The Mid-Year Book Freakout Tag
A look at my 2025 reading so far
In the late ’90s, email forwards were a big deal. They were a big deal to me, at least. Most of them were silly, but the most exciting thing to happen to my inbox involved getting and sending surveys. Were they also silly? Yes, but I had fun filling them out, and I loved it when my friends listed their answers, too. Now my friends and I talk about stuff like recipes, our sleep schedules, and how we don’t know many current pop stars.
For this week’s newsletter, I wanted to bask in the glow of nostalgia and share my take on a popular book survey, the Mid-Year Book Freakout. (The original creator is here.)
This survey is a lot of fun and gave me some insight into how my reading year is going so far. I hope you enjoy the survey and answer some questions, too! Leave a comment or make a post of your own. Imagine the sound of dial-up internet, and let’s get to it.
All books are linked to bookshop.org, where your purchases support the indie bookstore of your choice and my work on Literary Merit.
1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2025?
I want to put multiple answers to this question so badly, but I’m going with the first book that comes to mind, which is What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown. It tells the story of a father and his teenage daughter who have been living off the grid in the Montana woods. When she starts asking questions about why they live the way they do and what her father’s real background is, the questions lead to changes she never saw coming.
2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2025?
I’m not much of a series reader, so I haven’t read any this year. I want to continue with Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad series, but I’m waiting until the fall to pick up the next book. Tana French gives me major dark and creepy autumnal vibes.
3. New release you haven’t read yet, but want to?
I’m excited about these titles that I have on hold at the library:
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of 2025?
I’m eager to pick up Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs, a 720-page biography of James Baldwin that releases on August 19.
5. Biggest disappointment?
I have two, and both are in this category for the same reason: The Coin by Yasmin Zaher and Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang. Each book started strong, then the plots took some twists that didn’t make much sense and left me unsatisfied.
6. Biggest surprise?
Quicksand by Nella Larsen. This book was written nearly 100 years ago, but it’s as relevant today as it was when it was published. One of the best things about reading classic literature is being able to see and understand why a book is considered a classic and how it’s kept people talking for decades.
7. New favorite author?
I just finished reading Florida by Lauren Groff, and I was blown away by her writing. I’m excited to read more of her work.
8. Newest fictional crush?
I mostly read books about horrible people, so I don’t have an answer for this one. Instead, here’s a picture of David Duchovny as Fox Mulder, a fictional character I have had a crush on since I was 12. You’re welcome.
9. Newest favorite character?
I loved the family of misfit half-siblings in Kevin Wilson’s latest book, Run for the Hills.
10. Book that made you cry?
All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. I was a human puddle.
11. Book that made you happy?
Storybook Ending by Moira Macdonald was an absolute joy to read.
12. Favorite book-to-movie adaptation you’ve seen so far this year?
I hardly ever watch movies, so instead of an actual answer, here are three 2025 reads I wish would get adapted into a prestige mini-series:
13. Favorite posts you’ve written this year?
14. Most beautiful book you bought this year?
The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad. Look at her!
15. What books do you really need to read by the end of this year?
There’s nothing that I need to read, but I would like to make time to reread some favorites, including:
Franny and Zooey by J. D. Salinger (Because Ann Patchett told me to in this video.)
If you’d like to support my work, comment, share, upgrade to a paid subscription, buy me a coffee, or shop my bookshop or affiliate links. I love doing this work, and I’m thankful to have you in this community!
I hope that was as fun for you as it was for me! I’d love to hear about some of the highlights from your 2025 reading so far. Share in the comments.
I loved Janelle Brown's Pretty Things and have an ARC of What Kind of Paradise that I really want to read sooner rather than later. And The Book of Alchemy is one I think I need to own. My mid-year recap is included in my post today if you'd like to check it out.
This is such a fun survey! I keep seeing rave reviews for What Kind of Paradise. Adding to my list!