Half Year Book Tag | 2019

Hello! I saw this tag on Zezee @ZezeewithBooks’ blog and though it was neat, so I’m gonna do it! This tag was created by BexnBookx!

So! Here we go!

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Favorite standalone book hauled and read so far in 2019:

Fullmetal Alchemist: The Complete Four Panel Comics by Hiromu Arakawa – This is, as stated, the completed collection of four panels of FMA. At the end of each manga, dvd set and blu-ray set, there are four-panels that the author threw in as extras. This collects them all and displays them in publication order. It’s really neat, and I absolutely loved this book.

Favorite series that I started or continued to read in 2019

The Monster Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson – Book two of the Masquerade series, this was just as fantastic as the first one. It’s one of three books I’ve rated five stars this year, and man, I really want the next one. It’s. So. Amazing. For anyone who hasn’t heard of this series yet, here is the synopsis of book one:

Tomorrow, on the beach, Baru Cormorant will look up from the sand of her home and see red sails on the horizon.

The Empire of Masks is coming, armed with coin and ink, doctrine and compass, soap and lies. They’ll conquer Baru’s island, rewrite her culture, criminalize her customs, and dispose of one of her fathers. But Baru is patient. She’ll swallow her hate, prove her talent, and join the Masquerade. She will learn the secrets of empire. She’ll be exactly what they need. And she’ll claw her way high enough up the rungs of power to set her people free.

In a final test of her loyalty, the Masquerade will send Baru to bring order to distant Aurdwynn, a snakepit of rebels, informants, and seditious dukes. Aurdwynn kills everyone who tries to rule it. To survive, Baru will need to untangle this land’s intricate web of treachery – and conceal her attraction to the dangerously fascinating Duchess Tain Hu.

But Baru is a savant in games of power, as ruthless in her tactics as she is fixated on her goals. In the calculus of her schemes, all ledgers must be balanced, and the price of liberation paid in full.

Favorite bookish items purchased or received this year:

Probably another bookcase. I’m up to seven now.

Favorite debut author:

I haven’t read any authors that have debuted this year, yet! I’ve read a couple that debuted in 2018, but that’s not the question, is it?

Favorite under-hyped book that I read this year:

Silver Spoon vol 1 by Hiromu Arawaka – This is the author that wrote Fullmetal Alchemist, which is amazingly well known among manga/anime fans. This series though is very different but I think it can hold it’s own. It follows a young man who goes to agricultural school and I think it’s just so quaint and nice and relaxing and wonderful and more people should read it.

Favorite book read this year that you were late to the party on:

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard – This series has been around for a few years now. Book three just came out, I think? But I read book one last month and adored it. I’m in the middle of book two now and am enjoying it just as much. 😀

Potential favorite that you haven’t gotten around to reading yet:

Deathless by Catherynne M Valente – I’m hoping I love this. It’s on my 10 in 2019 list and I really hope I adore it. I hope I hope I hope I hope!

Favorite re-read in 2019:

Fruits Basket vol 1 by Natsuki Takaya – I reread this for the OWLs Magical Readathon and I enjoyed it just as much as I did when I was a teenager. It’s been about a decade since I read it, so I was glad I still really liked it. Anyone following the reboot of the anime? I adore it, man.

Favorite cover on a book released this year:

Recursion by Blake Crouch – I bought this recently. It was in last month’s haul. But man… It. Is. So. SHINY. I LOVE IT.

(Optional) Favorite book box this year:

None! I can’t remember the last time I bought a box set, man. Or are you talking subscription box? I don’t get those either. 😛 pbtbtbt

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That’s it! I tag Meredith @Allboutthembooksandstuff and Katy @Bookbinderway!