2023 Mid-Year Freak Out Tag

The Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag was originally created by two BookTubers in 2012, Chami and Earl Grey Books.

I haven’t done this tag since 2021 so I figured I would do it this year. At the time of writing this post, I have read 321 books so I have a lot of books to go through for these prompts. Some of them I already know what I will include but I know a few of them will be hard, especially the first question.

Best book you’ve read so far in 2023?

Cover for Grim and Bear It by Juliette Cross

Like I said, I struggled with this one because I read a lot this year so far. I narrowed it down to three books that I loved and I am still thinking about.

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2023?

So I think the best sequel I have read this year is Soren, book two in the Vampire’s Mate series by Grae Bryan. I really enjoyed the first book but Soren’s story really surprised me and ended up being better than the first book for me.

New release you haven’t read yet but want to?

So this year I have been pretty good about reading the new releases I was excited for. I think the only ones I haven’t read are Bring Me Home by Annabeth Albert and The Emperor’s Bone Palace by Hailey Turner.

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?

I am excited for quite a few books coming out in the second half of this year. Here are a few of them.

Biggest disappointment?

So this was a case of having to much expectation for this book. Lassiter is one of my favorite characters in this series but I found his whole romance to just be okay for me. I enjoyed what was happening in the world more than the actual romance. Also, I don’t love what happened with Wrath and the end of this book. If you want more of my feelings on this book, here is my review.

Biggest surprise?

Cover for Empress of the Nile by Lynne Olson

I think the biggest surprise for me this year was Empress of the Nile by Lynne Olson. I figured this was going to be an interesting book because it was about the first female archaeologist in Egypt and the person who saved many temples from being submerged in water due to the Aswan Dam. But from the very beginning I was enthralled with Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt’s life and achievements. She was a remarkable woman who broke a lot of barriers for women and who was determined to preserve Egyptian history. If you enjoy learning about Egypt and archaeology, I highly recommend this book.

Favorite new author (debut or new to you)?

Cover for The Alpha and His King by Kiki Clark

Kiki Clark is one of my new favorite authors. I read her Leather & Chrome series in February and since then I have been working through her backlog of series. I have loved all of them so far so I highly recommend this author.

Newest fictional crush?

So I don’t have fictional crushes so I don’t have an answer for this one.

Newest favorite character?

Cover for A Ferry of Bones & Gold by Hailey Turner

Cover for All Souls Near & Nigh by Hailey Turner

I think my new favorite characters are Patrick Collins and Jonothan de Vere from the Soulbound Series by Hailey Turner.

A book that made you cry?

Cover for One Piece Vol. 58 by Eiichiro Oda

So three books made me cry so far this year. Lassiter made me cry because of the situation with Wraith. One Piece Volumes 58 and 59 made me cry because of the death of Ace, just like it did when I watched the anime.

A book that made you happy?

I think the series that made me the happiest was One Piece. I have been watching One Piece for over 20 years now and this year I tackled the manga for the first time. It was wonderful getting to revisit this series from the beginning and it just made so happy.