Mid-Year Book Tag 2025
I know I’m a little late to 2025 (7 months to be exact). I have been all over the place since December 2024 and I have been planning to revamp my site so it looks less “put together on a whim” and hopefully (fingers crossed) more professional. I have also updated the logo and favicon (small icon next to the shop name in the tab bar). If you follow the shop on instagram, you may have already seen the book tag, but I thought I would post it here as well. Just keep in mind, I have not read many books this year and one of them put me in a bit of a slump, which will be discussed in the next blog. That being said, let’s get to it.
For those who don’t know, the mid-year book tag was started by BookTubers, Earl Grey Books and Chami, in which readers answer questions regarding what they read in the first half of the year. This will be my first time answering some book tag questions and I look forward to do more in the future.
Q1: How has your 2025 reading gone so far?
A1: I have read a total of 5 books so far. It is not going well. I ended up in a small reading slump and I am close to finishing the book that caused it. So, hopefully I can pull myself out of it.
Q2: What books do you want to re-read this year?
A2: (1) Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard (finished 7/13/2025), (2) Graceling/Fire series by Kristen Cashore, (3) Wintersong duology by S. Jae-Jones
Q3: What is the best book you read in 2025 so far?
A3: (As of 7/1/2025) There is a tie for the best book so far with 4.75 stars, which are Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard and King’s Cage by Victoria Aveyard
However, as of July 19, 2025, the best book I have read so far is now Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood. This was my first book by Ali Hazelwood and it was the best with the cute yet funny banter, the character dynamics, and who doesn’t love Italy in the summertime? I cannot wait to read more of her books.
Q4: The best sequel you have read in 2025 so far…
A4: The best sequel is book 2 in the Red Queen series, Glass Sword. This had the most action and suspense for me and, if I remember correctly, it stayed in Mare’s POV for a majority, if not all, of the book.
Q5: A new release you haven’t read yet, but want to (my top three)…
A5: Gate to Kagoshima by Poppy Kuroki (sprayed edges was released in Jan 2025), The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh, and Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Q6: The most anticipated release for the second half of the year (my top three)…
A6: Glorious Rivals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Good Spirits by B.K. Borison, and The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown
Q7: The biggest disappointment of 2025 so far…
A7: War Storm by Victoria Aveyard fell flat for me. I had high expectations and with the misses in editing, use of odd slang (if that’s what you want to call it), and slow pacing… Let’s say I at least made it to the end - 3 months later.
Q8: The biggest surprise of 2025 so far…
A8: I was surprised by the individual ratings I gave the books in the Red Queen series, ending up in a small reading slump, and not having read more books than what I have. I have been putting my mental health first.
Q9: Favorite new author, new to me or debut…
A9: I cannot really answer this as so far the books I have read are re-reads. However, I can say I am excited to read books by authors whose books I have never read, such as Emily Henry, Pam Jenoff, Poppy Kuroki, and Ali Hazelwood - just to name a few.
Q10: A book that made you cry…
A10: So far, no books have made me cry. However, if you are looking for tear jerkers, I recommend: (1) What Stands in a Storm by Kim Cross (have tissues near by) and (2) Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristina McMorris (slight tear jerker)
Q11: A book that made me happy…
A11: Despite the low rating I gave War Storm by Victoria Aveyard, I will say it made me frustrated while reading it, happy that I have now completed it, and happy I will not have to read it again.
Q12: Newest fictional crush…
A12: I cannot say he is a new crush. Even if you asked me the first time I read the Red Queen series (minus War Storm), I would still say Cal is my fictional crush. Although, he can be irritating when being indecisive about what he wants.
Q13: Newest favorite character…
A13: I cannot say I have a new favorite character as the Red Queen series is a re-read. If I had to pick, Julian Jacos and Jon the Seer would be my favorites as Julian reminds me of one of my fave teachers and Jon is likable in a very annoying sort of way. As of July 19, 2025, my third favorite is Maya in Ali Hazelwood’s Problematic Summer Romance as I relate to her so much. I, too, fled my home state to go to college hours from home (not out of the country like Maya) due to wanting to avoid certain people I went to school with and to start fresh with people who did not know me at all. The people I met helped me tear down the walls I made. While others may view it as running away, it helps to escape your problems lest you explode in a way you don’t necessarily want to.
Q14: A book you saw that you regret reading (seen in a Barnes email)…
A14: Sadly, I cannot answer this yet, as I plan to read Gate to Kagoshima by Poppy Kuroki in August 2025. However, I somewhat regret reading War Storm, or at least what appears to be an unedited version.
Q15: The most beautiful book I have gotten so far this year…
A15: The special edition of Beach Read by Emily Henry (currently reading - a little slow so far). I love the sprayed edges, which is why I wanted it (it was a birthday gift from my mom). Another is Before We Forget Kindness by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, the B&N edition. While it is plain, I like that the sprayed edges match the color on the cover of the book; I just wish the other B&N editions of the other four books had sprayed edges as well. As you can tell, I am a sucker for sprayed edges, especially when they are the same price as the regular editions. Has anyone seen the sprayed edges editions for the Harry Potter series? I immediately put them on my wishlist.
Q16: What are the books you still need to read by the end of the year?
A16: From my 25 in 2025 list, I still need to read 21 books. I will be reading one off the list as a July book club pick for Alexa Raye’s Book Club on Instagram. Four others on the list will be on my July and August TBRs.
Q17: How many 5 star read so far?
A17: Not gonna lie, zero so far and it’s sad. I had high expectations and nothing is sticking out so far (7/21/2025: I just hadn’t found it yet hint hint)
Q18: 5 star predictions for the rest of the year (my top three)…
A18: (1) Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood, (2) Beach Read by Emily Henry, and (3) Gate to Kagoshima by Poppy Kuroki
Q19: A book you enjoyed with mixed reviews…
A19: I picked four, but I will rope three of them as a series. (1) Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (read in 2024) and (2) the Red Queen series as a whole (rating range from 1 star to 5 stars, with an average rating around 3 stars each).
Hope you enjoyed my mid-year book tag. It was definitely eyeopening to realize I hadn’t read as many as I thought. Oh well. July should be the start to better reading months moving forward. Side note: I am also taking questions on my instagram for a little Q&A blog, details can be found in the saved stories section of the shop’s instagram; feel free to ask anything.
