The Mid Year Freak Out Book Tag, 2025

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.