Byebyelemonpie's 2026 Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag
I was tagged on my main blog by the lovely @st-johns-wood: thank you! I'm going to count only the books I've read up to the last day of June.
Books read thus far: 29 by the 30th of June. I'm quite proud of myself for everything I managed to read this year so far!
Best one: Yaga by Kat Sandler. I couldn't put it down! As it's a play, I was fascinated by the stage directions and the fact that all the characters were played by three actors who would remain onstage the whole time. Loved the premise, loved the plot, and loved the ending.
Best sequel: The only non manga sequel I've read before July has been The Long Game, and it was an all right sequel for its genre. But I will mention FullMetal Alchemist volume 4 and Spy × Family volume 16 as my personal best sequels of this mid year.
Most anticipated new release: I still want to read Zufan. It's a graphic novel that talks about the colonisation of Ethiopia by Italy in the 1800s and it was created by an Ethiopian author. It's also sci-fi and futuristic, with a seemingly cool heroine, so I'm even more curious.
Biggest surprise author: Kaveh Akbar. His way of describing any form of grief in Martyr! had my heart in pain and my eyes watery most of the time and especially by the end. Very good book to reflect on for a few days afterwards, too.
Newest fictional crush: I don't think I've ever got a crush from a book but I will mention two characters I loved from two books I liked a lot. Holly Golightly from Breakfast At Tiffany's, and Ryland Grace from Project Hail Mary. Both these characters made me feel a somewhat queer vibe. Holly canonically likes kissing women, and was penned by a canonically queer author. Dr. Grace feels very much aroace to me.
Book that made you cry: I'm not much of a crier when it comes to books compared to when I watch movies, but some FullMetal Alchemist chapters, the last part of Kobane Calling by Zerocalcare, and the end of To Kill A Mockingbird had me shed some tears for real.
Most beautiful book bought/received: I'm collecting the FullMetal Alchemist saga and they all look beautiful. Otherwise I haven't bought a new book in a while.
Book that made you happy: Ascolta Il Mio Cuore (Listen to my heart) by Bianca Pitzorno. I read it for my library book club and I loved it. It's basically a children's book, but it tells a fictional version of the author's childhood, and after getting angry at the classist evil teacher, you will certainly have fun reading what the three main characters do to get revenge.
What books do you need to read by the end of the year? I have resigned myself to the fact that I won't be able to finish Les Misérables by the end of the year, but it's fine. I am reading it in the background and I have taken years to read these kinds of books before. Right now I'm taking part in two different book clubs I found on Twitter, inspired by actor Hudson Williams' book recommendations, so I started both Sex & Rage by Eve Babitz and East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I have planned to read more of the FMA saga, of course. I would also like to read at least one more Discworld book because I haven't read any this year yet.
Thank you again for the tag! This is always fun to do. I would like to tag whoever reads this and hasn't done it yet. Go for it! Let me know your books! Have a lovely day 💛
