Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag 2025

We are half-way through the year already, time goes by way too fast. And So far, I have finished 35 books (out of the 60 book I try to read in 2025). I’m pretty certain I will meet and maybe even surpass that goal. But now is the perfect time to see how my reading has been going this year and to look back at the first six months of my reading year, by doing this tag.  I just simply answer some bookish questions about all the books I read in the first half of 2025.
 

Best book you’ve read so far in 2024?
I have few favorites and I have to be honest, I’m not ready to commit to my favorite of those. “Gone Girl” is one of them. One of those books, where I did already know I was going to love it. The characters jump of the page, the story is engaging and the plot twist is one of the best ever. “Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins exceeded all my expectations, more about that later. And my most recent read, “Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, really blew my mind. It was such a beautiful book. Her best so far in my opinion.
 

Best sequel you've read so far in 2024?
Definitely “Sunrise on the Reaping” by Suzanne Collins, which was also my most anticipated book of the year. But I also loved “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” by T.J. Klune (from the “Ceruslean Chronicles” series) and “Wayward” by Blake Crouch (from the “Wayward Pines” series). The books are so different from each other, but I loved them so much.
 

New release you haven’t read yet, but want to?
“Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng” by Kylie Lee Baker somehow intrigues, after seeing Syd talk about it with so much passion. And “With a Vengeance” by Riley Sager is coming out in June. Still excited about that, after last year’s release was a major disappointment. “Say You’ll Remember Me” by Abby Jimenez is also on the list, since I discovered this author is my kind of romance writer. And finally “A Box Full of Murders”, the children’s book debut by Janice Hallett. I want o read everything by her, even if I’m not within the age demographic.
 

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
That’s an easy one, the fifth book in “The Thursday Murder Club” series: “The Impossible Fortune” by Richard Osman, which will be released in September. Since this series has come out, a new book has been released each year, but not 2024. So, I really missed my favorite amateur sleuths.
 

Biggest disappointment?
“Jar of Hearts” by Jennifer Hillier. People kept recommending it to me and I had such high hopes and expectations. I couldn’t relate to the characters, didn’t understand any motivations and really didn’t like the romantic subplot. And for a book being marketed with having many unexpected twists and reveals, I was very underwhelmed.
 

Biggest surprise?
Probably “Witchcraft for Wayward Girls” by Grady Hendrix. Even though Hendrix is my horror guy when it comes to horror books, I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. Because most people weren’t loving it, or even DNF’ing it, I wasn’t very hopeful I would like it. And it actually ended up being my favorite Hendrix.
 

Favorite new author (debut or new to you)?
I read both books by Coco Mellors, which I enjoyed. She is very talented and knows how to write good, deep and interesting characters. But I think I will go for Gillian Flynn. Only haven read one book by her so far, I will be reading everything she has ever written. Her writing is so amazing, engaging and immersive. The same goes for Charlotte McConaghy, who I also was introduced to this year. And I immediately added all of her backlist to my TBR.
 

Newest favorite character?
Jacob Maddox from “Yours Truly”. I loved the introvert representation in this book, someone dealing with anxiety. I felt like I was reading about myself. And its kind of weird to add a character that reminds me of myself as an answer, but I simply like people who are like me. A closed second is Joan Goodwin from “Atmosphere”.
 

Book that made you cry?
I literally sobbed while reading “Sunrise on the Reaping”. Several times. It’s such a sad book. I really loved delving into this world again, but you’re also remember what a fucked up world these characters live in. And no one is safe. This book broke me.
 

Book that made you happy?
“Yours Truly” by Abby Jimenez and “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” by T.J. Klune. Both books made smile, they just made me happy. I also cried at points, but they are for the most part books that put a smile on your face. 
 

Favorite book to movie adaptation?
This has to be “Gone Girl”. I watched the movie before reading the book, which is still okay, but I would recommend to do it the other way around. Because that twist will hit you so much harder then. This is one of those examples where I really can’t say which one is better, the book or the movie. Because both are all-time favorites of mine now.
 

Most beautiful book you’ve bought this year?
“Water Moon” by Samantha Sotto Yambao. The cover looks like it came straight from a Studio Ghibli movie. Sadly, I DNF’ed the book, because it was really boring and I just couldn’t get into it. But I’m keeping it, just for the cover.
 

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
Of course, the previous mentioned new releases. But also “The Drowning Woman” by Robyn Harding, because I borrowed it from my friend. I don’t like holding on to books too long, that are not mine. I finally want to read some more classics on my shelf, like “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald and “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. And I definitely want to knock off some of the books that have been on my shelf for way too long, like “Razorblade Tears” by S.A. Cosby, “Whalefall” by Daniel Kraus, the ‘Whispering Pines” series by Heidi Lange and Katie Bartkowski and maybe some Agatha Christie.