Mid Year Book Tag

How is it the mid point of the year already! This year seems to have equally lasted for approximately five years and also five minutes which I cannot explain but it means that it is time for my mid year review of the books I've read. Back in the good old days of blogging, tag posts were something everyone posted but they seem to have mostly died out; however I do like the Mid Year Book Tag so I'm posting my shorted version today!

I've already published a quarterly book review book update post which you can read but I've read quite a lot of books since then! As always I publish monthly wrap-up reviews and you can follow me on GoodReads to see what I'm reading and my ratings.

Best book you've read so far in 2019?

There are quite a few actually (which is rare as I'm very stingy with my star ratings) including: The Lies of Lock Lamora (maybe my favourite fantasy book ever?), Luck In The Shadows by Lynn Flewelling as well as it's sequel Stalking Darkness. I also loved The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, The Missing of Clairdelune by Christelle Dabos and Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. As for non-fiction reads, my favourites include: Working Stiff by Judy Melinek, Medical London by Richard Bartnett, The Royal Art of Poison by Eleanor Herman, The Secret Barrister and From Here To Eternity by Caitlin Doughty.

Best sequel you've read so far in 2019?

I haven't read that many sequels this year but I think my favourite has to be The Missing of Clairdelune by Christelle Dabos! I also liked A Vampire's Redemption by Casey Wolfe and A Harmony of Earth and Fire by Antonia Aquilante, both of which are entertaining (if a little cheesy) LGBT fantasy reads.

Biggest disappointment?

Sadly there have been a few disappointing books in 2019 such as From The Wreck by Jane Rawson, Waiting On A Bright Moon by Jy Yang, They Mostly Come Out At Night by Benedict Patrick, Pale Wolves by Thomas Hulse, Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova and my most recent disappointment was Past Mortems by Carla Valentine.

Biggest surprise?

I haven't been surprised by any books, if I'm honest but I think The Visitors by Sophie Hannah which was surprisingly vivid despite the super short length; the same goes for In The Stacks by Scott Lynch which managed to create a vivid and unique world in so few pages.

Favourite new author?

Definitely Scott Lynch and Mark Lawrence! I read Prince of Thorns and Red Sister by Mark Lawrence this year and loved both! I'd also have to tentatively add Sophie Hannah and Christelle Dabos to that list as well.

Favourite new character?

Lock Lamora from The Lies of Lock Lamora, Crowley from Good Omens, Caleb from A Vampire's Redemption, Clay Cooper from Kings of the Wyld and last but not least, Seregil and Alec from The Nightrunner series by Lynn Flewelling...obviously I can't just choose one favourite character.

A book that has made you cry?

I very rarely cry at books (or movies/TV shows) but the sensitive topics and raw nature of Caitlin Doughty's books (including From Here To Eternity and Smoke Gets In Your Eyes) have made me tear up on multiple occasions and I cannot recommend them enough!

Favourite review you've written?

I don't write individual book review posts anymore so I'd have to say that my monthly book review wrap-up posts are favourites of mine - I love writing them!

Most beautiful book you've bought?

I haven't bought that many books this year and when I have, they've been super cheap e-books but I think one of the most beautiful books I was sent from a publisher is A History of Chocolate which you'll be able to read my review of at the end of the month. I also love the covers of Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling, Gather The Fortunes by Bryan Camp (which I'm about to start) and Past Mortems by Carla Valentine, the latter I sadly didn't love.

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

There are so many books that I want to read by the end of the year including quite a lot of fantasy books that I've been putting off reading as well as a load of non-fiction reads. Additionally, I need to finally get round to reading more classics which is why I am dedicating most of my reading for July to classics - if anyone wants to buddy read some classics then leave me a comment or email me.

I'm currently reading my 74th and 75th books of the year so if you want to see my ratings and what I'm currently reading then follow me on GoodReads. 

Have you read any of these books? What have been your favourite or least favourite books of 2019 so far?