So…. the good news is we are halfway through 2020! The bad news…. WE ARE HALFWAY THROUGH 2020!! Which means we only have six more months to read all the books we had planned to read this year. Is it time for me to freak out? Or am I doing better than I think? I’m hoping this tag will put everything in perspective and help me to have a better grasp on the rest of my reading year. 🙂
How much have you read?
I’ve managed to read 48 books out of my goal of 80 for the year. I typically set a goal of 80 but hit 100. I’m not sure why I don’t just set it for 100. Ha! But 10 books ahead of schedule sounds good, right??
I’ve read 31 books out of 54 for my yearly reading challenge, which puts me 5 books ahead. However, I did just discover they released a Summer Reading Challenge for 2020 with 20 book prompts. Why is it so hard for me to resist that??
What have you been reading?
Thanks to Kal @ Reader Voracious ‘s spreadsheet, I can produce this lovely pie chart showing what exactly I’ve been reading. I’m not surprised by the results. However, the large chunk of Fantasy is thanks to my reread of The Infernal Devices and my Chain of Gold TBR. I don’t think I typically read that much fantasy.
Best book you’ve read so far in 2020?
I fell hard for Beach Read. And I take it personally when I see a fellow book lover who doesn’t like it. 😉
Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020?
I’m not going to count my reread of The Infernal Devices for this because otherwise the answer would be Clockwork Prince. I finally read P.S. I Still Love You on Valentine’s Day, and I loved it! But I equally loved Wild at Heart, so I’m picking two! <3
A new release you haven’t read, but want to?
I’m picking two again: My Calamity Jane and Clap When You Land.
Most anticipated release for the second part of the year?
I’m giddy with anticipation for Midnight Sun.
Biggest disappointment?
I haven’t read anything so far this year that I really disliked. But I was very excited to read Again Again, and it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me.
Biggest surprise?
Beach Read. I had no idea I would love it as much as I did.
New favorite author (debut or new to you)?
One thing I love about ARCs (advance reader copies) is getting to discover so many new authors. You guessed it, I can’t pick one. Emily Henry, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Sarah Morgenthaler.
Underrated gems you’ve discovered recently?
Summer Hours is the perfect “summer” or “beach read.” And Saint X is a “beach read” option for those who enjoy a more literary fiction style.
Rereads this year?
I’d set a goal to reread more this year, but so far I’ve only reread 4 books, three of which were The Infernal Devices. I’m planning to reread Twilight before Midnight Sun, but I’m hoping to pick up a few more rereads, as well.
Newest fictional crush?
Hmm. I guess I would say Jonah from The Simple Wild and Wild at Heart? But I also loved so many characters from Chain of Gold!
Newest favorite character?
I loved, loved, loved Emoni from With the Fire on High!
Book that made you cry?
I just finished The Invincible Summer of Juniper Jones and it was heart-wrenching.
Book that made you happy?
So many of the books I’ve already mentioned, but What You Wish For was such a refreshingly joyful book. It’ll will be available on July 14th!
Favorite book-to-film (and book-to-tv) adaptation?
I loved the new Emma adaptation! And I really loved the Normal People adaptation on Hulu. More than I loved the book.
Most beautiful cover you’ve bought (or received) this year?
My current read: Girl, Serpent, Thorn. I don’t even know why because it’s not my typical favorite kind of cover, but I have been swooning over it from the beginning. And I was thrilled when it was included in my quarterly subscription box from The Strand. <3
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
All the ARCs I have ended up with despite my ARC requesting ban. Some of the ones I’m most excited about: The Vacation, Mistletoe & Mr. Right, and Invisible Girl. Besides ARCs, I need to read all the books left to fulfill my reading challenge prompts.
Favorite blog post you’ve done this year?
My Chain of Gold TBR. It took the most work, but was also the most fun getting it together.
And that’s it! Thanks for reading along. I’m only freaking out a little bit now. 😉 How’s your reading year looking so far?
Happy Wandering!
Again Again was a huge disappointment for me too! It was so poorly written, I felt the author could have done a lot better.
Yes, and I am such a fan of We Were Liars. I think the alternate versions just threw me off too much.
Beach Read is so good!!! I agree with that pick! I’ve read so many books and that was a hard one to answer. I think I’m going to choose Girl, Serpent, Thorn for my BOTM pick (it’s a rumored pick) but I’ll be so sad if OwlCrate decides to pick that one in August. I’m hoping not.. since another book box already did! I think you are doing pretty great for being halfway! I hope the rest of the year goes even better. 🙂
Oh I hope you get Girl, Serpent, Thorn and enjoy it!! ❤️
So many great books – will be adding a few to my huge TBR list!
Hope you don’t mind, but so enjoyed your book tag, I modified it and used it. You motivated me to blog after a long drought – so thank you.
Here’s my post:
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/2020/06/27/mid-yearreading-book-review/
Oh yay!! I’m happy to hear I inspired you. ? I can’t wait to read yours!
I never get to all the books that I want to, but I am having a great reading year overall. I definitely recommend getting to Clap When You Land – I love everything that Acevedo writes!
That’s the right attitude! Even though my reading isn’t really following what I planned out (when does it ever, though??), I’m reading amazing books. 🙂
My reading year is looking pretty good, too! I’m excited to read With the Fire on High — I just bought the ebook and hope to read it soon.
Yay!! It’s nice to know some good things are coming out of this year–like reading more. 🙂 I hope you love With the Fire on High as much as I did!
Looks like you’re making some great progress, Dedra! Is that tracker for Popsugar on Goodreads? I never noticed they had one for it! I’ve been so slack with keeping track of my challenges since February ? I need to get back to tracking it better! Also very excited to hear you loved Beach Read so much AND the show for Normal People! Gutted I can’t watch it (or at least I don’t think Hulu is available internationally lol)
Yes, it’s a tracker on the Goodreads Discussion Board page. It’s only visible to you. You have to add your books to a Popsugar Challenge Shelf. 🙂 I’ve been slack about keeping up with my spreadsheet. I sat and filled it out for the year a few days ago. I guess the middle of the year is a good time to catch up on all those pesky house-keeping things. 😉 And I don’t know if any of this will work for you, but I found this article on how to watch Normal People anywhere. It’s sounds a bit complicated though. Ha!
https://www.gamesradar.com/stream-normal-people-online-how-to-watch/
Looks like you’re making good progress with your reading this year. Beach Read is one of my favorites so far in 2020 as well. 🙂
Oh yay! I love to hear that other readers loved Beach Read. I already want to reread it. 🙂
I’m currently working on my own mid-year tag, and I just happened to see you’d already done one in the time I missed, so of course I had to check it out. 😉 You’ve read so many books! I’m bookmarking that spreadsheet too, it looks useful! Unfortunately I haven’t read any of these, but the cover for Girl, Serpent, Thorn really is gorgeous!
Oh I can’t wait to see your mid-year tag! I had so much fun with this one. Kal’s spreadsheet is a lifesaver! 🙂
Ooh, I’m so excited for Clap When You Land as well! And I’m so glad you enjoyed With The Fire on High, Emoni is amazing ✨ I also can’t wait for My Calamity Jane!! I keep forgetting that it’s coming out this year lol. Great post 🙂
Yes!! Hopefully we both enjoy Clap When You Land and My Calamity Jane. I can’t wait to read both of those. <3