Nessa D

Hey y’all!

I am really excited to do my first ever Mid Year Freakout. If you’re unsure on what that is, basically its a check-in after the first six months of reading for the year. There’s questions/prompt that you answer that pertains to the books that you’ve read. It’s exciting. Maybe next year I’ll actually make a video of it and post it to YouTube, which if you didn’t know, I have a YouTube channel.

So far in total, I’ve read/listened to 25 books by the end of June! I’m halfway to my goal of 50 and I low key would like to surpass 50 but we shall see how far I get. For the past two years I’ve surpassed my original goal of books to read so we shall see what happens this year. I’m a little anxious because internally, I’m comparing myself to other people and we all know that never works out for our favor.

These questions I’ve gotten from Jaleesa’s page on YouTube channel when she did her mid year book tag and so if you want to do one yourself, feel free to answer these questions in a blog post or YouTube video.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience which means I make a small commission from any purchases made through these links (at no additional cost to you)!

Best book you’ve read so far in 2022 – Book Lovers. I’m still riding that high and if you want to read my review of it, check out my post! It was just such a great book. It’s fast paced. I loved the banter. It was just…everything. Even though her books follow the same format, it put me on such an emotional rollercoaster. It was a great time!

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2022 – easy! I haven’t read a sequel! I do plan on reading the Six of Crows duology so maybe that? Oh and I want to read Tokyo Dreaming and Amari and the Great Games, of the second Beasts of Prey book. Point is, I have some sequels to get to this year!

New release you’ve haven’t read yet, but want to – All My Rage. I’ve seen this book everywhere and people have been raving on it so I may read that after my current read. I really want to get into more of Sabaa Tahir books for sure!

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year. – Again, Beasts of Ruin. I’m ready to read this book because its a YA book thats centered around West Africa and isn’t a story that’s like highlighting depressive or oppressive situations for the characters.

Biggest disappointment – There are three books I can think of but I’m gonna say The Bluest Eye. I had high hopes going into this book and was so disappointed. I wanted I guess some answers or maybe a book where a dark skinned character found her worth and I didn’t! I’m angry about it and I didn’t like the crimes against children. I don’t see how people think this was a good book. Look for my review on a future blog post this month. I get though, Toni Morrison is a major writer but I was not a fan of this book at all!

Biggest surprise – You Can’t Be Serious. I’m kind of a fan of Kal Penn (I loved him in Malibu’s Most Wanted and of course Harold and Kumar). I’ve always wondered about his life, especially as a brown actor in Hollywood. When he went to work in the White House during the Obama administration, I was like wait, what?! So reading his life story was pretty good. I listened on audio and he narrated his book and IT WAS THE BEST! He played a clip from the Democratic National Convention and I thought that was pretty clever. I’m not really into politics but it was interesting to see in role in the whole thing. His stories of Hollywood also made me angry and chuckle. This was a great book!

Favorite new author (debut or new to you) – Sabaa Tahir or Christina Lauren. I can’t choose! I’m late to the party and can’t wait to dive into their world of books! I’ve heard great things about them!

Newest fictional crush – I haven’t had a fictional crush this year. The only fictional crush I have is actually Alex from People We Meet on Vacation, which I read last year. He’s just such a sweet soul and I’m like low key hating on Poppy lol. The scene where he took care of Poppy when she was sick did it for me. I was like “I love this man.” Hopefully this answer counts!

Newest favorite character – I’m going to say that my favorite character so far is in the book that I’m currently reading, which is Mia Tang from Front Desk. Even though she’s just a little girl, she has a big heart and is so inquisitive and just wants to make everything right. She’s willing to do all she can to right the wrongs in her life and in her friends lives.

Book that made you cry – You’ve Reached Sam. That book just gets me in the feels. It’s so heartbreaking and beautiful and it really makes you emotional! I listened on audiobook and it felt like I was there in the scenes. It’s a great reminder to not let your life pass you by as you grieve someone you loves who has passed away. You don’t want to live your life with regrets. You’ll cry believe me!

Book that made you happy – Happily Ever Afters. I guess reading about happy endings for back girls do it for me. Plus an interracial relationship with a slightly nerdy guy and I’m sold. Elise Bryant did what she sought after and that was to write books where black girls won! Want to read my blog post on it? Click here!

Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year – Hands down would be Inheritance: A Visual Poem. The artwork in the book is just stunning!

What books do you need to read by the end of the year? – There are so many books that I want to read. Like it’s an insane and I do mean insane list of books! So maybe I’ll mention five: All my Rage, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Daisy Jones and the Six, The Gilded Ones, and Dial A for Aunties!

How has reading gone for you so far this year? Will you do your own midyear book freakout?! If so, let me know!

XOXO,

Nessa D.