Hi there. We don't know about you but we're not quite sure where the first half of 2024 went. It's hard to believe we already have to start compiling lists and reflect on the first two quarters of the year.
Welp, denying reality isn't going to make 2024 any less half-over so..
Here we go!
What is the best book you've read so far in 2024?
M : Struggling with nailing this down but a couple of Lemn Sissay books, My Name is Why & Let The Light Pour In and If My Words Had Wings by Danielle Jawando. There's a theme here because Jawando mentions Sissay's poetry a number of times in her book. Ain't life funny....
H : The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden is the best so far both for the reading of it and the experience of an extensive and in-depth readalong I was lucky enough to take part in.
What is the best sequel you've read so far in 2024?
M : Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
H : The Girl in Question by Tess Sharpe.
What's a new release you haven't read yet, but want to?
M : A Tempest of Tea by Hafzah Faisal.
H : Per tradition, I consulted our Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases of 2024 list and I have read all the thus-far released titles I had anticipated -- sadly, also per tradition, three of my picks have been pushed to.. who even knows. So instead I'm going to say The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley and Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell.
What is your most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
M : Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid has caught my eye, which isn't surprising as I loved her last two releases
H : A balance of both my vibes! This Is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter (August twentieth) and You Belong With Me by Mhairi McFarlane (September third).
What has been your biggest disappointment?
M : A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L Jenson, which is super hyped but fell competely flat and had an ick factor for me.
H : There's been a lot of books I've disliked more but Ghost Station by S. A. Barnes earns this honour because of how much I assumed I would love it.
What has been your biggest surprise?
M : House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J Maas for the sheer length, boredom factor and so many names beginning with H.
H : I'm choosing to interpret surprise as a good surprise (I know, who am I!) and that would be We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer because not only was I wowed by how good this horror was but it's also a debut so how was this so good!
Do you have a favorite new author (debut or new to you)?
M : I was recently super impressed by Lauren Ford's upcoming debut Liv Is Not a Loser. Disclaimer, I know this author as a bookish friend but I am giving an authentic opinion when I say this romcom was really good.
H : I don't have an answer to this one! But hopefully by the end of the year I'll either have more proof of a new favourite or discover an author that totally wows me.
Who is your newest fictional crush?
M : I'm going to say both the MCs in Elantris by Brandon Sanderson who delivered on strong empowering characters, round of applause for Sarene and Raorden.
H : He's not really a typical crush but I just found myself falling for him a bit every time he ended up on the page. And that's a certain doctor in The Warm Hands of Ghosts (not spoiling their name because it's a little bit unexpected the way things worked out!).
Who is your newest favorite character?
M : Miles from Funny Story by Emily Henry, my catnip good guy.
H : He probably counts as a bit of a crush, too, but his character over all is just so great. And that's Adam Hawkins from The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn.
What book has made you cry?
M : Unsurpisingly, If My Words Had Wings by Danielle Jawando; real tragic lives in these pages.
H : Hasn't been as many tears for the first half of 2024 but obviously what did make me cry was The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn.
What book has made you happy?
M : My re-read on dramatic audio of the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. I'm up to 5.5 now but waiting patiently for book 6 to be released.
H : I treated myself to a reread of Red, White, and Royal Blue and that made me so so happy.
What's the most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)?
M : The Broken Binding edition of The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon. Those edges are exceptional and I love the spine script.
H : The Waterstones edition of The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden is hands down the prettiest of this year!
What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
M : I could at least start (if not finish the series) Eragon by Christopher Paolini.
H : As always I have committed to Five Series to Finish in 2024 and I am slacking on those even more than I was last year -- as of this post I've only knocked one series off the list. Whoops. Better get going on those!
credit for the Mid-Year Book Freak Out tag goes to :
Chami → https://youtu.be/EB8OrYHBvM8
Ely → https://youtu.be/X_Wh0rPGfRg
We'd love to know how the half way point of the year has you feeling about books you've read and anticipated. Any highlights so far? Any big disappointments? Tell us your feels.
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