I have seen this fun mid-year tag on a few blogs, most recently on my friend Kara’s. Even though the year is more than half over (gasp!), these are fun prompts so I’m weighing in! If you’d like to participate, consider yourself tagged!
Best Book You’ve Read
How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim is one of my top reads of the year. It’s fresh and riveting and oh-so-original.
Best Sequel You’ve Read
Murder in the City of Liberty by Rachel McMillan. I had to pick Hamish and Reggie’s ongoing adventures!
New Release You Haven’t Read Yet, But Want To
Ever Faithful by Karen Barnett. SOON, I tell you! I have loved the other two books (and featured national parks).
Most Anticipated Release for the Second Half of 2019
The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden, coming September 3. That COVER, y’all! Plus it’s a Camden novel, so I know it will be good!
Biggest Disappointment
I cringe to say any book is a disappointment. I like to think of books I don’t like as much as “object lessons for why Courtney does or does not like _______”. I have to go with Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter. Not my favorite from her, it just was too trope-ish. (The second book in the series, though, is a fav!)
Biggest Surprise
After the Rain by Brandy Bruce. I didn’t think I’d like the heroine of this one because she was the slightly-unliked, nemesis character to the heroine of book 1. But oh my, this story drives home the point that everyone is the hero of his or her own story.
Favorite New to You or Debut Author
Jaime Jo Wright (The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond) I listened to the audio version and I LOVED IT!
Newest Fictional Crush
Captain Arthur Heywood from The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews. An honorable gentleman who knows how to handle just about any situation.
Newest Favorite Character
Maddie from The Printed Letter Bookshop. She’s relatably flawed and trying hard, just like the rest of us.
Book That Made You Cry
Bear No Malice by Clarissa Harwood. Read it and you’ll know why.
Book(s) That Made You Happy
I couldn’t pick just one for this! Wooing Cadie McCaffrey made me happy because of all its pop culture rom-com love. Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe by Carla Laureano made me happy because BAKING and BOOKS and a #girlpower friendship group.
Favorite Book to Film Adaptation
Hopefully Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple. I hope to read it before I see the movie!
Favorite Post You’ve Done This Year
My list of book quotes ABOUT books.
Most Beautiful Book You’ve Bought This Year
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
Books You Need To Read by the End of the Year
all of them?? My TBR is more like an island now. A few I want to read soon are: Tate by Susan May Warren, A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson, The Viscount and the Vicar’s Daughter by Mimi Matthews, Just One Kiss by Courtney Walsh, The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson, and Bethlehem by Karen Kelly.
The Green Mockingbird 