Tag | Mid-Year Book Freakout 2017

This tag has been everywhere lately and having done it for the past two years, it seemed only right to carry on the tradition this year. I have had a really great reading year so far, much better than last year, having read some great books and staying ahead of my Goodreads goal for the most part. I don't actually know who created this tag as there seem to be a few different versions of it, but I will be doing the same version I have done in both 2016 and 2015.

1. Best Book You've Read So Far In 2017

I have only given one book 5 stars so far this year, other than one that was a reread, so this is a pretty easy question. It takes a lot for me to give out 5 stars but I absolutely loved Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne. I know a lot of people really didn't like this but I found it so much fun to read and really enjoyed it.

2. Best Sequel You've Read So Far In 2017

I haven't read a lot of sequels so far this year but of the few I have read Perfect by Cecelia Ahern has been my favourite. This is the second and final book in the Flawed duology, Cecelia Ahern's first YA series. I didn't love it as much as the first book but I did really enjoy it and thought it was a good conclusion to the duology.

3. New Release You Haven't Read Yet But Want To

There are a few but one of my most anticipated books of the year was By Your Side by Kasie West. I bought this as soon as it was available but it is still sitting on my bookshelves yet to be picked up.

4. Most Anticipated Release For The Second Half Of The Year

This is so easy! There's Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins is probably my most anticipated book of the year. I adore Stephanie Perkins and can't wait to read something a bit different from her. I have this one on pre-order already.

5. Biggest Disappointment

I hate to say this because I so badly wanted to love it but this is definitely Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. I have really liked everything else I have read from Rainbow Rowell and had heard so many people claim this as their favourite of her books, but I really did not like it. I didn't understand the hype at all.

6. Biggest Surprise

I would probably have to say Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry for this. I did expect to like this series until I read some not-so-great reviews from people whose opinions I trust. I ended up going into this book not really sure what to expect and I really loved it.

7. Favourite New Author

In terms of new-to-me author I would probably say Jojo Moyes as I read Me Before You and liked it much more than I was expecting to. I have only read this one book from her but I would like to read more in the future.

As for a 'new author' in terms of a debut author, I read Karen McManus' debut One Of Us Is Lying and was very impressed. I have quite often been disappointed by the debut novels I have read and though I didn't love this book, it was very well written and made me want to read more from her.

8. Newest Fictional Crush

To name names would be a bit of a spoiler but I have completely fallen in love with the love interest in PS I Like You by Kasie West. He was adorable and made my heart do all sorts of fluttery things.

9. Newest Favourite Character

This is easily Scorpius Malfoy from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne. I want him to be my best friend and have him be his happy, cheerful self to brighten my days.

10. Book That Made You Cry

A lot of the books I have read have made me tear up, especially those with very emotional plots. The book that made me ugly cry in public is not the most emotional book I have read this year but obviously something hit me right in the feels. Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry had me hiding behind my sunglasses as I was sobbing away by the pool.

11. Book That Made You Happy

This is a hard one, I've read a lot of books that made me happy. The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West definitely made me happy since it's an adorable story by one of my favourite authors.

12. Favourite Book To Movie Adaptation You Saw This Year

I haven't read the book yet but I watched the adaptation of Nerve, adapted from the book by Jeanne Ryan, without knowing it was adaptation. I really loved this movie, even know I'm not usually a fan of Emma Roberts. 

13. Favourite Review/Post You've Done This Year

I have started doing more discussion posts this year, though not so many recently, and have really enjoyed them. I think my favourite post so far was my discussion about the negative reviews of Me Before You, not because of what I said specifically, but because I shared my thoughts despite worrying what people would think or say about it.

14. Most Beautiful Book You've Bought So Far This Year

I really love the cover of The Sun Is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon. I didn't love the book but Nicola Yoon has such beautiful book covers.

15. Books You NEED To Read By The End Of 2017

All my Around The Year In 52 Books challenge books? Ideally I would like to read all of the books mentioned in my Around The Year plans post but if not I would like to make progress with the series mentioned at least.

I've had some hits and misses to far this year but it definitely seems to be more hits. I'm really hoping I can keep reading as much as I have been even though I know things are going to get crazy busy in the next half of the year. I guess we'll just have to see how the year goes.

What is the best book you've read so far this year?

Sophie :)