It’s the middle of the year (again). I swear time isn’t real and this is all just a very elaborate simulation. At least we have books to make the simulation bearable. Let’s jump into my reading for the first half of the year.
{You might also like – 2022 Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag}
- 2023 Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag
- Goodreads Goal Check In
- Reading Stats for 2023
- Best book you've read so far
- Best sequel you've read so far
- New release you haven't read yet
- Most anticipated releases for the second half of the year
- Biggest surprise of the year so far
- Underrated gems you've read recently
- Biggest disappointment of the year
- Books to read by the end of the year
- Chat with me about your reading!
2023 Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag
Goodreads Goal Check In
It’s safe to say that I smashed my Goodreads goal. Every year I try to convince myself to read less, but it just doesn’t happen. I do feel like my reading has improved in terms of quality, and I have been making an effort to read shorter books.
Reading Stats for 2023
Compared to 2022, I don’t have nearly as many 5-star reads this year. I have read a lot of good 4 and 4.5 star books, so that makes up for it.
As for genre, I’ve been making my way back into fantasy this year. 2022 was my break from fantasy, but I’ve been more in the mood for fantasy this year. So I’m leaning into it. I’m also happy that my reading has transitioned into more adult books (it’s the romance books) and I’m hoping to get to some chonky adult fantasies in the second half of the year.
Best book you’ve read so far
So far I’ve had 9 5-star reads, which isn’t bad. I was just hoping for a few more by now. I haven’t made much progress with reading my 5-star predictions, but I have a feeling that every single one of them will be wrong lol.
I also couldn’t choose just one favourite, so here’s 3.
Best sequel you’ve read so far
As you might know, I am on an eternal mission to finish more series. While I have been reading more standalones, I have made headway with my series goals. My favourite sequels include Aurora Blazing by Jessie Mihalik (sequel to Polaris Rising) and Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson.
New release you haven’t read yet
The most obvious one here is Fourth Wing. Everyone and their mother has read it, yet I am still procrastinating on it. I want to read fantasy, so it will be the perfect read. I’m scared I won’t enjoy it, but at the same time I know I should stop putting it off.
Most anticipated releases for the second half of the year
There are a few new books that have popped onto my radar since I initially made my most anticipated books of 2023 post, so here they are!
Biggest surprise of the year so far
This one goes hands down to Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood. I was honestly expecting to hate it, but I loved it instead. Check out my review for this amazing book linked above.
Underrated gems you’ve read recently
All of these books deserve some more love, but especially the Chloe Liese book. Chloe Liese has become one of my favourite romance authors, the representation in her books are just so good. Go read them all immediately.
Biggest disappointment of the year
Forget Me Not by Julie Soto. I low-key hate this book, yet I was so excited about it at the beginning of the year. Review to come soon.
Books to read by the end of the year
All of them?
Just kidding, here are some of my top priorities:
Chat with me about your reading!
How have your reading goals been going? Share your Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag with me!
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It makes me happy to see you’re making your way back to fantasy after a year break! I haven’t wanted to read the genre for MONTHS (maybe even a year+) yet almost all of my arcs and unread TBR are fantasy. You give me hope that I might go back to the genre someday. I’m also excited for Curious Tides and hope the will to read fantasy hits me hehe
I’ve heard so many amazing things about Divine Rivals, it’s one of my priority this year!
Congratulations on finishing your reading goal! And glad to hear that you’re reading quality has improved. I’m enjoying lesser romances and more non-fiction this year than I used to which is a turn I honestly didn’t expect. Excited to see where this takes me, though!
Ahh congratulations on reaching your reading goal already, that’s FANTASTIC! 🥰 I have Happy Place on my TBR, it sounds SO good, I can’t wait to read it 🙂
I hope you get to read Happy Place soon! It was just so good.