Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag: 2025 edition
July 20, 2025Happy Sunday!
As you enter this blog post, I humbly ask you to please ignore several things:
- First, that I have not posted in over a year. Life was Life and filled up faster than I could have imagined. Oops. Forget work-life balance: the work-social-school-leisure balance is wild to manage. It's a work in progress, but we're getting there.
- Second, that blogging feels like an unused muscle right now. I'm slowly getting back into this writing style, but it’s still an adjustment.
- And third, that the year is more than halfway over, and this tag is late in coming. *shrugs helplessly* It is what it is.
Anyways, as just mentioned, it is almost August, and though I haven't been blogging, I have been reading. Oh, boy, have I been reading. As of the day I'm writing this, I have read 43 books so far in 2025. That number shocks me, considering just how little time I've had to read. But hey, I'm not complaining XD!
BEST BOOK YOU'VE READ SO FAR THIS YEAR
I've honestly read so many good books this year, it's hard to pick one. But The Howling Dark by Christopher Ruocchio was absolutely insane in the best possible way. It's got everything—space travel, a dash of horror, literary references galore, and a fascinating protagonist.
BEST SEQUEL YOU'VE READ SO FAR THIS YEAR
No question: The Legendary Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud. I've been looking forward to this last book in the trilogy for two years, and it was everything I could have asked for. I miss these characters already XD.
A NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN'T READ BUT WANT TO
Black Dragon by Katie Hanna came out a few months ago, and I still need to snag a copy. I adored Water Horse and cannot wait to jump back into this world.
YOUR MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK FOR THE REST OF 2025
The first book in Millie Florence's Mage Pocket series! It comes out October 27th, and I'm so hyped. (seriously, she keeps posting about it on Instagram, and I keep losing my mind about it all over again !!!!)
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT SO FAR
I picked up This Was Our Pact, a MG graphic novel by Ryan Andrews, because of the stunning cover. And while the art didn't disappoint at all, the story did let me down a little. I wish the main character's internal conflict had been a bit more front-and-center, as I didn't sense very many stakes tied to this conflict. It's a shame, because I was rather more invested in his emotional journey than in the finding-our-way-back-home plotline.
Then again, this is a MG graphic novel, and I am definitely not the target audience anymore, so take this review with several grains of salt XD.
BIGGEST SURPRISE SO FAR
The Revenge of the Sith novelization by Matthew Stover. I know, I know, it's a movie novelization.
Somehow this book made the movie better.
You should definitely read this if you like Star Wars. It's nothing short of incredible.
NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR
Christopher Ruocchio! I heard about him through a Discord server earlier this year, and his Sun Eater series (book two of which is the aforementioned The Howling Dark) have all been five-star reads for me. I'll be checking out everything this man has ever written—as soon as I catch up with the Sun Eater series. (Only four more books to go XD.)
NEW FAVORITE CHARACTER
Technically this isn't a new favorite character, as I've watched both anime adaptations of Trigun before this year. I didn't start reading the manga until 2025, though, and the original version of Vash the Stampede is just . . . ack, I love him so much. He strikes a perfect balance of bright-and-happy and also angsty XD. I have cried multiple times over his portrayal in the manga and wish there was more to read.
NEW FAVORITE SHIP
*crickets chirping*
I'm . . . um . . . I'm really not a shipper XD. I'll go with Hadrian and Valka from the Sun Eater series, I suppose. I like them together well enough, though to say I ship them is a bit of a stretch.
A BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY
The Winners by Fredrick Backman. Sobbed through the last fifty pages. This is no surprise, given I've cried over every book Backman has written, but still—ow.
(in general, the Beartown series, of which The Winners is book three, is a heartbreaking series that deals with heavy topics. if you consider reading this series, please look at the content warnings; it's a rough go.)
A BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY
The Box and the Dragonfly by Ted Sanders! This MG fantasy made me feel like I was 10 and discovering a new favorite series in the library all over again. I found myself riveted and wonderstruck over this book. 10/10 recommend. The worldbuilding in particular is crazy.
MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU'VE BOUGHT THIS YEAR
Well, I got the first three books of the Stormlight Archives free, and those covers are absolutely stunning!
BOOKS YOU WANT TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR
Hard to pick just one, but in addition to the books I've already mentioned:
- Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
- Blue Period by Tsubasa Yamaguchi
- The Dreams Between Us by Brooke Riley
If you want to do this tag belatedly, like I just did, please, by all means, steal it! I'm not as active in the blogosphere as I'd like, but I do still read most posts that crop up on my feed, and I'd love to know what you've been reading.
I hope you're doing well, friend. I hope 2025 has shown you sunlight and laughter. It feels like everyone I know is going through a hard time right now, but I hope that even in the pain and stress you've found some peace and joy, too. <3
*vanishes back into obscurity for the next 1–2 business years*
-Nicole <3
2 comments
Aaaaahhhh, a Nicole post! These always make me happy to see! Though boy do I get it. *eyes blog that hasn't had a new post since January* Life does like to keep life-ing. But it was a treat seeing this appear on my dashboard!
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful you've been able to read so much in between all the busyness! Sounds like you've found some gems. I clearly NEED to go check out Christopher Ruocchio. I am not familiar with these books! *dashes off to GoodReads*
Aaaaah, a Christine comment! <3 And I feel that on so many levels — it’s crazy just how much stuff pops up.
DeleteYeah, my time management probably hasn’t been the best as a result (oops XD). But YES, I hadn’t heard them either! They are rather adult (though never super graphic), but very good space opera reads thus far!
Welcome to the comment section! I love hearing what you guys think and seeing you guys talk. Just remember to keep it clean, and as always, check back for my replies! <3
-Nicole