Mid-Year Book Freak Out! 2017 Edition

When I look back on the year so far, I feel my stomach sink and my cheeks redden. I haven't accomplished all of my lofty reading goals for 2017 (see: read one Stephen King book a month, read a book a week, read all the classics I can get my hands on, etc.) Yeah, that didn't happen.

To be fair, I've dealt with a lot of curve balls this year that changed my reading schedule and habits. There were a solid few months when I didn't get any reading done at all. I'd be so tired by the end of the day that instead of reading like I usually do, I'd hop onto BookTube and live vicariously through other people's book reviews.

With that said, it's still possible to make up for lost time. I don't consider this a failure or an embarrassment—it's just a testament to the fact that things don't always go as planned and that is okay.

I came across the Mid-Yead Book Freak Out by Chami (ReadLikeWildFire) and Ely (Earl Grey Books) on BookTube. While answering the questions, I was reminded of all the reading I've done this year and how it's still a step up from last year. I consider that an accomplishment, no matter how small.

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2017:
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2017:
I haven't read one (yet.)

3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to:
Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year:
The Science of Orphan Black by Casey Griffin and Nina Nesseth.

5. Biggest disappointment:
...I plead the fifth.

6. Biggest surprise:
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour.

7. Favourite new author: (Debut or new to you)
Julie Murphy isn't debut by any means, but I'm so glad Dumplin' made its way into my life.

8. Newest fictional crush.
I don't have one so far.

9. Newest favourite character:
Willowdean Dickson of Dumplin' by Julie Murphy.

10. Book that made you cry:
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour.

11. Book that made you happy:
It's not necessarily a "happy" story, but The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern certainly conjured up some whimsy.

12. Favourite book to film adaptation you saw this year:
I re-watched Room recently and I am still in awe of it and Brie Larson.

13. Favourite review you've written this year:
Honestly? I'm still working on finding my voice when it comes to writing reviews.

14. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received):
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher. It's by far one of my favourite book covers.

15. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
I'd like to read some books that have been on my shelf for a while but I haven't gotten to yet. I'd like to read at least 2-3 more Stephen King books by the end of the year. I also really want to read The Glass Castle by Jeanette Wallis ahead of the movie adaptation release because, if you couldn't already tell, I'm a huge Brie Larson fan.