With half the year behind us, I wanted to share my most notable reads of the year so far via a slightly modified Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag (originally created by readlikewildfire + earl grey books).
1. Best Book Read So Far.
The Reformatory, Tananarive Due
The Reformatory is Tananarive Due’s latest novel, and this is a grim one but an excellent read. First, it’s set during slavery times, and the descriptions are graphic! It’s a horrific time, and the author’s skill with words makes for vivid imagery. But the story is also compelling, blending together injustice, death, hauntings, grief and so much more. This is a tough read, but so, so worth it. Empathy starts with seeing … and this book lays it bare.
2. Best Sequel Read So Far.
The Running Grave (Cormoran Strike #7), Robert Galbraith
The Running Grave is the 7th novel in the Cormoran Strike detective novel series. This is probably my favorite book of the series – but I’ve really loved them all. 900 pages and I have no complaints about it being too long. I was prepared to be immersed into their World and that’s exactly what happened. This was such a clever plot and wonderfully written to show intrigue and suspense. I didn’t get the resolution of the”love interest” part but it’s nearly there and not as much “will they or won’t they” as before. You don’t have to read the books in order, but I’m going to suggest that you do if possible.
3. Biggest Disappointment.
The Beast You Are: Stories, Paul Trembly
It wasn’t the worse book I read (I did enjoy 5 out of the 17 stories in this collection), but it’s the most disappointing because I’ve enjoyed other books by Tremblay, like A Head Full of Ghosts, and expected better.
4. Biggest Surprise.
Razorblade Tears, S.A. Crosby
Razorblade Tears is the first book I read by S.A. Crosby, and I enjoyed it so much that I immediately picked another book by him to read, All the Sinners Bleed.
5. Most Beautiful Book Cover So Far This Year.
The Crane Husband, Kelly Barnhill
This is a weird book, and one that stays with you for a while. I’m still not sure if I loved it, but the cover is gorgeous.
6. Shortest Book.
Thornhedge, T. Kingfisher
(116 pages). Also the Best Novella I’ve read so far this year.
7. Biggest Book.
The Running Grave (Cormoran Strike #7), Robert Galbraith
912 pages. Also, as mentioned above, the Best Sequel I’ve read this year.
8. New Release We Haven’t Read Yet But Want To.
You Like It Darker, Stephen King
There are 8 books on my TBR published in the first half of 2024 that I haven’t gotten to yet, but the only one I pre-ordered and have physically in my possession is Stephen Kings latest short story collection, You Like It Darker.
9. Most Anticipated Release for the Second Half of the Year.
Here One Moment, Liane Moriarty
Because I’ve loved each of the books by Moriarty that I’ve read (9 of them so far) – like Big Little Lies, The Husband’s Secret and Apples Never Fall.
— Have you read any of the books mentioned above? What are some of your favorite books read so far this year?
