Mid Year Reading Tag

Well, since all I do nowadays is read, sleep, and work, thought I'd participate in a YouTube/BookTube video tag, but on the blog.  I'm 30 books into my 2020 Challenge, only 20 more books to go!

Best book you've read so far?
Hmmm... Best I've read so far goes to Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, Pet Semetary by Stephen King, and Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman.

Best sequel you've read so far?
Wicked Bite (Night Rebal #2) by Jeaniene Frost (although the first book in this series was way better).  I like her Night Huntress world.  The Broken Destiny series is garbage.

New release you haven't read, but you want to?
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell, The Vanishing Half maybe, Untamed by Glenon Doyle..

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
The Searcher by Tana French, I'm a big fan of the Dublin Murder Squad series and even though The Witch Elm departed from it about 75%, I really enjoyed it.  Also, Shit, Actually by Lindy West.

Biggest disappointment?
The Boyfriend by Abigail Barnette.  Give it up already, I think this is book 7 in the series and it just needs to end.

Biggest surprise?
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid.  Like WHAT THE FUCK.  This book fucked me up and still continues to fuck me up when I think about it.  I listened to the audiobook and it's a short read (5 hours), but fucking intense.  I'm going to purchase a physical copy, it's really good, but you can go from "this is bullshit" to "this is brilliant" in a flash, but it has stayed on my mind a week later.

Favorite new author (debut or new to you)?
Leigh Bardugo, she's a Young Adult writer, but I read Ninth House earlier this year and really enjoyed it.  I'm 2/3's into the way of the first book in the "Grisha" series and really enjoying in.  I believe she has been around since 2014, but I'm just picking up her books this year.  Easy and entertaining reads with an interesting world.

Newest fictional crush?
The Darkling from Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo.  His name is the fucking Darkling.  I like a mysterious man in charge.  Also, for a little bit, I had this weird soft spot for Jake in I'm Thinking of Ending Things.  I don't know, it's weird, I'm weird!!

Newest favorite character?
Probably Alex Stern from Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo.  Oh also, Patroclus from Song of Achilles, my heart aches.

Book that made you cry?
Song of Achilles and I'm Thinking of Ending Things

Book that made you happy?
Hmm, I am going to say Ready Player One because it was really just a fun ride.  It's very easy to finish in a weekend, super entertaining, and an easy read because it's so fun.  It was a good break from my usual books of murder mysteries, horrors, and thrillers.

Most beautiful book cover you've bought so far?
I nerded out and bought the UK Bloombury edition of Song of Achilles on eBay and it took like a month to get to me, but it's so simple and gorgeous and I think I cried again when I held it in my hands.

What books do you want to read by the end of the year?
My goal is to get to 50 books this year, I'm currently at 30, and about 2/3's the way through book 31.  If I get to 50, or at least 49, I plan on taking on The Count of Monte Cristo, she's so thiccc.  I would also like to spend time with more classics, Lonesome Dove and Don Quixote, but I don't think I'll get to it this year.  Realistically, I have quite a few books to get me to the end of the year, but I really want to read The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah and get through some Stephen King classics (Misery, The Shining, and maybe next year The Stand).