Books so far in 2023: the mid-year freak-out tag

Time to look back on a half a year of reading!

Books:
Either/Or by Elif Batuman (2022)
The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor (2023)
Elizabeth Finch by Julian Barnes (2022)
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer (2014)
If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga (2022)
Cassandra at the Wedding by Dorothy Baker (1962)
Katalin Street by Magda Szabó (trans. Len Rix) (1969)
Long Live the Post Horn! by Vigdis Hjorth (trans. Charlotte Barslund) (2012)
Vitrines by Charles Vildrac (1930)

Other videos:

Tag questions:
1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2023
2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2023
3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to
4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year
5. Biggest disappointment
6. Biggest surprise
7. Favorite new author (debut or new to you)
8. Newest fictional crush
9. Newest favorite character
10. Book that made you cry
11. Book that made you happy
12. Most beautiful book you've bought so far this year (or received)
13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

Socials:
StoryGraph: @sdelphis

[SavidgeReads]

What an interpretive intro. Loved it. I soooo want a video of those books that have had a ❤ next to them so far this year. I am prepared to beg for this content 😉

[radiantchristina]

LOL, the interpretive dance to the freak out tag...most excellent ! AHHH I love your hair! Fabulous! I've been off the YouTubes for a LONG while so I'm catching up. What an excellent selection of books. I would get Long Live the Post Horn just for the cover but also sound very fascinating.

[TheQuietMidden]

"I could fix her" 😂I trust you could. I want to get to Katalin Street sooner than later now and the Naga novel sounds intriguing.

[kiranreader]

that love to see it! i'm all for more thoughtful reading!!

[rebareads]

I love your free and easy take on the mid year “freak out” tag. What a lovely collection of thoughts and books :) I’m also continuing in the Neopolitan quartet this summer! Perfect summer reading!

[pastorytime]

Nice freak out! I also read Annihilation this year and surprisingly enjoyed it too - it had such good vibes! Siân

[thegrimmreader]

Great selection! I'm with you on not wanting to pick a winner mid-year. I've only read The Door by Szabo, def want to read more. Want to try Hjorth for sure. Your unpaid (and apparently ancient) intern is a Knausgard-stan and therefore excited for The Wolves of Eternity! 😁😁😎

[sabinagruden]

I finished If an Egyptian cannot speak English yesterday and I liked it a lot! I listened to it as an audiobook read by the author and Amin El Gamal and it was a beautiful experience. And I really need to read Katalin Street!

[alsopato]

the ‘biliosophie’s keep getting more agressive i shudder to think what it’ll be like by december

[theyingyang]

Lovely Sophie, where should I start with Brandon Taylor?

[ivanainthecity]

That intro😂. I can’t wait to read If An Egyptian Cannot Speak English!!

[SpringboardThought]

I think you are anticipating reading another Lispector 🤔 buuut if I could push you, Emily Wilson’s translation of The Iliad is dropping end of September. I’m so excited for it. I don’t know if you’re at all interested but The Odyssey translation was so interesting and masterful and different than what I’d read before!

I couldn’t get through Finch either.

[katsfieldnotes]

Theres a small glass display case of books that have threatened my dignity on the mta, and i think im ready to add another. *slowly reaches towards katalin street*

[SpringboardThought]

You’re by far the best at freaking out

[jackseney]

For the second half of your year: "Earthlings" by Sayaka Murata, "The Doloriad" by Missouri Williams and "Homesick For Another World" by Ottessa Moshfegh. All women, but it's not my fault that my "brothers" have all dropped the ball on creating anything new and challenging and the ladies have had to step in! Do you write anything?

[RoisinsReading]

I love Katalin Street, definitely need to meed more Szabo.

[thelefthandedreader]

I find this funny because I also either skipped questions or answered with multiple answers or caveats in my mid year tag video 🤣🤣. Also, since I LOVED Hjorth’s new novel so much, I’ve ordered this one from the library. I can’t wait to try it.

[DogEaredMusings]

Just finished Late Americans and if you get to it I’m looking forward to your vlog :)

[nathansnook]

brb immediately running to the Baker to know Sophie's type

[PagesAndStages]

I’m glad long live the post horn is somewhat happy! I loved is mother dead so I wanted to read it but was worried it would just make me sad