I’ve been wanting to get back into blogging and doing a tag feels like the right way to do it .. is it still a mid-year book freak out if it’s September already? This just feels exemplary for how darn fast this year is flying by, so we’ll roll with it.
This tag was originally created by Earl Grey Books and ReadLikeWildfire (whose channel I can’t find).
- Best book you’ve read so far in 2021.
SO MANY GOOD BOOKS this year. When I read Anxious People by Fredrik Backman in February this year, I felt like I’d found my favourite book of 2021 and I’m not sure I’ve topped it yet (but I’ve come very very close with a few others!) - Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2021.
I haven’t read many series books this year at all, but A Court of Silver Flames certainly takes top prize. I reread the series in preparation for this book and went in with very low expectations because Nesta wasn’t my favourite character and this feeling was reinforced during my reread. But the book BLEW ME AWAY and I absolutely loved getting to know Nesta through her own eyes and learn more about her struggles. Basically, she made more sense to me when I saw the world through her eyes, not Feyre’s, and I loved her more for it. - New release you haven’t read yet, but want to.
I’ve been pretty good about reading my pre-ordered books as soon as I buy them, but I do have two 2021 releases on my shelves that I haven’t read yet: Gutter Child (which I just started reading) and We Begin at the End. - Most anticipated release for the second half (or four months) of the year.
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult. Although my heart isn’t sure I can handle a pandemic book while we’re still in the midst of a pandemic, I love how Jodi can write an issue with such heart so I’m really looking forward to seeing how her story encapsulates what we’ve spent the last year and half living through. - Biggest disappointment.
One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus – this book is all over bookstagram and the series is so beloved. When it was selected for my bookclub, I was excited, but I found the book so boring and didn’t enjoy it at all. - Biggest surprise.
The Heartstopper series by Alice Osman. I’m not a graphic novel person at all, but I devoured the first three volumes as quickly as the library would deliver them, and now I’m (im)patiently waiting for the release of the fourth volume. - Favourite new author. (Debut or new to you)
Lyssa Kay Adams. I haven’t binge read a series back-to-back in years, but I couldn’t stop with the Bromance books … I need moooooooore in my life! - Newest fictional crush.
I’m not a book boyfriend kind of girl, but Vlad from Isn’t He Bromantic? is my favourite. - Newest favourite character.
Anna from The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang. This is the book that came close to stealing Anxious People’s top spot. - Book that made you cry.
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. I was warned that it would make me cry, but the ending still tore my heart open. - Book that made you happy.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry. Alex and Poppy’s story was just the perfect friends to lovers romance and I absolutely loved that one of their first vacation destinations was Vancouver Island, where I grew up. - Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
Probably Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo – both books in this series are positively stunning, but I have yet to read them both. - What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
My answer to this every year: OH MY GOSH. So many. I’m doing well at reading from my own shelves this year, but have already purchased more books in 2021 than I did in 2020 and I’ve also read more from the library than I did last year. I will be definitely focusing more on my physical TBR for the latter part of this year. I’m also close to being fully caught up with ARCs and reviews for the first time in YEARS, so I’m hoping to stay that way. I only have eight books left off my 21 books to read in 2021 list and I feel somewhat hopeful that this might be the year that I actually do it!
How’s your reading going so far this year? Anything you’d like to prioritize for the remaining months of the year?
Writer Grrl Reads 