So, maybe I’m a * tad * late in getting this post up. I honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to do it, since June is basically over. Well, here we are! June has flown by, which makes sense since time seems to be absolutely meaningless anymore, but it’s crazy to think that we’re coming up on July, with 6 whole months behind us already. It feels like New Years Eve was just yesterday.
If you follow this blog, you’ll know that I’ve been reading a lot, and I’ve read so many good books already this year. I’m really excited for what the second half of the year is going to hold!
I stumbled upon this tag – I think over on Twitter – but I loved it! Sofi over at A Book A Thought did this tag, and while I wasn’t directly tagged, I wanted to do it. I’m using all the same questions she did so make sure you go check out her post to see her answers, it’s fantastic!
Now it’s time to jump right into this post, and I’ll get to do some reflection on the books I’ve read so far in 2020!
What is the best book that you’ve read so far in 2020
Honestly, there have been quite a few, but I have to go with a new to me author- Breeana Shields who wrote The Bone Charmer. Way back in January I was moderating a signing for Brigid Kemmerer and I found out that Breeana was going to be there. Not wanting to be uniformed, I read her book, which had been out for a little while, and I absolutely loved it! I had no expectations, I’d heard no one talking about it, and it blew me way. It was one of my first 5 star reads of 2020 and I HIGHLY recommend it.
Related Links:
Book Review: The Bone Charmer (The Bone Charmer #1)
Book Review: The Bone Thief (The Bone Charmer #2)
What has been your favorite sequel of the first half of the year
This one is easy, and it’s been months and I’m still not over it. Greythorne by Crystal Smith. What she did in this book can be so hard to do and do it right, and she’s a freaking genius. I could not put this book down, and I still think about the ending, and everything that happened and how it works with the large scope of the story. I mean, it was so damn good.
Related Links:
Book Review: Bloodleaf (Bloodleaf #1)
Book Review: Greythorne (Bloodleaf #2)
Is there a new release that you haven’t read yet, but you’re excited to
The Boundless by Anna Bright! I’ve been dying for this book ever since I finished The Beholder last year. I need to know what happens next, and I do finally have a copy in my possession and after my current read, it’s next. No more waiting. I need to know how Selah’s journey will end. I need more Torden and the crew of The Beholder. I can’t wait to see what magic Anna has woven into this book.
Related Links:
Book Review: The Beholder (The Beholder #1)
What is your most anticipated release for the second half of the year
Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin. My friend was lucky enough to get an eARC and I’m so jealous. Serpent Dove was one of my favorite reads of last year, and I need, need, need to know what happens next for Lou and Reid. I’m ‘sell my soul’ desperate to read it, and fall is too far away. I just want to go back to that world.
Related Links:
Book Review: Serpent and Dove (Serpent & Dove #1)
Check out Sammy’s (We Write at Dawn) Review for Blood & Honey
ARC Review: Blood & Honey (100th Post!!!)
What is your biggest disappointment so far
Okay, so I have 2 answers for this one – well, actually a few, but I’ll keep it to my 2 biggest. Havenfall by Sara Holland and Song of Storms by Kayla Maya. I’m doing 2, since I was super excited for Havenfall and it just fell so short. My review for this book isn’t nice. The second book, Song of Storms is probably my least favorite book I’ve read so far in 2020. The author reached out for an honest review and the book was A Mess. Both of these books were just giant misses for me, and I really wish I hadn’t wasted the time reading either of them
Related Links:
Book Review: Havenfall (Havenfall #1)
Book Review: Song of Storms (Song and Storm #1)
What is your biggest surprise so far
I have to pick 2 again. The Crow Rider by Kalyn Josephson and The Obsidian Tower by Malissa Caruso. I wasn’t the biggest fan of The Storm Crow when I read it last year. It was a so-so read. This second installment had me hooked and begging for more. I’m so annoyed it’s only a duology, I could read more books easily. I went into The Obsidian tower a little wary. I’d requested it off Netgalley ages prior, was approved, but by the time I chose to read it, I wasn’t really excited. By about halfway through, I was utterly hooked, and loved the writing style and the story and I’m dying for the next one.
Related Links:
Book Review: The Storm Crow (The Storm Crow #1)
Book Review: The Crow Rider (The Storm Crow #2)
Book Review: The Obsidian Tower (Rooks and Ruin #1)
Who is your fictional crush from this year
I know the question implies ONE, but there are so many!
Aren from The Bridge Kingdom. Matthew Fairchild from Chain of Gold. Jack from Where Dreams Descend. Jaxon from Crave.
Related Links:
Book Review: The Bridge Kingdom (Bridge Kingdom #1)
Book Review: Chain of Gold (The Last Hours #1)
Book Review: Where Dreams Descend (Kingdom of Cards #1)
Who is your new favorite character?
Lara from The Bridge Kingdom / Traitor Queen . She’s freaking amazing. Everything she went through, everything she does and goes through, to how she atones and makes amends for it all…phew. She’s beyond freaking skilled, is a badass, cares deeply and fiercely, realizes her mistakes and that her actions have consequences…she loyal and passionate and adamantly refuses to give up.
Related Links:
Book Review: The Traitor Queen (Bridge Kingdom #2)
A book that made you happy
You’d Be Mine by Erin Hahn. Yes, this book has some sadder moments and deals with some heavy topics, but it was so good, so epic. I legit finished and squealed. I love it so much and if you haven’t read it yet, you’re seriously missing out. Annie and Clay are like, Johnny and June epic and it’s the perfect book to read in the summer. It felt like a summer country concert and those are always fun!
Related Links:
Your favorite book to movie/tv show that you’ve seen so far
I guess I don’t have one? I can’t think of any. I’ve not been watching as many shows/movies recently. I enjoyed P.S. I Still Love You, but I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite.
What is the most beautiful book that you’ve bought
Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie. I think it’s stunning (if you haven’t seen the cover to book 2, it’s even more gorgeous) and I’m a huge Charlie Bowater fan. It’s also a fantastic book, so make sure you check it out if you haven’t already!
Related Links:
Book Review: Bone Crier’s Moon (Bone Grace #1)
What is your favorite post that you have written so far this year
⭐️ Book Signings – Anna Bright, Brigid Kemmerer & Breeana Shields
⭐️ My Experience as A Reviewer
⭐️ Animal Crossing: New Horizons Book Tag
⭐️ Nostalgia – Twilight and The Hunger Games
So, I have quite a few posts (outside of reviews) that I absolutely loved writing. Each of these posts have done pretty well, and I’m thrilled. Most of these took hours to write up, then type up, and probably another handful of hours collecting and taking photos. I’m always thrilled when posts that maybe don’t directly pertain to books/reviews do well.
What are 6 books you want to read by the end of the year
Hopefully you all enjoyed this tag and thank you once again to Sofi for bringing this tag to my attention! I tag anyone who wants to answer these really fun questions! Let me know if you do, and I’ll come over and give your post some love!
Writing The Universe 
This tag is so cute! Love this
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Go do it! lol
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I’m SO glad you did the Tag, Alexa! ❤️ I love your answers, you made me realize that I still need to read so many books! Especially The Storm Crow & Bone Crier’s Moon! they both sound so good and the covers are beautiful 😍👏🏻✨
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Yay! and I loved your answers! There are quite a few new books on my never ending TBR. 🙈 I hope you enjoy The Storm Crow and Bone Crier’s Moon, and their covers really are pretty! 🤗
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