Mid-Year Book Freak Out 2026

Happy Saturday and welcome to the Mid-Year Book Freak Out of 2026 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, 2023, 2024, and 2025.  It's always good to see what everyone else has been reading via this tag and I know I'll be adding a more and more books to my already overflowing TBR.  By the way, this tag was originally created ages ago by ReadLikeWildFire and Earl Grey Books. Without further ado, let's get to it:

1. Best book you've read so far in 2026.

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White - This brutal roller coaster was impressive.  I need to read everything this author writes from here on out!

2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2026.

The Wild Robot Escapes (The Wild Robot #2) by Peter Brown - Somehow, I loved this even more than the first book which was amazing.  I can't wait to see what the upcoming adaptation does with the story since the first one turned out so well.

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

The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee - I'm still quite a ways down the waitlist for the audiobook and I can't wait to check it out!

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

A Trade of Blood (Shadow of the Leviathan #3) by Robert Jackson Bennett - I'm counting down the days to August 4th!

5. Biggest disappointment.

Starcourt Mall Escape (Stranger Things #9) by Jennifer Brody - I've enjoyed a lot of these Stranger Things books, but this one just wasn't it.  It was especially disappointing given how much I liked season 3 of the tv series.

6. Biggest surprise.

The Privilege of the Sword (The World of Riverside #2) by Ellen Kushner - I haven't read the first book in this series, but I absolutely adored this.  The world building and the characters were amazing.  I need to read the rest of this series asap.  I'm glad I picked this up at that used bookstore on a whim!

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

Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet - I had no particular expectations for this particular debut novel that does a contemporary set mystery thriller retelling of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, but I was totally hooked by this one.  The author does such a good job of capturing the tone of the characters.  I can't wait to read whatever she writes next and I'm hoping there will be more classic literature retellings in the future.

8. Newest favorite character.

Another Kind by Trevor Bream and illustrated by Cait May - The kids in this MG graphic novel fantasy adventure are all awesome and I love their found family.  I hope we get to see more of these characters or this world again in the future.

9. Book that made you happy.

Spy x Family, Vol. 15 (Spy x Family #15) by Tatsuya Endo - I just love this series and I'm already dying for the next installment.  It was cool to see more about Martha's past in this installment.

10. Book that made you cry.

A Man & His Cat, Vol. 15 (A Man & His Cat #15) by Umi Sakurai - 15 installments in and I'm still getting choked up by this delightful series!

11. Best book to film and TV adaptation?

Film: Project Hail Mary (2026) - I loved how they adapted Andy Weir's novel.  Ryan Gosling was excellent as Ryland Grace and Rocky, the character I was most worried about going into the adaptation, stole the whole show.

TV: The Count of Monte Cristo (2025) - I love the original novel and this miniseries adaptation did a great job of bringing it to life.  Sam Claflin was wonderful in the role of Edmond/ The Count.  I'm glad Masterpiece on PBS gave me the opportunity to watch this!

TV Runner Up: Why Didn't They Ask Evans? (2022) - I've been on a bit of an Agatha Christie kick lately, but I wasn't at all familiar with the original novel that inspired this miniseries adaptation.  That said, I'm absolutely going to have to read the novel because I loved this.  Will Poulter and Lucy Boynton made a great team, the production values were high, and the sense of humor really worked for me.

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

The Amberglow Candy Store (The Night Alley #1) by Hiyoko Kurisu - How about borrowed from the library?  I wasn't familiar with this one at all before spotting this, but this Japanese cozy fantasy was right up my alley.  By the way, this is the cover of the large print edition.  I hope book two will be released in English soon.

13. Best hidden gem.

Insomniacs After School, Vol. 11 (Insomniacs After School #11) by Makoto Ojiro - I feel like I don't mention this series nearly enough, but I'm very invested in the story and the characters.  As this writing (Wednesday, July 8th), it has only 627 ratings on Goodreads.

Have you read any of these books?  What are some of your favorite reads of 2026 so far?  As always, thanks for visiting my blog and perhaps even commenting down below!