BOOK RECS, BOOKS

Midyear Book Freakout Tag (2026)

Hey everyone, welcome to the first midyear book freakout tag on the blog! I almost did not do this tag but I read a lot in July and wanted to share my reading journey with you. Originally, I had 50 books on my reading challenge, but I’ve cut that list in half because I’ve been having a bit of a creative renaissance after starting The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. That took up a lot of my time in the first half of the year. I am going to read a lot more during the last half of the year. For now, here are the books I’ve read so far. 

Before we get started, here are all of the books I’ve read so far. When I say “read,” I mean completed. Against my better judgment, I’m also reading or listening to eleven other books at the same time:

1. Best book you’ve read so far?

I would have to say Score by Kennedy Ryan. There’s mental health representation, queer representation, Black and queer representation, chronic illness representation, and being a Black woman with bipolar disorder. So many marginalized groups were represented in this book and Kennedy Ryan kept it ultra spicy at the same time. How, Kennedy Ryan? How??? 

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far?

I’m going with The Long Game by Rachel Reid. At the end of 2025, I started to watch the book-to-screen adaptation, Heated Rivalry, and I was hooked. I rewatched the show while reading Heated Rivalry and The Long Game. I wanted to know as much as I could about Shane Hollander and Ilya Rosanov. 

Reading The Long Game by Rachel Reid was a heartfelt surprise. There’s also mental health representation in this book, particularly when it comes to Ilya Rosanov. Shane Hollander also faces his own mental health struggles in this book. Reading about how they learn to navigate these hurdles together really had me in my feels the whole way through. This is definitely a book I would like to reread at a later date. 

3. New release you haven’t read but want to?

I’m definitely interested in reading something that has magical realism. I have a few books on my TBR list like Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood, Tropesick by Lauren Okie, The MASH Up by Laura Marie Meyers, The Midnight Train by Matt Haig (currently reading The Midnight Library)…the list goes on and on. Let’s just say there are a lot of books on the list. 

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?

I don’t have one at the moment for this year. I’m looking forward to reading Unrivaled by Rachel Reid but that comes out next year. 

5. Biggest disappointment?

Jenny Han perfectly captured the mind of a teenager in The Summer I Turned Pretty. I found myself incredibly frustrated with Belly Conklin’s thoughts and actions while constantly reminding myself that she’s a teenager. Also, I was probably in that mindset at Belly’s age once.  

6. Biggest surprise?

My biggest surprise was a book living up to the hype. I’ve heard about Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren from my favorite booktubers Khalilah D. and Shawnaci Schroeder about two years ago. I made a note to read the book. That time finally came last month and I was pleasantly surprised, shocked, impressed, and impacted for life. Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren definitely lives up to the hype. 

7. Favorite new author?

My favorite new authors are Rachel Reid and Matt Haig. Rachel Reid, thank you for bringing Hollanov into my life. Matt Haig, thank you for writing The Midnight Library. I’m reading it and loving it so far. 

8. Newest fictional crush?

This year, I haven’t developed any fictional crushes! I’ve simply enjoyed reading about fictional characters falling in love with each other. I’m just glad to read these stories! 

9. Newest favorite character?

Wright “Monk” Bellamy, the man that you are. The way he supports Verity in Score by Kennedy Ryan. The way that they find their way back to each other. The way that Monk wants to be with Verity through every high and low of their lives together. 100 percent Monk. 

I would also like to give a special shout out to Jeremiah Smith and Noelle Lewis from The Summer Girlfriend by Kristina Forest. 

10. Book that made you cry?

Hey, so…I’m just going to list them all for you: 

  • The Long Game by Rachel Reid 
  • Score by Kennedy Ryan 
  • The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston 
  • The Summer Girlfriend by Kristina Forest 
  • Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

11. Book that made you happy?

Yeah, so…I’m just gonna list them again: 

  • Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid 
  • The Long Game by Rachel Reid 
  • Score by Kennedy Ryan 
  • The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston 
  • The Summer Girlfriend by Kristina Forest 
  • Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

12. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year?

It’s a tie between Score by Kennedy Ryan and Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren. 

13. Best book-to-film adaptation you’ve seen this year?

I haven’t watched any book-adapted films this year, but I can share a book-to-screen adaptation. I haven’t read the books, but I really enjoyed watching Off Campus. I even told my newsletter community about the show. I would highly recommend it! 

There you have it. If you’d like, you can copy these questions and share them with me in the comments below or with your friends! I’m really looking forward to sharing more of my reading, crochet, and knitting adventures with you, so please stay tuned. 

Thank you for being here, I’ll chat with you in the next blog. Good day or good night! 

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Hi, I’m Kerri Olivia, an author, fiber artist, and founder of Sparks Unlocked Co. At Sparks Unlocked Co., we help fellow readers and crafters find beauty, comfort, and meaning in slow living through occasional crochet and knitting tutorials, digital third places for crafters and readers, book recommendations, and storytelling.  Join these conversations with me on Threads and Pinterest.

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2 thoughts on “Midyear Book Freakout Tag (2026)”

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