Mid-Year Book Freak Out 2024

Happy Saturday and welcome to the Mid-Year Book Freak Out of 2024 everyone!  I've been taking part in this since 2015 - if you like you can check out my previous posts from 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.  It's always great to see what everyone else has been reading and enjoying via this tag and I know I'll be adding a lot of books to my already out of control TBR.  By the way, this tag was originally created by ReadLikeWildFire and Earl Grey Books. Without further ado, let's get to it:

1. Best book you've read so far in 2024.

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due - This is just outstanding - whether you're a horror fan or not.  It's especially terrifying to know that the Gracetown School for Boys is inspired by the very real Dozier School for Boys.

2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2024.

Heartstopper: Volume Five (Heartstopper #5) by Alice Oseman - This whole series has just been delightful and this is no different.  I also feel like I should mention just how much I appreciate adult characters like Sarah, Mr. Farouk, and Mr. Ajayi.  I can't believe the next installment will be the last.

3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to.

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager - This was just released on June 18th and I'm absolutely dying to read it.  I'm on hold for the audiobook via Libby - I'm currently number 800 on 57 copies so it might be a little while.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea (The House in the Cerulean Sea #2) by T.J. Klune - Release date: September 10th, 2024 - I can't express how much I need this!

5. Biggest disappointment.

Assistant to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain #1) by Hannah Nicole Maehrer - I liked the concept of this story, but overall it was a total missed opportunity.  That said, it did make me want to rewatch Megamind and Nimona so it wasn't a total loss.

6. Biggest surprise.

Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone (Ernest Cunningham #1) by Benjamin Stevenson - I had no real expectations for this, but I really loved it.  The audiobook production is so cool.  I can't wait to read book 2!

7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you).

Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom - I should have started reading Brom a long time ago, but at least I have a lot of great looking books to catch up on.

8. Newest favorite character.

Tania de Batz - One for All by Lillie Lainoff - Tania is a real gem. and I wouldn't mind going on more adventures with her in the future.  Honestly, this book is exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for in a retelling of a classic novel.  If you're a fan of The Three Musketeers you have to try this.

9. Book that made you happy.

Spy x Family: Family Portrait by Aya Yajima - I love the manga series and this novel was so well done.  Aya Yajima has the characters down pat and it's just a ton of fun.  I hope there will be more of these novels in the future.

10. Book that made you cry.

Branded by the Pink Triangle by Ken Setterington -  Like a baby!  It's absolutely brutal and heartbreaking, but this part of WWII needs to be remembered.

11. Best book to film adaptation?

Movie: The Long Goodbye (1973) - Elliott Gould is hands down my favorite onscreen Philip Marlowe.  I didn't know if the 1970s setting would work, but it totally did.

TV: Dead Boy Detectives - This is easily an all time favorite tv show and adaptation.  I hope it will be renewed for a second season.  If you haven't checked out this spinoff of The Sandman, you will have to give it a try.

12. Favorite post you have done this year?

2023 End of Year Movie Survey - This was a tough choice, but I do like talking about movies (and sometimes tv shows) and this was so much fun to put together.

13. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received).

The Summer Queen (The Buried and the Bound #2) by Rochelle Hassan - The first book in this series was one of my favorite reads of last year and luckily the sequel was just as brilliant.  Plus, the cover art is really cool and totally suits it.

14. What books do you need to read by the end of this year?

Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect (Ernest Cunningham #2) by Benjamin Stevenson - Book one was so cool and I've been patiently waiting for my audiobook hold to come in for it.  I'm currently number 50 on 15 copies.  Plus, I'm reading this for the 2024 Popsugar Reading Challenge.

15. Best hidden gem.

A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel - This YA fantasy retelling of Medusa by way of Indian mythology is awesome and deserves a lot more love.  I need to read more from this author in the future.

Have you read any of these books?  What are some of your favorite reads of 2024 so far?  As always, thanks for visiting my blog and perhaps even commenting down below!