Red-Haired Ash Reads

The Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag was originally created in 2012 by BookTuber Earl Grey Books.

At the time of writing this post I have read 262 books out of my 400 goal. I lowered my goal this year just because I don’t really feel like pushing myself to try and beat my highest score of 612. This year I just want to reread and go where my mood decides, and so far its been working pretty well.

Best book you’ve read so far in 2024?

So this is more than one book but when you read hundreds of books in a year its hard to choose just one. I tried to pick the ones I am still thinking about today.

• Alliance by Etta Pierce
• Impromptu Match by Lily Mayne
• The Infernal War Saga by Hailey Turner (Yes the whole saga because it was just so good)
• The Wrath To Come: Gone With the Wind and the Lies America Tells by Sarah Churchwell
• Madame Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York’s Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist by Jennifer Wright

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2024?

The best sequel I read this year is The Emperor’s Bone Palace (Infernal War Saga #2) by Hailey Turner. This was a wonderful queer epic fantasy and by the time I got to this book I was hooked to all the characters story. I highly recommend this series if you like fantasy.

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

I haven’t gotten around to reading the newest Guild Hunter novel, Archangel’s Lineage yet. I plan on getting to it soon though.

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?

Here are a few of my most anticipated releases for the second half of the year:

• Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas
• Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews
• Only Cold Depths by Jennifer Estep
• Secondhand Skin by Hailey Turner
• To Kill a Badger by Shelly Laurenston

Biggest disappointment?

After years being on my TBR, I finally read Howl’s Moving Castle. While I enjoyed the book overall, I was still disappointed in the lack of relationship building between Howl and Sophie. I find it very hard to see these two having a lasting relationship when their relationship was master and servant for the majority of the book and we know Howl doesn’t stay in love with women once they fall in love with him.

This will be one of the few times when I say, the movie was better.

Biggest surprise?

I got an advertisement from Amazon and this book was one that was featured. It sounded good so I picked it up and instantly fell in love with this hilarious story. Fake Dates and Fanged Mistakes may have been my first Alice Winters book but it was not my last. I have since read her VRC: Vampire Related Crimes series as well and it was also so good.

Favorite new author (debut or new to you)?

Alice Winters is my new favorite author. I have only read two of her series so far, but they have been great and hilarious. I can’t wait to read more.

Newest fictional crush?

I don’t form fictional crushes. I know this is super common but it is not something that I have ever done. I like characters but not enough to I have a fictional crush on them.

Newest favorite character?

Vanya and Soren are my newest favorite characters. They were such a great couple and I loved the progression of their relationship over the series.

A book that made you cry?

Dead Series Case #5: Madame Vivienne was a bit of a tear jerker because it includes the death of a parent with dementia. It was heartbreaking and Tristan’s grief felt so real that I couldn’t help but cry a little.

A book that made you happy?

Impromptu Match by Lily Mayne was a wonderful monster romance that just made me so happy the whole time I read it. Taylor and Holt were a great couple and I loved seeing them fall for each other. Also all the wrestlers were great too and I can’t wait to read more books in this series.

Most beautiful book you’ve bought this year (or received)?

The most beautiful books I bought this year was the Arcane Society’s special editions of Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews and Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews. These are beautifully done with painted edges, foiled covers, signed by both Ilona and Gordon, and beautiful artwork inside.

What book(s) do you need to read by the end of the year?

Basically anything that I have actually purchased needs to be read. I keep getting distracted by Kindle Unlimited books and rereads. But here are a few that I would like to get to by the end of the year:

• Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop
• Vengeance Born by Kylie Griffin
• Berserk Volume 7-9 by Kentaro Miura

Favorite Book to Movie Adaptation

So this is manga to anime adaption but it still works for this category. I love Kaiju No 8 and read most of the manga last year but I am keeping up with the new chapters and spin-offs. I have loved the anime so far and how they have brought this world to life. I highly recommend it if you like kaiju’s, older protagonists (32 years old), and lots of action packed fights.