For What It's Worth


Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Mid-Year Freak Out Tag

BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ IN 2019



With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo – Such a fresh take on YA. Rooted in reality, real life issues, a fierce heroine and rounded out by great supporting characters and food descriptions that will make you drool. Also very little romance – it’s there but not the focus.

BEST SEQUEL YOU’VE READ IN 2019


In a total shock to me – I’ve only read a few sequels this year. I’m steering clear of series lately so my pick was the cute little novella – As Kismet Would Have It by Sendhya Moon.  This follows up on Dimple & Rishi, who have very differing ideas about marriage and what that means for their future. I loved seeing this discussed in YA!

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


This is hard – I haven’t been paying attention to new releases, instead reading backlist titles. I’ going to pick two that Shannon from It Starts at Midnight reviewed recently – The Wilder Girls by Rory Power & The Last Word by Samantha Hastings.

MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF 2019



I may not be paying attention to upcoming books too much but there are two that I’m DYING to read!

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black – if it sucks I will cry & Ninth house by Leigh Bardugo – I hope it’s as creepy as they say.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT



The Girl in red by Christina Henry. I’ve been wanting to try her books for a long time and I thought for sure this was up my alley and everyone LOOOOVED it, but I barely made it through.


BIGGEST SURPRISE



The Dreamer series by Adriana Herrera. I read these based on Olivia’s Catastrophe’s reviews expecting the usual romance tropes but was wowed by how well written and complex this series is. Herrara does this neat little thing where she gives the couple a HFN early on and then makes them work for it! Diverse characters, wonderful family and friends – I just adore it! And it was fantastic on audio!

FAVORITE NEW TO YOU OR DEBUT AUTHOR

Hands down – Elizabeth Acevedo. I was blown away by  the intensity of The Poet X and then by the lighter, but no less impactful, With the Fire on High. You must read her books on audio because Acevedo’s narration takes things to the next level!

NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH

via GIPHY

Ummmm….I don’t get fictional crushes but I adored Emoni from With the Fire on High and Nesto from American Dreamer. Both have so much integrity and perseverance – moving forward despite the odds.

NEWEST FAVORITE CHARACTER

See above!

BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY


via GIPHY

I’m a cold hearted bitch – I rarely cry. The Poet X, and The Fever King by Victoria Lee got me pretty close though. What the children went through in those two books broke my heart.

BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY


The ending was a bit of a dud for me – but The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren made me laugh and smile most of the time so I’ll go with that one.

FAVORITE BOOK TO FILM ADAPTATION


I don’t really watch them so I’ll stick with Love, Simon which I did a re-watch of last month and love.

FAVORITE POST YOU'VE DONE THIS YEAR

Another tough question for me – I’m a pantser – so I write them at the last minute and then mostly forget what I wrote soon after lol

I enjoy doing the Tell Me Something Tuesday posts because I get to vent a little, people tend to comment on them more and I love hearing other blogger pov’s

I also like random posts where I talk about things outside of books.

*Note: I'm horrible at self promotion, as you can see.

MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU'VE BOUGHT THIS YEAR



I haven’t bought many books but Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig is gorgeous and bright in person.

I didn’t buy it (I received it for review) but The Fever King is STUNNING!

BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR

All of them???? lol

I’ve been tackling my TBR for over a year now. I started at about 149 physical books and I’m down to about 50. (moving cross country does a real good job cutting that number down. You’re welcome for the influx of donated books FL library. lol)

Here's my full Goodreads list of what I read for 2019 so far.

And my reading challenge progress:

2019 Reading Challenge

2019 Reading Challenge
Karen has read 42 books toward her goal of 50 books.
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33 comments:

  1. I need to read all the books by the end of this year too. It's amazing how successful discussion posts are, but man, it hurts my head sometimes trying to think of topics. Acevedo is an amazing edition to the YA community. Both her books were solid hits for me, and CLo continue to make me happy and make me laugh, which is everything to me

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    1. Reviews just aren't as popular even though that's what we do :-( I think people just like venting lol

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  2. The Unhoneymooners is definitely one of my favorites so far this year!

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    1. I'm totally into light & fluffy - preferably funny!

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  3. Seems your faves so far have mostly been contemporary? We talked about The Fever King, but I didn't realize it made you so emotional! I feel like there's a good chance I'm not gonna love The Girl in Red either, but I have some hope I'll like Lost Boy, so maybe I should try that Henry book first lol even though I'd still like to read Girl in Red.

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    1. True - even though I've been reading more fantasy lately thanks to audio. It will be interesting to see what the 2nd half of the year looks like.

      I just felt really sad for Dara. There was no escape for him.

      I'm definitely going to try something else by Henry. I felt like Girl in Red was the right book for me to start with but I hear her writing is different with the other books so maybe they are a better fit.

      I had the same issue with Seanan McGuirre.

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  4. Quote: "I’m a cold hearted bitch".
    😂 Me too, if it helps...

    Quote: "*Note: I'm horrible at self promotion, as you can see".
    That's why I toot your trumpet once a month LOL.
    Just kidding - I love your approach to discussion posts. You don't overthink the subject, but you always manage to be both honest and helpful...and funny.

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    1. You are my biggest cheerleader! Both for my posts and general moral support.

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  5. I don't cry often at books... I feel all the feels but it's rare liquid escapes the peepers. However, The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros WRECKED ME earlier this year and reminded me why I don't like reading books that make me feel TOO much, lol. It was brutal.

    The "get back in here and love me" gif is perfect, lol. I get way too involved with fictional characters... :)

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    1. It takes so much to get to me. My brain knows it's not real lol

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  6. I want to read As Kismet Would Have It so badly! Ninth House is one I want to read as soon as it releases! I really want to watch Love, Simon. Everyone praises the movie.
    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

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    1. It was very cute and VERY short!!! I'm not sure if you have to buy it or it's a freebie but get it from the library if it's not.

      I really liked Love, Simon. One of the few book to movie translations that (I've seen) I liked.

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  7. I'm an emotional wimp-I cry at TV shows, Films, adverts, sporting events, books...pathetic! I'm such a soft touch for stuff like that! I do enjoy this kind of tag...it helps me think about the standard of reading this year and what I've read.

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    1. I wish I could have more feelings sometimes. I'm so damn practical lol

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  8. I need to read As Kismet Would Have It. I really did like When Dimple Met Rishi. You've totally talked me into reading the Dreamers series, as you know, so hopefully I can get to those soon. I love the cover for The Fever King - so pretty! I still need to read The Poet X but I'm glad you loved it.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I liked Kismet because YA tends to make you think that teens just run off into the sunset together forever. They DID stay together but discussing the future and marriage is rare.

      I really think you'll love the Dreamers series! And The Poet X is amazing.

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  9. I keep seeing this tag around! Fun. :)

    Wilder Girls is one I really want to get, it has crept its way onto my radar haha after seeing so many good reviews!

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    1. At first no one was doing it but it seems to be taking off now! I love looking back at what I read because I forget it all so easily lol

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  10. I haven't read any of those but what a fun post.

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  11. I haven't read With The Fire on High as yet but absolutely love Elizabeth Acevedo! The Poet X still remains one of my favourite reads. So powerful and would be amazing to see books like that as part of the school curriculum rather than stuffy long dead authors that are no longer relevant.

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  12. This is a fun tag! I really want to read the American Dreamers series and The Unhoneymooners, I'm glad you liked them. I love that you donate your books, that is something I need to do a better job of this year

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    1. My poor library. I know they like books but I literally overflowed the carts before I moved lol

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  13. I've seen With the Fire on high a few places but now I'm making sure I read it sometime this year if it's your favourite. And I so need to read The Dreamer series, I've heard so many good things from so many people! I will have to treat myself, or convince my library to get them.

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  14. I really want to read The Queen of Nothing and Wilder Girls. So many great books out there. Your midyear update was fun. :)
    ~Jess

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  15. I totally agree with With the Fire On High! I have a tie though, I also loved Have You Seen Luis Velez? 👍✨

    I'm really curious about Ninth House. 📚

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    1. I'm really hoping Ninth House is as creepy as everyone is saying.

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  16. A lot of bloggers are mentioning With the Fire on High on this tag. I think I'll have to take a look at it. :) I'm so excited about Ninth House too.

    Happy readings! ;)
    Tânia @MyLovelySecret

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    1. I adore Acevedo and wish she would narrate everything lol

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