Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag

So, it’s halfway through the year and I haven’t posted much, but I have been reading. Depression sucks, am I right? We’ve had multiple funerals, dealing with cancer in the family and honestly I just couldn’t get up the energy to do much posting.
I had thought about a quarterly thing and just posting a little wrap up of what I read the first quarter and a little highlight reel of the good stuff, but that didn’t happen and now here we are half a year gone.
I saw Lala post her tag and thought at least I can do that! So here we go!

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2019.
The best book I’ve read so far this year would have to be Beartown by Fredrik Backman. I love hockey, small towns, sports in general. Halfway through this I actually thought about putting it down because it felt like it was dragging a bit and I couldn’t figure out where it was going but the ending just brought it up to 5 stars. I’ve read a lot of good books this year, but I don’t think any will top Beartown for me. I have Us Against you, the sequel to Beartown, out from the library and I’m pretty excited to read it.
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2019.
Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs. That’s such a lame answer for me, obviously if you’ve read any of my post I’m obsessed with everything written by her.
I also liked The Reptile Room which is the second book in A Series of Unfortunate Events. I really wish we had those books when I was a child because I know I would have loved them and they would have been my favorites.
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to.
Outpost Zero volume one.
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
99% Mine by Sally Thorne
5. Biggest disappointment. Dating You/Hating You by Christina Lauren. I love them so much, but boy was this book just irritating. It was also compared to The Hating Game, which is one of my new favorites of all time, so I went in with high hopes.
6. Biggest surprise. I just read Better When He’s Bad by Jay Crownover and I’m not usually into the bad boy romances just because I feel like so many of them just romanticize abuse but this book wasn’t like that at all. I thought it would be a 2 star read for me but gave it 4.
7. Favourite new author. (Debut or new to you) Maria Luis.
Our book club read Hold Me Today, which I loved, and after that she hosted one of our meetings (our book club is online). She was so sweet and had such a great personality and her writing was just awesome. The book was a perfect romantic comedy and I can’t wait to read more by her.
8. Newest fictional crush.
Leo from the Jane Yellowrock series. I’ve read the first 4 books and loved him since book 1. He’s a super powerful vampire and the Blood Master of the City. Jane and Leo are my ship, the rest of the guys are just whatever for me honestly.
9. Newest favourite character.
I’m super late to the party, as usual, but I just finally read Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews. Kate Daniels is super bad ass while also being sarcastic and funny. I’m aware this book has been out for over 10 years. But I’m here for it now!
10. Book that made you cry.
https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1512278185l/35068763.jpg The Home For Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman. That book was a flipping tear jerker from start to finish if you can’t already tell by the title.
11. Book that made you happy. I just realized I’ve been reading a lot of dark, depressing books this year! Night in Werewolf Woods by R.L. Stine is a horror story choose your own ending book that I read with the kids and they loved it, so while the story wasn’t always the happiest (Depending on the ending) we had fun reading it and that made me happy.
12. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year? My main focus is completing my romanceopoly tbr which I’ll be posting about soon.

That’s my mid year book freak out! If you want to see my answers from last year when I also did this tag hit the link here:
2018 mid year book freak out tag

Campfire Tag

I saw this tag on Ali’s channel linked here and it was created by Jaded Reader linked here
I just had a failed camping trip last weekend. It rained the entire first day and night. I’m still in the camping mood and hoping we get at least one more trip in before winter.
This tag sounds super fun! I’m going to try to make all my answers campy/outdoorsy so here we go!

⋯ QUESTIONS ⋯
⛺️ 1. Build the tent: a book you had to read that ended up being a drag.
Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol.

I didn’t really HAVE to read this but I try to read middle grade things before my daughter to see how appropriate they are for her. This was about Vera going to camp for the first time and how badly she wanted to make friends but couldn’t figure out how to. The art was beautiful, the story not so much. My daughter liked it but she liked everything she reads.
🔥 2. Build a fire: A book you were proud of finishing
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.

I almost dnfed this book if you can believe it. Claire stumbles upon a circle of stones on her honeymoon and somehow activates it’s magic. She travels back and time and meets a highlander named Jamie. This is a fantasy/historical romance. It was hard to push through this one but it was worth it!
🍫 3. roasted marshmallow: a mushy sweet book you couldn’t help but devour
Sasquatch, Love, and Other Imaginary Things by Betsy Aldredge and Carrie Dubois-Shaw

Sam Berger and her family are chosen for a reality tv show competition to camp out and find evidence of sasquatch. It’s said that this is a modern day retelling of Pride and Prejudice but I’ve never read that so I don’t really know. All I know is it’s a super cute ya romance.
🎣 4. Gone fishing: a book that had you hooked by the first chapter.

One Was Lost by Natalie D. Richards. I’ve talked about this book a lot now but I loved it! This group of teens on their senior camping trip wakes up drugged with words written on their arms. Their supplies has been ruined including their phones. Their teacher is unconscious and won’t wake up at all. Sera has to figure out who she can trust and how to get out of the woods alive. This was an awesome YA mystery/thriller that I just couldn’t put down, I was so hooked!
🥚 5. skipping rocks: a book or series you DNF’d
Unpopular opinion time! I hated Lumberjanes. It’s about a group of girls at a summer camp and it’s supposed to be all girl power or whatever but I didn’t like it at all. It was poorly written, some of the artwork was cute but mostly it was terrible, it really wasn’t for me.
🎵 6. Camp fire songs: a book so good you are always found singing it’s praise

I’ve mentioned the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs hundreds of times. I’m obsessed! River Marked takes place on a camping trip that I can’t say much about without completely spoiling every other book in the series. If you haven’t read it yet then what are you waiting for? Read it!
✨ 7. The night sky: a book that made you think deeply about an aspect in the world

The Comet Seekers by Helen Sedgwick This was a beautifully written story about this family that can see their dead ancestors whenever a comet is visible in the sky. I don’t want to give too much away, but it makes you think deeply about moving on after a family member has died.
🌲 8. the tear down: a book that’s ending was bitter sweet.

The Midnight Star by Marie Lu was a bittersweet ending to the Young Elites series. Can’t say anymore about it because obviously there will be spoilers.

Halloween in July book tag

This tag was created by the book gypsy. The link to her youtube video is here

Tag Questions:
-What book gave you the creeps? One was Lost by Natalie D. Richards. It’s about a group of campers on a camping trip and they wake up in the morning with no memory of the night before. Each has a word written on their arm and there is a group of dolls dressed like them acting out a murder. Super creepy. Great book.
-What book gives you the best Halloween vibes? The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding by Alexandra Bracken was a great one. It takes place in the fall with witches ,cats, and demons it’s perfect for reading around Halloween.
-What book scared you so much you had to sleep with the light on? And the Trees Crept in by Dawn Kurtagich. When I read this, even though it was late at night when I finished, I had to read a romance novel before I could sleep.
-What is your favorite Vampire book? This is so hard to answer because I went through a period of time where I was obsessed with vampires. Sunshine by Robin McKinley.
-What is your favorite book about witches/goblins/ghosts/demons etc? I could pick one from each of those categories lol there are so many. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins was a great demon one.
-What book do you wish was scarier? The Woman in Cabin 10. IT WAS SO BORING. Will I ever stop trashing this book? Probably not.
-What is your favorite book that takes place in October? I never pay attention to the month a book takes place in unless it’s a Christmas book. I tried sooo hard! My sister brought up that parts of the Harry Potter books take place in October. That’s the best I can do lol.

Romance Reader Book Tag

1. What age did you start to read romance novels? 12 or 13. Before high school. What’s funny is I wasn’t allowed to read Harry Potter growing up, but I had this book that I got at a yardsale called Whirlwind by Nancy Martin-the first in the Welcome to Tyler series. The cover is a patchwork quilt on it and it looks very tame….but it’s not at all! I vividly remember reading my first adult scene, and then reading it about 5 more times! We (my mom and I) collected a few more from used book stores and yardsales, she had no problem buying these trashy romance for me haha! But Harry Potter, that is just not appropriate for children.

2. If you could pick one hero to meet from your favorite romance novels who would it be and why? Jack from the Virgin River series comes to mind immediately. He’s such a manly man, a veteran and bar owner. He hunts and fishes. He makes sure all the people in the town are taken care of. He makes everyone who comes in to his bar feel right at home. Also, through meeting him I would be able to meet all of the Virgin River men because they are always hanging out.
3. Who are your favorite romance authors and why? Patricia Briggs just does an amazing job with urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Nicholas Sparks because not all love stories have happy endings. Robyn Carr because Virgin River feels like home to me. Kristin Hannah because she has such a wide range of everything, every story she writes is so different and it’s all beautifully written. Those are auto buys for me whenever I see them.
4. What is a favorite romance novel to re-read?
I don’t really re-read a lot of books, I have re-read the ACATAR series, which isn’t REALLY romance but close enough.
5. What book would you recommend to a non romance reader?
Chosen by Sharon Sala. She writes romantic suspense stories that can be enjoyed by anyone.
6. Which is your favorite, contemporary, suspense, or historical and why? I used to really like historical but I’m enjoying contemporary more. I really like small town romances and stories that are more relatable to me.

If you are reading this consider yourself tagged! I’d love to see your answers.

#summerscaries book tag!

My sister told me about this tag and said I should do it! Apparently people are answering with contemporary reads which is fine and all, but doesn’t give a lot of love to all the “scary” books out there that can be recommended.
Emmabooks on youtube did this tag and in her video said it was created by Penguin Teen inspired by the release of 4th book in The Merciless series by Danielle Vaga. I haven’t read any of the books yet but am definitely adding it to my tbr.

– tag questions –
1. Specter: A book still haunts you after reading it.

The Missing by Chris Mooney. It’s one of my favorite books and there is a scene at the end that… I can’t say much about because it would spoil the entire story, but it haunts my nightmares!
2. Don’t split up: A book would you want to read around a campfire with friends.

Escape from the Carnival of Horrors by R.L. Stine. It’s a choose your own adventure type story that I actually read with a friend on the bus in school. It’s super fun, and only 135 pages. Because no one wants to read a huge book around a campfire.
3. Ghost: A book would you like to ghost.

Every book tag has to have a negative question! I’ve answered this so many times! Judgment Road by Christine Feehan. At this point I’m just so tired of books portraying bikers badly and all the new adult books romantisizing abusive relationships.
4. Frankenstein: A book that mixes genres well.

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton. The series mixes horror with fantasy and also romance. My only complaint is that around book 9 the plot disappears and the series turns into complete porn. Before that though I loved Anita Blake!
5. Murder: A book with a twist you didn’t see coming.

Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher I won’t say anything about the twist, I will just say the book cover makes it seem like some weird bondage thing is going on but this is a psychological thriller, not a bdsm novel haha.
6. Zombie: A book or series you would like to revive from the BookTube graveyard.

The Young Elites by Marie Lu. I read this after all the hype was gone and there was no one to talk about it with. I always miss the hype, but at least I can binge the entire series with no wait!
7. Witch: A horror book with a strong female protagonist.

Most of what I read isn’t actually “horror” I guess, it’s mystery/thriller. It’s made this tag a bit of a struggle. Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo definitely has a lot of horrific scenes and lots of suspense. Kate Burkholder is the chief of police of Painter’s Mill, Ohio. She was born and raised Amish, but left the faith. It takes a strong woman just to be able to walk away from everything you’ve been taught and to know your family wont welcome you back. But on top of all that she works to protect the same community she left. She is strong and independent and just all around bad ass. I usually don’t like most female characters but Kate is one of my favorites.
8. Mind Control: A spooky book you would recommend to everyone.

These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly is a YA historical fiction mystery that definitely has some spooky elements to it.

Comment below to let me know some of your favorite scary books! Especially if they are actually horror, because apparently I don’t read enough of it.

Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag

Booktube is exploding with videos for this tag and it looked fun so here I am doing this! I am freaking out, I was behind on my goodreads goal for a while, just got back on track this weekend. Usually I’m way ahead, and I even made my goal under the amount I read last year.
Of the videos I’ve watched I haven’t heard anyone credit the creator. If you know who created this please let me know!

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2018.

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan. I related a lot to it, the book was beautifully written. I can’t recommend it enough.

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2018.

Blood Cross by Faith Hunter is the first book that comes to mind. I read this after my book club read the first book and I just had to read more after that. The series just keeps getting better and better and I can’t wait to read the 3rd!

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

The Kiss Quotient

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

Realistically Saga 9 by Brian K Vaughann is my most anticipated but I say that a lot. I’m also really looking forward to The Mona Lisa Key by Liesl Shurtliff. I’ve loved everything else I’ve read by the author and can’t wait for this new time-traveling adventure!

5. Biggest disappointment.

A Court of Frost and Starlight obviously.
I recently read The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware and it was so boring I wanted to cry. Even at the height of the action I just wanted it to end.

6. Biggest surprise.

xo, Zach by Kendall Ryan. Usually I don’t like new adult and I was just looking for a light, quick read after reading so much dark emotional stuff and I actually ended up loving this! It’s one of the few new adult novels I’ve given 5 stars too.

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

I loved Roomies by Christina Lauren and definitely plan to read more by them. I say them because I just found out that they are actually 2 authors by reading the goodreads bio.

8. Newest fictional crush.

I’m torn between Joshua Templeman from The Hating Game by Sally Thorne and Calvin McLoughlin from Roomies by Christina Lauren. Both are swoon worthy. I know my sister loves Joshua though so I could take Calvin and be happy.

9. Newest favourite character.

I love Jane Yellowrock. I love that she is such a strong female character and doesn’t break down and wait for a man to save her. She is fierce and powerful and completely badass.

10. Book that made you cry.

I’ve cried a lot this year reading books. The most recent was while I was reading The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata. I read it last week. That should tell you something about how often I cry haha.

11. Book that made you happy.

The entire series of the Library Wars manga. I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I have but I just can’t get enough of these characters! I try to read a couple volumes every month to space out the happiness .

12. Favourite book to film adaptation you saw this year. I haven’t seen any this year. I actually have only watched 2 movies all year. Coco and Boo 2 A Madea Halloween. I’ve been too busy binge-watching House and The Office. I have problems haha.

13. Favourite review you’ve written this year. (Booktube version: Favourite video you have done so far in this year) Probably my childhood look back of My Side of the Mountain. I’ve really enjoyed the whole year of rereading my childhood favorites.

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

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban illustrated edition. I love collecting these and can’t wait to own the whole series in these beautiful editions. The artwork is gorgeous I just love the way Jim Kay brought the characters to life.

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

The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll and Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood. I won both in goodreads giveaways and haven’t gotten to them yet.

Harry Potter Spells Book Tag

My sister wanted to to do this tag so here it is! The Harry Potter Spells book tag was created by Kimberly Faye Reads.
1. Accio- Summoning charm. This charm summons an object to the caster, potentially over a significant distance.
An upcoming release you wish you could get your hands on right now.
Saga Volume 9 by Brian K. Vaughan which comes out in October of this year!

2 – Alohomora- Unlocking charm. Used to open and unlock doors.
Favorite Series Starter.
Divergent. It was one of my favorite series until the last book, and sometimes I let that cloud over how good the first 2 were.

3 – Cheering Charm-Causes the person upon whom the spell was cast to become happy and contented.
A book that gave you all the warm fuzzies.
xo, Zach by Kendall Ryan made me smile and laugh and I just loved it! I don’t usually like new adult so this surprised me.

4 – Aguamenti- Water making spell. Produces a jet of water from the caster’s wand.
A book that made you ugly cry.
The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, The Guardian. Almost any Nicholas Sparks book.

5 – Expecto Patronum-Patronus Charm. A defensive spell which will conjure a spirit-like incarnation of their positive emotions to defend against dark creatures.
Bookish hero or heroine you want around to protect you in real life.
Charles from Patricia Briggs’ Alpha and Omega series. I love how he protects Anna but also allows her to find her strength as an omega and to fight for herself. He also doesn’t get jealous and possessive when she uses her omega powers to help other males in the pack.

6 – Lumos-Creates a narrow beam of light that shines from the wand’s tip like a torch.
A book you intentionally spoiled for yourself.
I don’t intentionally spoil books, I hate spoilers so much that I rarely even read the covers because they have way too many details.

7 – Imperio- Imperius Curse. Causes the victim of the curse to obey the spoken/unspoken commands of the caster. One of the 3 Unforgivable Curses.
A book you wish you could make everyone read because you loved it so much.
Jackaby by William Ritter. I feel like anyone who loved Fantastic Beasts will love Jackaby.

8 – Engorgio- Engorgement Charm. Causes the target to swell in physical size.
A book series you wish never ended.
The Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I could easily read 10 more!

9 – Wingardium Leviosa- Levitates Objects.
A book with an uplifting ending or message.
Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia has a great message about finding yourself and showing people the real you without hiding behind a computer.

10 – Obliviate- Memory Charm. Used to hide a memory of a particulat event.
A book you wish you could forget you ever read.
A Court of Frost and Starlight. What a waste of time.

11 – Anapneo-Clears the target’s airway, should they find it blocked.
An author who’s book always gets you out of a slump.
When I’m in a slump I like to turn to graphic novels. Some of my favorite authors are Brian K. Vaughan, Kazu Kibuishi, Jeff Lemire

12 – Jelly-Legs Jinx – A jinx that renders it’s victim’s Legs temporarily useless, leaving him/her to wobble around helplessly.
A swoon-worthy hero or heroine.
Rhysand from the ACOTAR series. Daemon from the Lux series. Adam from the Mercy Thompson series. Basically any non-human male in a book haha.

13 – Aresto Momentum – Decreased the velocity of a moving target.
A book that caused you to stop doing all other things until you finished it.
Blood Cross by Faith Hunter kept me up all night. I couldn’t put it down.

14 – Crucio- Cruciatus Curse. Inflicts unbearable pain on the recipient. One of the 3 Unforgivable Curses.
A book that was painful to read or broke you.
This could be so many. The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan hit pretty close to home. Having lost a parent and also having a parent with mental health issues and growing up with that I related a lot to the grief that the main charactor was working through.

15 – Rictumsempra- Tickling Charm. Causes an extreme tickling sensation to the subject.
A book that had you laughing out loud.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne was hilarious!

16 – Expelliarmus – Disarming Charm. Causes whatever the victim is holding to fly away.
A book that made you want to send it flying.
Since I already used ACOFAS for one answer, my most recent dnf was Royal Replicas by Michael Pierce.

17 – Portus – Turns an object into a portkey, which brings anyone who touches it to a specific location.
Book world you wish you could visit.
Velaris would be an obvious answer, however I would love to see what my doorway would be in the Every Heart a Doorway series.

18 – Stupefy – Stunning Spell. Puts the victim in an unconscious state.
A book with a shocking twist or ending.
The Maze Runner by James Dasher

19 – Avada Kedavra – The Killing Curse. Causes instant, painless death to whomever the curse hits. One of the 3 Unforgivable Curses.
A character death that destroyed you.
Snape, Dumbledore, Dobby…

20 – Finite Incantatem – Terminates all spell effects in the vicinity of the caster.
Best series conclusion.
I’m going to go with an unpopular opinion and say Unforgiven by Lauren Kate which is the 5th book in the Fallen series. It’s one of the few series that I gave the last book a 5 star rating. I stand by my love of the entire series.

I hope you like reading this tag, it took me a long time haha. If you’re reading this you’ve been officially tagged. As always hope you’re having good reads!

End of the Year book tag

This tag was created by Ariel. Here is the original video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHf0O4e2Z6A

Questions:
Are there any books you started this year that you need to finish?
I started Space Dumplings with the kids and really want to finish it. I had to return it to the library and now I have to wait for it to come back in.

Do you have an autumnal book to transition into the end of the year?
This book tag was created in September, but here I am in November completing it lol. I’m almost all Autumned out and ready for my winter/Christmas reads. Last night I started House of Ivy and Sorrow by Natalie Whipple that has a very fall feel to it. It’s about a girl from a family of witches that is cursed.
Is there a new release you’re still waiting for?
Saga Volume 8 by Brian K. Vaughan December 27th!

What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?
This is by no means a tbr, I’m not making any reading promises for the rest of the year.
I borrowed The Night Gwen Stacey Died by Sarah Bruni months ago from my sister. I don’t know why I haven’t read it. I love Spider Man, I love Spider Gwen. I’ve picked it up a few times and then I just get distracted by some other book cover.
Batgirl Volume 1 Beyond Burnside I’m a Marvel girl. I don’t know what it is, I talked about it with my dad before he passed, every superhero I like is a Marvel character. But I’ve been trying DC a little here and there and it’s not bad. I own this, I’ve had it for awhile now. I just need to get it done. I have skimmed it a little and I do like the artwork.
The Bite Before Christmas by Heidi Betts combines two of my favorite things, paranormal romance and Christmas! My sister found this for me at a library book sale and I can’t wait to read it.

Is there a book you think could still shock you and become your favorite book of the year?
I highly doubt it. I’ve read a lot of really good books, I’m not even sure I could choose a favorite from what I read this year.

Have you already started making reading plans for 2018?
This year instead of doing reading challenges which I never complete, setting myself up for failure, I just read what I wanted to when I wanted to. This led to me reading over 200 books, most of which I enjoyed. I added more to my all time favorites than I have any other year. I want to continue this in 2018.
This year I want to review more, blog more. Find a better way to keep track of my reading.

Scallywag Book Tag

this book tag was inspired by the Scallywagathon but you in no means have to do that to do this tag!  Created by Alison over at Hardback Hoarder here is the original video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=619_J74Ee90

⋯ QUESTIONS ⋯
1. All Hands on Deck! – pick 3 characters on your crew!
Percy Jackson for obvious reasons, he can control water.
Draco Malfoy. Even though he’s a “villian” we need someone who will be ruthless. He’s also good at magic and potions which will come in handy.
Rhysand. Because why not?

2. Open Waters- there’s something lurking below your ship; name a fictional creature you don’t wanna meet in your travels.
A kraken? Or a Siren. I wouldn’t want to meet any kind of sea creatures to be honest. It’s like choosing how you would want to die.

3. Siren Song – you hear the song tempting you with love; name a book you didn’t know you needed till you read it
Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira helped me with my grief after my dad passed.

4. Parley- Your crew has been captured! What famous villain are you thrilled (and slightly scared) about meeting?
Captain Hook ❤

5. Davy Jones’ Locker – One of your crew members has died; name a book that provides a unique outlook on death.
OPTIONAL: choose a crew member to die
I refuse to kill off a crew member. (bye percy!)
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom “All endings are also beginnings. We just don’t know it at the time.

6. Yo Ho Ho! – you meet a fellow pirate at a pub; recommend a pirate related book
I would have said Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell but since Alison/Hardback Hoarder mentioned it in the video I’ll go with Pirates! by Celia Rees. I read it in high school and it was one of my favorites.

7. X Marks the Spot – you found the treasure; what is one fictional item you would love to have?
I would love to have Hermione’s Handbag. I would never have to worry about packing again, I could take whatever I want!