Well, I’m a little later than everyone else with this tag this year, but I figure we’re not THAT far past the mid-year point, so I’m still going for it. Besides, it will make me feel better about my current state of non-reading to remember the good things I read earlier in the year.
1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2020
It just so happens I’m going with my two March Best of the Bunch picks for my favorites of the year. Apparently, March was a great reading month. My MG pick is In the Red by Christopher Swiedler. Maybe it’s my current state of mind, but that book just captured my attention and held it the whole way through—something that’s been tough this year! Instead of a YA choice, I’m going with an adult read: A Beginning at the End by Mike Chen. This book gives hope in the face of a pandemic, and that stuck with me!
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020
Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes is the third book in the Pandava Quartet by Roshani Chokshi, and it was excellent!
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to
Considering my recent reading habits, this could be a REALLY long list. Here are just a few:
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
I’m really looking forward to reading Maya and the Rising Dark!!
5. Biggest disappointment
I don’t talk about books I don’t like on the blog anymore. But that’s okay, because my actual biggest reading disappointment of the year has been my complete inability to read (or write) lately. (I’ve read several articles on why this is happening to people right now, but that doesn’t make me any less frustrated by it.)
6. Biggest surprise
This book was actually a 2019 release, but I read it this year as part of my Cybils Awards judging. I had no idea how much I was going to LOVE Homerooms and Hall Passes. It was utterly hilarious!!! (This actually reminds me that I still need to write reviews of my Cybils books—this one actually might be a contender for best MG book I read this year, but I didn’t consider it because I hadn’t written a review. Hmmmmm….)
7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
Kim Oclon! She’s a friend, and I’m so excited that her debut, Man Up, was published this year. Can’t wait to read her next book!
8. Newest favorite character
I’m going with Alice from Malice by Pintip Dunn. I absolutely adored this book (I was this close to choosing it as my favorite for the year so far), and I loved the complexities of Alice’s character. Plus, we got to know her in multiple timelines, which was also cool.
9. Book that made you cry
I went through my list of read books, and I couldn’t specifically remember crying during any of them. I haven’t read any super heavy, emotional books this year—who can handle that when we’ve already got so much stress in real life!
10. Book that made you happy
The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter was absolutely hilarious and it had the added benefit of being written by an old friend, Aaron Reynolds. Perfect combination for happiness!
11. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
Just look at these beauties! Deeplight was a review copy, and I won a copy of the new Cinder from Jessica @ a GREAT read! And it helps that both were fabulous books as well!
12. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
Um, all of them? This is an impossible question, and I refuse to answer it—it will only stress me out.
So, that wraps up the first half of 2020. Hope I can get over my reading slump so I’ll actually have something to report in the second half of the year!
How has your 2020 reading been going? I want to know!
I’m reading a bit slower than usual and definitely more in some genres than others, but I’m still enjoying my reads.
I’m glad I was having a great reading year before quarantine so I can reminisce. 🙂
i’m reading slower too and writing reviews is even more….i don’t know what but they are harder to write. i also don’t review books i don’t like on my blog any more, though i do rate them on goodreads. too many good ones to share.
I changed my review policy when I started querying my own book—it’s kind of a conflict of interest to try to sell a book while criticizing other people’s books. 🙂
I am with you. I skip all the negative questions. I cannot believe you haven’t cried! My list would be endless. I love Four Days. I hope you like it if you get to it.
I feel like maybe I have cried, but I’m just not remembering? Maybe I’ve blocked out all sadness from my memory as a coping mechanism lately.
I hope you get to read Cinderella is Dead soon. I just finished it recently and I thought it was a fabulous book!
I definitely need to pick it up soon!
I’ve been struggling to read this month too. There are just too many distractions! I need to read A Beginning At The End. I remember seeing it on a bunch of “best” lists last year. Good luck with getting out of your slump!
I’m really hoping I can break out of this slump soon, but it feels impossible! I did finish a couple of books this week, but one of them was a workbook, so there wasn’t as much writing in it. LOL!
I’m usually late on these mid-year posts too, so no judging here! 🙂
I love the new covers for Cinder (etc). So pretty! And I’m really excited about Maya and the Rising Dark, too!
I actually thought I was late to read Maya and the Rising Dark, but they must have pushed back the release date because it says September now. Makes me feel better. 🙂
Chen’s A Beginning at the End has been on my TBR for months but I just haven’t got to it yet. I’m glad you just put it back on my radar! 🙂
It’s great—I definitely recommend it!!
I hope you’ll read Cinderella is Dead soon! I’ve heard so many good things about it – plus that synopsis sounds amazinggg. Also I love that new cover of Cinder; it matches the Wires and Nerve graphic novel series that’s set in the same world really well!
As for my reading, I’ve been reading a lot of poetry and graphic novels since I haven’t really been feeling like reading any novels, but I’ve also been reading books quickly now that I don’t have to deal with school AND work. (My ARCs on the other hand, aren’t pleased with my decisions.)
I’m actually reading it now, and I’m loving it so far!
I, too, haven’t been able to write a whole lot, but I’m trying not to get down on my self. There are so many days that I have written something and I need to remind myself of that to keep motivated.
Yes, I feel like I just have to give myself a break lately. I’m going through a slump. It happens. And right now, everyone’s anxiety levels are high, so I’m not alone in my lack of productivity.
I still need to read Aru Shah! I’ve only read 1.5 books in the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, so I really need to catch up! Lol. And YES, Malice was incredible! Definitely a favorite of the year!
I’ve loved almost every Rick Riordan Presents book I’ve read, so I’m definitely a fan of the imprint!
I need to pick up Aru Shah. I’ve heard so many good things about that series. I also want to get to Cinderella is Dead. I am in love with the cover for that one. Hope you have some amazing reads in the second half of 2020!
I just started reading Cinderella is Dead, and I’m loving it so far!
I LOVE the new Cinder covers, I wish I had any reason whatsoever to buy them, but alas. AGREED with A Beginning at the End and Malice- both HUGE wins for me, and I think Beginning would be my winner as well. Except I maybe read it in 2019? Anyway. I read Four Days of You and Me and really liked it so hopefully you will too! In the Red is on Lena’s wishlist after you loved it so much, too! I hope you get to Cinderella, but for selfish reasons because I want to know what you think so I can decide if I want to read it ?
I wouldn’t have bought the new Cinder, but I was very happy to win it!
I LOVE that Deeplight cover and I’m hold for Cinderella is Dead.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
The Deeplight cover is gorgeous! Hope you loved Cinderella Is Dead!
YES! I absolutely loved Alice from Malice! That was such a fabulous book! I finished reading that when our state when into a shut down and I never got around to reviewing it. Oh my gosh I need to go back and do that. It’s one of my favorite books this year.
I totally agree. I just nominated a book for the Cybils Awards and then saw Malice and thought, “Oh, maybe I should have nominated that one!” Too many amazing books out there!
I was also late for this tag, but better late than never, right? 🙂 I really want to read A Beginning at the End. So far, I have only read wonders about it
Happy readings!
Does “better late than never” apply to replying to comments too? Because that’s apparently the theme of my life lately. 🙂 I hope you do manage to read A Beginning at the End sometime—it’s fantastic!
I keep seeing everyone doing this tag and I want to join in. I’ve got it bookmarked and if I do it, it’ll be late I guess, but still seems like fun! I liked Malice too. Great picks! Oh, and I love the new cover of Cinder, even if it wasn’t one of my favorite books to begin with.
Always better late than never!
Cinderella is Dead is one of my favorite new releases of this year. I hope you’ll enjoy it too 🙂 Luckily, I haven’t had too many disappointing reads so far this year. My favorites of this year are House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas and The Forest God by Jamie Lackey.
I really want The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter for that title alone! It sounds amazing.
I know what you mean about writing and reading during all this. I think we just have to do what we can and not beat ourselves up for it.
Ah I am also so, so pumped to read Cinderella is Dead, this book sounds so good! 😀
Happy reading, Nicole <3