It’s Thursday, so it’s time for a book tag (especially since I haven’t posted anything all week, lol!). Since it’s the time of year when we do those book tags that assess how our reading and book buying are going so far, I thought I’d drop in with the Half-Year Book Tag, which was created by BexnBookx.
FAVORITE STANDALONE BOOK HAULED AND READ SO FAR IN 2022
Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky
It’s a sci-fi novella about a lonely scientist at a secluded outpost on another planet who gets caught up in the affairs of the planet’s inhabitants although he’s supposed to just observe them. I enjoyed the story immensely and loved that we sometimes get to read from the two main characters’ points of view on the same page.
FAVORITE SERIES THAT I STARTED OR CONTINUED TO READ IN 2022
DCeased by Tom Taylor, illus. by Trevor Hairsine
This is the first volume in a miniseries about a zombie apocalypse that takes place in the DC Universe. Many superheroes and villains are infected. Of course, I had a great time reading this entire miniseries earlier this year, and I hope another volume is coming that will give it a tighter finish.
Kushiel’s Avatar by Jacqueline Carey
It’s the last novel in a high fantasy trilogy about a god-touched courtesan who’s trained as a spy and who uses her skills to save her country and her friends several times. The worldbuilding, the lore, the writing, and the characters are among the things I love and enjoyed about this trilogy. And although it seemed like two books in one, Kushiel’s Avatar wrapped up the trilogy well.
FAVORITE BOOKISH ITEMS PURCHASED OR RECEIVED THIS YEAR
Ikea Billy bookcases
I bought a couple of these earlier this year, and boy was it hard to get ahold of them! Ikea kept selling out quickly, which I think may have been because of supply shortages nationwide due to shipping containers and stuff… all the crazy stuff that happened earlier this year.
Anyway, I’m happy to see that they hold almost all my books. I just need to organize them now.
FAVORITE DEBUT AUTHOR
I don’t think I’ve read anything by a debut author so far, but a new-to-me author whose book I enjoyed was:
The October Faction, Vol. 1 by Steve Niles, illus. by Damien Worm
It’s the first volume in a horror comic book series about a retired monster hunter and his family. I look forward to continuing with the series. However, I checked out the Netflix TV adaptation after completing this volume and was disappointed by it.
FAVORITE UNDERHYPED BOOK THAT I READ THIS YEAR
Every Tree Has a Story by Cécile Benoist, illus. by Charlotte Gastaut, transl. by Sylvia Rucker
It’s a beautifully illustrated children’s picture book about interesting trees around the world, and I highly recommend it. (I’ll get around to reviewing it eventually.) It only has 24 ratings on Goodreads, so I urge everyone to check it out.
FAVORITE BOOK READ THIS YEAR THAT I WAS LATE TO THE PARTY ON
Book Love by Debbie Tung (illus.)
Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones
Certainly, these two. I’ve wanted to read Book Love since the first time I heard of it, and it was just as sweet and delightful and relatable as I thought it would be. I may have read Charmed Life as a kid, but I don’t remember anything about it. It’s the first story in this collection of Jones’s Chrestomanci stories, which are middle grade fantasy. I enjoyed it immensely and could see that Jessica Townsend probably drew inspiration from it for Jupiter North in the Nevermoor series.
POTENTIAL FAVORITE I HAVEN’T GOTTEN AROUND TO READING YET
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: The Illustrated Edition by Douglas Adams, illus. by Chris Riddell
That’s if I manage to read it this year.
FAVORITE REREAD IN 2022
First Test by Tamora Pierce
It’s the first novel in Pierce’s Protector of the Small YA fantasy series, which I enjoyed reading as a kid. I was surprised that I enjoyed rereading this book and was so hooked too. I intend to continue with the series to continue my reread of all of Pierce’s books set in Tortall. The Protector of the Small series focuses on a girl who must prove that she can keep up with the boys before she is allowed to train to become a knight. The series follows the Song of the Lioness quartet, which is about a girl who disguises herself as a boy so that she can become a knight.
These books made me develop a soft spot for books about women disguising themselves as men so they can do cool things.
FAVORITE COVER ON A BOOK RELEASED THIS YEAR
I haven’t been keeping up with latest releases, so of the books I’ve read so far, here’s my favorite cover:
The Fox and the Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith (illus.)
It’s a children’s picture book about the friendship the develops between a fox and a star.
Zezee with Books 
I too want to try Douglas Adams’ series sooon! I’m convinced it will be awesome in some silly way. 😛
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That’s what I think too. I assume it’s similar or has the same vibe as the Discworld books.
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It’s definitely a series worth trying. It’s similar to Discworld in that it’s full of humour, but it’s also very different, for me, at least. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. As Lashaan said, very silly in many ways but loads of fun. It’s a series I could see myself trying to reread one of these days, see if I still enjoy it. I enjoyed the movie, as well.
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In that case, I think I’ll like it. The humor will most likely appeal to me.
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Getting most of your books on shelves is a great first step (and one I’ve yet to achieve), but organizing them is another thing entirely! 🙂
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Lol! Indeed.
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I like this tag, it has some great questions. I’m curious about The October Faction😁 I’m doing the Freak Out tag in a week or so!
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October Faction is really interesting so far.
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IDK if you’ve read The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy before, or if it will be a brand new read for you, but omg those books are so much fun. I really hope you enjoy them!
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Thanks! I haven’t read it yet or seen the movie (I think there is one).
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