlike the biggest disappointment, the biggest surprise is a book I gave a high rating despite having low expectations when I started it.
To be honest, I had no expectations of Writers & Lovers by Lily King. I vaguely knew the book featured a love triangle as the main character, Casey, grieved her mother and tried to get her work-in-progress published. But, once I got into the book, I was impressed with how Casey’s grief and imposter syndrome were explored.
The subtle exploration and confrontation of sexism in the publishing and literary industry were amazing! I particularly enjoyed how sexism was teased out and subverted through the love triangle. Finally, it was incredibly heartwarming to read about a woman who refused to give up on her dream despite what society deems the socially acceptable path for a young woman. ☺️
Favourite new author (debut or new to you)?
My favourite new author has to be Amanda Quick, despite her books being hit or miss, because I’ve read eleven of her books in 2022.
Ravished by Amanda Quick was my favourite read in May 2022. I loved the beauty and the beast trope and how protective the quirky heroine was of the hero!
What I enjoy most about Amanda Quick’s historical romances are the quirky heroines and adventurous plots. Once I’m in the historical romance mood again, I’m sure I’ll continue to work my way through Amanda Quick’s backlist.
Newest fictional crush?
I left behind the days of crushing on fictional characters so I’m changing this prompt to my newest fictional ship!
I loved Marcus and Jamie in Heat Stroke by Tessa Bailey! The opposites attract romance was hilarious, adorable and sexy. The contrast between Jamie’s hot, long-suffering “strict professor” personality and Marcus, the golden retriever and himbo, was gold.
Newest favourite character?
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley was the young adult mystery that I wish I had read when I was younger. The book follows Daunis as she seeks to find a balance between her white and Ojibwe families.
Through the mystery, the author explores the contentious relationship between Indigenous communities and the government, the violence experienced by Indigenous women and the drug addiction crisis.
I loved how Daunis stayed true to herself and her priorities (her family and community) even in the face of meeting a hot boy. It’s sad that this character trait of Daunis’ is so rare in YA fiction.
A book that made you cry?
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi snuck up on me. I love character-driven books, so the fact that the mystery of how Vivek died was being slowly pieced together by the characters that loved them was compelling.
The book explores being queer in Nigeria and the joy and struggles of being genuine to yourself. However, secret-keeping and pressure to maintain an acceptable facade in your community kept Vivek’s mother from being able to accept her son’s death.
The ending – finding out how exactly Vivek died – was so heartbreaking. I didn’t think I would cry when reading this book, and then – bam – the last chapter 😭.
A book that made you happy?
I had a grin on my face while I was reading My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey. This book was grumpy/sunshine perfection, topped with some opposites-attract tension. It’s told from a dual perspective, so you get to see how far gone the Hero is for the Heroine despite his grumpy ways (he really did protest too much).
The mystery was also fun and had enough stakes that it didn’t come across as silly. I liked that the mystery also helped the Heroine grow out of her shell; she became someone who pursued what she wanted by the end of the book instead of waiting for it to come to her.
Warning: as always with Tessa Bailey’s books, this was a hella steamy read.
Most beautiful book you’ve bought this year (or received)?
The most beautiful book I’ve purchased so far in 2022 is a recent purchase! At Topping & Co in Scotland (which I visited in June), I discovered a special edition of You Made A Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi with the sprayed edges (as shown in the picture to the right).
The UK edition is gorgeous; the ring is gold foiled, and the nail detail is beautiful. It also comes with a built-in bookmark! I’m really excited to see whether I enjoy Akwaeke’s take on the romance genre!
What book(s) do you need to read by the end of the year?
January TBR: Buzzword Reading Challenge (Why in title)
There are a lot of books I want to read by the end of 2022 (like all the books I’ve purchased and haven’t yet read, or in other words, my Up Next Shelf).
However, there are 14 books I need to read because I’ve put them on my monthly to-be-read lists with no success. So far, I’ve read one book from this list, The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano by Donna Freitas, and really liked it (gave it 4-stars). It made me think. I’ve been “currently reading” The Five by Hallie Rubenhold since April, and I’ve read 22%. 💀
Quite a few of these are on my Summer TBR for my Summer BINGO reading challenge, so I’m hoping to knock them off the list before September.
• Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
• The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
• The House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
• Do Better by Rachel Rickets
• Beartown by Fredrik Backman
• No Exit by Taylor Adams
• The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano by Donna Freitas
• Know My Name by Chanel Miller
• Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
• Dune by Frank Herbert
• Beneath the Keep by Erika Johansen
• The Five: the Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold
• A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
• Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
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