Mid-Year Check-In Book Tag

I found this book tag at Cathy's 746 Books (it originated with Eric Karl Anderson at Lonesome Reader on YouTube), and thought what fun it would be to do it to mark the midway through this turmoil year! 

How many books have you read so far this year?

I have finished 34 books, with 30 reviews already reviewed, 3 on the queue, and one DNF. I originally planned to read 45, but... things happened, as always... 

What’s your favourite book so far this year?

It's between The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher, Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa, and Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. But after long consideration, I think Sweet Bean Paste is the most poignant of them.

What’s the most disappointing book you’ve read this year?

Nancy Mitford's The Pursuit of Love. Actually John Irving's The Hotel New Hampshire was worse, but then I DNF-ed it, so it didn't count, did it?

What genre have you read most this year?

Literary Fiction, with Crime/Mystery closely following.

Name a new favourite author that you’ve discovered this year.

Rosamunde Pilcher - After The Shell Seekers, I am most definitely going to read more of her! What's your favorite from Pilcher?

What’s the most surprisingly good book you’ve read so far this year?

Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa. From the title (not mentioning the cover), I have thought this was a bitter sweet story of life struggle, with a hint of romance, perhaps. But boy, how wrong I was! It's far deeper than that.

What are your favourite and most anticipated 2025 releases?

Since my taste has been switching to the 20th century lately, I haven't read many newly published books, so... my favorite's got to be The Venice Murders by Merryn Allingham, because that's the only one I've read so far that's been published this year. The most anticipated release? I don't follow new releases, but there's one book (it's been released very recently) that I can't wait to read: Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jessie Sutanto - it's the second in a cozy mystery series that I loved! Here's the first book, if you're curious. 

What’s your next big priority for your reading?

I'm still behind schedule of my reading plan, especially for A Century of Books - my project to read one book for each year in the century - which I have started last year. I've been through 49 at the end of 2024, and intended to read the rest this year. Right now I'm still about 6 books behind, and is hoping to catch up soon!

What’s been your bookish highlight of the year so far?

The 1952 Club back in April. The club is one of my most favorite events of the year, and now I can't wait for the upcoming #1925Club next October!