#Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag

So yes, I know it’s now the end of July and I am just now posting this tag, but better late than never right? I wasn't tagged by anyone, but I liked reviewing my books from the first part of the year. Let’s just jump right in.

1. BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2019?
This is so hard to narrow down to just the one, so I figured I would list the five books I have given 5 stars to so far this year.
* Where the Crawdad’s Sing – Delia Ownes
* Educated – Tara Westover
* Sometimes I Lie – Alice Feeney
* Sorcery of Thorns – Margaret Rogerson
* Otherearth – Jason Segel, Kristen Miller

2. BEST SEQUEL YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2019?
I have only read a handful of sequels so far this year. My favorite has to be Otherearth by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller. I listened to this one on audiobook with my husband and we can’t wait for the next book in the series.

3. NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET, BUT WANT TO?
There are so many that I have yet to read with such a lack of motivation and time this year. I am hoping to increase my reading time and get to all those books I have sitting on my shelves. I do know I will get to some new releases too.

4. MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF 2019?
The Toll by Neal Shusterman is my most anticipated book for the rest of the year. I loved the first two in the Scythe trilogy and look forward to this last installment!

Girls of Storm and Shadow by Natasha Ngan is also on the top of my list. I loved Girls of Paper and Fire once I got into it.

5. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT?
Aurora Rising by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman has to be my biggest disappointment. I was so hyped up for this one after the Illuminae files and everyone’s reviews that I thought I would love it. Unfortunately, it fell flat for me.

6. BIGGEST SURPRISE?
The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman was the biggest surprise to me. I had never heard about this book, but it was recommended by a friend and fellow yogi. I really enjoyed it and suggest you give it a try!

7. FAVORITE NEW AUTHOR?
Margaret Rogerson is a new favorite for me. I look forward to picking up An Enchantment of Ravens.

8. NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH?
So, I don’t really crush on fictional characters so I don’t have an answer for this one. I am married to my amazing husband and that is my only crush (gasp I know)!

9. NEWEST FAVORITE CHARACTER?
I don’t know if I have one to be honest.

10. BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY?
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris and The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah both made me cry. I am an emotional reader and get very invested in characters in my books. If you’ve not read either of those, do it, what are you waiting for?

11. BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY?
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang definitely made me leave feeling happy. It was a steamy, romantic, own-voices book that left one feeling satisfied. Remember though… this is an Adult book not Young Adult.

12. FAVORITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION YOU SAW THIS YEAR?
So I don’t go to movies too often and I don’t think I have seen any new ones this year. However, I have re-watched Harry Potter and that is of course a great book to movie adaptation (even with the changes and missing content).

13. FAVORITE REVIEW YOU’VE WRITTEN THIS YEAR?
I am a bit behind on reviews and blogging in general. I am hoping to really pick this up for the rest of the year.

14. MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU’VE BOUGHT (OR RECEIVED) SO FAR THIS YEAR?
Crown of Feathers by Nicki Pau-Preto is one of the prettiest books I’ve gotten this year. I love all of the reds. This is still a book I need to read!

15. WHAT BOOKS DO YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THIS YEAR?
Can I list them all? I need to read so many books that I have back listed, but the new shiny books are so enticing!

Have you done this tag? If so, please link below so I can check it out! Also, if you've read any of these books let me know what your thoughts were in the comments.

Adventure On, 
Amanda

Tag Tuesday: #daysoftheweekinbooks

Happy #tagtuesday! I was tagged on Instagram by @growing_bookshelf to do the #daysoftheweekinbooks tag. Let me know in the comments what your week looks like. 

• Monday (Too Lazy to Read): Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld – I started reading this, but I just couldn’t get myself to actually get through the book. I don’t know if I wasn’t interested, or if the 599 pages overwhelmed me and I became much too lazy to finish it.
• Tuesday (Emotionally Difficult): The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – I shed a few tears throughout this book. I was prepared to be blown away by the story due to the hype of this book, which is very accurate. It deals with a difficult side of WWII and I think that anyone interested in historical fiction should read this one.
• Wednesday (DNF’d): Projekt 1065: A Novel of World War II by Alan Gratz and Dan Bittner – I struggled to get as far as I did through this one. The characters are never really developed and the writing is difficult for me to enjoy. I felt like the spy aspect was very overdone and I was just not feeling it.
• Thursday (Wouldn’t Recommend): After You by Jojo Moyes – I rated this one 2 stars. I just wasn’t impressed with it. I really enjoyed the first book in the series Me Before You, but this book just wasn’t necessary to me. I was excited and anxious to read the next installment, but I was sadly disappointed.
• Friday (Anticipated Release): Wildcard by Marie Lu – I enjoyed Warcross  and I am excited to see where Emika goes next. Warcross left on such a huge cliff hanger, that I NEED to know what happens next. (release date: September 18,2018)
• Saturday (Can’t Wait to Read): Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Braken – I loved The Darkest Minds and I really want to see what happens in this world. The abilities are intriguing and the missions are intense. I just finished The Darkest Minds this year and I can’t wait to read the second one.
• Sunday (Didn’t Want to End): Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling – Now this might seem cliché, but I honestly wish we could get another story in this world. I know we keep getting spin offs, but I’d love to see more of Hogwarts or even the other schools. I just really miss this world. This is the only book/series I have re-read multiple times.

Adventure On,
Amanda

#TopTenFictionalCharacters Tag

I was tagged on Instagram to do the #toptenfictionalcharacters tag. I decided I would list more details for the tag here as well as my list on Instagram. Let’s get started, in no particular order.

• Hermione Granger – Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
• Hermione will forever be my favorite character. She is strong, intelligent, and a bit quirky. I love how much she cares for her friends and all the people of the wizarding world as well as the muggles.
• Katniss Everdeen – The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Katniss hooked me when she volunteered for her sister. My sister is my everything and I would do the same thing for her as Katniss did for her sister. I love how strong she is even in the worst situations. She is also very real and emotional when she can and should be.
• Don Tillman – The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
• Don was such a fun character. His analytical mind trying to mix with love and life was hilarious and relatable. I loved both books in this duology and I miss this character all the time.
• Augustus Waters – The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• Augustus is the ideal character dealing with the not ideal situation. His outlook on life, even when his isn't promised, made me feel hope for the future. The way he took care of Hazel was heartwarming.
• June Iparis – Legend by Marie Lu
• June was a loveable character. She was out to do whatever it took to make things right. I loved her energy and the ability to see what was actually happening versus what 'they' wanted her to think was happening.
• Alice Cullen – Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
• Alice, oh Alice. I don't know what to say about her. I could go on and on about how awesome was as a friend, sister, daughter, vampire, ect. I loved her character through the entire series. And yes, I am not shy to say I loved Twilight when I first read it and I am glad to have enjoyed it during my early reading years.
• Scout Finch – To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee
• Scout has been a favorite character of mine since I read this book in junior high. She was so determined to prove how strong and lovable she was.
• Newt Scamander – Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling
• Newt is just hilarious. He is so blunt and has a strong will for his work. I love that he was so adventurous.
• Percy Jackson – Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
• Percy was a fun character to watch develop. He wasn't necessarily the best at everything, but he made the best of the situation he was in. His friendships were to die for and I loved his personality throughout the series.
• Scythe Anastasia – Scythe by Neal Shusterman
• Anastasia (Citra) was a fun character. I recently read this book and I loved her development throughout the book. She was so shy and grew into a wonderful leader.

Here are some honorable mentions with some of my favorite Disney characters.

• Woody – Toy Story
• Ralph – Wreck It Ralph
• Olaf - Frozen

What are some of your favorite characters? If you haven't done so, take some time to do this tag as well and comment your link below so I can check it out!

Adventure On,
Amanda