Hello Bookworms, I’ve been having one of the best reading years I’ve ever had. I’m reading so so so many genres, have already hit some of the goals I put for myself in terms of types of authors and books I wanted to read, and I’ve already had a few five stars! I’ve decided to do the mid-year check-in tag, even though it may be a little late. Let me know if you’d like an individual review for some of the books I mention(I’ll indicate if I’m already working on one).
How much have you read?
So far, I’ve read approximately 170 books(give or take a few I’ll read by the time this is published). The goal I set for myself was 200, and it seems as though I’ll be passing it in no time! Typically, I set my goals to 150, but with the number of library books I’ve read this year(physical and digital), it’s really boosted the pace of my reading.
What have you been reading?
I’m a contemporary girl at heart, but I aspired to read more diversely than I was this year. I’ve read a ton of non-fiction(gradually becoming one of my favourite genres), contemporary romances and plenty of adult fiction.
Best Book you’ve read so far in 2021
I hate the creator of this tag for making this a question. I am not good at picking favourites! But I will list a few because I cannot possibly pick just ONE. And just another reminder, I will be writing a full review for We Are The Weather, When Breath Becomes Air, Villains Duology, Where the Crawdads Sing and more depending!
So here they are below (in no particular order) :











Best Sequel you’ve read so far in 2021
Vengeful takes the cake with this one! It’s one of my favourite reads of 2021 and is the sequel to Villians. Namesake is another really strong sequel, the sequel to Fable.
New Release you haven’t read yet, but want to
I’m not sure if this exactly qualifies as a new release because it came out in 2020. I STILL have yet to read Legendborn or These Violent Delights, both of which I have heard such good things of.
Most Anticipated Release for the second half of the year
The first one that comes to find is Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World…guys….this book is one of my ABSOLUTE favourites. I read this many many years ago and I was astonished by how beautiful it is. AND I GOT APPROVED FOR AN ARC?! I genuinely almost cried when I got the email.
Biggest Disappointment
Being disappointed by a book is one of the worst feelings ever. But it’s even worse when it’s a book you had such high expectations for. And that’s got to be Ninth House. The journey I’ve been on with this book has been a dull and depressing ride. I bought this…my first mistake. I ordinarily don’t buy books that are hyped on bookstagram or by blogs, but FOR SOME REASON…I bought this one on my e-reader in November 2019. I then ~attempted~ reading it. I tried starting this book so many times I’ve lost count. I don’t think I’ve ever made it past the third chapter, and a few months ago I finally admitted to myself that I will not be finishing this book.
Biggest Surprise
Possibly the biggest surprise for me is how much I enjoyed reading the “Off-Campus” series by Elle Kennedy, specifically The Score (the third book) is one that I am obsessed with. I did not expect the books to be this addicting, but it truly feeds into my love for the college trope. Another surprise is The Hating Game. I read this one in 2020 and gave it two stars, something about the ending just really irked me, but for some reason in one of the lockdowns when I was clearly delusional I decided to reread it. Turns out…I love it now? Don’t ask me to elaborate as I could not tell you why, but three words….enemies to lovers…
Favourite New Author (debut or new to you)
Jonathan Safran Foer!! Jonathan Safran Foer!! Jonathan Safran Foer!! Jonathan Safran Foer!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND YET??? THIS MAN IS INCREDIBLE. I fell in love with his non-fiction books, they completely align with my views on climate change and factory farms, and turns out he writes beautiful fiction? That’s it. I love him.
Newest Fictional Crush
Dean from the Off Campus series….are you reading….contact me asap please and thanks.
Newest Favourite Character
I’ve always loved Nesta, but the release of ACOSF really cemented this for me. She’s my queen : girlboss, gatekeep and gaslight ♡
Books that made you cry
So so many. I started full-on bawling when reading When Breath Becomes Air, Where the Crawdads Sing and Lovely War.
Book that made you happy
First of all, I love this question. As a girl that loves her sad books, I really need to read more happy books. But a few that did make me happy are, It Sounded Better in my Head, Kiss my Cupcake and my reread of Throne of Glass!
The Most Beautiful Book you’ve bought so far (or received)
Although I do admire beautiful covers(you all know), I don’t typically buy a book just because of that. But this one is an obvious answer. I received the special edition of Mythology by Edith Hamilton and it is…..so so gorgeous. I adore mythology and this beautiful hardcover just elevates the reading experience so much.
What Books do you Need to Read by the end of the year
Don’t hurt me, guys…The Poppy War….I’ve been saying that I’m going to read it since September…will I ever? That’s a secret I’ll never tell.
Favourite Book to Movie Adaptation you’ve seen this year
I’ve surprisingly seen a few this year! I saw the obvious Shadow and Bone show, one I wasn’t too impressed by(but Ben Barnes please call me)…Another is the Pride and Prejudice adaptation, and I truly don’t see all the hype. I did adore the soundtrack, but the movie was just so dull, don’t kill me😭. But, I do think that if I rewatch it in the future my opinion will change.
You have read so many! Vengeful is still on my TBR but I do love Where the Crawdads Sings too 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
hope you get to Vengeful soon!
LikeLiked by 2 people
170 books!!! Wow, that’s amazing! Loved this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Joanne! I’ve been speeding through the books this year 😂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow! Congrats on your book goals.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow, you’re absolutely smashing that reading goal! Vicious and Vengeful are such good books!
LikeLiked by 1 person
they were phenomenal !! thanks kira!
LikeLiked by 1 person
170 books….I’m in awe!
Great post, I loved Crawdads so much
LikeLike
Ninth House was also a big disappointment for me. The plot and characters were very boring. I only cared about Darlington 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
it was sooooo bad ikr
LikeLike
Agreed Erin, there’s so many releases I still need to get to as well! So awesome getting to learn more about your reading, happy July! 🤗💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you have an amazing rest of the month!
LikeLike
Wow, 170 books so far this year is really impressive!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks Hannah!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLike
Everybody seems to love the Pride and Prejudice film adaptation and whilst I do like it on the whole, I’m not the greatest fan of how certain characters were portrayed and written. Like they made Charles Bingley out to be a bumbling fool, which is not how I’ve always read and seen him in my mind. Then again, whenever I re-read Pride and Prejudice, I always hear the actors from the 1995 BBC mini-series in my head so no other adaptation will ever live up to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Honestly it’s just very weird and awkward to me. I don’t see all the hype but to each their own I guess. HAHAH and that’s hilarious though.
LikeLike
This is a fun tag. I may have to try it. You have read soooo much. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you!! hope you try it out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post! I just read Aristotle and Dante and fell in love with it. So jealous you were approved for an arc of the new book! I hope you love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha thank you!! forever grateful, one of my fave books of all-time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
the poppy war is so good though. you should definitely pick it up ‼️ great post ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
ikkkk!! i need too
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, I loved Ninth House and hated Vengeful, so I guess we’ll just have to take one each 😁 I do love Vicious, though, so at least we agree on that one! 😊 And Legendborn is really good!! I read it at the beginning of the month and fell in love 🥰 I hope you end up liking it, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh no! it definitely isn’t a series for everyone, but the characters just drew me in! i’ve been hearing ONLY good things, my expectations are so high at this point, but although that would typically leave me worried, I know it won’t disappoint. Thanks for reading 💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such a great tag and I’ve learned a lot about you by reading this post! You’ve had such an amazing year already. When Breath Becomes Air is definitely one of my all time favourite reads and it really provides me a benchmark for all other non-fiction books. Tembi Locke’s From Scratch is a close second for me in this category. I hope the rest of 2021 provides you with more great books. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jodie! When Breath Becomes Air definitely elevated my standards, and honestly it was the perfect book for me. I adoreee books about the psychology of death and dying(cripitc i know haha). Thanks for reading 💙
LikeLike
I’ve read When Breath Becomes Air a few years back and liked it. I read Where the Crawdads Sing a few months back and loved it! Maybe I should reread and review it? Also, YES, Elle Kennedy’s Off Campus series is so good!!! That series is one of my comfort reads!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha and YES do it!! Are we the same person??
LikeLiked by 1 person
HAHA!!! I will!!! XD
LikeLiked by 1 person
GO OFF QUEEN
LikeLiked by 1 person
THANKS BAE
LikeLike
i really need to read lovely war!! and legendborn is SO good. hope you have a great rest of the year!💜🖤
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks kaya ! wishing you the best as well 💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad that your year in reading is going well so far! I’m reading Legendborn now and it’s so good 🖤
LikeLiked by 1 person
ahh yet another good review haha, so many reasons to read that book!
LikeLike