The 2026 Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag
25 July 2026
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Best Books, Best Sequel, Book Review, Book tag, book-blog, Books, Books you need to finish by the end of 2026, Favourite Characters, Most Anticipated Books, reading, The 2026 Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag
I’ve seen this tag a lot just recently and wanted to take part – this is my first year and I’m a little late as July is almost over but here goes. The tag has been running for quite a few years and was created by Ely @ Earl Grey Books and Chami @ Read Like Wildfire.
Best Book I’ve Read So Far This Year:
The Children by Melissa Albert
Best Sequel I’ve Read So Far This Year:
A Drop of Corruption (Shadow of the Leviathan #2) by Robert Jackson Bennett. This is a great series that started with The Tainted Cup, if you haven’t read this yet I highly recommend it, particularly if you like fantasy and mystery combined.
New Release I Haven’t Read But Want To:
The Tapestry of Fate by Shannon Chakraborty I have a copy of this but I’m a little behind – I need to pick it up soon as I absolutely loved The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi.
Most Anticipated Releases for the Second Half of 2026:
Ooh, this is a tricky one because there are a lot of good books coming out soon. I’ve had to go for more than one but I have restrained myself to three:
Biggest Disappointment:
I don’t tend to have a lot of books that are disappointments to be honest because if I’m not enjoying it then I stop reading and I don’t love reviewing books I haven’t finished (which isn’t a judgement on others simply a personal thing). But, I did try a book earlier in the year called Loving a Vampire is Total Chaos by Aura Hayes and this book really didn’t work for me so I had to set it aside, but don’t take that to heart as it does seem to have a lot of reviews and a very decent rating so I think it was probably a case of wrong mood.
Biggest Surprise:
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews – I’ve read this author partnership before and really like their style so to say it was a surprise sounds a bit off – it’s more that I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about the story itself. As it happens I absolutely loved this – way more than I ever expected. And I highly recommend it.
Favorite New Author:
This has to be Antonia Hodgson for the Raven Scholar. An excellent read that I still need to post my review for – spoiler alert – this one is highly recommended too.
New Favorite Character:
Anne of Brittany, from the The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden. She is a fantastic character to read. This is a fascinating story beautifully combining history and speculative fiction and with absolutely lush writing.
A Book That Made Me Cry:
Well, it didn’t exactly make me cry but it is quite an emotional read and I think I needed to be in the right head space before I started. As it happens I really enjoyed We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune.
A Book That Made Me Happy:
The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett). This is a fantastic book, I absolutely loved it. It made me tense and, yes, it did make me happy.
Books I Need to Read By the End of the Year:
Yes, I have gone for more than one because I have so much excitement right now for so many books. Obviously I won’t repeat the three above but here are a few that I can’t wait to pick up:
The End of the Year Book Tag
I’ve been seeing this ‘Tag’ around the blogosphere (most recently at Suzyscozyworld) and thought I’d give it a go. So, here’s my end of year tag:
Are there any books you started this year you need to finish?
Yes, I have put a couple of books down this year that I really want to get back to. To be clear I didn’t put them down because I wasn’t enjoying them, just I have had a couple of reading slumps this year and I didn’t want to push myself to read books during those times as I feel it’s unfair to the author and the book.
I really enjoyed The Malevolent Seven by Sebastien DeCastell with it’s sharp wit and dark world and I am determined to read The Malevolent Eight. The Fury of the Gods (Bloodsworn Saga #3) by John Gwynne is the final instalment of a norse-based epic fantasy that started with The Shadow of the Gods. I love this series, it’s absolutely fantastic and again, I would love to fit this in before the end of the year (in fact I’ve also picked up the audio so that I can dual read/listen). Hopefully, I will fit these in by the end of the year but if not they’ll be early choices in the new year.
Do you have an autumnal book to transition to the end of the year?
Ragwort by Sam K Horton – I’ve read this title but not reviewed it yet. I really loved Gorse when I read it last year. It was such a beautifully written story, heavy with atmosphere and containing folklore and critters aplenty. It felt unique, dark and strangely wild. Gorse is very similar and it feels like the perfect read for this time of the year with the darker nights and the desire to snuggle up to a cosy fire. Once again we have a dark story, really atmospheric and with a strong leaning to the outdoors and nature.
Is there a new release you’re still waiting for?
Where to even begin! I think for this prompt I’m going to use three authors. I loved Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill and so I’m really looking forward to reading Nightshade and Oak. Enchanting the Fae Queen by Stephanie Burgis is the second instalment in the Queens of Villainy series that got off to an amazing start with Wooing the Witch Queen and, finally, A Forest, Darkly by AG Slatter is another story set in the Sourdough Universe – I’ve read quite a few of these and really love them so this is one of my highly anticipated books for 2026:
What are three books you want to read before the end of the year?
These are the next three books that I’m hoping to read:
I’ve read some good reviews for Outlaw Planet and Carey is an author who I’ve read and enjoyed previously so hoping for good things with this title. I’ve not read Beatrice Winifred Iker before but that eye catching cover and the description of a local ‘beast’ and a ‘secret society’ drew me in. What Stalks the Deep is Kingfisher’s third book in the Sworn Soldier series. A book that sounds positively claustrophobic with it’s setting of a haunted coal mine.
Is there a book that you think could still shock you and become your FAVORITE?
Well, I’m currently reading The Blackfire Blade by James Logan. I absolutely loved The Silverblood Promise (the first in the Last Legacy series). So far, I’m finding this second in series a little bit frustrating, which isn’t to say I’m not enjoying it – but, I’m really hoping it does wow me as the story develops.
Have you already made reading plans for 2026?
I do have quite a few books on my shelves already that I’m really looking forward to and ideally I’d love to be able to tuck a couple of ‘January releases’ under my belt before the new year begins. But, at the same time I’m mood reading a little bit and I do have quite a few books to fit in before year end, and of course the time of year does seem to lead to more socialising. So, basically, the best laid plans are rarely adhered to so I’m hoping to keep things a little loose. Here are a few of the books (not already mentioned above) that I’ll be picking up in 2026:
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That’s it for my ‘End of the Year’ book tag. I understand that this tag was created by Ariel Bissett on YouTube.
Consider yourself ‘tagged’ if you wish to take part – I’d love to check out your answers.
The Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag, 2025
30 June 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: blogging, Book tag, Book Tags, book-blog, Books, reading, Reviewing, The Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag
I don’t think I’ve completed this tag before but I’ve seen a couple of bloggers recently posting and I liked the prompts so decided to give it a shot.
I’m not sure who created this tag so if you’re in the ‘know’ give me a shout so I can credit them.
Without further ado:
1. BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2025:
The Rush by Beth Lewis. This book could also have fit ‘the biggest surprise’ prompt. I had such a good time with this book. It’s beautifully written and highly evocative.
2. BEST SEQUEL OF 2025 SO FAR:
Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett. This was the final chapter in the series and was a perfect ending. I highly recommend this series.
3. NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET, BUT WANT TO:
Paved With Good Intentions by Peter McLean – this is one of my June review books that I can’t wait to pick up but unfortunately my reading has been much slower than I anticipated, mainly as a result of more socialising and being very busy with visitors. This will be, later than I would like but, my next read.
4. MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE OF THE SECOND HALF OF 2025:
The Blackfire Blade by James Logan. I absolutely loved The Silverblood Promise and it was in my top ten reads for 2024 so I’m really excited about this one.
5. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF 2025:
I’ve had quite a few books that I’ve had to set aside this year, which could simply be a mood thing. The book that does spring to mind for this prompt is Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou. To be totally honest I still feel like I want to give this another try though and see how I get on, even more so as I read at least half already.
6. BIGGEST SURPRISE:
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito – I haven’t posted my review for this one yet but it’s one grisly gothic story.
7. FAVOURITE NEW AUTHOR (DEBUT OR NEW TO YOU):
Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill. I absolutely loved Greenteeth. I practically inhaled it.
8. NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH:
Nothing springs to mind unfortunately!
9. NEWEST FAVOURITE CHARACTER:
I think the two central characters from the Emily Wilde series (above) – Emily and Wendell – are definitely up there.
10. BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY:
None so far.
11. BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY:
Vianne by Joanne Harris. Such a beautiful story, I couldn’t put it down.
12. FAVOURITE BOOK TO MOVIE ADAPTATION OF 2025 YOU’VE SEEN:
Mmm, this is ridiculous but I don’t think I’ve seen any adaptations this year – what have I been doing? I’m sure I’ll think of something as soon as I post this.
13. FAVOURITE POST/REVIEW YOU’VE WRITTEN THIS YEAR:
Grave Empire by Richard Swan – simply because this was another excellent book that I can’t recommend enough.
14. MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU BOUGHT OR RECEIVED THIS YEAR:
The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig – I love the cover for this. I haven’t read it yet but I’m excited to pick it up.
15. BOOKS YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THIS YEAR:
So many books on my shelves for the remainder of this year. I’m not going to list them all here because I’m going to be posting ‘my most anticipated reads’ very soon.
I’m not tagging anyone. Take this as an open invitation to take part if you so wish.
Book Tag: My life in books
This is a book tag that I’ve seen a few times over the past few years and really like. I’m not sure who created this (possibly from Adam at Roof Beam Reader), but there have been a few changes along the way and in fact I made one quick change to one of the prompts.
The only rules here are to use books to complete the prompts using titles that you read during 2024. I always enjoy the opportunity to talk about the books I’ve read so this is a great opportunity. I’ve tried to complete all the prompts using titles that hopefully have a slightly amusing slant (but, ahem, who knows).
Here’s my life in books 2024
Motto I live by: The Redemption of Morgan Bright by Chris Panatier
On my bucket list is: The Moonlight Market by Joanne Harris
A happy day includes: A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike
When I’m in a murderous mood, I need: The Hungry Dark by Jen Williams
People might be surprised by: The Last Hour Between Worlds by Melissa Caruso
I wish I had: The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden
I will never be: The Puppet Master by Sam Holland
I hate: The Cautious Traveller’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks (haha – I don’t hate it – but I had to use something for this one)
At a party you’d find me with: The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
I’ve never been to: Murder Road by Simone St James
The best travelling companion would be: The CInderwich by Cherie Priest
If I ran a fantasy tavern it would be called: The Silverblood Promise by James Logan
Favourite time of the day: The Voyage Home by Pat Barker
My fantasy job is: Magic by Sarah Pinborough
At the end of a long day I need: The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
The title of my memoir would be: The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
In my next life, I want to be: The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by HG Parry
My theme song for 2024 is: Smile and Be A Villain by Yves Donlon
That’s my 2024 in books. How does yours look? If you fancy having a try then tag yourself – and let me know in the comments so I can pay you a visit and check out your answers.
My Life in Books 2023
20 January 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Book tag, Books read in 2023, My Life in Books
This is a book tag that I’ve seen a few times over the past couple of years and have been promising myself I’d take part in so seeing One More’s recent post gave me the incentive to knock out some answers whilst we’re still in January. I’m not quite sure where the tag originated from (possibly from Adam at Roof Beam Reader), but there have been a few changes along the way and in fact I made one quick change to one of the prompts.
The only rules here are to use books to complete the prompts using titles that you read during 2023. I always enjoy the opportunity to talk about the books I’ve read so this is a great opportunity. I’ve tried to complete all the prompts using titles that hopefully have a slightly amusing slant (but, ahem, who knows)
Here’s my life in books 2023
Motto I live by: Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry
On my bucket list is: A Haunting in the Arctic by CJ Cooke
A happy day includes: Claws and Contrivances by Stephanie Burgis
When I’m in a murderous mood, I need: A Gift of Poison by Bella Ellis
People might be surprised by: All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
I wish I had: A House With Good Bones by T Kingfisher
I will never be: The Whispering Muse by Laura Purcell
I hate: The Last Passenger by Will Dean (no, I don’t hate the book and ironically, I am the one usually making everyone late so…)
At a party you’d find me with: Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
I’ve never been to: The Witchwood Knot by Olivia Atwood
The best travelling companion would be: The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
If I ran a fantasy tavern it would be called: The Night House by Jo Nesbo
Favourite time of the day: The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
My fantasy job is: The People Watcher by Sam Lloyd
At the end of a long day I need: A Sword of Bronze and Ashes by Anna Smith Spark
The title of my memoir would be: Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
In my next life, I want to be: The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft
My theme song for 2024 is: Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney
That’s my 2023 in books. How does yours look? If you fancy having a try then tag yourself – and let me know in the comments so I can pay you a visit and check out your answers.
Books and travelling with Lynn 