We’re officially halfway through 2025. Where has the time gone tf? It felt like January last month but BOOM it’s now July. Huh??

Anyway, I like to look back halfway through the year and see what I’ve read, or if there is a pattern of what types of books I pick up. Last year, I noticed halfway through the year my main genres were nonfiction (in general) and fantasy.

In 2025, let’s see what I’ve been reading!

Stats:
141 books read.
48,603 pages read.
68 books read that I own (rereads included).

Mid Year Book Freakout Tag (from YouTube, Earl Grey Books):
1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2025:
Ohhhh this is toughhhhh! I have read so many new favourites! But I think I have to pick Tempest, Take Me Home by Charlie Knight as my favourite so far. I LOVED this trans pirate fantasy romance so much that I think I might reread it sometime in the next few months!

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2025:
Once again, I’ve read so many amazing sequels. However, I think one sequel outshines everything else I’ve read (even though I have multiple 5 star sequels to pick from), and that is The Second Rebel by Linden A. Lewis. There is just something in these books that make them SO good. I absolutely love this series, but book 2 takes the cake. It doesn’t suffer from second book syndrome!!

3. New release you haven’t read, but want to:
I have a few, but Devils Like Us by L.T. Thompson is high up there!

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year:
Lord of Ruin by K.M. Enright without a DOUBT! This is the sequel to Mistress of Lies, which was one of my top favourites of 2024. I have an ARC (advanced readers copy) of this and oh my GOD I am SO excited to dive into it!

5. Biggest disappointment:
Well, this is easy. I’ve had exactly ONE 1 star read of 2025, and it is Boyfriends Volume 1 by refrainbow. I absolutely hated this god forsaken graphic novel. I didn’t like the fact that all the 4 MCs were referred to as their stereotypes (goth, preppy, nerd, jock) rather than a name. You never find out their names. When one refers to another, in the speech bubble it’s just a drawing of their head. I also found it so cringe worthy. It felt like these guys were in high school when it made it very clear they were in college. I could go on and on about why I hated this book but I’ll save you from my rants on a tag lol!

6. Biggest surprise:
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters. I rarely pick up literary fiction, but I sometimes do. This was a beautiful, heartbreaking book, and I’m glad I read it.

7. Favourite new author (debut or new to you):
Tamsyn Muir. 100% (thank you Sarah).

8. Newest fictional crush:
I don’t really do fictional crushes so lol no.

9. Newest favourite character:
Favourite character on the other hand…I have PLENTY! Gideon (Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir), Silvyr (The Flowered Blade by Taylor Hubbard), Crow (These Vengeful Gods by Gabe Cole Novoa), Anequs (To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose) just to name a few!

10. Book that made you cry:
Well, there is only one book so far that has made me cry. One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller made me cry.

11. Book that made you happy:
Seven Devils by L.R. Lam and Elizabeth May. It always makes me happy to reread my favourite book!

12. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year:
Oh this is tough, I honestly haven’t bought many books this year! Surprising, I know. But, the cover of Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto is so beautiful.

13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year:
Oh do I have a list:
The Restless Dark by Erica Waters (remaining from my 12 friends 12 books challenge)
The Haunting of Adrian Yates by Markus Harwood-Jones (remaining from my 12 friends 12 books challenge)
How We End by LM Juniper
Bellies by Nicola Dinan
Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan
Escape Velocity by Victor Manibo
Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa
In Case You Read This by Edward Underhill
…and many more! (I also made a 25 books I want to read before the end of 2025 post!)

14. Favourite book community member:
I’m going to list my favourites from Instagram!:
Elliott (they/he): link
Ally (she/her): link
Adria (they/them): link
Andrew (he/they): link
Andrew (he/him/they/them): link
Alex (he/him): link
Brittany (she/her): link
Xyler (they/them): link
Ricki (she/they): link
Lisa (she/they): link