Mid Year Freak Out Tag
Substack Edition
BookTubers and BookTokers alike use the Mid Year Freak Out Tag (#midyearfreakout) to indicate how they’re doing on their yearly reading goals. This is a version of that, just on a molecular level, not because it’s on Substack.
Let’s review what my reading goals for 2025 were. I won’t go into much detail, because you can read more about them here:
Read 100 Books
Read 12 French books
Read 12 books on Everand
Read 8 books on Libby
Finish 3 series
Finish The Sparrow
Read a pile of books
Finish that Audre Lorde book
So, how am I doing now that half of the year is gone?
Read 100 Books: I’ve read 52 number of books so far, so I’m on track to hit my perennial 100 books read for the year. In fact, I’m a little ahead, which could prove helpful in the event I want to read a big French or Fantasy book. A nice big check for me. ✅
Read 12 French Books: I’ve also kept up with my French books this year! I’ve read my requisite 6 thus far. Has this been massaged with some shorter books? Sure, but they’re still books and I still read them and won’t have to cram 3 French books into December like I did last year. ✅
Read 12 Books on Everand: I have read 6 books currently on Everand, so I’m on track to finish 12 this year if I read one a month. Have I canceled this subscription yet because the use AI? No. Should I? Yes. Carry on my wayward son. ✅
Read 8 Books on Libby: I’ve also read 4 books on Libby. This is the surprising one so far! Last year I barely read anything from the Library, so what a turnaround this has been. That’s why I lowered the goal from 12 to 8 books, though I probably could have hit 12 at the rate I was going. I actually had to slow down my reading of library books as otherwise I’d hit my goal too early in the year. Which now that I’m typing that out, sounds silly. ✅
Finish 3 Series: I have read one complete series so far this year (The War of Lost Hearts series by Carissa Broadbent.) I decided to take a quarter off, and then for the remainder of the year (Q3 and Q4) I’ll read a trilogy each. That would be at most a book a month, unless I get obsessed and plow through a series quickly.1 Thus I’m technically on track, even if I haven’t done anything on this goal in a minute. To be clear: I consider a series anything longer than 3 books. Otherwise it’s a duology. This is just how I think of it, if you’re wondering why I’m not counting any of the duologies I’ve already read thus far in 2025. ✅
Finish The Sparrow: Hahahahahahahahahha no. I am no closer to finishing The Sparrow than I was in 2023. God, the fact that it will have taken me over TWO YEARS to finish this book by the time I’m done is outright depressing. Woof. ❌
Read a Pile of Books: I have also not started on this one, either. I thought I surely I would have done something by now, but alas, I have not. I do have this pile of books on my coat rack, and while it feels like a cop out, it is still technically a pile.2 ❌
Finish that Audre Lorde Book: Also no. I am the worst friend. Even though Sam has reassured me multiple times that it’s fine, I have also had this book for TOO DAMN LONG. You all have my permission to smack me across the face with a glove if I report back in December that I still did not finish this book. ❌
Honestly, this is looking pretty good! I don’t feel nearly as pathetic as I did last year at this time. Small wins are still wins. If nothing else, this is a great time to check in with yourself and whatever goals/resolutions/things you had planned for 2025. We put so much pressure on ourselves (I know I do) but the turn from June to July is a great time to pause and reevaluate where things are, and if there’s anything you want to be doing differently. I know I’m doing that this week, so you’re not alone.
Bits ‘n Bobs
Other notes of consequence: I have received feedback from multiple people that I should DEFINITELY investigate the nun thing I mentioned in my post a few weeks ago, so I shall do that. In July. Or August. Some summer month.3 But fear ye not, the nuns will happen. Thanks to
and for the input.
I have also gotten a reader request to list the affordable bookstores in Rhode Island, and your wish is my command! Also a note that if you reply to any of the newsletter emails you get, you will reach me. ‘Tis truly I that you reach when you reply, not some faceless robot. Thanks to Angelica for the suggestion, and I truly cannot believe I haven’t done this already.
If you’re in America, I hope you have a good long weekend even though there’s approximately nothing to celebrate here.4 If you’re in Canada, I hope you have a good Canada Day today. If you’re elsewhere in the world, I hope you have a very good day, too.
No New Books™️ Challenge
Look at me! Going strong! Not buying any new books! It’s a Festivus Miracle! (Festivus is a state of mind and or being and can be celebrated at any time of year I have decided.)
Longest streak: 38 days (January 1st - February 6th)
Last streak: 14 days (May 7th -20th)
Current streak: 14 days (June 18th - Present)
Mug Moment of the Week
I have a new problem now that my AC units are in.5 Normally, when I boil water for tea, I need to wait at least 20 minutes for it to cool down to a consumable temperature. But now, with the AC, that time has been halved, and I keep leaving my tea out too long to find it lukewarm when I remember it exists. Truly first world problems.
Anyways, the mug this week has been helping me get through these travails.
I got this mug during my sojourn in NYC last August. It is from the New York Public Library. And I can’t believe I haven’t featured it before? I thought I did? But can’t seem to find it? Maybe I just included it in a photo of my spoils from that trip. Anyhow. Keep me honest if I have indeed featured it and if I owe you a new mug.
My only issue with some of my mugs (including this one) is that the design goes around the mug and is not uniform, meaning that capturing it in a photograph is difficult. Which means subjecting you to more of my innovative and astonishing cinematography. Sorry if I’m giving you motion sickness.
I just want to make sure you enjoy the fullness of the Mug of the Week!!
Next time, I’ll finally have my piece on how to read diversely. Ta ta for now!
It’s been known to happen.
I have already read 1 of them already, so it’s an even BIGGER cop out. But then again, I make the rules here etc.
But NOT September because SEPTEMBER IS NOT SUMMER AND I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL.
Yes that is my take and I’m standing by it. I appreciate the extra day off but that’s it.
I made it until June 11th, in case you were curious.
Yay for nuns!!!