Lost in Pages

Today we’ll be doing another tag! We’ve been seeing this one scattered around Booktube, so we thought we’d give it a go — blog style! It’s crazy that the year is already halfway over, but the books we’ve read so far have been incredible!

*The creator’s video is here if anyone would like to watch it!*

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1. The best book you’ve read so far this year

Katie: The Wicked King, hands down. I can’t quit thinking about it, and I’m so glad it lived up to my expectations after loving The Cruel Prince so much! I’m sad we all have to wait until January to hold a finished copy, but I can be patient…right?

Ashley: I really loved Honor Among Thieves way more than I thought I would. It was so different from anything I’ve ever read. I’m a sucker for great character development, and the growth that every character went through was so well done. I really can’t wait for the sequel.

2. The best sequel you’ve read so far this year

Katie: A Reaper at the Gates, and I have a feeling that the fourth and final book will kill me.

Ashley: I’m going to say Restore Me. I loved it so much (perfect character development, again).

3. A new release you haven’t read yet but really want to

Katie: Furyborn by Claire Legrand. It’s been on my TBR for months because I have an ARC of it, but I’m so bad at actually picking things up!

Ashley: I think I’d really like to read My Plain Jane eventually. Jane Eyre is my favorite classic and I have yet to read a retelling, so I think I might love it.

4. Your most anticipated release for the second half of the year

Katie: It’s a tie for me between Muse of Nightmares and Vengeful because I need them both ASAP.

Ashley: Kingdom of Ash and Vengeful.

5. Your biggest disappointment

Katie: Save the Date by Morgan Matson. I was lucky enough to get an e-ARC months ago, and I was so excited because I love all of Morgan’s books. But this one just wasn’t what I wanted it to be. I was the most eager for this premise though, so that’s why it’s the biggest disappointment.

Ashley: The flaming dumpster fire that was Zenith.

6. Your biggest surprise

Katie: Either Ash Princess or Emergency Contact because I went in to each of them with fairly low expectations, and I really enjoyed them both!

Ashley: Probably Queen’s Rising. I didn’t expect to love it so much, I really just read because I had an ARC, but I ended up enjoying it so much.

7. Your favorite new author or an author who is new to you

Katie: Sabaa Tahir! I hadn’t read the Ember in the Ashes series until this year, and I’m so sad I waited so long. It’s incredible, and her writing is captivating. I’m an Emberling for sure now!

Ashley: I wouldn’t consider her a favorite yet, but Rachel Caine seriously impressed with Honor Among Thieves and I’m glad that was my first read by her.

8. Your newest fictional crush

Katie: Um, Elias and Lazlo can be my combined answer. Don’t make me choose between the two.

Ashley: It’s funny you think I would put anyone above Warner.

9. Your newest favorite character

Katie: Probably Jude and Cardan from The Cruel Prince. They’re both not the best people, but I feel like they’re super interesting and develop well with their flaws.

Ashley: Zara from Honor Among Thieves. It’s all about that character development. You don’t often get the tough female lead that is so willing to open up when it really matters. Usually, you can’t have a strong woman without making her emotionally void. But Zara was strong and emotional. And she was never afraid of being too open.

10. A book that made you cry

Katie: It actually takes quite a bit to make me cry while reading, and so far nothing I’ve read this year has.

Ashley: Two Boys Kissing.

11. A book that made you happy

Katie: Legendary because it was such a great sequel, and I loved being back in that magical world.

Ashley: Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda.

12. Your favorite book to film adaptation

Katie: If someone doesn’t put Love, Simon as their answer, they’re lying.

Ashley: I think Love, Simon is the only adaptation that I have read and watched this year.

13. Your favorite video/blog post you’ve made this year

Katie: Probably my guide to BookCon/BookExpo! I was told by so many that it really helped them with their plans this year, and it felt great to help out!

Ashley: I think I really enjoyed writing my Zenith review/bashing. It’s hard for me to be critical with someone’s work, I don’t want to be mean. But it felt so good to be 100% honest and get all that I was feeling out without giving a crap. I also liked my review of Restore Me because I was just so damn excited about and I had such a fun time talking about it.

14. The most beautiful book you’ve bought/received this year

Katie: The UK copy of Vicious, it’s gloriously beautiful.

Ashley: I do love my Goldsboro Legendary that cost more than I ever want to spend on a book again.

15. What are some books that you need to read by the end of this year?

Katie: I definitely intend to read through the Throne of Glass and Mortal Instruments series by the end of the year! They both have sequels/finales coming in the fall/winter, so I’d like to finish them and be caught up by their releases!

Ashley: As much as I want to make sure I reread all of TMI, TID, and TDA by the time Queen of Air and Darkness comes out (as well as reread all of the Throne of Glass series before Kingdom of Ash comes out) it’s probably not likely. As much as I love books, they’ve kind of taken a backseat to what my life has going on right now, which is my growing fetus and impending motherhood. It’s kind of hard to escape into a book when your reality is so much better than what any book has. We’ll see if I get to it though!

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And that’s it! Feel free to tag yourself and make your own post/video with your answers!

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What books do you still need to read before the end of this year? Let us know in the comments below!