Whoaw … half of this year has already come to pass!!
This is what first came to mind when tons of blogposts and youtube videos with this tag started popping up in my feed. In general I tend to skip all tags cause I am more of a book review, monthly wrap up and new releases kinda girl. Except for the book tag to rule them all …. the Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag. Simply because it’s all of those things I enjoy wrapped into one video and/or blogpost. So … big shout out to Chami from IsThatChami and Ely (Elyjane) from Earl Grey Books for co-creating this awesome tag.
So after years of reading tons of Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag blogposts, streaming an even larger amount of videos and as a consequence feverishly updating my want-to-read list on Goodreads … here is my very first Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag!!
1. Best Book you’ve read so far in 2018 ?
Title: Anansi Boys
Author: Neil Gaiman
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Verdict: ☆☆☆☆☆
Not only was this book very well written, it was also freaking hilarious. Handsdown the best reading experience of 2018. This should not have been a surprise, cause if anyone would be able to create an urban fantasy universe infused with the mischievousness that is so reminiscent of the original West African Anansi stories … it would be Neil Gaiman.
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far?
Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: J.K. Rowling
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Verdict:☆☆☆☆
This is actually the only sequel I read this year … but I think it would have won best sequel category anyways.
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to?
Title: Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
I have no valid excuse as to why I haven’t read this book yet. I pre-ordered the hardcopy, the e-book and even the audiobook … but for some reason I can’t free up my schedule to just sit down pick this book up and finish it … Ah well I will get to this must-read eventually. I suspect I am just waiting for the right mood to kick in.
Title: Nevermoor, the trails of Morrigan Crow
Author: Jessica Townsend
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Although I have sort of dnf-ed this one plenty of times… I’m pretty sure I will finish this one. The writing style of this book is the main reason I still read middle grade from time to time … it’s fantastically whimsical. But I suspect it’s that “ right mood” thing I am waiting for again.
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
This one is complicated, cause as per usual I have tons of titles on my list. But these are the top 4 titles I think you need to keep an eye on.
Title : Vengeful
Author: V.E. Schwab
Genre: Adult, Science Fiction
Release Date: 25 September 2018
Reason: The 1st instalment of the Villains series … gave me life and Vicious is the main reason I pre-order everything penned by V.E. or Victoria Schwab.
Title: City of Ghost
Author: Victoria Schwab
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Paranormal
Release date: 28 August 2018
Reason: As I stated earlier … it’s a Victoria Schwab and therefor it must be read.
Title: Muse of Nightmares (Strange The Dreamer #2)
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Release date: 2 October 2018
Reason: Laini Taylor’s books are basically enchantments in disguise. Her writing style is the most amazing I had the pleasure of experiencing to date.
Title: My Favorite Thing is Monsters Part 2
Author: Emil Ferris
Genre: Graphic Novel, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Horror
Release date: 14 August 2018
Reason: This graphic novel is not only wonderfully crafted, it also turns out to be a fascinating story that touches upon many complex themes. It is in fact so interesting that the book is now being adapted into a movie.
5. Biggest dissapointment Lowest rating?
Title: X & Y
Author: Franca Treur
Genre: Short Stories, Literary Fiction
Verdict:☆☆☆
With all the research I do before I even pick up a book … almost every book I read is at the very least a fun experience. This is definitely the case when it comes to this Dutch short story collection, it just happens to be the lowest rated book I read in 2018 so far.
6. Biggest surprise ?
Title: 40 Acres
Author: Dwayne Alexander Smith
Genre: Thriller
Verdict:☆☆☆☆
I would’ve never known this book even existed if Rincey from Rincey Reads hadn’t suggested it. I have to admit I was shook after reading the synopsis and eventually picked it up because I was curious why Rincey would recommend this book. Well … long story short, this book did not disappoint. This debut novel by screenwriter Dwayne Alexander Smith reads like the best thriller that has not been made into a movie yet. The fact that it was predictable at times didn’t even bother me, that is how unputdownable this book turned out to be … It helped that the subject matter was dealt with in a tasteful manner.
7. Favourite new author?
Loved Jason Reynolds before I even picked up one of his books. Simply because this man is on a mission … and he has committed himself to writing truly beautiful stories about somewhat heavy topics featuring young protagonist that are frequently overlooked in literature. He makes sure that those who feel invisible are seen.
9. Newest favourite character?
Pain shared, my brother, is pain not doubled but halved.
~Spider~
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
Spider embodies all the mischievousness his trickster god daddy Mr. Nancy is known for. He played the part of (demi -) gods, that do whatever the hell they please without facing the consequences, very well. He was mean, lean and slick until he fell in love. He is basically an overt narcissist that you somehow grow to love by the end of Anansi Boys.
10 & 11. Book that made you cry/happy?
Title: For Everyone
Author: Jason Reynolds
Genre: Poetry
Verdict:☆☆☆☆☆
This poem/essay/letter on the importance of having the courage to dream, brought tears to my eyes for all the right reasons. Jason Reynolds words of encouragement caught me of guard and just touched me in an unexpected way. I now keep these words very close and use them as firelight for my sometimes dark road.
12. Favorite book to movie adaptation?
Title: Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams
Author: Philip K. Dick
Genre: Short Stories, Science Fiction
Verdict: ☆☆☆☆
Electric Dreams episode: The Autofac
This book contains the 10 short stories that are inspiration to the episodes of the Electric Dreams anthology. The complete anthology can be streamed via Amazone Prime Video.
This was actually the first time I read a book in preparation of a movie/TV series and it was so much fun that it’s now the theme of my 2018 TBR list. The Electric Dreams anthology turned out to be a less dark version of Black Mirror. Of all the short stories “The Autofac” was handsdown my favorite and the visual adaptation, although slightly revised, had an even better pay off than its source material.
For those who are familiar with singer/songwriter/actress Janelle Monae and her alter ego, android Cindi Mayweather, it will come as no surprise that seeing her play an android on screen fueled the love I already had for the “The Autofac” instalment.
13. Favorite review you’ve written this year?
Title: Long Way Down
Author: Jason Reynolds
Genre: Prose, Poetry, Young Adult, Contemporary
Verdict: ☆☆☆☆☆
My review: A long way down – Jason Reynolds
This was my very first English book review about one of the most powerful books I’ve read in 2018. It’s also my first Jason Reynolds book and reading this book confirmed everything I believed to be true prior to picking up any of his work … you can tell he takes writing very seriously and that he often connects with the young adults he writes these beautiful books for.
14. Most beautiful book you bought so far?
Title: My favorite thing is monsters.
Author: Emil Ferris
Genre: Graphic Novel, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Horror
A remarkable graphic novel by an equally remarkable author. This has a fascinating storyline that touches upon many complex themes and I feel very privileged to own a book that is so wonderfully crafted. Every page is a work of art.
15. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
As I was taking notes to write this blogpost I could tell this would be a very long post and after I penned my answer to this question, I decided to make a seperate post. So if you still want to know what books I have to read before the end of 2018. I suggest you take a look at my book to movie list for 2018.
I hope you enjoyed this tag and that you could add some new titles to your reading list. If you have executed a Mid-Year Freak Out Book Tag feel free to post the link to your tag in my comment section. I’d like to find out about your reading experience.
IkBenNorine 
Thanks for the kind words about my debut novel Forty Acres. FYI just released a new thriller, The Unkind Hours. Nice blog. Peace.