Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag ~ 2026

Ladies and gents, children of all ages, the moment you’ve all been waiting for–

The mid-year book freakout tag!!! Huzzah for annual tags!! Huzzah for remembering they exist and dusting them off for the general populace to marvel at once more!!

Just in general–huzzah 😁

Best book you’ve read so far in 2026

This book. Right here. The coziest, most satisfying, most delightful novel I had the pleasure of making an acquaintance with this year thus far. It’s book five in a series happily peppered with dragons and cups of tea and walking green flags–well, ok, there’s only really one of those, but he’s the Ideal Man^tm. See Fictional Crush category for some fangirling 😀

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2026

Ok y’all, how are we defining sequels…does it have to be book two…did I even read any good sequels this year or were they all trash…

oHOHOHOHO, NEVER MIND ALL THAT, HAVE I GOT A SEQUEL FOR YOU.

This book was *chef’s kiss* perfection. I waited far too long to actually read it (it collected dust on my bookshelf for several months after I bought it 👀), but when I did, it did not disappoint. A love letter to story-worlds and the ties that connect us to them. 10/10 worldbuilding, charming love interest (LARAMIEEEE), gorgeous cover, beauteous nods to other classic works–need I say more??

New release you haven’t read yet but want to

*consults want to read shelf on goodreads*

ah yes indeed. My good friend Sydney Witbeck, over on Substack, just released this absolutely marvelous-looking book that I’m desperate to get my hands upon. If I had to choose one person on the ‘stack who isn’t technically famous but should be, it would be her.

Most anticipated release for the second half of 2026

OH MY GOSH GUYS DO YOU KNOW WHAT SHOULD BE RELEASING SOMETIME IN THE VERY VERY EXTREMELY NEAR FUTURE!?!?!?!?

INFERNO IS COMINGGGGG!!!!!

Do I know when?? No. Do I care that it will cost upwards of twenty five dollars, since I’ll spring for pre-order goodies?? Nope. Am I still slightly mad that we didn’t get this book last year?? Perhaps.

But am I so insanely ready to finally discover what happens next to Eli and Mara and the rest of the squad?? Oh you better believe it.

Biggest disappointment so far in 2026

This book was the most stupid thing ever, I’m not even kidding. My only one star read for 2026. It started out pretty all right, a girl taking a writing class in London. I love London and am willing to suffer many injustices just for the aesthetics of the setting.

That last half was horrid though. Like, in what world does that end mesh with the first half of the book, and how on earth was that logical?!? Just no. Don’t read it. Ever.

Biggest surprise so far in 2026

So there I was, recovering from having my wisdom teeth removed, binging Kindle Unlimited books like there was no tomorrow. I actually have no idea how I happened across this wee delightful book, but I did and I am forever changed.

Ghosts?? But it’s cozy?? And the MC is touch-starved and apparition-rich and on the run from the law?? Secret identities and secrets and the cutest little ghost you ever did meet??

What was my life before Mercury Raine (I’ll give you a hint: something along the lines of sad and destitute)

Favorite new author so far in 2026

Oh hands down Sarah M. Eden. She wrote both Mercury Raine and the Dread Penny Society series (what can I say, I’m a sucker for a book with a good hidden identity plotline and my lady Sarah delivers). They’re delightful historical fiction with such characters!! And the identities!! And the dread penny novels and relationships and high stakes and the slow burns and–!!

Also, she has apparently written a book called Seeking Persephone which has been turned into a beauteous movie that I have to figure out how to read or watch or whatever.

Newest fictional crush/ship so far in 2026

Simon Drake-Forrester (from the Secrets of Ormdale series), the man the myth the legend!! Come forth, for this is your moment to shine. Claim the stage, for we are all here for you and you alone.

Okay, perhaps that’s not entirely true. But we’re very glad to welcome you to this particular post. This man is very commendable. He is trying his very very best to do what’s right, but how is he to know what the right thing is at this exact moment?? Allow him several hours to think it over and he’ll get back to you.

But once he’s decided, no one will deter him from accomplishing his purpose.

Newest favorite character so far in 2026

I shall shamelessly cheat at this question and answer with multiple (how could I not; I’ve read nearly one hundred books this year).

Stargirl, m’dear, you are a wonder and a hurricane and a sunflower amidst roses. Mercury Raine, you have an odd genius about you. Valancy Stirling!! mysterious and curious girl that you are. Hester Flanders, you who only wanted cheese and sneezed at romance with a prince.

Books that made you cry so far in 2026

We’re also going to count books that should have made me cry, in the optimal setting and solitude. I may be missing a few, but these are the books that I recall giving me such a reaction.

Books that made you happy so far in 2026

Jeeves and Wooster are hilarious; the other two just give me major nostalgia. Anne of Green Gables is such a comfort read. I adore all things Anne. And the Penderwicks–such summer vibes and smol-Ava memories.

Favorite book-to-film adaptation you saw so far in 2026

Now see, we’re bumping up against the same problems I had last year. I don’t keep track of what movies I’d watched; I barely stay on top of tracking my books. I did just watch the Newsies though, that was epic, however un-book-inspired it may be. It’s based on true events, which may or may not be better (I haven’t decided yet).

Favorite bookish post you’ve done so far in 2026

Me?? Write bookish posts??? bahahaha, bold of you to assume I wrote any posts this year 👀

Upon perusal of the archive, I have indeed published a bookish post or two. My favorite may indeed be my most recent, my take on the bookish apocalypse which can be found HERE, on the off chance that you missed it.

Runners up include but are certainly not limited to my Outsiders post, found HERE and/or my tales from the stacks, found HERE.

And bonus link!! My bestie wrote a guest post about everyone’s favorite duke!! GO READ IT NOW BECAUSE SHE’S AWESOME, HERE’S YOUR LINK.

Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far in 2026

I…can’t remember what books I’ve bought this year anymore.

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I’ve come up with approximately seven books I’ve bought this year, which means I’m still missing at least one. However, that’s as good as we’re going to get at this point, I’m afraid.

Hands down, the most gorgeous book I bought this year is the Restitching of Camille DuLaine. Scroll back up and gaze upon it. I’ll be waiting here.

Books you need to read by the end of 2026

Where do I even start…

I desperately need to finish the Lord of the Rings. I’ve promised to read the Hunger Games. I also need to read the Queen’s Gambit, Theo of Golden, and Before We Were Yours.

There are more, but this seems to be sufficient for the moment.

Coda

There you have it, ladies and gents (and children of all ages, whether that be eleven or eleventy-one). Have y’all read any of these books?? Want to read them?? Have had these books shoved down your throats by well-meaning friends?? Do tell.

Always,

Ava ✨