I did this last year so we're doing it again!
1. How many books have you read so far this year?
14 as of writing this. 7 of those were in January so I've majorly slowed down on my reading this year.
2. What is the best book you’ve read so far in 2025?
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir! I loved this book so much, I read it in anticipation of watching the film and I couldn't be more glad I did it in that order. I hold this book responsible for me not falling into a complete reading slump after my lack of books in march. Highly recommend and I'm not even a sci-fi girlie.
2.5. What is the worst book you’ve read so far in 2025?
This isn't an actual question in the tag but I think it should be. Bride by Ali Hazelwood unfortunately. I wanted to love this, but I just found myself bored for most of the book. I remember thinking after I finished it that if it were a mystery book with a romance subplot I would have enjoyed it a lot more because I didn't care for the central romance all that much :/
3. What is your favourite sequel of the first half of the year?
So fun fact but I haven't actually read a single sequel this year. I've read 2 first books in comic series but that's it. I read The Raven Boys graphic novel and if you count that as a sequel (which I don't really) then it's that. It was so much fun delving back into the world I loved so much as a teenager. I really want to reread the series soon so I might make that a goal for the second half of the year.
4. Is there a new release you want to read, but haven't yet?
Pfft, too many to count. I started And Now Back to You by B.K. Borison, but my library hold ran out so I didn't finish it in time (I'm back in the queue but it's months long). I haven't really kept up with a lot of new releases this year so there aren't that many I'm itching to get to.
5. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
The Mirror of Infinite Endings by Stephanie Garber. I've preordered the special edition along with the rest of the hardcovers to match from waterstones and I'm so excited for them to be on my shelves. I'm due a reread of them as well! I also am really looking forward to This Shattered Tempest by Thea Guanzon - I've found a lot of comfort in the first two books so I'm excited to see how it ends.
6. What is your biggest disappointment so far?
I think this has to go to Yesteryear. I enjoyed the book, especially as I was reading with it, but in the weeks since I finished it I've been reading and listening to reviews and critiques that opened my eyes to how surface level a lot of the book tends to be. I still liked it, but I think with a premise that enticing, it needed to push more on critiquing the culture it was satirising more.
7. What is your biggest surprise so far?
I think I'll give this to Cosmoknights. It's a graphic novel that I didn't know much about going into, but I found really enjoyable. I LOVE strong female characters when they're both figuratively and literally strong. I still need to read the next book, but I've been saving it for when I need a pick-me-up, and that hasn't quite happened yet.
8. A book that made you cry?
Nobody's Girl by Virginia Roberts Guiffrey. It's a tough read to say the least - I've had to turn it off a couple times to sit with what was happening. It's got a lot of themes of hope, but it is so dark at times it's hard to articulate. If you read the description and decide it's something you can handle emotionally I think it's worth it, but I wouldn't lightly recommend it to anyone.
9. A book that made you happy?
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. I love a happy-sad story sometimes and I think EmHen is just phenomenal. I've only read 3 of her books thus far but this is a strong second place (I fear for my life if I tell you what's in last so we'll leave it at that). I also just love books about books so this really did a lot for me, I found Alice to be a charming narrator.
10. What books do you want to read by the end of the year?
Hm, more than one a month would be a pleasant change of pace. I really want to read the buffalo hunter hunter, but I worry I've built it up too much in my head that I won't love it the way I think I should so idk when I'll get round to it. Maybe I'll finally read wings of Starlight to reconnect with my inner Tinkerbell child.
Thank you sm for reading this far! If you would like to do this too please tag me so I can read it! tagging: @inafictionalworld @honeyfbh @estelleslibrary @meangirlsbway @overwhelmedfernfrond
