Well, I’m a little later than everyone else with this tag this year, but I figure we’re not THAT far past the mid-year point, so I’m still going for it. Besides, it will make me feel better about my current state of non-reading to remember the good things I read earlier in the year.
1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2020
It just so happens I’m going with my two March Best of the Bunch picks for my favorites of the year. Apparently, March was a great reading month. My MG pick is In the Red by Christopher Swiedler. Maybe it’s my current state of mind, but that book just captured my attention and held it the whole way through—something that’s been tough this year! Instead of a YA choice, I’m going with an adult read: A Beginning at the End by Mike Chen. This book gives hope in the face of a pandemic, and that stuck with me!
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2020
Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes is the third book in the Pandava Quartet by Roshani Chokshi, and it was excellent!
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to
Considering my recent reading habits, this could be a REALLY long list. Here are just a few:
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
I’m really looking forward to reading Maya and the Rising Dark!!
5. Biggest disappointment
I don’t talk about books I don’t like on the blog anymore. But that’s okay, because my actual biggest reading disappointment of the year has been my complete inability to read (or write) lately. (I’ve read several articles on why this is happening to people right now, but that doesn’t make me any less frustrated by it.)
6. Biggest surprise
This book was actually a 2019 release, but I read it this year as part of my Cybils Awards judging. I had no idea how much I was going to LOVE Homerooms and Hall Passes. It was utterly hilarious!!! (This actually reminds me that I still need to write reviews of my Cybils books—this one actually might be a contender for best MG book I read this year, but I didn’t consider it because I hadn’t written a review. Hmmmmm….)
7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
Kim Oclon! She’s a friend, and I’m so excited that her debut, Man Up, was published this year. Can’t wait to read her next book!
8. Newest favorite character
I’m going with Alice from Malice by Pintip Dunn. I absolutely adored this book (I was this close to choosing it as my favorite for the year so far), and I loved the complexities of Alice’s character. Plus, we got to know her in multiple timelines, which was also cool.
9. Book that made you cry
I went through my list of read books, and I couldn’t specifically remember crying during any of them. I haven’t read any super heavy, emotional books this year—who can handle that when we’ve already got so much stress in real life!
10. Book that made you happy
The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter was absolutely hilarious and it had the added benefit of being written by an old friend, Aaron Reynolds. Perfect combination for happiness!
11. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received)
Just look at these beauties! Deeplight was a review copy, and I won a copy of the new Cinder from Jessica @ a GREAT read! And it helps that both were fabulous books as well!
12. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?
Um, all of them? This is an impossible question, and I refuse to answer it—it will only stress me out.
So, that wraps up the first half of 2020. Hope I can get over my reading slump so I’ll actually have something to report in the second half of the year!
How has your 2020 reading been going? I want to know!
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