Mid-year Book Freak-out Tag | 2024

By Kappa on July 11, 2024

It's that time of the year again! Before we start the tag, let's all thank Earl Gray Books for the creation of it!

1. Best book you've read so far in 2024.

This feels harder than last year, but granted, I had a much more cut and dry favorite book last year.

I'm gonna have to go with The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson. This is an adult sci-fi book about parallel universes that had me thrown by the twists from just 10% in. It's so well written and put together, I can't wait to read more from this author!

2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2024.

I'm definitely going to talk more about this series through out this post, but Cosmoknights, Vol. 2 by Hannah Templer just hits a sweet spot when it comes to comics, sci-fi, and character dynamics. I especially love how it was paced; it never felt rushed.

3. Favorite re-read.

This is my most recent read and current obsession, but I had a blast rereading Gravity Falls: Lost Legends by Alex Hirsch after I just finished rewatching the show. The show and characters have a special place in my heart and I'm currently in the midst of reliving that, so this graphic novel gets a shout out. If I hadn't just rewatched the show, my answer would've been my other rereads of the year, Wayward Children by Seanan McGuire.

4. Genre you've been loving/reading the most.

If you couldn't tell already, but the answer is sci-fi! Usually my top genres of the year are fantasy and romance, but after reading a string of bad fantasies and bad romances, I've been in the mood for science fiction and platonic relationships.

5. New release you haven't read yet, but want to.

I'm excited for the finale of the Legacy of Orïsha series with Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi finally being released. I still need to read the sequel (and probably reread the first book to remind myself of what happened) but I have fond memories of the first book!

6. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.

(I'm doing my best not to just say The Book of Bill by Alex Hirsch because of the aforementioned current obsession.)

The only book I have preordered for the latter half of the year currently is Bluff by Danez Smith. They are my favorite poet and I was so excited to hear they have a new collection coming in August.

7. Biggest disappointment.

I had high hopes for Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner since I liked her debut and like sports books, but it really fell flat in a lot of different ways. Eventually I'll post my full review, but just know I wasn't a fan of this one.

8. Biggest surprise.

Artie and the Wolf Moon by Olivia Stephens. I mostly picked it up for the quick graphic novel read, but it was so good and beautifully drawn! If you like werewolves and family driven books, definitely pick this up!

9. Favorite new author. (Debut or new to you)

Micaiah Johnson and Martha Wells!

10. Newest favorite character.

Cass from Cosmoknights takes my breath away every time she's on page! I need more butches in fiction after reading that graphic novel.

11. Book that made you cry.

I'm not really a crier, but This Body I Wore by Diana Goetsch really put me through the ringer! It's a memoir about a trans woman's slow realization and acceptance of herself throughout the 80s, 90s, and 00s.

12. Book that made you happy.

I had a blast while reading Cosmoknights by Hannah Templer as it was just so up my alley and I was able to basically binge both books within half a week.

13. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)

I don't often just buy books without having heard of them before ever since being introduced to GoodReads and the like, but when I saw the cover of Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell in a bookstore, I fell head over heels. Plus, with the summary basically being "monster romance from the monster's POV," I'm so down to read it!

14. What 6 books do you need to read by the end of the year?

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Okay, so last year I actually read some of the books I put on this list so! I think my curse is broken of never reading the books I list for this question, but I've also put down a couple of fantasy books on this list, so we'll see!

The Absinthe Underground by Jamie Pacton
Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1 by Ryoko Kui & trans. Taylor Engel
Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi
The Black Veins by Ashia Monet

If you haven't yet done this tag, consider yourself tagged! If you've already done this tag, link it below! I love reading these! Or, you can comment with your favorite book of the year!