2026 Motif Reading Challenge

 One of my favorites is now up for 2026.

JANUARY- Read Around the Clock  Read a book with a clock on the cover: Just in Time--Marie Bostwick

FEBRUARY- Secrets, Lies, & Schemes Read a book in which the characters are telling lies, keeping secrets, or involved in schemes: Sounds Like Love--Ashley Poston

MARCH- Books on the Brain Read a fiction or non-fiction book with a brain-function related theme. This could be memory, processing, mental health, dementia, dreaming, subconsciousness, thinking patterns, intelligence, brain injuries, etc.: This Close to Happy--Daphne Merkin

APRIL- Alliteration Appreciation Read a book with repeating sounds or letters in the title: Sang Spell-Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

MAY- Debut Novels Read an author’s first career published novel: The Last Telegram--Liz Trenow

JUNE- Under the Neon Lights Read a book with neon, electric, and fluorescent colors or typography on the cover: Brown Neon--Raquel Gutierrez 

JULY- Literary Road Trip Read a book that takes place somewhere that is at least 5000 miles from where you currently live: The Last Kashmiri Rose--Barbara Cleverly

AUGUST-  Celestial Covers Read a book with celestial beings on the cover, or as part of the title (stars, comets, planets, galaxies, etc): CatStronauts: Mission Moon--Drew Brockington

SEPTEMBER- Based in Truth Read a book that is based on real-life events:

OCTOBER- Otherworldly Read a book with otherworldly elements or entities in it. This can range from angels and demons to aliens, mythical creatures like elves and dragons, ghosts, magical characters, or any unexplained phenomena:

NOVEMBER- Indie Imprints Read a book published by an independent publisher:

DECEMBER- Eats, Treats, & Sweets Read a book with food, candy, or pastries on the cover, or as an integral part of the story: 

Read With Allison’s 2026 Reading Challenge

 Another favorite is now up.

1. Book Released in January (Any Year): The Odious Duke--Barbara Cartland
2. Five Star Prediction: John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs--Ian Leslie
3. Received as a Gift:
4. 2025 Bestseller: Atmosphere--Taylor Jenkins Reid
5. Book Released in February (Any Year): Devil in Winter--Lisa Kleypas
6. Bought Over a Year Ago: Maybe in Another Life--Taylor Jenkins Reid
7. Genre: Romance: Match Me If You Can--Susan Elizabeth Phillips
8. Sweet Treat on the Cover:
9. Released in March (Any Year): Killer Reunion--G.A. McKevett
10. From a Subscription Box:
11. Genre: Fantasy: Tress of the Emerald Sea--Brandon Sanderson
12. Recommended by a Friend or Family Member: Little Pieces of Hope--Todd Doughty & Josie Portillo
13. Features Fresh Beginnings: The Year of Pleasures--Elizabeth Berg
14. Released in April (Any Year): Great Big Beautiful Life--Emily Henry
15. Has a Cover You Love: Palazzo--Danielle Steel
16. Set in a Country You’ve Never Visited: The Librarian of Auschwitz--Antonio Iturbe
17. Genre: Contemporary Fiction: 
18. Released in May (Any Year): The Accidental Bestseller--Wendy Wax
19. Book You’ve Seen Someone With in Public:
20. Number in the Title: Two Can Keep a Secret--Karen M. McManus
21. Book You Own Multiple Copies of:
22. Released in June (Any Year): Sounds Like Love--Ashley Poston
23. Genre: Thriller: All Your Twisted Secrets--Diana Urban
24. Book With Travel in the Plot: One Italian Summer--Rebecca Serle
25. Cover With No People On It: Just in Time--Marie Bostwick
26. Author Shares Your Initials:
27. Released in July (Any Year): After I Do--Taylor Jenkins Reid
28. Book With Multiple POVs: The Honey-Don't List--Christina Lauren
29. Genre: Sci-Fi: The Fates Divide--Veronica Roth
30. Reread a Favorite Book: The Acorn People--Ron Jones 
31. Released in August (Any Year): Me (Moth)--Amber McBride
32. Six Words in Title: The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy--Mary Lydon Simonsen
33. Next Book in a Series You Need to Continue: The Dream Thieves--Maggie Stiefvater
34. By a 2026 Debut Author:
35. Released in September (Any Year): Red at the Bone--Jacqueline Woodson
36. Genre: Young Adult: The Raven Boys--Maggie Stiefvater
37. Set on an Island: Camino Island--John Grisham
38. Book That Feels Cinematic: The Last Telegram--Liz Trenow
39. Book With a Blue Spine: The Indigo Girl--Natasha Boyd
40. Released in October (Any Year): Dinner For Vampires--Bethany Joy Lenz
41. Genre: Horror: The Brides of High Hill--Nghi Vo
42. Book You Bought on Vacation:
43. Book That Makes You Feel Cozy: Blue Lily, Lily Blue--Maggie Stiefvater
44. Released in November (Any Year):
45. Title Starts With The Letter ‘F’: A Fall of Marigolds--Susan Meissner
46. Book You’ve Been Saving For “The Right Time”: The Cracker Factory--Joyce Rebeta-Burditt
47. Book From Your Most Anticipated List:
48. Released in December (Any Year):
49. 2026 New Release:
50. Genre: Dystopian Fiction: Carve the Mark--Veronica Roth
51. Book With a Positive Message: 50/50--Dean Karnazes
52. Book That Doesn’t Fit The Other 51 Prompts: Breakout--Kate Messner

Humor Reading Challenge 2026

 Another I am bringing back. 

Choose a level from below.  You may go up a level, but not down.

Cartoonist: 1-5 books

Humor Columnist: 6-10 books 

Comedy Writer:  11-15 books

Stand Up Comedian: More than 15 books 

Guidelines for the Challenge:

Challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2026. Books must be started on or after January 1 to count. Re-reads are allowed as long as they are read during the specified time frame.

Books may cross over to other challenges in which you are participating.

Any book (fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, graphic novels, poetry collections, plays, picture books) labeled as humor counts. As such, all book formats (paper, audio, electronic) may be read.

You do not need a blog to sign up. You may keep tract of your progress on Goodreads, Amazon or other similar sites with a shelf dedicated to this challenge. Or sign up on Facebook, Bluesky, Youtube, etc. 

There will be no checkins, nor do you need to post reviews.

Sign up below in the comments. 

 

Need ideas? Here are some links to get started:

Goodreads: Funniest Books Ever

Goodreads: Books that Made Me Laugh Out Loud

Goodreads: Humor Books

B&N: 50 of the Funniest Books Ever Written

Amazon Best Sellers: Best Humor

 

My books:

1. The Accidental Bestseller--Wendy Wax
2. The Bodyguard--Katherine Center
3. The Not-So-Secret Emails of Coco Pinchard--Robert Bryndza
4. Sounds Like Love--Ashley Poston
5. Carter Beats the Devil--Glen David Gold
6. Great Big Beautiful Life--Emily Henry
7. Empire Falls--Richard Russo
8. The Paradise Problem--Christina Lauren
9. Maybe an Artist--Liz Montague
10. Killer Reunion--G.A. McKevett
11. The Wedding People--Alison Espach
12. The Beast Within--Serena Valentino
13. The Honey-Don't List--Christina Lauren
14. Moss Hysteria--Kate Collins
15. Sunshine Nails--Mai Nguyen
16. Maybe in Another Life--Taylor Jenkins Reid
17. The Cracker Factory--Joyce Rebeta-Burditt
18. Breakout--Kate Messner
19. The Endless Beach--Jenny Colgan
20. Apple Crush--Lucy Knisely
21. Match Me If You Can--Susan Elizabeth Phillips
22. Lumberjanes Vol 5--N.D. Stevenson
23. Success is 90% Spite--Jane Zei
24. Her Renegade Rancher--Jennifer Ryan
25. The Twits--Roald Dahl
26. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister--Gregory Maguire
27. Star Spangled Murder--Leslie Meier
28. A Cat Was Involved--Spencer Quinn
29. Distant Shores--Kristin Hannah
30. Little Pieces of Hope--Todd Doughty & Josie Portillo
31. Goldie Vance: The Hotel Whodunnit--Lilliam Rivera
32. The Silver Needle Murder--Laura Childs
33. Say You'll Remember Me--Abby Jimenez
34. Happily Ever Afters--Elise Bryant
35. The Viognier Vendetta--Ellen Crosby
36. Dinner For Vampires--Bethany Joy Lenz
37. CatStronauts: Mission Moon--Drew Brockington

Epistolary Reading Challenge 2026

My next one I'm hosting again for next year.

The challenge will be to read books written in the form of letters, diaries, blogs, e-mails and such, either completely or partially written this way. 

Guidelines:

Challenge will run from January 1 to December 31, 2026.  Books must be started on or after January 1 to count.  Re-reads will be allowed as long as they are read during the specified time period.

Books may cross over to other challenges in which you are participating.  

Fiction (all genres and subgenres) and nonfiction that fit the challenge description may be read.

All book formats are allowed (paper, audio, electronic, graphic novels/manga, picture books). 

No levels. I will let you choose how many books to read.

You do not need a blog to sign up.  You may keep tract of your progress on Goodreads, Amazon or other similar sites with a shelf dedicated to this challenge.  Or sign up on Youtube, Facebook, X or Bluesky.

You do not need to post reviews, nor will there be any check-ins.  Sign up below in the comments.

Need ideas for reading? Here are some links to get started:

Goodreads: Epistolary Novels Books

100 Must-Read Epistolary Novels From the Past and Present

11 Epistolary Novels That Will Make You Miss the Days of Letter Writing

Amazon Best Sellers: Epistolary Novels

My Books:

1. The Indigo Girl--Natasha Boyd
2. Two Can Keep a Secret--Karen M. McManus
3. After I Do--Taylor Jenkins Reid
4. The Not-So-Secret Emails of Coco Pinchard--Robert Bryndza
5. A Fall of Marigolds--Susan Meissner
6. Great Big Beautiful Life--Emily Henry
7. Empire Falls--Richard Russo
8. The Paradise Problem--Christina Lauren
9. The Lady Has a Past--Amanda Quick
10. The Last Telegram--Liz Trenow
11. The Honey-Don't List--Christina Lauren
12. Color Me In--Natasha Diaz
13. Sunshine Nails--Mai Nguyen
14. The Cracker Factory--Joyce Rebeta-Burditt
15. Breakout--Kate Messner
16. Women Heroes of the American Revolution--Susan Casey
17. Little Pieces of Hope--Todd Doughty & Josie Portillo
18. Happily Ever Afters--Elise Bryant
19. When Life Gives You Pears--Jeannie Gaffigan

Mental Health Reading Challenge 2026

 Another I have been hosting. A topic that is very important to me.

General Rules:

• Any book depicting mental health counts, whether fiction or non-fiction.
• Challenge takes place from January 1 to December 31, 2026. All books must be read during that time to count.
• All book formats (print, audio, e-books) are accepted.
• Books may cross over to other challenges in which you are participating.
• No levels, read as many books as you like.
• Need ideas for books? Check this Goodreads page for several lists of books on the topic.
• You do not need a blog to participate. You may sign up on Goodreads, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, etc. 
• Sign up below in the comments. 

Need reading ideas? Here are some links to get started:

Goodreads Lists of Mental Health Reads

Amazon: Best Sellers in Mental Health

11 Enlightening and Empathetic YA Novels about Mental Illness

My books:

1. Self-Sufficient Living--Andy Westley
2. Two Can Keep a Secret--Karen M. McManus
3. Just In Time--Marie Bostwick
4. The Librarian of Auschwitz--Antonio Iturbe
5. Pachinko--Min Jin Lee
6. How to Walk Away--Katherine Center
7. 50/50--Dean Karnazes
8. Sounds Like Love--Ashley Poston
9. Camino Island--John Grisham
10. Reclaiming Our Space--Feminista Jones
11. The Quilt--T. Davis Bunn
12. This Close to Happy--Daphne Merkin
13. Great Big Beautiful Life--Emily Henry
14. The Art Thief--Michael Finkel
15. All Your Twisted Secrets--Diana Urban
16. Made You Up--Francesca Zappia
17. Maybe an Artist--Liz Montague
18. Me (Moth)--Amber McBride
19. Concrete Rose--Angie Thomas
20. John & Paul: A Love Story in Songs--Ian Leslie
21. The Wedding People--Alison Espach
22. Eye of the Beholder--Jayne Ann Krentz
23. The Honey-Don't List--Christina Lauren
24. Color Me In--Natasha Diaz
25. Maybe in Another Life--Taylor Jenkins Reid
26. Brown Neon--Raquel Gutierrez 
27. Peace is Every Step--Thich Nhat Hahn
28. The Cracker Factory--Joyce Rebeta-Burditt
29. Breakout--Kate Messner
30. The Endless Beach--Jenny Colgan
31. Match Me If You Can--Susan Elizabeth Phillips
32. Her Renegade Rancher--Jennifer Ryan
33. Distant Shores--Kristin Hannah
34. Little Pieces of Hope--Todd Doughty & Josie Portillo
35. The Acorn People--Ron Jones (re-read)
36. Say You'll Remember Me--Abby Jimenez
37. Happily Ever Afters--Elise Bryant
38. Dinner For Vampires--Bethany Joy Lenz
39. When Life Gives You Pears--Jeannie Gaffigan

Memoir Reading Challenge 2026

It's time again. I'll be bringing back my challenges for 2026. I must admit did not make a lot of progress son some of them, but will see how much farther I can go by the end of this year, and how far I will go next year. First up is:

To participate, you must read a minimum of five memoirs from any of the categories listed. One book can only count for one category. Re-reads are acceptable. All book formats count. 

Other Rules:

1. Books must be read on or after January 1, 2026 to count.
2. Challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2026.
3. Books may cross over to other challenges in which you are participating. 
4. Books must be labeled as memoirs to count. 
5. You do not need a blog to sign up.  You may keep tract of your progress on Goodreads, Amazon or other similar sites with a shelf dedicated to this challenge.  Or sign up on Youtube, Facebook, X, or Bluesky. Sign up below in the comments.

If you need reading ideas, here are some links to get started:

Goodreads: Best Memoir/Autobiography

Goodreads: Memoirs by Women 

B&N: 50 Essential Memoirs

Here are the categories:

1. Mental Illness Memoir: This Close to Happy--Daphne Merkin
2. Other Illness Memoir: When Life Gives You Pears--Jeannie Gaffigan
3. Political Memoir: 107 Days--Kamala Harris
4. Food Memoir: 
5. Animal Memoir: 
6. Music Memoir: 
7. Travel Memoir:
8. Written by a person of color: Reclaiming Our Space--Feminista Jones
9. Written by a woman: 
10. Written by a person who identifies as LGBTQIA: Brown Neon--Raquel Gutierrez 
11. Written by an actor or a comedian: Dinner For Vampires--Bethany Joy Lenz
12. Written by an author or journalist: 
13. Written by any other celebrity:
14. Written by someone under 40: 
15. Written by someone over 40: 
16. Written by someone from a country different from your own: 
17.  One you find thought-provoking: 
18.  Made into a movie: 
19.  Graphic novel memoir: Maybe an Artist--Liz Montague
20.  Bestselling memoir: 
21.  Humorous memoir: 
22.  Fictional memoir: Taiwan Travelogue--Yang Shuang-Zi
23.  In translation:
24.  Won an award: 
25.  Published in 2026: 
26.  Published in 2025 or earlier: 
27.  Under 300 pages: 50/50--Dean Karnazes
28.  Over 300 pages: 
29.  One you want to re-read: The Acorn People--Ron Jones
30.  On a favorite topic: 
31.  By a favorite celebrity: 
32.  Free choice: 
33.  Free choice: 
34.  Free choice:

She Reads Romance Books’ 2026 Romance Book Reading Challenge

 Another now up for next year.

January – Marriage of Convenience: Devil in Winter--Lisa Kleypas

February – Enemies to Lovers: The Viscount Who Loved Me--Julia Quinn

March – Friends to Lovers: Great Big Beautiful Life--Emily Henry

April – Second Chance Romance: The Paradise Problem--Christina Lauren

May – Fake Dating: The Honey-Don't List--Christina Lauren

June – Relationship/Bedroom Coach: Match Me If You Can--Susan Elizabeth Phillips

July – Grumpy Sunshine: Say You'll Remember Me--Abby Jimenez

August – Why Choose

September – Age Gap

October – Opposites Attract

November – Forced Proximity

December – FREE CHOICE