Mid-year Check In – 2021✧

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).

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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.

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How’s your reading been so far this year? Tell me some of your favourites!