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2026: Mid-Year Book Reflections
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Thank you for setting this up, Pam. I like all the possibilities you're creating for us. I definitely want to think about my reading so far this year—and looking ahead—and want to make contributions here. I also appreciate the nudge on books more than five years past publication. Thank you!
Mod
You're welcome. I want this to be a fun group for those who love to read and talk about books. As always, I'm open to suggestions for improvement or additions everyone would like to see.
Mod
Cold Zero by Brad Thor and Ward Larsen
02 Best sequel you've read so far
Fury in Death by J.D. Robb
03 New release you haven't read yet, but want to.
Dungeons and Danger by Elizabeth Penney
04 Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
There are so many! Here are a few of them.
The Shadow Friends by Tess Gerritsen
One Split Second by Robert Dugoni
Split Screen by Lee Goldberg
The Riddle Maker by Bruce Borgos
05 Biggest disappointment
The Promise of Redwood Cove by Alesha Cary and
The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts by Kim Fu
06 Biggest surprise
Delphian by Tim Rees - I was surprised by how riveting and suspenseful the story turned out to be.
07 Favorite new author (Debut or new to you)
Ryan Pote - I read The Ghost City back in May.
15 Books you need to read by the end of the year.
Too many to list.
Mod
I will give this a go.Here we go...
*01 Best book you’ve read so far
The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes*02 Best sequel you've read so far
I don't have a lot to choose from here as I don't read a lot of series. So I guess I'd have to say One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters since that's about the only sequel I've read, but I only gave it three stars, so it's not really up there with 'best books'.
*03 New release you haven't read yet, but want to
Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi*04 Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
The Sedalia Code: A WWII Historical Mystery about a Codebreaking Young Woman’s Fight on the Homefront by Patricia Raybon*05 Biggest disappointment
Soldier for the Union by William W Campbell*06 Biggest surprise
Merry Band of Misfits by Sebastian Grey*07 Favorite new author (Debut or new to you)
Can't decide between Kelli Estes and Kate Quinn - both read for the first time this year and loved both books.
*08 Newest fictional crush
I don't have crushes on characters.
*09 Newest favorite character
Vinnie from Merry Band of Misfits
*10 Book that made you cry
Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See*11 Book that made you happy
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston*12 Favorite book to film adaptation you saw this year
N/A
*13 Favorite review you've written or recorded this year
Review for The Huntress by Kate Quinn
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
*14 Most beautiful book you've purchased (or received) so far this year
Naming Nature: A Cabinet of Natural Curiosities for Word Lovers by T.A. Barron - a NetGalley read, but one that I would consider purchasing and having as a coffee table book. (A non-fiction book, hope that's okay to include here). *15 Books you need to read by the end of the year
I have several books that I want to read, but these ones are the ones that I have received approvals from in NetGalley, so I really do need to read them by the end of the year:
A Game of Cat and Killer by Jirō Akagawa
Daughters of the Wreckage: A gripping dual-timeline historical novel inspired by the true story of the Batavia shipwreck and the women who survived it by Stefanie Koens
The Sedalia Code: A WWII Historical Mystery about a Codebreaking Young Woman’s Fight on the Homefront by Patricia Raybon
All God's Creatures: What the Bible Says About Animals, Heaven, and the New Earth by Randy Alcorn
Mod
What a great mix of novels! Thanks for sharing. Kate Quinn is an author I haven't read yet, but I have a couple of her books on my TBR. I'll have to try to work one of them into my reading schedule in 2027.
PamG wrote: "Julie wrote: "I will give this a go...."What a great mix of novels! Thanks for sharing. Kate Quinn is an author I haven't read yet, but I have a couple of her books on my TBR. I'll have to try to..."
Thanks, definitely worth giving Kate Quinn a go. My NetGalley reads are keeping me busy at the moment, but hopefully I can get onto another one of hers soon too.
Mod
I know the feeling. I have so many NetGalley reads that it is difficult to work in other books, but I'm trying with BOTMs and challenges to add others.
Julie, your list has such an interesting thread of women navigating history under pressure. *The Sedalia Code* especially caught my attention: are you most drawn to the codebreaking element, the home-front setting, or the way the mystery grows out of both?
MID-YEAR BOOK FREAKOUT TAGThank you, Pam, for posting this—though I wish I'd caught the typo(s) before you did.
My list isn't as eclectic as yours, but I guess since I was the one who brought it up, I should be among those who answer. I’m looking at reads from January 1 through June 30, 2026 only.
PROMPTS and ANSWERS
*01 Best book you’ve read so far My highest rated book so far, a 5-star, goes to The Gashlycrumb Tinies, by Edward Gorey (finished 260123). This is an evil little A-B-C book wherein "tinies" (children) lose their lives in gruesome ways to rhyme. It reminds me of Wednesday Addams, so dark and sardonic, and I love it! (part of the The Vinegar Works series)
*However, I have to say the best book I’ve read so far is Handle With Scare by Eryn Scott (finished 260624). This is book 02 in her Black Cat Investigations/Queenie Beane cozy mystery series (no GR series page as of yet). I enjoyed the first book of the series, Screamish. The cozy story in book 02 gives a bit more detail regarding Queenie’s childhood nemesis (and current sort of frenemy/crush), Mercer Printz, and furthers their frenemy-ship. The mystery was very good. I love the characters—especially Queenie—the humor, the cozy storyline(s), and the mysteries. *02 Best sequel you've read so far is again, Handle With Scare. (see above)
*03 New release you haven't read yet, but want to is A Future To Remember, 18th in the Psychic Eye series by Victoria Laurie. It’s been three long years since the last book. I can’t wait to find out what happens when a psychic is kidnapped and loses her memory. (Release date: 260624)*04 Most anticipated release for the second half of the year can't be whittled to one... A lot of my favorite series have books coming in the second half of the year. I can’t wait to see what’s coming for my favorite characters. I’m anticipating all of them.
*05 Biggest disappointment so far has been A Perilous Plot by Lorna Barrett (finished 260515). Booktown is a favorite series, albeit one that is up and down with me. This was a down. The “mystery,” though involving, was just dumb. The cozy story wasn’t satisfying. On top of that, there were annoying editing errors. I rated it 2.5—better than "okay," but not good enough to be "good," rolled up for GoodReads. Regardless of my disappointment in this entry, I’m looking forward to book 20 which is scheduled for a September release.
*06 Biggest surprise is Willing Captive by Alexa Riley from her Captive series (no GR series page as of yet) (finished 260612). I usually like AR’s fluffy, over-the-top, insta-love stories. What surprised me about this one was how much I enjoyed it (rated it a 4). The heroine, Leo (Leonora) was hilarious. Her thoughts and what came out her mouth kept me reading to find out what would come next. The sexy scenes didn't hurt!
*07 Favorite new author (Debut or new to you) would have to be Paige Shelton. I’ve had her TBRed for years, but To Helvetica and Back, the first in her Dangerous Type series (finished 260218), was my first introduction to her. I loved it and look forward to reading more by her.
*08 Newest fictional crush I might have gone with Mercer Printz, but I was introduced to him last year. So, assuming a 2026 introduction, I have to go with Viper from the book of the same name by Piper Stone. Viper (finished 260622) is book 02 in the Missoula Hotshots series. Viper is not only an intelligent, hot, sexy, protective first-responder (smokejumper) who knows how to treat a woman, but is also handy around the house/ranch. ;o)*09 Newest favorite character would have been Queenie Beane, but I met her last year, so I’m going with Clare Henry from To Helvetica and Back (see above). Clare is an intelligent, strong woman. I love her interactions with family, especially her grandfather (and boss), Chester, friends, and customers. She's good at her job—and at solving mysteries!
*10 Book that made you cry is is Wild Devotion (apa March Wind) by Mari Carr. I did a reread of several connected Mari Carr series. This book comes from her Wilder Irish series. This book tells the story of Paddy (Padraig) Collins and Mia Curtis who meet the day she finds out she’s dying. Paddy falls hard and sets out to help Mia achieve her bucket list, including marriage, before she dies. What comes is the sweetest, saddest, most uplifting story of being someone’s happily ever after and reminding us that "life isn’t measured in time. It’s measured in moments…" So so so good!
*11 Book that made you happy is Wild Chance, from the Wilder Irish series by Mari Carr. In this Paddy gets a second chance at a happily ever after with Emmy Martin. Emmy walked into the pub where Paddy works and is the first person who made him smile after the devastating loss of his wife. They become best friends. Three years later, they've fallen in love with one another—though it takes Paddy a little longer to figure it out, and to risk his heart again. It make me happy because Paddy gets his HEA. (P.S. It also made me cry!)
*12 Favorite book to film adaptation you saw this year is, sadly, the only book-to-theatrical release I've seen so far this year, The Sheep Detectives based on Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann from her Sheep Detective Story series. It was okay. I have not read the book. I did TBR it and the series when I saw the commercials for the movie, but don't know when I will get to it.*13 Favorite review you've written or recorded this year is hampered by my procrastination in adding my reads to GR. Though I've posted some mini-reviews on discussion boards, I have only posted two official GR reviews that qualify date-wise for this posting—To Helvetica and Back REVIEW and Willing Captive REVIEW
*14 Most beautiful book you've purchased (or received) so far this year, and I'm assuming a physical book, is NONE. While I love books, I’m trying to be good about not adding to my clutter. No purchasing physical books for me. And, no one's gifted me a physical book this year.
*15 Books you need to read by the end of the year is more than I can list! Should I attach my TBR-verest spreadsheet?? =o\
To make this doable… I need to read the latest entries in my favorite series to keep current, while catching up on the new-to-me series I’ve started this year. And, I’m in an annual challenge with a choice between two goals. I will reach the goal I usually choose, but need to read two “travel-related” and two “historical” cozies and one more “craft-related” cozy to hit both goals.
That’s my mid-year freakout!
Mod
Thank you, Pam, for posting this—though I wish I'd caught the typo(s) before you did.
My list isn't as eclectic as yours, but I guess since I was the one who brought ..."
You're welcome, Karen. Thanks for the suggestion.
What a great reading year you've had so far! Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to your year-end wrap-up now to see what else I need to add to Mount TBR.
You mentioned Victoria Laurie's Psychic Eye series. I read the first 7 books in the series back before 2017 (before I was active on GR). I enjoyed them and should try to work some of these into my reading schedule.
I like Paige Shelton's writing style and stories as well. However, I've only read books in two of her series: Alaska Wild (current on it) and Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. (I've read a couple of these).
Karen, I like that one disappointing installment did not erase the trust built across the series. What would book twenty need to restore for you first: a stronger central mystery, the cozy community feeling, or cleaner editing?
Vera wrote: "Julie, your list has such an interesting thread of women navigating history under pressure. *The Sedalia Code* especially caught my attention: are you most drawn to the codebreaking element, the ho..."Hi Vera, I hadn't noticed the thread among many of the books that I had mentioned. Good observation.
Also a challenging question, you are making me think! I had to go back and read the blurb to answer the question. I might be able to answer it better after I read the book as to which element I enjoyed the best. But for now, I think I have to say that I am drawn to the notion of the woman rising to the challenge, and I think I will enjoy the mystery element too.
MID-YEAR 2026 BOOK FREAKOUT TAGPROMPTS:
*01. Best book you’ve read so far -Whistler
*02. Best sequel you've read so far - Twelve Months
*03 . New release you haven't read yet, but want to - Kin
*04. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year - Paper Ghosts , We Chase Shadows, Peck & Peck
*05. Biggest disappointment - My Husband's Wife
*06. Biggest surprise - Go Gentle
*07. Favorite new author (Debut or new to you) - Caro Claire Burke Yesteryear
*08. Newest fictional crush - Cory Doctorow
*09. Newest favorite character - Mad Mabel
*10. Book that made you cry - We Burned So Bright
*11. Book that made you happy - The Fatal Unpleasantness at Netherfield
*12. Favorite book to film adaptation you saw this year - Mrs Harris Goes to Paris & Mrs Harris Goes to New York
*13. Favorite review you've written this year -
*14 . Most beautiful book you've purchased or received so far this year - The Paris Match
*15. Books you need to read by the end of the year -45 or 50, lol
Mod
PROMPTS:
*01. Best book you’ve read so far -Whistler
*02. Best sequel you've read so far - Twelve Months
*03 . New release you have..."
Great list, Dee. Kin is one of our August BOTMs so hopefully you can work it into your August schedule and meet #3. I hope to read We Chase Shadows in the second half of the year. I didn't request it on NetGalley, but decided to try for it today.
Vera wrote: "Karen, I like that one disappointing installment did not erase the trust built across the series. What would book twenty need to restore for you first: a stronger central mystery, the cozy community feeling, or cleaner editing?"I'll start by apologizing for the long post to answer your question, but I wanted to give you an idea of what I'm thinking. The answer is all three, but it’s not that simple, I guess.
As I mentioned in the posting, this series has been up and down with me. Of the 19 books released so far, I rated 11 as 3 and 8 as 4. (I’ve only officially reviewed three.) I'd have to check my book notes to see how many rolled up/down, but I do know that book 19 was the first I rated below 3—and that includes book 15 which was just all sorts of wrong.
It took me six books to warm to protagonist Tricia Miles. There was (is) something about the character that was off-putting to me. I think I mentioned somewhere that I'd shop her store and discuss books with her, but wouldn't consider her a "friend." I think that's one tenant of cozies, that you feel like "part" of the community, that the characters could be your friends. While I warmed to Tricia, I still think the same—I'd be friendly to her, but don't know that I would consider her a good friend—more than an acquaintance, less than a friend(??). It hasn't stopped me from reading the series because Lorna Barrett usually weaves a mystery good enough to keep me interested even if the cozy story and/or characters lack. Plus, I’m invested and do want to see what happens in the "lives" of these characters.
At book 15, a change occurred that seems—to me at least—to have affected the last few entries in the series. It's as though all the characters started going through weird personality changes (midlife crises?) and have been up and down since. Tricia vacillates between strength and moping—and how does she get roped into being the maid of honor/wedding planner to a woman she doesn't really consider a friend(??). For whatever reason, Angelica clings to a secret I believe the whole town knows. Don't get me started on their parents who should be rotting in prison. (They “guest-starred” in book 19.)
As for editing… Sadly, I'm no longer surprised about the editing errors and hanging threads that get through. That doesn't mean I like it. It still annoys me that slopping editing—especially when it comes to story/series continuity—is considered "acceptable" by publishers (and authors). I get that nothing’s perfect (just look at my postings!) and expect errors/typos to pop up now and then. That’s different from sloppy (or non-existent) editing which I find disrespectful to the reader.
Overall, Barrett’s mysteries have been well-crafted. While I’ve like some of her cozy storylines better than others, again, overall they’re fine. For the most part, her female characters are strong and empowered. Maybe the weird directions they’ve taken lately mirrors real life and I should be more open to them as a reader. Maybe Barrett has a plan to lighten the cozy story. Either way, I’ll keep reading the series as long as new entries come. A couple of “bad apples” don’t spoil an overall good series.
Barrett writes another favorite series, Victoria Square, under the name Lorraine Bartlett. The main character in that series, Katie Bonner, also went (is going) through a sort of midlife crisis—maybe mirroring something the author went though(??). And, the last book had the same kind of editing errors in it. Those errors are not enough to keep me from reading this series either. In fact, it’s the next read on my mystery list.
Final answer… As I said, the answer is all three. I want an interesting mystery that keeps me turning pages. I want the cozy characters to grow from book to book facing challenges along the way. If the cozy story doesn’t go in the direction I want, I’d like there to be a good enough, satisfying reason it’s heading where it is. Tighter editing would be great. Though, of the three, the first two are most important. I can overlook errors as long as the story(ies) keep me enthralled.
Julie, that makes sense. The woman rising to meet the challenge is probably what gives the mystery its emotional stakes, rather than leaving the codebreaking as a puzzle alone. I hope the book delivers on both when you get to it.
Karen, thank you for taking the question so seriously. Your distinction between a character you would browse books with and one you would call a friend is especially sharp; it explains why a well-built mystery can carry a cozy series even when the community bond weakens. I also agree that continuity errors feel different from an occasional typo because they break the reader's trust in the larger story.
Dee, your list makes the second half of the year feel less like catching up and more like choosing among several promising directions. Of the anticipated releases and new-to-you authors, which one feels most likely to become the book you are still recommending at year end?
Vera wrote: "Dee, your list makes the second half of the year feel less like catching up and more like choosing among several promising directions. Of the anticipated releases and new-to-you authors, which one ...""Yesteryear" is likely my recommend from new authors, Vera & I have great hope for "Peck & Peck" as I so adored "Lessons in Chemistry"! Thanks :)
I'm high up on the library list for Kin so think I'll get it in time :)PamG wrote: "Dee (in the Desert) wrote: Great list, Dee. Kin is one our August BOTMs so hopefully you can work it into your August schedule and meet #3.
Dee, that is a useful distinction: Yesteryear has already earned the new-author recommendation, while Peck & Peck carries the heavier expectation created by Lessons in Chemistry. I hope the latter can preserve the wit and character energy without feeling obliged to repeat the earlier book.
Mid-Year Book Reflections:01 Best book you’ve read so far: A Man Most Driven: Captain John Smith, Pocahontas and the Founding of America by Peter Firstbrook
02 Best sequel you've read so far: didn't realize it was a book in a series when I read it: Still Needs Work by Ellen Barker
03 New release you haven't read yet, but want to: Partita by Barbara Kingsolver (a favorite author)
04 Most anticipated release for the second half of the year: Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus
05 Biggest disappointment: The God Peak by Patrick Hemstreet
06 Biggest surprise: A Man Most Driven: Captain John Smith, Pocahontas and the Founding of America by Peter Firstbrook. Way more interesting than expected, and well written.
07 Favorite new author (Debut or new to you): David Liss
08 Newest fictional crush: skipping
09 Newest favorite character: skipping
10 Book that made you cry: Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond
11 Book that made you happy: Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov
12 Favorite book to film adaptation you saw this year: not a film but enjoying the new Little House on the Prairie
13 Favorite review you've written or recorded this year: The Last Season by by Eric Blehm
14 Most beautiful book you've purchased (or received) so far this year: The Bedside Book of Birds: An Avian Miscellany by Graeme Gibson
15 Books you need to read by the end of the year: 40 more books (i hope). Some of those I'd like to read:
• American Oasis: Finding the Future in the Cities of the Southwest by Kyle Paoletta
• American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed by Isaac Fitzgerald
• The Mirror of Great Britain: A Life of King James VI and I by Clare Jackson
• The Best American Essays 2026: M. Gessen Selects the Twenty Best Essays Published This Year editors Masha Gessen & Kim Dana Kupperman
• The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed
•Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America by Russell Shorto
• The Summer Guest by Justin Cronin
Mod
01 Best book you’ve read so far: A Man Most Driven: Captain John Smith, Pocahontas and the Founding of America by Peter Firstbrook..."
Thanks for sharing. I've added the Firstbrook book to Mount TBR.
PamG wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Mid-Year Book Reflections:01 Best book you’ve read so far: A Man Most Driven: Captain John Smith, Pocahontas and the Founding of America by Peter Firstbrook..."
Thanks for sharing. I've added the Firstbrook book to Mount TBR."
Hope you do enjoy it when you read it Pam.
Book Thoughts
Books mentioned in this topic
A Man Most Driven: Captain John Smith, Pocahontas and the Founding of America (other topics)A Man Most Driven: Captain John Smith, Pocahontas and the Founding of America (other topics)
Partita (other topics)
Still Needs Work (other topics)
A Man Most Driven: Captain John Smith, Pocahontas and the Founding of America (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
David Liss (other topics)Victoria Laurie (other topics)
Lorna Barrett (other topics)
Lorraine Bartlett (other topics)
Cory Doctorow (other topics)
More...
Karen wrote: I recently watched Tiffany respond to a “tag” on her YouTube channel (@BeachBumBookworm). It looked interesting and fun. She said she wasn’t sure where the tag originated, so I looked it up and found the following at earlgreybookscomDOTwordpressDOTcom/mid-year-book-freakout-tag/
MID-YEAR BOOK FREAKOUT TAG
The Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag was co-created back in 2014 by Chami and me (Ely) on our shared book blog, A Book So Fathomless. You can still read that original post [at link], but since then, the tag has taken on a life of its own—especially on Booktube, where it’s become a beloved yearly tradition for readers to reflect on their reading progress and favourite books halfway through the year.
While the original post appears to include all genres, Tiffany labelled hers “ MID YEAR Freakout Tag 2026: COZY MYSTERY Edition—so, readers can adapt to specific genres should they prefer. Below are the prompts. Readers could answer as many as they want.
PROMPTS
*01 Best book you’ve read so far
*02 Best sequel you've read so far
*03 New release you haven't read yet, but want to
*04 Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
*05 Biggest disappointment
*06 Biggest surprise
*07 Favorite new author (Debut or new to you)
*08 Newest fictional crush
*09 Newest favorite character
*10 Book that made you cry
*11 Book that made you happy
*12 Favorite book to film adaptation you saw this year
*13 Favorite review you've written or recorded this year
*14 Most beautiful book you've purchased 9or received)so far this year
*15 Books you need to read by the end of the year
One could also complete a year-end version for comparison or as a yearly wrap-up.
Does anyone what to do a Mid-Year check-in using the above 15 prompts??