How can 6 months of 2018 already be over! I have decided, since it is all over Youtube, that I would attempt my first Tag – even though I have not been tagged. What better way to start than to wrap up the first half of the year.
I have had a great start to reading in 2018. in January and February I was on a break between completing my PhD and starting my PostDoc in March giving me ample time to get those pages in. Even in the ‘Great Book slump of May 2018’ I still managed an amazing number of books. First I will get into some stats and then into the questions
The Stats
Number of Books so far: 46
No of pages: 15,664
No of Readathons I have taken part in: 13 (including 24 hour readathons etc)
Best reading Month so far: May (11 books)
The break downs
Of the 46 books read so far the most popular genera I have read has been Fantasy (25 books) followed by SciFi( 7 books), which is no great surprise. My reading has overwhelmingly been from Female identifying authors ( 33 books), with the majority of the authors coming from the USA.
I have had a pretty even mix of formats with 18 books being hardbacks, 15 being papers backs and the rest a mix of ebook and audio-book
I have also has an even split of reading the books I own and reading books I have borrowed from my local library with and almost 50/50 split of 26 owned books to 20 borrowed books.
The Ratings:
Books that received .5 star ratings have been rounded down.
5 Stars: 16
4 Stars:18
3 Stars: 12
2 Stars: 2
1 Star: 0
DNFs: 1 (there are a few books I have started but have not yet picked back up but I do not count them as DNFs, DNFs are to me books I have given a good shot too but just don’t think I will ever want to pick back up again.)
The Questions
What is the best book that you’ve read so far in 2017?
This has been such a good reading year so far (34 books getting above 4 Stars is amazing). If I remove rereads of my favourites and the various Wizarding world books I have read I still have far to many books to mention. I would have to say ones that have left lasting marks are
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi – The magic system and world building were both captivating and beautiful.
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson – My review can be found here
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor – I took far to long to get to this book. It was beautiful and lyrical throughout.
All of these books have sequels joining us in late 2018/early 2019 and I honestly cant wait!
What has been your favourite sequel of the first half of the year?
Scarlet, Cress and Winter from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
I honestly lived for these books. I borrowed them from the library and devoured them. I miss the characters and honestly am still dwelling on them. I am patiently awaiting the release of the combined boxset in late October which I have already requested as my anniversary present from my husband.
Is there a new release that you haven’t read yet but you’re really excited to?
It really is so hard just picking one. I am so lucky that many authors I love have already had new releases this year and I have my copies sitting waiting for me to have time to read them. A few I am particularly keen on getting to ASAP are:
Head on by John Scalzi – Scalzi is one of my favourite authors. His sense of humour appeals to me greatly and his books are always well researched, interesting and entertaining. His twitter presence is also awesome with much reference to his 3 cats who also have their own Twitter (check them out at @scamperbeasts).
The Mermaid by Christina Henry – I devoured Henry’s retelling of Alice with its dark and twisted nature. 2018 appears to be the summer of mermaid books and I am looking forward to adding this one to my mermaid readings this summer.
The seven deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton – I have technically started this but put it down as I just couldn’t give it the time and concentration it deserved I am leaving this one for the long winter nights where I just want to get absorbed into the mystery. I also worry I have over hyped this for myself to me as the blurb has me sold on a Christie-esque time jumping mystery.
What is your most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovich due 6th November 2018 – This is the 7th Novel in the PC Peter Grant series. I adore these books I instantly devour all the offerings from the Novels, novellas, graphic novels. The Audiobooks and also spectacular with Kobna Holdbrook Smith as narrator. I even spent the day before my wedding buried in the 6th novel (The Hanging Tree) instead of making last minute preparations. I intend on doing a full ongoing series review when this book is released as I have it pre-ordered and will be jumping straight in. If you are interested in some of my thoughts I have a bit of a gush here.
What is your biggest disappointment so far?
Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray – I have to say I am very fortunate to not have read very many disappointing books. I still enjoyed this book! I gave it 3 stars which to me is a good rating. It is the I liked this book but I am not going to scream and shout about it as much as others kind of rating. It disappointed me compared to The Diviners. It just didn’t pull me in as well as the first book and did not include much on the characters i really wanted to know more about. It is still a great book and I will be continuing with the series.
A special mention should go to Traitor’s Blade by Sebastian de Castell it is a 5 star book that let me down at the 2nd to last hurdle! See my review for details.
What is your biggest surprise so far?
Sabriel by Garth Nix – I choose this book at random for the O.W.Ls readathon and it was awesome. I have since gone straight on to the Lireal and Abhorsen (2nd and 3rd books respectively) and they keep throwing me curveballs and playing with my emotions! I am so glad I stumbled across these at my library. The are definitely on my to buy list as a re-read will be happening in the years to come.
What is your favourite new to you or debut author?
Nnedi Okorafor – I started the Binti series this year and was blown away with its beauty. It is Sci-fi at its best. I hope to continue to work my way through her back catalogue and her upcoming works.
What is your favourite fictional crush from this year?
I am not one for fictional crushes really, but I will always truly love Peter Grant from the PC Peter Grant books/Rivers of London graphic novels Series. He will always have space in my heart.
What is your new favourite character?
MOGGET!!!! (read as a battlecry). I cannot express how much I enjoy this Mogget from the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix. Mogget is a ball of sass and snide wrapped up in a sleek and cute white cat package. I love talking animals at the best of times but Mogget is just wonderfully nonchalant in times of pearl, dispensing wisdom like it was obvious and slightly tiresome, I just can’t get enough. This series has had me pacing about Mogget’s survival. I have had a running text conversation with my husband that just exists of me declaring MOGGET!!! when the book has teased me so horribly. I may have to name a future kitty Mogget my love is so great.
A book that made you cry?
I am not a crier. While I get emotionally invested in books it takes a lot for me to cry and i just don’t seem to with books. Laini Taylor got close to bringing the tears with this one.
A book that made you happy?
Oh so many books have done that this year but I guess the one that has stuck with me the most is has the be Winter by Marissa Meyer. I really did miss the characters after reading it. I wanted more to go back and hang out with them.
Your favourite book to movie/tv show that you’ve seen so far?
I don’t actually think I have watched any new adaptations this year. None spring to mind, my TV watching is limited to mostly satirical news panel shows, impossibly hard quiz shows (Only Connect), Ru Paul’s Drag race and comedy shows i have seem a million times before. Does my several times a year re-watch of the Harry potter books count?
What is your favourite post that you have written so far this year?
I started my blog this year so I am proud of all of it really but i have to say I am really happy with both my Urban Fantasy bookish babble. It was my first proper post and a lot of the books I love went into it and i will always enjoy spreading the books I care about.
I am also proud of my first review for Traitor’s Blade by Sebastian de Castell. i was so worried about writing it as i really haven’t reviewed before. It was a complicated one to start with but has increased my confidence to keep trying to review. It is hopefully the start of regular reviews. I am hoping to find a good format and to keep on top of them.
What books do you want to read by the end of the year?
Most of these have been mentioned before
Head on by John Scalzi , The Mermaid by Christina Henry and The seven deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton are all first half of 2018 releases I haven’t found time for yet but will be making time in the rest of the year. Also Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovich is my most anticipated release of this year as Aaronovich’s work always will be.
Knight’s Shadow by Sebastian de Castell was a new to me author and while I had strong opinions about the first book in this series I am very keen to continue.
Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor is the highly anticipated conclusion to the Duology which includes Strange the Dreamer. The pre-order is in and when October roles around I will be happy to dive straight back to this world.
I am so happy with how 2018 has been going reading wise and I hope it will continue. I intend to try and find a more regular posting schedule and to keep on top of reviews as well as adding new discussions and other fun posts.
Happy Reading!
Fi's Bibliofiles 