2021 Mid Year Freak Out

It’s super close to the official middle of 2021 and today I’m here with the Mid Year Freak Out Tag. This is a tag I always say I’m going to do, but then forget to actually do it in advance and then feel like it’s too late to do it. While searching for the questions, I found a set that Paper Fury uses and I really loved them so that’s what I decided to use as well.

If you’d like to use the original questions, here they are:

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2019
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2019
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
5. Biggest disappointment
6. Biggest surprise
7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
8. Newest fictional crush
9. Newest favorite character
10. Book that made you cry
11. Book that made you happy
12. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
13.What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
14. Favorite book community member

1. HOW MUCH HAVE YOU READ?

This year I decided to make my Goodreads goal 250 books. This is an increase from last year, which was 200, but I was hopeful with that number. My goal was to hit 125 by the end of June to hit the halfway mark and I have been pleasantly surprised that I blew over that! I’m currently at 219 books read so I’ll definitely hit 250 before July is over. I don’t think I will increase my goal because I like to see how much I’ve read over my initial goal.

This year, I’ve definitely taken a different approach to reading than I did in 2019 and 2020. I’m picking up more adult books instead of focusing mostly on young adult, I’m reading the romances that I want to, and overall just enjoying my reading a lot more than in previous year.

2. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN READING?

I have a pie chart for that! I’m a stat tracker and love the spreadsheet I made for myself this year. I simplified it so much for 2021 and it has been a breeze to keep updated compared to previous years.

Contemporary: 148 (67.6%)
Fantasy: 31 (14.2%)
SciFi: 3 (1.4%)
Mystery/Thriller: 1 (0.5%)
Historical: 8 (3.7%)
Paranormal: 27 (12.3%)
Memoir: 1 (0.5%)

3. BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2021

After reading 219 books already in 2021, it’s so hard to pick just one favorite. Instead, here are my top 3 from the first half of 2021:

4. BEST SEQUEL YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2021

Hands down, this would be The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout for me. I had been anticipating this one for quite a while and it didn’t disappoint at all.

5. NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET, BUT WANT TO

Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales! I absolutely loved Only Mostly Devastated and I can’t believe I still have yet to read her newest book. It’s high on my priority list before summer is over though!

6. MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR

I’m so excited for A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout. This book is set in the same world as From Blood and Ash but happens before that book. It’s supposed to answer questions we have after the end of The Crown of Gilded Bones and I can’t wait to read this one.

7. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn. I read this after binge watching the show a couple times and was so disappointed in the book. Even knowing about what happens later on in the book, I still found myself disappointed with it. Luckily I’ve enjoyed the other Bridgerton books so much more than the first book and can’t wait to finish the last few I have yet to read.

8. BIGGEST SURPRISE

Madison Kate series! I’ve come to realize this year that I’m not as much of a young adult reader as I used to be. I still love reading young adult when I’m in the mood for it, but the majority of my reading has been adult books this year. Stemming from this, I’ve been reading a lot of reverse harem. I picked up this series on a whim because of a TikTok and quickly fell in love. I wasn’t expecting a ton because I had been reading tons of reverse harem books, but this one is so good! The audio books are just as amazing and are done in a way I’ve never heard before and I really loved that about it.

9. NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR (DEBUT OR NEW TO YOU)

TATE JAMES! I discovered her this year because of TikTok and I’m so very glad. Her books have some killer cliffhangers, but she writes so well. If you’re a fan of reverse harem books, I highly recommend her Madison Kate series. Her sequel series to Madison Kate, Hades, is just as amazing, but is currently not finished.

10. UNDERRATED GEMS YOU’VE DISCOVERED RECENTLY

Follow Your Arrow by Jessica Verdi! This book is so underrated and talks about so many important things! It’s definitely one I want to reread before 2021 is over.

11. REREADS THIS YEAR

I haven’t reread a ton of books this year, but the few I have are the Madison Kate series, the Dark Elements series, and Red, White & Royal Blue.

12. BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY

Books don’t typically make me cry so unfortunately I don’t have an answer for this one.

13. BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY

This is another hard one! Books in general make me happy so it’s easy to say all of them. For this I would have to say Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean if I had to just pick one. I really enjoyed my time reading this one and can’t wait to read more from this author!

14. MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU’VE BOUGHT SO FAR THIS YEAR (OR RECEIVED)

The Crown of Gilded Bones is my answer for this one too! I honestly haven’t bought many books this year, but this one is one of my favorites that I have gotten. I really enjoy the covers for these books and can’t wait to see what the next one will look like.

15. GOALS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR

This one is a hard one for me. I started the year out with several goals and so far have failed at all of them I’m pretty sure (that’s something I need to go back and check!). I think my main goal for the rest of this year is to keep reading things I enjoy. I spent the past couple of years forcing myself to read hyped books and ended up slumping a lot of the time. I enjoy romance books and since focusing on reading what I love, I’ve enjoyed my reading so much more so far this year.

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How are you doing so far in 2021?