Welcome to this year’s edition of the Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag, where I share my reading highlights of the year so far. Some reading highlights include favorite books I’ve read, disappointments, surprises, and anticipations from January 2023 – August 2024. Technically, this rule applies to books I’ve read throughout the first half of this year. But I chose to extend the timeframe to include more books because I haven’t read that many books this year.
I wrote about my slow reading journey this year, and how I fell back in love with reading in my first Books We Read post.
Check out my past editions of this book tag on my book blog, PoetryBooksYA.com.
- Best book you’ve read so far in 2023
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Out of the few books I’ve read this year, this book was the best because I loved the characters, the setting, and the message behind the story. I enjoyed the book’s structure and how Tahir’s writing made me empathize with every character. The book has two points-of-view (dual POV) between Laia, a slave, and Elias, who is the heir of Gens Veturia, the most successful families of Blackcliff Military Academy. Throughout the novel, Elias and Laia must work together when Laia becomes a spy for the rebel group The Resistance to save her brother from prison. I loved the buildup in this book, especially the relationship between Elias and Laia, going from enemies to allies. Themes like family, friendship, leadership, teamwork, and finding your inner strength were strong in this book.
- Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2023
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir. This is the sequel to An Ember in the Ashes. I only just started reading this book a few days ago, and it’s so good already! It takes place right after the events of An Ember in the Ashes, so the transitions between both books are smooth. So far, the characters are still going through their trauma and experiences and the connection between Elias and Laia is starting to grow stronger. The book includes a third point of view, which is Helene, Elias’ best friend, from the first book. Although reading her point of view so far has been interesting, I’m not her biggest fan as a character. I don’t like how she treated Elias in the first book, among other things I don’t want to spoil. But I hope that changes as I continue reading the second book.
- New release you haven’t read yet but want to
The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaul. This book came out in March, and I’m still dying to read it! I love RuPaul’s Drag Race so much. My niece introduced me to the show in 2021, and I get excited to watch another new episode each week. I find RuPaul to be so fabulous and incredible and inspiring, not only for the LGBT community and giving drag queens a platform to showcase their talents, but for anyone to always be themselves. RuPaul has taught me to not care what people think of me, and to always love myself. I’m also excited to read more of his story outside of drag. I’m interested to find out more about his background, his family and how he became the great “Mama Ru,” in his own words.
- Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
Skipped. I haven’t been following new releases. I’m a slow reader and take my time with new releases, so I don’t have any new books on my mind as of yet.
- Biggest disappointment
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. I read this last year for my Reading Interests of Adults class. I picked it because it was popular amongst the sci-fi community, and I wanted to see what the hype was about. But as I was reading, I started to not like it as much because I was so confused by the storyline. I knew that because it was written by a British author, there would be a difference in comedy styles than American humor. But this book left a weird feeling after reading some of it, as if I was missing an obviously funny joke that everyone else found funny.
[Editor’s note: I bet you were! It’s one of those “acquired-taste”-type books. Neil Gaiman wrote an HG2G Companion, that tells something to the younger generations, right? Try the audiobook, narrated by Stephen Fry, as suggested in our earlier post.]
- Biggest surprise
Victory. Stand! Raising my Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith. I had read this for my 585: Young Adult Reading and Literacy class about a year ago, and it completely blew me away with the story of Olympic champion Tommie Smith. This graphic autobiography showcased Smith’s growing rise as an Olympic champion, using his platform to raise awareness against police brutality and violence against Black people during the Civil Rights Movement. During his ceremony, Smith did a very bold and brave action by raising his black-gloved fist in the air, showing his proud stance to fight against police brutality in Black America. While his actions were heroic, the Olympics Committee thought it was an act of disrespect, stripping him of his title and gold metal. I did a Book Talk a year ago for my 548 class, so it could show more context for this very important time in history.
Check out Part 2 of my Mid-Year Freakout Book Tag, coming soon.
Check out my past editions of this book tag on my book blog, PoetryBooksYA.com.