IN ORDER TO OPEN ALL THE BOOKS LISTED IN THIS POST IN GOODREADS CLICK ON THEIR COVERS.
I discovered this book tag thanks to one of my favourite Booktubers Jack in the Books, I am not aware of who actually created it and when, but I have seen it circulating around, and here we are.
This year my reading goal was 10 books and I have already read 26 so far. That is not a lot of books in someone’s eyes, but I have decided that for me and my lifestyle, the 10-book goal is the perfect fit. If I read more the better 🙂 Here are some stats from my StoryGraph app:
I wish I had known about this app earlier, it gives you a great insight into your reading pattern. I find this fascinating and useful. Also, this is how I discovered how my reading preferences have changed over time hah
The questions!!
BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2023?
PAX BY SARA PENNYPACKER
Hands down the best book for me this year. I wrote a review so that you could read all my thoughts about it. For now, I would just say if you have not read it yet what are you waiting for??
BEST SEQUEL YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2023?
PAX JOURNEY HOME BY SARA PENNYPACKER
Ok… yes. Both the first and second books of this duology are simply amazing and I would like more people to read them. The writing style, the commentary, and the topics we tackle definitely deserve more attention.
NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET, BUT WANT TO?
Ohh I have not really thought about this. Let me quickly have a look on my TBR and I will be back…
Alright, well thanks for waiting!
PEARL BY SIÂN HUGHES
So, this book was recommended to me by a bookish quiz I did at TheBookerPrizes I am attaching the link so if you are interested you could do it for yourself and let me know down in the comments what book you’ve got! This book is about grief and I did not want to know anymore I was hooked.
It came out in January 2023 and I really want to get around it.
MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR?
WHILE YOU WERE OUT BY MEG KISSINGER
Over the years I have found that my reading taste has changed a lot. And when I saw this book around I knew I had to read it. This book is from an “award-winning journalist Meg Kissinger, a searing memoir of a family besieged by mental illness, as well as an incisive exploration of the systems that failed them and a testament to the love that sustained them.“
Reading about mental health and how other people are dealing with it and how it is affecting them on a daily basis is something we should all know more about. The world we live in is not the same world we used to know 10,5,1 years ago. It is everchanging and evolving, but sometimes I have the eerie feeling it is not always for the better and the cost we are paying is not equal to what we are gaining.
A very long way to say I WANT TO READ THIS BOOK! It will come out on the 5th of September 2023, so if you are intrigued mark your calendar! 🙂
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT?
ALL THE UGLY AND WONDERFUL THINGS BY BRYN GREENWOOD
My opinion on this book will certainly be unpopular given all the raving reviews it is getting. But this book is outright pro-pedophilia apologism. No, not here for it… And whoever liked it, yes
BIGGEST SURPRISE?
I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED BY JENNETTE McCURDY
I did not even recognise the actress on the cover. iCarly was one of the shows I loved watching when growing up as I am a year or 2 older than the main cast. (Yes that’s old lol) Sam was my favourite character! Anyway, the book has popped up a lot on my Goodreads recommendations but never paid it much attention until I found out what is it about and who actually wrote it. The audiobook I listened to was just amazing. Getting an in-depth glimpse of the life of a child actor was just a different experience. Yep totally enjoyed it.
FAVOURITE NEW AUTHOR (debut or new to you)?
Definitely, Sara Pennypacker, she is a new author to me and I love Pax duology so much that every other book she releases will be on auto-buy.
NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH?
SHADOW AND BONE BY LEIGH BARDUGO
This might be a bit controversial, so brace yourselves. My new crush is the Darkling. Yes, you read that correctly. I just love how Leigh managed to craft his personality and his flaws I just love him.
you can bet I will…
NEWEST FAVOURITE CHARACTER?
If you know, you know. I can’t help it I just adore him.
A BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY?
Again circling back to Pax’s duology!
A BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY?
HEARTSTOPPER BY ALICE OSEMAN
Every time I pick up these books my mood instantly gets better. It is just so heartwarming and wholesome absolutely my comfort books. Additionally, the TV show was amazing too,
MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU BOUGHT/RECEIVED THIS YEAR?
EMBROIDERY: THE ART OF YOSHIOKA
I received this book as a present for my birthday from my best friend and it is gorgeous. The art is sublime. You can see some of the art from this link if you are interested.
WHAT BOOK/S DO YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR?
- A Little Life by Hanya Yanagahira – this book has been on my TBR for a very long time, but I think you might guess why. I am terrified of reading it, a few times I have started it but only gotten like 50 pages in and I stopped even though nothing was happening yet. Therefore, it was decided that I will read it when I feel ready, I am ready this year just have to gather the courage to pick it up.
- The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock – same thing here, been on my radar for a long time. I got the book from the library so I better read it before my due date comes haha
- The Grishaverse books by Leigh Bardugo – I am 2 books in, with a few more left to go, and finally complete this series. Love the story, the characters, and the TV show is also up there.
- Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng – this author has become one of my favourite ever since I read Little Fires Everywhere back in 2018 and I knew she will be an instant buy for me every time she drops a new book.
If you have reached this point, well congratulations you are a very patient person haha, anyway let me know down below what your mid-year freakout book tag is like 🙂
Lin's Perspective 
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