Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag

Hello everyone and welcome to my first ever blog post. Today marks a historic moment in my reading journey as I finally put effort into my intentions and bring this blog to life.

To begin with, I think we should do a Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag since it’s the perfect way for you (my dear readers) to get to know me and my taste in books.

First and foremost, I must give credit where credit is due. The Mid-Year Freakout Tag was created by Ely and Chami over on BookTube, and it has become a tradition for book lovers and bloggers to reflect on the books they’ve read during the first half of the year. The tag includes some standard questions and prompts, but each post really depends on the person doing it—so let’s dive in.

So far in 2025, I’ve read 64 books. I know I am insane lol. That means I’ve read an average of about 11 books per month, with an average rating of 3.7 stars (a bit more on that later). Overall, I’m super satisfied with how much I’ve been reading this year, though I can already feel myself slowing down as life gets more hectic (hello, startup life).

What’s the best book you’ve read this year?

I’ve had a few 5-star reads, but by a long shot Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is one of my highlights. It’s a fantastic standalone by Brandon Sanderson that lets you enjoy a piece of the Cosmere without committing to his epic fantasy sagas. It follows Yumi and Nikaro (the nightmare painter), and without giving too much away, it’s beautifully written with rich world-building that still prioritises relationships and emotion. I felt all the feels and was completely mesmerised.

Breath by James Nestor comes in a close second—an honourable mention, really—for being one of the most impactful books I’ve read in terms of my physical wellbeing. It’s a historical, scientific, and personal deep-dive into the power of breathing, especially nasal vs mouth breathing. It’s a must-read if you’re into small daily changes with huge long-term benefits.

Best sequel you’ve read this year?

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn, which continues the Legendborn Cycle, was an absolute highlight. I had been waiting for this release for over two years, and I can’t emphasise enough how incredible the writing is. Honestly, that’s wild considering Legendborn was already a masterpiece. If you’re into fantasy and haven’t picked this up, what are you doing?

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

This might take a while… so many of my auto-buy authors have released books this year and somehow I haven’t read any of them—thanks to my book-buying ban.

Which means there are a few books I haven't read yet: The Great Big Beautiful Life, Atmosphere, The Knight and the Moth, and Katabasis.

Most anticipated read of 2025?

V.E. Schwab—author of A Darker Shade of Magic and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue—is releasing Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil soon, and there’s absolutely no way I’m missing it. What about my book-buying ban? What about it.

Biggest disappointment?

Life’s Too Short by Abby Jimenez. I really wanted to like it. I love romance as much as the next girl, and Jimenez came so highly recommended, I thought it was a sure win. But alas, the disappointment was major. If you loved this book, more power to you—but it just wasn’t for me. I won’t be picking up anything else by her unless someone I trust reads it first and gives it a glowing rec.

Biggest surprise?

Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers. I read it as part of a travelling annotation series with friends—each of us picked a book, read and annotated it, then passed it along. My friend Ankita chose this one and it blew me away. The writing, the plot, the emotional depth—it was subtle and profound. That ending well.. if you know, you know ;)

New favourite author?

James Islington. The Will of the Many has catapulted him onto my favourites list. I’m dying to read the sequel and explore his other fantasy works.

Also, shoutout to Tahereh Mafi. I read Shatter Me as a teen and lost interest midway through the series, but this year I picked up This Woven Kingdom and fell in love all over again. Her writing? Chef’s kiss.

Newest fictional crush?

Okay listen. I’ve been continuing The Stormlight Archive this year and I’ve been putting off Wind and Truth because I can’t handle the idea of the series ending. But no one—and I mean no one—compares to Adolin Kholin. I will be taking no arguments. If you disagree, kindly leave this blog and never return ahahah.

Newest favourite character?

Amara from The Wolf Den trilogy. She’s a resourceful and intelligent woman forced into slavery in a Pompeii brothel, but she never lets her circumstances define her. Her resilience, her sharp wit, and her empathy make her unforgettable. She fights for herself and the women around her, and I was in awe of her every step of the way.

Book that made you cry?

Train to Pakistan absolutely wrecked me. I cried—like, full-on tears—while reading it on a plane, and yes, it was embarrassing as hell. But honestly, the emotional weight of the story and the way it portrayed the Partition hit me right in the gut. It’s one of those books that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

Homegoing was another deeply powerful read. Spanning generations and continents, it explored themes of trauma, legacy, and identity in a way that was both heartbreaking and hopeful. It didn’t just make me cry—it made me sit with my feelings and reflect. It’s the kind of book that quietly rearranges something inside you.

Book that made you happy?

The Sunlit Man was a sweet little addition to the Cosmere. Honourable mentions: Gideon the Ninth and Masters of Death. Both made me laugh out loud—and yes, I was definitely happy.

Favourite book-to-screen adaptation this year?

Not a movie, but Pachinko on Apple TV absolutely counts. The book was amazing, and the adaptation did it justice in all the best ways.

Favourite post you’ve written this year?

This is my first post and therefore—by default—my favourite one this year!!

Most beautiful book you bought this year?

I finally got my hands on The King of Elfhame by Holly Black and I can’t explain how obsessed I am. It’s hands down the most beautiful book I’ve ever bought.

Also, a little reading reflection before I sign off—My average rating this year is 3.7 stars, which is a jump from last year’s 3.0. That tells me I’m definitely getting better at picking books I know I’ll like and avoiding the ones that just aren’t for me. We love growth.

I also explored about 16 different genres so far this year—look at that range! My top three? Fantasy (of course), literary fiction, and romance.

Let me know your answers to any of these questions in the comments. I'd love to get to know you and your reading taste too <3