It’s time for one of my favorite blog posts of the year–the Mid-Year Book Freak-Out tag, created by Earl Grey Books and Chami! I love this way of looking back on my reading over the first half of the year, because it helps me better analyze where I’m at and where I want to go with my reading over the coming months.

Oh, and I always give multiple answers for each question, because I like to be able to feature as many of the books I’ve loved as possible; I try not to repeat books for multiple prompts for the same reason. Let’s get started!

1. Best books you’ve read so far in 2024

So far, my standout reads have been the riveting nonfiction Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer; the informative and yet emotional nonfiction How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith; the beautiful love story and adventure in fantasy All the Hidden Paths by Foz Meadows; and the scientific yet personal nonfiction essay collection How Far the Light Reaches by Sabrina Imbler.

And some runner-up faves:

I also loved YA contemporary romance Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood and memoir Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. It’s interesting that my favorites list so far has been dominated by nonfiction reads.

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2024

One of my favorites in general All the Hidden Paths is the sequel to previous favorite A Strange and Stubborn Endurance; I continue to love the continuation of Kate Daniels’s story in Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews.

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

To be fair, there are a million of these, but I’ve chosen 4 that I feel are doable for me in the near future.

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

5. Biggest disappointment

After being completely obsessed with Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air and fascinated by Under the Banner of Heaven, I was very much let down by the underwhelming and frustrating Into the Wild. I likewise was anticipating enjoying Everyone in this Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily Austin more than I did because I was set up for success by her sophomore novel Interesting Facts About Space.

6. Biggest surprise

I just haven’t heard very much about Dominoes by Phoebe McIntosh, but I thought it was a very well-written debut novel that was great on audiobook.

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

Jon Krakauer and Olivia Atwater stand out to me since I first read them in 2024 and was intrigued enough to read multiple things from both of them.

8. Favorite fictional couples (technically, this prompt was favorite fictional crush, but I can’t think of any, so I figured I’d instead highlight some of my favorite contemporary romance reads)

9. Newest favorite character(s)

I think I connected more with the people in my nonfiction reads so far this year than I did fictional characters. Nonfiction was also my most-read genre so far.

10. Book that made you cry

I can’t remember crying during any of my 2024 reads.

11. Book that made you 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?

 

Bonus question! Most-read authors of 2024 (so far):