Mid Year Book Freak-out Tag: 2022




In the first half of the year, I read 41 out of my 52 book goal for the whole year; or, as I've been looking at it--about half the number I was at last year at this time. Around the middle of May, I got stuck in the worst reading slump that I'm just starting to get out from at the beginning of July. As such, I don't really have a lot of really good books to highlight here, unfortunately. But there are some!

Best book so far: 

American Psycho- Bret Easton Ellis

This book is so magnificent, I just can't. Read it now. Especially if you love the movie. The vibes are immaculate. 

Best sequel: 

Visions- Kelly Armstrong


I am in love with Kelly Armstrong for writing the entirety of the Cainsville series. It has one of my favourite worlds and, more importantly, one of the best love triangles I've ever read. Ever. Gabriel has my heart forever.  
That being said, it was only the first two books in this series that got 5 star ratings from me, the last three novels got 4-star reviews. Still high reviews for me, but not as good as the first two. 

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





Honestly, after the masterpiece that is Shatter Me, I'll read just about anything Tahereh Mafi writes. 

most anticipated release for the second half of the year: 

Unknown. 

Biggest disappointment: 

Beneath- Kristi Demeester or The Children of Red Peak- Craig DiLouie



I had such high hopes for both of these and I was just let down. Each of these had me at "cults", but lost me at "supernatural cults". 

Biggest surprise: 

A Dowry of Blood - S.T Gibson



Originally, I only bought this book for the gorgeous cover and I don't know how I'll forgive this folly. This is another beautifully written novel, which I 100% wasn't expecting. I had underestimated not only the writing, but what's worse, the narrative strength of this novel. I thought it would be a quick and not-noteworthy read, with nothing new to really distinguish it, but, oh boy, was I wrong! 

Favourite new author:

Eric Larocca

While I've only read one of Larocca's novels thus far, I experienced something with his writing that I experience with so few authors nowadays-- deep appreciation for how a novel has been crafted. I remember Larocca's Things have Gotten Worse Since we Last spoke and the massive online response that it created. However, although I loved the cover of this novel (which I'll call his breakout novel), I couldn't really see myself getting into it-- the plot just hadn't intrigued me enough from the descriptions I'd seen online. 

Cut to a few months later, when I'm scrolling on Amazon, doing some book searching. All of a sudden I see another beautiful cover, for a book I'd never heard of by an author that sounds vaguely familiar, with the only description of it as: 

"Each precious thing I show you in this book is a holy relic from the night we both perished-the night when I combed you from my hair and watered the moon with your blood.


You've lost a lot of blood . . ."



Immediately, without hesitation, I bought that book.



 

And I loved it. 


So I think, and I say this about so few books, but Larocca's work is best to go in blind with. I was so blind that it wasn't until I was reviewing the book on GoodReads that I even realized where I knew this author from. In my opinion, that's where I got lost with Larocca's first novel, I knew too much. 


However, this book is so beautifully written and has such a unique structure that all english-lovers will be able to enjoy it. I think about this book at least once a week. 


Newest fictional crush: 

Still trying to get over all my feelings for Mariana Zapata's Kulti, which I read last year.  Don't know if I'm emotionally stable enough after that one to have a new book boyfriend. Thinking about it now, it may be time for a re-read!



Newest favourite character:

India McCray from Micheal McDowell's The Elementals.

 

I love this kid so much-- she's curious and ballsy, she's the only teenage girl I want to be when I grow up. 

Book that made you cry:

None yet. 

Book that made you happy: 

You've Lost a lot of Blood- Eric Larocca

As mentioned before, the way this novel is structured is so different from anything else that I've read and I adored it. It made my heart so happy. 



Most beautiful book you've bought: 


What do you need to read by the end of the year: 

Where to begin? 










Favourite adaptation of the year: 

None yet. But the new Persuasion adaptation with Dakota Johnson does look promising. 



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