mid-year book tag! *favorite books, authors, + more!*

[00:00:00]Well, it's finally hot enough in LA where I can't wear a sweatshirt in my YouTube video today.

[00:00:08]Welcome, or welcome back if you're new.

[00:00:09]My name is Kristen and you reached my little corner of the internet. Hi, hello. How are we doing today? I have my midyear book freakout tag for you guys today with some additional questions that I asked CHBT because I wanted to extend the questions just a little bit more because I think it's only like 14 or 15 original midyear book freakout tag questions. So, I wanted to keep the I wanted the video just to be a little bit longer. So, I'm sorry if I'm keeping you a little bit longer than I should, but hopefully it's worth it with some of these book picks that I have. I know we're already over halfway through the year, which is one, really terrifying, and two, I'm a little bit late. So, sorry, but better late than never. So, at my feet, I have all of the books that I picked out. I pre-answered the questions, so I Some people don't, some people do. Um, I am a planner, and I need to like see it visually in my mind, if you know what I mean. Like, I I I can't go into this blindly. I have like too much anxiety for that. Also, if it looks like I'm sweating, it's because I am because today in LA, it's like almost 90 degrees.

[00:01:17]I I know y'all asked for summer, but can we like turn it down just a little bit?

[00:01:22]So, let's not delay this any more than I have to. Let's begin the midyear book freakout tag. I'm going to link the questions and the original creators below. I know this was created almost I think maybe 10 years ago, so it's been a while. Um, and uh yeah, let's answer these questions. See, let's see what I have picked out for you. If I was a little bit more type A, I would have organized my book pile in the order that these books are being talked about, but no, I just threw them on the floor, so there's just going to be a mess at my feet. But you can't see it, so it doesn't really matter. So, let's start with the first question. The best book that I've read so far, Project Hail Mary. Oh my gosh. I want to say this was my first five-st star read of the year and I read it before watching the movie and I'm so glad that I did. The movie did this book so much justice. Like it was so so good. I honestly wish the movie was like a little bit longer. Like I would not have minded to like I I could have sat there forever. But yes, Project Hail Mary is the best book that I read so far. And if you haven't read it, well, I'm going to talk about this book again in this video. So stay tuned. Best sequel that I've read this year.

[00:02:32]Yeah, House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Mass. I think when I talked about this book in my reading wrap-up for I don't remember what month, I think I said that the example in a textbook of a sequel done right is this book. If you disagree with me on that, don't talk to me. New release that I haven't read but want to. Our Perfect Storm by Karly Fortune. I can't believe I haven't read that yet.

[00:02:59]Oops. I do want to do a summer reading vlog while summer is still I mean, summer is clearly here. I'm hot as hell right now. So, maybe that book will pop up in a reading vlog soon. Most anticipated book for the rest of 2026.

[00:03:14]Acatar book six. Yeah. Can we have a title, please? Cover anything, please. Biggest disappointment. 32 Days in May. Yeah, I sat on this one for a little bit. I was scrolling through the books that I read this year and I was like, I mean, not really any of these books were that disappointing. And then I kind of kept going back to 32 Days in May cuz I was really looking forward to this book. I felt like it got a good amount of hype when it came out and that it was like this really whimsy cute summer romance book and I just didn't love it. I really thought I was going to like this because I just love I mean most contemporary romances I do enjoy, but this one just kind of like fell flat for me unfortunately. Biggest surprise, Deep End by Ali Hazeswood. I interpret this Oops. Sorry for hitting the mic. I interpreted this as like Biggest Surprise like oh my gosh, I wasn't expecting to like this book, but I did.

[00:04:10]Yeah, this one cuz a lot of this is her first college sports romance and that it was supposed to be a little bit spicier than her other books. It honestly wasn't that spicy, but I think that's why I liked it. I thoroughly enjoyed this. I think I ended up giving it four stars, which I think is more than like not more higher than majority of people who read this book and I don't regret it. It was really good. I if you haven't read this, definitely read it. Mate, on the other hand, or what is it? Is it Mate? What is it? Bride. Mate's the sequel, but Bride I read.

[00:04:47]Favorite new author, debut or new to you? I picked a new to you. Maybe this is her debut novel, but Chelsea Corto Corto who wrote Face Off and I read it last month. I can't wait to read more to her more of her books. Like they that they I've only read one of her books.

[00:05:03]That book was so well done. I know like for some people hockey romances just tend to kind of merge together, but this one this one was a standout. I think because our main girl Emmy, she was the first female hockey player in the NHL, at least in that book universe. And I think that's what made the book a little bit more interesting and kind of stand out from other hockey romances that I've read. And the writing, too. The writing wasn't cheesy or too cliche. It was just the right amount of like, oh, these are like cute little moments. like there's some cheese but also some depth and I really like the balance of Chelsea's writing. So if you haven't read Face Off yet, highly highly highly highly recommend. Newest fictional [laughter] crush and I I'm laughing because I wrote begrudgingly Chris from The Night We Met Aby's new book this year. I put begrudgingly because you guys, if you saw my reading vlog on this book, I just that trope needs to be tossed in the trash and never picked at again. It's boyfriend's best friend trope.

[00:06:08]Yeah, but Chris, she wrote Chris like Jacob is like I mean yours truly is a six-star read for me. Jacob's obviously a very highly rated man for me. Chris. I told I was telling my friend this.

[00:06:21]Chris, he comes pretty dang close. I think because he reminds me so much of my boyfriend. So, and that's why I wrote Chris cuz he I she just knows how to write men. Okay. Newest favorite character, Ryland Grace, our main guy from Project Hail Mary. He is so quirky, funny, smart, hilarious. All these things just wrapped up into one bundle of joy. I like loved reading. I just loved being in his brain. He is so entertaining to read. Like I just again, if you haven't read Project Hillary, what are you doing? Read it and then go watch the movie because Ryan Gosling does an amazing job portraying Ryland Grace. Like I feel like he captured his personality so well. He's just so like quirky. He'll be saying something out loud or thinking something in his brain and just stop mid-sentence and like start talking about something else. It's hilarious. A book that made me cry.

[00:07:20]Yeah, House of Sky and Breath made me cry. That uh that book was uh crazy.

[00:07:28]That's all I have to say about it. A book that made me happy. In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams. I I love Sarah Adams and I love her writing and I love her little universe that she's created with this interconnected standalone series, The One in Rome series. This book, all of her books make me happy, but this one was super super cute. I think because Madison reminds me of me kind of. So, um I just really enjoyed this book and it was super cute, funny, lots of laugh out loud moments. I audio booked this and it's just a it's a warm cozy feeling that you get reading this book. I have to go get books for this next question.

[00:08:09]Here we go.

[00:08:14]Yeah. So, the next one is the most beautiful book I've bought or received this year. I bought these. Liz came out with this exclusive set of the Windy City series. Have I finished the Windy City series? No, not even close. I've only read books one and two. I still haven't even unwrapped them, but I'll throw up images of the naked hardbacks and all the different variations that these books have. We have these dust jackets and then these are reversible dust jackets with all the main FM like the FMC's from each book on the reversible dust jacket.

[00:08:48]And then the naked heartbacks are stunning. Oh my gosh, they're beautiful.

[00:08:52]And then I'm not a big sprayed edges person, but if a sprayed edge is done right and well, even especially in a series, this is the Chicago Skyline.

[00:09:06]I've kept them wrapped in their cellophane just because I haven't decided if I want to resell these or keep them. Um, my friend suggested that I finish the series first and then decide from there. And I was like, that's good advice. So, I'm going to do that. There's only three books left. Um, and hopefully I finish it this year.

[00:09:25]We'll see. These are the most beautiful books ever. Oh, and well, I didn't buy those this year, I don't think. Um, I don't know if you can see them. My Magnolia Parks exclusive hardcover editions. I don't know why they came out with those or when. Um, but they're really beautiful, too. So, the next question is, what books do I need to read before the end of the year? And I wrote refer to 26 books to read in 2026 list. I've read 17 books off of that list. So, only a good chunk left. What is that? Nine books left. So, not too many. Um, I have Our Perfect Storm by Carly Fortune, The Misconnection by Tia Williams, The Last Page by Katie Holt, Little Life, My Husband's Wife by Alice Feny, Firefly Lane, Kristen Hannah, Love by the Book by Jessica George, A Winter's Promise, Everything I Know About Love. Those are the books that are still on my radar for the rest of 2026.

[00:10:23]And the last question from this original list of questions, my favorite book/book creator, Larry Reads. I love her. She is hilarious and her content is just so s so what content is just so organically funny and also informative at the same time. So I love watching her book reviews and I love watching her vlogs and her personality as like I wish we were friends. I feel like we would be really funny together. So okay so these are some bonus questions that I added to the list. So if you want to do this yourself definitely take these questions maybe into consideration if you want to answer them. So, the highest rated book this year, Project Hail Mary, of course, on the other end of that, the lowest rated book. Yeah, Breakup Vacation. This was horrible. I've never given a book one star before. And then I read this.

[00:11:11]So, here she is. Don't read this. It sucks. Most underrated book I've read this year. Fragile Hopes by Lisana. Lana Lasoney.

[00:11:21]I'm so sorry. I don't know how to say her name. This is such a cute book. I really enjoyed it. It was an age gap romance, contemporary romance, small town romance. It was all the good things. He's a firefighter. She's 26, he's 35.

[00:11:35]Ate it up. Love the writing. It's very like Elsie Silveres. So, if you enjoy Elsie Silver, I definitely think you should check this out. Okay, you may disagree with me on this take, but the most overhyped book that I read this year, House of Flame and Shadow. It was overhyped before it came out and then it came out and then I feel like the hype just completely got squashed. So, I'm considering the hype from before it came out based on because of how House of Sky and Breath ended. Obviously, the hype around this before it came out was extraordinarily high. So, um yes, House of Flame and Shadow. Favorite romance.

[00:12:10]Um I put a reread cuz I did have a reread this year, but if I can't pick a reread, then The Face Off by Chelsea Corto. But my favorite romance, yours truly, that I reread this year and I annotated and it is absolutely perfect.

[00:12:25]Yes, this is yours truly. I know it's green. It's a special edition copy from I don't remember where from. I have no idea. Wow. It's completely escaped my brain. With that, I have a favorite quote this year and it comes from yours truly. I have two. I couldn't pick one.

[00:12:42]The first one, if you're with someone who doesn't speak your language, you'll spend a lifetime having to translate your soul. And then the other one, Briana was a catastrophic life event, a thing that changed everything, and I wouldn't be the same after this. All the women I'd ever met and all the women I ever would fell away beneath her. She had me.

[00:13:02]If that doesn't convince you to read this book, I don't know what will.

[00:13:05]Favorite fantasy this year? House of Sky and Brat, obviously. Like, I cannot not pick this book. favorite literary fiction, Yellowface by RF Kuang. That one was a mind trip. And if you want to know my review and full in-depth thoughts on it, go watch my June reading wrap-up, and you will hear everything I have to say about that mind-boggling book. My favorite non-fiction that I actually finished today, Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. I've been wanting to read a CS Lewis book for a while, besides The Line Witch in the Wardrobe. Everyone's read that book, but he writes a lot of Christian like non-fiction books and they're very interesting. I do want to go back in. I did audiobook this, but I do want to go back in and like take my time reading this book, like chapter by chapter and like going in and annotating it. You don't have to be a Christian to read this book. I'm a Christian and I was just curious about his writing and his takes on Christianity and being a follower of Jesus. So, um, yeah, I gave this a read and I didn't rate it obviously, but I did see on like a booktuber subreddit a post on like someone saying like, "Oh, why do these booktubers like start off their videos with a Bible verse?" I'm sorry. What is the most translated and most sold book ever in the world?

[00:14:19]Thank you. Next question is my favorite audio book. Cursed Fates, Zodiac Academy. This is book five. I haven't started book six because the audio book isn't out yet. The graphic audio. I do the graphic audio for these books. If you don't, then I don't know how you get through these books cuz if I was physically reading this book, I think I would have stopped at book one. But these books being a graphic audio help so much because these books are trash.

[00:14:46]They are literal trash. It's like watching reality TV but in your brain and with a dark academia vibe. And it's insane. These books are insane and I love them. Now, I know I was asked the most beautiful book that I got.

[00:15:03]Obviously, the Windy City series insane, but my favorite book cover of books of a book that I actually read. Um, [clears throat] Emily Wild's Encyclopedia Fairies. This is the Barnes & Noble edition. Um, there are three books in this series and I have the other two books in this style. And it's so pretty. It is so pretty. I just want to be in the whimsy. I want to go wherever this book is. It is st I love this cover. It is so so beautiful and I love the like rough like uneven paper edges. Just makes it feel so like cozy.

[00:15:38]I It is a cozy fantasy. Okay, now for my favorite romance couple. The other book I gave five stars this year, People We Meet on Vacation, Alex and Poppy. And then I watched the movie and it like solidified that answer. I was like, "Yeah, they are my favorite couple. I love them so much. This might be my favorite Emily Henry book. I Yeah, [sighs and gasps] I want to watch the movie again now. A book that I couldn't stop thinking about after finishing Yellow Face. You have to read it. A book that deserves way more hype. Face Off. Chelsea Corto. I keep using like three books for this for answer. Read them. Most addictive page turner. Yellow Face. [laughter] That book is insane. Fastest book I finished, Breakup Vacation. And because it was horrible, not because it was good. I I finished it so fast because I wanted to be done with it. On the other end of that, the slowest book that I finished, Misborn by Brandon Sanderson. Now, I only finished it very slowly because the audio book I couldn't I didn't finish the audio book. And then Libby said, "You're done. We're taking it from you.

[00:16:46]Your 21 days are up." And then I had to place it on hold and wait another like month and a half for the audio book again. And you're like Kristen, why don't you just physically read it? Cuz I didn't want to. I didn't want to. So I waited for the audio book. And then I finished it after like 2 months, 2 and a half months, something crazy. I don't know. My favorite reading experience or memory of reading like something crazy reading the end of house of sky and breath. I was right here facing that way, not this way. And I was listening to the audiobook and physically reading the last like 50-ish pages and then I read the last sentence in that book and I stood up. I literally I like sat up and was like, [clears throat] "Okay, um I guess we're doing this." My biggest reading goal for the rest of the year. I put down completing my 26 books in 2026. I think now it's just completing my reading goal. I'm a little bit behind. I read 42 books this 42 books this year and my goal is 85. So, we're going to cut it a little bit close. I really need to get on my grind.

[00:17:46]Current reading obsession, whether it's author, genre, trope, etc. Right now, it's cowboy romances. I really have been enjoying a good cowboy romance or even hockey romance, too. I've been like flip-flopping between the two. Like, going back in my reading list, I'm like, "Oh, hockey romance. Oh, cowboy romance.

[00:18:04]Oh, back to hockey romance." So, um I'm on a kick. I've been on a kick for seven months with that. One book I keep putting off and why. Magnolia Parks Into the Dark. I That book came out in early 2024 and I still haven't read it. Not good. I mean, I reread Magnolia Parks like late last year and then I've been wanting to reread Daisy Hates. I've been just wanting to reread the series again because I put off Magnolia Parks Into the Dark for so long. So, um, yeah, I don't know if it's happening this year at all. And if I could recommend only one book from all the books that I've read this year, it would be Project Hail Mary. And that is the last question.

[00:18:46]That's it. Project Hail Mary. That's my answer to that question. And that is the last question. So, um, that's the end of this video. I don't even know how long this is going to be. Um, I'm curious to see if adding these questions helped or didn't help in length at all. But if you guys liked this video, don't forget to give it a like and comment down below your favorite read of the year so far and what your reading goal is and where you're at in that reading goal. Please let me know. I would love to see everyone where the status of everybody right now. And subscribe please so you can come back and see more videos from me. At the end of this video, YouTube is going to recommend two videos from my channel that I recommends that you watch. It's going to be my most recent video and then a video that it thinks that you might like. So, if you want to keep binging my videos and my channel, please. That would help the channel out so so so much and I appreciate it so much. The links to all my social media are linked down below, including my Goodreads and Fable. If you would like to friend request me on Goodreads, I will accept your friend request. And if you want to follow me on Fable, I will follow you back on Fable. And my Pango is linked down there as well. Maybe those Windy City books will be on there.

[00:19:48]No, they won't. But other books that I'm reselling will be on there. And I think that just about covers everything I need to say. So, thank you guys so much for watching this video. I really do appreciate it. And yeah, I hope to see you guys in another one soon, another video soon. Wherever I catch you, you can catch me on TikTok. I'm on there a lot. Hope to see you guys in another video soon. All right, bye.

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