“Mid-Year” Freak Out Book Tag 2020

Holy cats, book nerds!

It’s me, Taylor, doing a BOOK TAG. On my blog. For the first time since JULY OF 2019.

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I know! 😉 I can barely believe it myself! I’ve had a lot stressing me out recently, so working on this blog has been rather cathartic! And when I saw my homegirl Bex participating in this tag yesterday, I took it as my sign to do so as well! (By the way, if you aren’t following Bex, do yourselves a favor and click that link and hit that follow button!)Now I know we’re months past the mid-year mark, but I feel like time has lost all meaning since March so I’m allowing this tag to still go down. Plus, I put “mid-year” in quotes so I’m being accurate. Let’s just do this thing, shall we?

1) Best Book You’ve Read So Far

This is such a tough question because my answer probably varies by the day, but on this day — at this time — I’m going with One To Watch. Although I’m not a member of Bachelor nation (is that the right term??), I fell head-over-heels for this debut contemporary. It made me laugh, swoon, tear up, and cheer. It’s an incredibly quick read and one that makes me excited for future works from Stayman-London.

2) Best Sequel You’ve Read So Far

So this answer is 100 percent cheating because More Than Maybe is not a sequel. However, I haven’t read any sequels worthy of this prompt in 2020 and this is Hahn’s sophomore novel, which is basically the same thing. Okay, it’s not, but it’s close enough. I have been raving about this novel for weeks (see the link), so if you’ve been sleeping on this YA romance consider this your wake-up call.

3) A New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To

I promise I’m more shocked than you are that I’ve yet to read this romantic contemporary. I gave this book’s predecessor 5-Stars and have been so hyped for this companion novel. Especially since several of my bookish buds have said this blows Chloe’s book out of the water. My only excuse is that I don’t physically own a copy yet, but once I do this one will be devoured. Trust.

4) Your Most Anticipated Release For The Second Half Of 2020

Like the initial prompt, this answer varies on the daily. However, one title I know I’m pumped to read is The Inheritance Games. Being pitched as Knives Out meets Cinderella, this YA mystery seems like my ideal story. Filled with riddles, twists, and adventure, this is one thriller I can’t wait to read!

5) Biggest Disappointment

Ugh! This is such a mean prompt. But if I’m being honest, this one didn’t deserve the hype. In the same vein as How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days, this second-chance romance centers on a seemingly instaperfect couple that are trying to drive their partner away before their pending nuptials. Sounds wonderful, yes? I agreed for the first 10 percent or so. In fact, I was so in love I found myself audibly laughing out loud and was certain this would make my best of 2020 list. But once the “twist” is revealed we’re treated to insecure characters constantly saying TERRIBLE things to each other. Honestly it’s so cringey in moments I wondered why this relationship should even be salvaged. The couple does make a strong turnaround in the end, but we spent a lot of time driving the wrong way.

6) Biggest Surprise 

I should have known when my friends at Wednesday Books told me I’d like this Shakespearean retelling because I enjoyed Sadie, but I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. Providing a modern twist on Macbeth, Foul is Fair is dark, twisted, and full of poetic rage. Centered on an unapologetic female lead on a quest for vengeance, a ruthless coven, and the f**kboys they aim to destory, this dramatic YA adaptation was a refreshing and responsive read. It does tackle heavy themes though, so please click that link and check out the trigger warnings before picking this bad girl up.

7) Favorite New Author

I interpreted this prompt as favorite new-to-me author, which didn’t make this question any easier to answer. There’s several authors on my radar thanks to 2020 reads, but I ultimately went with Simone St. James. This was my first foray into the twisted works of St. James, and I was truly blown away. I was hooked from the first chapter of this spooky novel and couldn’t put it down until I knew all the secrets of The Sun Down Motel.

8) A Book That Made You Cry

Full disclosure: I’m an emotional reader and many books in 2020 have brought a tear or two to my eyes. And even though I knew from the prologue that this contemporary would bring the pain, I still spent the last 10 percent or so reading through an onslaught of constant tears. I’d like to say it’s because I stayed up way past my bedtime and was thus delirious, but deep down I know the sappy truth. You Were There Too put my emotions through the ringer — especially given its “open” ending — but the concept was unlike anything I’ve ever read. If you’re a fan of The Two Lives of Lydia Bard or In Five Years, you might want to give this book a go. It should be standard practice, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t request looking at the trigger warnings for this one in advance.

9) A Book That Made You Happy

I absolutely adored the originality and work-place setting of this September release, and I cannot wait for more people to get their hands on Danan’s debut. Although it seems fun and flirty from that bubblegum cover art, this sex-positive romcom tackles real-life prejudices and social stigmas while giving readers a cast of underdogs to cheer for. I’ll be sharing my full review for The Roommate on my blog closer to its publication date, but you can get a sneak peek here! This romance has already been optioned for screen rights, so I’m clearly not alone in finding my happy in this title.

10) Favorite Book-To-Movie Adaptation You Saw In 2020

To be honest, I’ve never read the source material for this movie so I’m not sure if it’s a solid adaptation. In fact, knowing Hollywood, I’m certain it’s veered far away from the content of Wells sci-fi classic. However, The Invisible Man was a movie hubby and I rented during quarantine that pleasantly surprised us both with its shocking twists and turns. I mean we knew the big stuff, but some of those pop outs! Y’all, they got us good!

11) Favorite Review You’ve Written So Far This Year

I can’t say if this is my best review of the year, but it is one I thoroughly enjoyed writing because the book caught me by surprise. The Caretakers is an atmospheric thriller that I never would have picked up had it not been for the blog tour I was pitched by Texas-based Lone Star Book Blog Tours. And I’m so thankful they reached out and got this twisted mystery into my hands. I was beyond impressed with Maxwell’s attention to detail and I think the fangirling is clear in my final review, which you can read via the above link.

12) The Most Beautiful Book You’ve Purchased So Far This Year

I’ve been blessed with some absolute beauties in 2020, but I think Illumicrate’s exclusive foiled edition of The Court of Miracles reigns supreme. Between the sprayed edges, gilded naked hardback, and author’s digital signature, this Les Mis-inspired fantasy is just next-level pretty.

**The last one was “What Books Do You Need To Read By The End of 2020?” and I simply have too many to list so we’re 86ing that question!**

I did it y’all! I finished a book tag! And I think I provided some pretty entertaining answer, yes? Let me know if you’ve done this tag (as I’m sure it was months ago), so I can check out your answers. Also let me know what you think of my selections below! That’s all for now, y’all! 

And, as always: Happy reading!

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