Discussion - Midyear Book Tag

It's that time of year again! Time to check in. I have posted this for several years and really enjoy reading everyone else's mid-year check-ins as well. This is always hard for me, but I will make an honest attempt here. 

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First and foremost, let's see how many books I have read so far this year.  I read 156 books in the first half of the year. I am ahead of schedule which is great considering that my weekly TBR went from five books and one audiobook, to four books and hopefully an audiobook. I am reading less, but I am still finding a plethora of quality books. 

2026 Reading Challenge

I get all sorts of wrong numbers for this in Goodreads. Books are showing multiple times. It's chaos! But my tracker says I read 156/250 for the first half of the year. 

Literary Escapes

I have completed 38 of 51 states. I was so happy to happen into a few of the harder states (Arkansas, West Virginia). I still have the Dakotas (it's always those states) where I am searching, but I am hopeful I can find something I would enjoy set there. 

Alphabet Soup

I actually only have 2 letters left - Q and X. Why are they so hard? I know there is always the wiggle room with X (where we use things like ex), but I am still trying to be a purest with Q. 

Monthly Motif

 

There were a few I had to work for but so far, so good with this challenge. 

Keyword Reading Challenge

This one is always harder than it looks. I was a bit disappointed with one of my picks. I may need to be pickier here.  

Easy Reading Challenge

This challenge has been going well, though I may have to take a hit for the July prompt. Second chance author. I am supposed to either pick up a DNF and try again or read an other I didn't enjoy. I am struggling with wasting my time here. I suppose I am just that unforgiving.  

2026 TBR Tackle

Alas, I have abandoned this challenge. I thought the freedom of yearlong prompts would be good for me, but it was more work than I wanted. I just was not great at keeping track. 

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Best Book

This is a struggle for me. I saw Nicole NOT pick a favorite but mention that all books featured were favorites. I agree with this position and am taking it as my own. So far, I have read 21 books that received five stars, so plenty to pick from. 

Best Sequel

I only read companion series, but this one actually was a sort of continuation of the first book - Heart the Lover by Lily King. 

New Release I Want to Read

This list IS endless, but I am hoping to get my hands on Brighter than Before by Courtney Walsh. Her books are always very feel-good, and this time around, the heroine is a little bit older which is always refreshing (when one is a little bit older).

Most Anticipated Release - Second Half of 2026

I am really dying to read is A Married Little Christmas by Abby Jimenez. My love for her books is BIG, and this is also a holiday book. I can't imagine it being anything less than spectacular for me. 

Biggest Surprise

I am going with Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall. This book dealt with some very questionable decisions by the characters. I originally set it aside, but after reading Lindsay's review, I gave it another chance. It so well done, and that ending was wonderful and unexpected. 

Favorite New-to-Me Author

Can they be a new favorite if I only read one book? Why not! I am giving this one to Kate Eberle for If Books Could Kill. This is not my normal kind of read, but I loved every second of it. 

Favorite Debut Author

I am not setting the world on fire with debuts. I have only read 8. The last book was my highest rated debut (5/5), but close behind was Abby Offsides by Anna McCallie (4.5/5).

New Favorite Character

I really have met some fantastic characters this year. If there was a senior in the book who provided comic relief, I probably loved them. I tend to fall in love with most of the romance heroes as well. I also tend to love the misunderstood people. The ones whose actions seem wrong but there's a good reason for it. With that said, I am picking Lorenzo Santini from Once in a Blue Moon by Kristan Higgins. I feel we share a lot of qualities and just related to him. 

Made Me Cry

What book didn't make me cry? Seriously, I am crier. I cry when I am sad for the characters. I cry when I am nervous for the characters. I cry when I am overjoyed for the characters. I will admit, The Top of the World by Ethan Joelle provoked all kinds of tears from me.  

Made Me Happy

My vibe is a happy ending, so most of the books I read made me happy. I do think my heart exploded from Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune. I wanted this union so badly, and they made me work for it. The build and anticipation and their history just made it so much sweeter. 

Need to Read by End of 2026

I really hope I will read some of my shelf books especially the few I purchased this year. I have purchased 12 books and have read 2 of them. The other ten are definitely books I want to read by the end of the year. 

• The Hygge Holiday by Rosie Blake
• Swimming for Beginners by Nicola Gill
• We Loved to Run by Stephanie Reents
• A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang by Kee Onhwa
• Four Letters of Love by Niall Williams
• Leave It Up to Love by Kristy Woodson Harvey
• Christmas Wishes & Irish Kisses by Debbie Johnson
• Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren
• Four Seasons in Japan by Nick Bradley
• The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey

What is the best book you have read this year?
Let us know in the comments!