This one was terrifying, awesome, amazing and fantastic. Holy hell, it was a ride! Love that it was the POV of dogs and see what happened to them. Rooting for them to be safe in the end. Check out my review here.

2.) What is the best sequel you have read so far in 2023?

So far that would have to be this one! 5 starred rated! I have had my eyes on it for a few years but it was constantly NOT available on Amazon nl/de, in the end my hubby found it for me over at co.uk and it arrived safe and sound at home! Meaning that I could finally read it and this one was a ride! This time we don’t just see the hotel wandering around and Warren solving mysteries and dealing with (evil) people, oh no. This time Warren is outside and wandering strange and dark woods whereas the hotel is going somewhere it shouldn’t be going. There are witches. Syrup. Cryptids. And more! It was fantastic and I am planning on getting the next book very soon. That one at least is buyable, which is just hilarious. Books 1 and 3 are buyable. Book 2 is hard to find. Here is my review for Book 1 and Book 2.

3.) What is a new release that you haven’t read yet but want to?

The newest by Gloria Chao is HIGH on my list. Sadly, Amazon either doesn’t have it (at this point) or it is too expensive (like 25+ euro, which is just WAY too much for a hardcover in my eyes). I keep my eye out on the Amazon listing and hope that it goes lower/becomes available. And otherwise I guess I will wait until the paperback releases next year. *sighs* Though I do hope that that isn’t going to happen. I just love her books and this one sounds gorgeous. And also that cover. Beautiful!

4. What is your most anticipated release for the second half of the year?

Oh so many books! But here are the three I really really would love to read! To start with something cute and filled with music, which is releasing in July. Next up Emily Carroll (EEP) has a new graphic novel out and it looks SO GOOD, it is coming out August 15th and I CANNOT WAIT. Then we have the amazing Ben Hatke with Things in the Basement, another graphic novel, and it just sounds like such fun! It is releasing August 29th. I got plenty more books be sure to check out my Goodreads OMG-Need-To-Buy shelf!

5. What was your biggest disappointing book so far?

While I am good at DNF-ing stuff and I do that left and right, I did have one book that disappointed me! Namely this book

A book about a girl and her vampire mother, about toxicity as she is stuck caring for her mom, even feeding her with her blood, she wants to run away but just cannot. The parts taking place in the past (2010) are just amazing to read, but the Now parts were just a totally different beast, it felt like a different story and all the characters that I cared about in the 2010 parts I was not a fan of. I struggled immensely through the book until I decided to just read the 2010 parts instead. Those I would definitely rate 4 stars, however the Then parts, NOPE. It is a shame because I was really excited about this book, I mean vampires are awesome but add to that family problems, toxicity and even interesting vampire lore. I even got a personal invite from the Tor for it (which is amazing as I very rarely get big publishers asking me to review their books). Read my full review here.

6. What was your biggest surprising book so far?

This one! I knew I would like it as I love these whatever you call them in English, decision tree? Help? But I hadn’t expected to get so invested and so into it! It was just so much and many of the beslisbomen/decision trees? were just oodles of fun. Not only because they are relatable (like the ones about books) but also because they are recent and follow some things you saw in the newspapers. It made me laugh so much and I also shared several with friends and my hubby.

7. Who is your favorite new author (debut or new to you)?

I discovered all sorts of new authors this year! But these three are ones I would love to read more of (and in case of Vivienne Chang, see of). Review for This is Not My Home. Review for Flip the Script. And short review for Real Ghost Stories.

8. Who is your new fictional crush?

Just like last year… no one.

9. Who is your newest favorite character?

Let’s see. I would go for Hana from Flip the Script. She is bi, like me, and she was such a fun and strong character. You just want to root for her!

10. What books made you cry?

I got a few that made me teary-eyed/made me cry! It does help that this year was much better with things, but puppy blues hit me hard, very hard when we got Coco in March. It is now June and I am feeling better, but there are moments that I still don’t feel 100% right. A puppy is A LOT. Even more than I had thought, I mean, I read up, asked people stuff, did all the research, but the real deal? So much more. I am very happy with Coco, that is also why I feel guilty that I have these feelings.

Here are books that made me cry/teary-eyed!

Reviews to be found here. 🍞🧀 \\ 😍🌈 \\ 💕🐱 \\\ 🏮😭

11. What is one book that made you happy?

Definitely this book. Just like the other books in the series they made me laugh, smile, snicker, cringe a little at all the puns, but in full it made me very happy. The writer has a really fun writing style and the illustrations just add to it. Review is coming July 3rd!

12. What is the most beautiful book you have bought or received so far this year?

These two! The one on the left I received from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review and LOOK at it! All the covers in the Once Upon A… series are absolutely stunning as is the inside of these books. Highly recommended! And the one on the right is one I bought this year and it is just SO pretty and weird and strange but also beautiful. The book itself was also a gem, really spooky and at times terrifying and a bit gore, but oh so good. Also recommended! Reviews for Once Upon a Witch’s Broom is coming July 30th, look forward to it! Review for She’s a Haunting.

13. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

Haha, I got plenty of books I would love to read. I say love to, because need feels a bit pushy and I don’t like that at all in my reading. I got several books that are still on my OMG-Need-To-Buy that I would like to have or get when they are available, I got some books on my TBRs (now making a vacation TBR) that I would like to read. I won’t be bored at all!