2020 Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag

meltotheanyAside

MidYearBookTag
The original tag was created by ReadLikeWildfire and Earl Grey Books!

Hello, friends! I know, it’s been a while. And I have very sadly not been the best blogger this entire year, but I truly hope to change that, and come back to a place in the book community that has always made me feel very safe. I hope you will see so much more content here from me, while I also hopefully remember how to write in-depth reviews again! But I thought this would be the perfect start to kick blogging back off, while also letting you know what I’ve read so far during this wild year that is 2020.  💗

So far in 2020, I’ve read 46 books

➽ 1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2020:
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Yeah, truly no one (including my damn self) would have guessed a Victoria Schwab book would be my favorite of 2020 as of now, but here we are. This was just utter perfection, one of the best things I’ve ever read. I am still in awe of the beauty of this book and I think it’s gonna be a hard one for any other book to top this year!
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➽ 2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020:
Chain of Gold (The Last Hours #1) by Cassandra Clare
I get that this feels a little like cheating, because it is the start of a brand new series! But since it is the 500th Shadowhunter book, and you need to read 200 books before this one, I still feel confident putting it as my favorite sequel! Also, this is the only “sequel” I’ve read (and not reread) that I’ve given five stars to!
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➽ 3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to:
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
This has almost every key-word I’ve ever want in the synopsis, and Station Eleven is one of my favorite books of all time. I truly cannot believe I haven’t picked this up yet! 
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➽ 4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year:
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories (The Folk of the Air #3.5) by Holly Black
Are we really surprised? I might be a bit depressed but I can still stay on brand easily.
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➽ 5. Biggest disappointment:
Docile by K.M. Szpara
This book just made me feel so uncomfortable when it came to horribly unbalanced power dynamics (and romance) and with how people of color were treated and written.
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➽ 6. Biggest surprise:
The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins
Yeah, without question, the biggest surprise of my 2020 reading year has been the fact that The Hunger Games is still deserving of a five star rating. Truly perfection. Wow.
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➽ 7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you):
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
I actually think about lowering this rating to a 4 star a lot, but I still think that it is probably the best debut that I’ve read in 2020 so far!
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➽ 8. Newest fictional crush:
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone
This was the first book I read this new decade and I think it will be a favorite forever. Easily the best 2019 release and I regret not reading it in 2019, truly. As for fictional crush, I feel like I am more in love with the writing and the feeling of true love on every page of this story. But Red and Blue are very much romance goals too.

➽ 9. Newest favorite character:
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
Everyone, literally every character in this book is my favorite new character of 2020! This is my second favorite book of the year so far, and I am still smiling like an idiot thinking about it. I honestly think this could also be my favorite found family of all time. Truly, some of the best written characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading! 

➽ 10. Book that made you cry:
The City We Became (Great Cities #1) by N.K. Jemisin
No one, and I mean no one, writes like NK Jemisin. The emotions that she is able to pull and evoke from me is unreal. The parallels and underlying messages from our world bring me so many tears of sadness, but the hope and beauty of what we can have brings me so many tears of hope. This book is a work of art in every way and I truly wish I could put it in everyone’s hands. Masterpiece. My 3rd favorite of 2020! 

➽ 11. Book that made you happy:
The Tea Dragon Tapestry (Tea Dragon #3) by Katie O’Neill
At this point in my life, I’m unsure if any series will bring me as much joy as this one does. I love the art, the story, the messages, the characters, and everything else so much!

➽ 12. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received):
Chain of Gold (The Last Hours #1) by Cassandra Clare (Waterstones Edition)
I’ve truly only bought 2 books this year, but honestly… both are gorgeous!
(what even is this picture though? lmaoshfjddshk!)

➽ 13. What book(s) do you need to read by the end of the year?:
Horrid by Katrina Leno | These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong | The Lost Book of the White (The Eldest Curses #2) by Cassandra Clare & Wesley Chu
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➽ 14. Favorite book community member:
My original reviewing friends who I would die for: Chai | May | Elise | Ju | Imi
My book club hosts who I love more than words: Amy | Romie | Maëlys
My best friend who makes everything so much brighter: Lea
I’d also just like to thank you if you’re reading this post and if you’ve supported me and my reviews for the last few years of my life. Your unconditional love and support never went unnoticed and they are such a great source of comfort to me right now in this strange period of my life. I love you, with everything that I am, truly, honestly, with my whole entire heart. Thank you.


Whew, okay! It really felt healing just to write up this post and look forward to posting it! I hope you’re all well. I hope this first half of 2020, strange as it is, has treated you kindly, but I hope the last half of the year is even nicer to you and your reading! If you would like to see, HERE is my 2019 tag, HERE is my 2018 tag and HERE is my 2017 tag! 💗

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77 thoughts on “2020 Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag”

  2. Hey, I love you so much and you make everything so much brighter too 🥺💜
    the fictional crush answer had me in SHAMBLES BUT FACTS ONLY!!! 😭😭
    Also… still can’t believe Addie LaRue is at the top… right there… as the best book you’ve read so far this year. KICKING DEM “I think it’s like a 2 star but I’m giving it 3 stars” nightmares IN THE BUTTTTTTT!!! That, personally, is my biggest surprise. If I were to do this tag, that’s what I’d answer hehehe.
    I love you more than love. Forever and always. I am so excited to read blog posts from you again and I truly cannot express enough, how incredibly proud of you I am 🥺💜 I know I said 2020 will be our year.. and man, it’s been quite the different journey than I had expected in sooo many ways but.. I still believe, it’s just been taking its time 💜

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    1. oh… looks like im crying over you on all platforms. how did i get lucky enough to have you in my life, lea? how? this whole tag a bit of a love letter to you, aye? hahaha. it makes me happy though. i still think 2020 is our year… truly. growing? growing beside you? loving you more and more? its a good year, bby. but 2021 hopefully will have a bit more rights. hahaha! i love you. 💗xx

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  3. Ooh I didn’t realise the second eldest curses book was out! I love your description of chain of gold as a sequels as well! Sounds like you’re having a really good reading year so far – hope it continues!

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  5. Hi lady!! I miss your face!!! I am so looking forward to Horrid and These Violent Delights, too! I haven’t read Addie LaRue yet but I have the ARC and it will be my first book by her so I’m excited to see you loved it. And YES to Cerulean Sea. That was such an emotional read and review to write!

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  7. Love your journal spread!! (: I’ve been wanting to reread The Hunger Games forever now, so this blog post definitely encouraged me to get moving on it. Can’t wait to follow your reading and reviews for the next half of the year!! 🥰

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  9. Hey Melanie,

    I wish you’d come back to Youtube. No pressure though. I have a couple of faves; The Ten Thousand doors of January, Flashback, This is how you lose the time war, the raven boys, the signature of all things, the austen playbook and skipping a beat

    I loved the house on the cerulean sea, too. Lucie<3 But though I gave My dark Vanessa 4 stars I actually don't think it's all that well-written

    It's been a hard year; I feel my depression nibbling at me and swirling around me. I love you. Hope to see you soon..

    I'm looking forward to Carden POV too, though I'm honestly not the biggest fan of that series, sorry!
    Xx Vi

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    1. i still might, bby. i still might. just need to think a month or so longer! hehe! i love these favorites! let me add the one i havent read and loved to my tbr! muahaha! sending you so much, sweetheart. 💗xx

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  12. Welcome back! ❤ I love the journal at the end – how lovely! And I'm so glad you enjoyed Addie so much. I'm picking that up this month and am so excited I could scream lmao. I hope you enjoy your return to your blog and that it gives you a nice, safe creative outlet. 💖

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  14. i love you so very much, and seeing you both in my reader and my notifications brought the biggest smile to my face! i know i’m going to love addia larue because you loved it, and i can’t wait 🖤 (and i miss our goodreads ogs group chat so much!)

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  19. i’m so glad you’re back, and i adored reading this post, Melanie!! i was already highly anticipating addie larue because i like v.e. schwab’s books, but the fact that it’s your favorite book of the year so far makes me even more excited to pick it up 😭

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  20. so happy to see you back! ❤ i also chose Kate Elizabeth Russell as my favorite new author, idk if you follow her on instagram but i really love her presence there. 🙂

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  21. Ahhh welcome back, we missed you! 💜 i am so glad we agree on Docile – that book really made me feel bad. I cannot wait to read some of the books you mentioned (and I cannot wait to see more of your name in my timeline here!)

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  23. MEL ❤ it's been forever but i really appreciated being mentioned on this post, and i hope you're doing well! (also dm me, i miss you!)

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  24. This is my first time logging on to WordPress in… how many months? But I knew I had to once you posted. I’m so proud of you for blogging and rediscovering your love of reading. And I’m still in awe how much you loved Addie Larue! Makes me 1000x more excited to read it! I know this year has been weird and yuck in many ways for us, but it’s also been such a blessing for me to have you in my life, along every step of the way! Where would I be without you. Like I could cry just knowing I was all alone in the hospital and not allowed visitors and I was so thankful you were just a phone call away 💜 thank you for being there for me. Ok I’m getting emo but I love you and can’t wait to read more blog posts bb xx ❤️

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    1. i didn’t expect to cry… amy… please… my heart… i love you. i swear on everything, i will always be here for you. all the adventures… blogging, books, bts,…. pho… LMAO, everything. So thankful for you, and so blessed to call you my friend and partner in SO many things in this life. Is it 2021 yet? I love you, I love you, I love you. 💗💗💗

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  25. I absolutely loved your Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag post! I’m taking July off to focus on my WIP for Camp NaNo, but you definitely helped me to add a few more books on my TBR pile! 💖
    Have a lovely weekend, Mel!

    P.S.: Your ASMR videos are EVERYTHING! 😍😍😍

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      1. Aww thanks Mel! 😊 I would love to send you my debut novel, Guardian of the Auras, if you’re interested in reading a NA High Fantasy novel, that’s inspired by the Greek myth of Pandora’s box and has some serious GoT, Furyborn and ToG vibes. 🔥

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  26. Seeing this post made me so happy!! Sending you all the love, Mel.💗Ahh, I have a hold on The House in the Cerulean Sea right now so hearing that it was one of your top favorites of year so far makes me really happy and even more excited to read it.

    Also– I’ve been watching your ASMR unboxing videos and I just wanted to thank you for them, because they are so relaxing and have been helping me destress a lot. xx

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    1. this comment made me so happy, sweet friend. i bet you end up loving cerulean sea so much… such a happy and hopeful read! ahhh! and… thank you for these words. they mean everything to me, truly. sending you so much love. 💗

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  27. Great post and welcome back to the bloggingsphere 👋
    I’ve never read a V.E. Schwab book before but The Invisible life of Addie Larue sounds really intriguing and I can’t wait to pick up Horrid when its released 💜💜💜

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  28. If you find time and energy, I would love to read a full-length Addie Larue review. As someone else who has never liked Schwab’s other works, I’m torn. All of the buzz so far has been glowing, but Schwab has a legion of fans whose opinions I don’t trust. Would love to know what it was about this books in particular that won you over. Schwab has a habit of doing the NoT liKe ThE oThEr GiRlS ~~ schtick, and I fail to see how this latest book is different?

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    1. i promise i’ll do a full length review for it because i am still so surprised @ myself! hahaha! its truly just so different, and the plot (which i always think is a bit lacking in schwab’s work) was there and amazing the whole time? and 100% the best writing and one lines she has EVER done! ahhhhh! i promise, full soon soon soon! i hope you’re well, and having happy reading currently! 💕xx

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      1. 👀 Yay! Thank you, thank you! Definitely trust your opinion more than the Scwab stans. Hope you are holding up under these difficult times as well. 💙💫💜✨

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  29. Welcome back! ✨ I have missed seeing your content! 💜
    The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue sounds so freaking amazing. I’m so glad that you loved it! I can’t wait for it to come out. 😀 All of Katie O’Neill’s graphic novels are heartwarming and adorable. The cover for These Violent Delights is beyond gorgeous, in general that book just sounds fantastic!

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  30. Pingback: Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag 2020 – jordan andrew
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