Every year I tell myself I’m not going to make “rules” around reading… and every year I do it anyway. The truth is, I’ve really enjoyed my past reading challenges, not because I finished every category (I didn’t), but because they nudged me toward books I wouldn’t have picked up otherwise. The 2026 Reading Challenge is just that: a personal little nudge. No pressure, no leaderboard, just a loose plan to keep reading fun, curious, and slightly adventurous.

Here’s my list of books for the 2026 reading challenge.

📚 2026 Reading Challenge (12 Categories)

1. About Black History (carry over from 2025)
   Fiction or nonfiction centered on Black history, culture, or lived experience.
2. Set in Your Favorite Season (carry over from 2025)
   Choose a book where the season matters—weather, mood, or symbolism.
3. An Animal Protagonist (carry over from 2025)
   The animal must have a POV or be central to the story, not just a sidekick.
4. Book on My Shelf (carry over from 2024)
   Something you already own and have been meaning to read (no buying allowed).
5. Hardcover Book (carry over from 2024)
   Any genre, as long as it’s a physical hardcover.
6. Set Outside the U.S.
   Bonus points if it’s a country you’ve lived in or want to visit.
7. Retelling or Reimagining Myth/Folklore
   Myths, legends, fairy tales, or folklore—classic or obscure.
8. Published Before 2000
   A reminder that older books still have teeth.
9. A Short Read
   Novella, essays, poetry, or under ~200 pages.
10. A Book That Centers on Food or Cooking
    Fiction or nonfiction—meals, kitchens, or culinary history count.
11. A Comfort Read
    A reread or something cozy that soothes rather than challenges.
12. A Wild Card Pick
    A book chosen by a friend, a prompt, or pure impulse.

Looking back, my favorite part of past challenges wasn’t checking things off. Rather, it was realizing how much joy I got from the process. I also noticed a few categories that didn’t quite happen, and instead of calling that a failure, I’m carrying them forward into 2026. Some books just need more time. This challenge isn’t about finishing everything “right”; it’s about continuing a habit I already love and giving myself permission to wander through books at my own pace. If I finish every category, great. If I don’t, I’ll still end the year with more stories than I started with, and that feels like a win too.