Mid-Year Book Freak-Out Tag 2022

Typically I’d post this in July but I was busy moving (hence my absence from the blog – though I have been posting on Instagram so you should totally follow me there @readwithstefani!) so with a slight delay: here’s the mid-year book freak-out tag: 2022 edition!

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2022?

I’ve read 82 so far and when prompted to pick a favorite, the following three titles come to mind:

• Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
• The Radium Girls by Kate Moore.
• Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker

Each one a 5 star read and to date the books I can’t stop thinking about since I’ve read them earlier in 2022.

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2022?

I’ve read a few sequels but nothing too memorable. If pushed to pick a favorite from my Goodreads read list for 2022, I pick The Book Smugglers (Pages & Co #4) by Anna James.

3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to.

My list of releases had 14 titles half of which I’ve already read, the other half have sadly been pushed back to 2022 so I don’t have a specific book title for this one.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
I’m looking forward to these two fantasy releases: The Bastards and the Knives (Gentleman Bastard #1.5) by Scott Lynch and The Lost Metal (The Mistborn Saga #7) by Brandon Sanderson. Fingers crossed that they don’t get pushed back to next year 🤞

5. Biggest disappointment.
The Shadow of the Gods (Bloodsworn Saga #1) by John Gwynne 😢

6. Biggest surprise.

Sourdough by Robin Sloan – a short but fantastic audiobook about the tech world, all consuming passion for something and you guessed it – sourdough!

7. Favourite new author. (Debut or new to you).

Maggie O’Farrell without a doubt. I’m currently reading the 3rd book by Farrell and it’s very much looks like another 5 star read.

8. Newest fictional crush.

Tyler Brady from Running Wild (Wild #3) by K.A. Tucker.

9. Newest favourite character.

Nina Redmond from The Bookshop on the Corner (Scottish Bookshop #1) by Jenny Colgan.

10. Book that made you cry.

Listen, I’m not really a crier but Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell had me bawling my eyes out. If you pick up any of the books I’ve talked about here, pick this one and have your tissues ready.

11. Book that made you happy.

Book Love by Debbie Tung – a graphic novel with great illustrations and message for every bookworm. Available on Scribd.

12. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received).

The Complete Grimm’s Fairy Tales (Knickerbocker Classics).

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

• As many of Maggie O’Farrell’s books as I can get my hands on
• America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray,
• The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley
• The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-eun
  The Man Who Died Twice (Thursday Murder Club #2) by Richard Osman

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What’s your favorite read of 2022 so far? Leave your mid-year freak-out tag link in the comments.