Happy Sunday, everyone! I feel like I haven’t done a proper tag post since 2020. Its that time of year when everyone looks back at their bookish goals for the year, or Goodreads reading challenge, and begin panicking because they’re not on schedule (like me!). I’m currently 3 books behind schedule, according to Goodreads, and I’m definitely not on track to complete my bookish goals. I’ve had to adjust my plans to accommodate new releases and had a series completely disrupt my readalong plans for the year (you’ll know all about it by the end of this post).

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2022.

Can I pick The Blade Itself and Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie? Yes, I think I can! I started reading The First Law trilogy and it’s completely taken over all of my thoughts. I struggle to pick up anything else to read because I just want to continue on with this world but I’m trying to take breaks between books so I can make it last longer. I feel like Before They Are Hanged is a smidge better than The Blade Itself but together they’re just incredible. I love Joe Abercrombie’s First Law series, I’m currently 100 or so pages into Last Argument of Kings, the last book in the trilogy. I don’t know what kind of magic Lord Grimdark wields in order to write books this good. Definitely recommend this series if you haven’t picked it up already.

2. Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2022.

Before They Are Hanged is actually the only sequel I’ve read so far this year. 😬 Definitely need to get some more reading done.

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

The Hunger of the Gods by John Qwynne. Just look at that cover! I have yet to finish The Shadow of the Gods, the first book in The Bloodsworn Saga, which is why I haven’t picked this up yet. I definitely need to find more Norse-inspired fantasy after getting caught up on this series so I can fill the time before the third book is out.

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

Babel by R.F. Kuang, same as every other book nerd! I don’t know a single book blogger, bookstagrammer or booktuber that isn’t hyped for Kuang’s dark academia book.

5. Biggest disappointment.

Gallant by V.E. Schwab 😭 Schwab is my favourite author but her latest YA release just wasn’t for me. I still have no idea what the point of the story was and it really lacked the spooky garden mansion vibes we were promised (but still thank you Titan Books for the proof copy!).

6. Biggest Surprise.

She Who Became The Sun wasn’t what I expected at all. I have some mixed feeling about how this book was marketed. It was initially described as Mulan meets The Song of Achilles but I didn’t get any TSOA vibes at all, though it definitely doesn’t need them. I also thought it was a lot more historical fiction with fantasy elements than epic fantasy. Regardless I really enjoyed this book and gave it 4⭐. I picked this up as part of my local book club and we had a fantastic discussion about it a couple weeks ago.

7. Favourite new author (debut or new to you).

Joe Abercrombie! Are you surprised? 😅 I absolutely adore his writing style and his character work, his battle scenes are pretty good too.

8. Newest fictional crush.

Ooooo, I’m not sure I have one yet.

9. Newest favourite character.

Oh, look at her. Picking a First Law book, again! Glokta is a gem. I look forward to his chapters the most and his internal commentary on the goings on and people around his is hilarious and low-key relatable. I do hope something nice happens to him at the end of the series, man needs a rest! But this is an Abercrombie book, so he’s probably going to continue suffering.

10. Book that made you cry.

I talked about this is my review, which you can read here. After finishing the book in two days and reading the acknowledgements I had a little cry. Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor, go read it.

11. A book that made you happy.

Maybe this doesn’t count because its an illustrated companion to a game but The Legend of Zelda: Creating a Champion brings me so much joy. I only picked it up the other day but its full of concept artwork and illustrations from Breath of the Wild‘s game design and characters. BOTW is my favourite game so owning a massive 424 hardback tome filled with game lore and art is going to give me hours of nerdy heaven.

12. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received).

I think The Iron Crown by L.L. MacRae has such a striking cover. Cover design by Psycat Studios. It deserves such a stunning cover too, check out my 5⭐ review here.

13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

Oh my gosh, so many! I suppose the most important ones are The Realm of the Elderlings books by Robin Hobb. My big series readalong for this year was supposed to be the first three trilogies in the series: Farseer, Liveship Traders and Tawney Man. I got 25% into Assassin’s Apprentice then started The Blade Itself… You can guess what happened next. 😅 At the very least I want to finish the Farseer trilogy by the end of this year so I’ve at least made a start on Hobb’s massive universe.