Here we are, over halfway into the first month of 2026, and I'm finally getting around to sharing a little about my reading goals for the year. And I don't even have a book that I've finished to lead with! That's kind of the way it's been for the past couple of years though. I keep working on The 52 Book Club reading challenges, fully knowing that I won't read fifty-two books. Expecting and planning to read approximately half that many. But it's okay because it's not a contest! The challenge continues to be entertaining and motivational for me, and encourages me to choose books outside of my favorite authors and genres. A few of my favorite books over the past couple years are just such books - the ones that wouldn't likely have come to my notice except that they fit a challenge prompt.
I will be doing The 52 Book Club Challenge for 2026, and my personal goal is to get about halfway through it. (Since my goal is approximately 26 books, I will be doubling up prompts when I can)
Find out more about the 2026 Reading Challenge HERE, and you might want to check out the 2026 Reading Challenge Guide.
#the52bookclub #the52bookclub2026
I've read through the guide and the list of prompts, but I haven't yet given much thought to the books I've started already or the ones on my TBR list to see which prompts they'd fit.
There are mini-challenges throughout the year, and I may try to do those as well, but with books that do double-duty for the main challenge as well. I just look at them as they're released and decide if they looks appealing to me or not.
In 2025, there was a Connections Reading Challenge in the summer. Instead of a list of prompts that could be done in any order, this challenge was organized so that each book was connected in some way to the one before it or after it, so it had to be done in order. There were twenty-one books in the list! I embarked on the challenge (with books that doubled in the main challenge, of course), thinking that I would just see how far I could get by the end of the year. The answer was: not very far! But also I figured it would do no harm for me to keep plugging away through the list and try to finish it, and who cares how long it takes! (I'm currently reading a book that is #8 on this list.)
I write bookshelf summaries, usually at the end of a month and about halfway through a month, and depending on how the posting dates line up, I may share with Book Date, at Share Your Shelf hosted by Slices of Life, and What's On Your Bookshelf? #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge hosted by Deb's World.
I usually link my individual book reviews at the BookWorms Monthly link-up.
***************
So that's where I stand at the beginning of the year, as far as reading goals. Since I usually do a What I'm Reading post around the middle of the month, I'll add an abbreviated version of that here, and hopefully have more to share in a couple weeks!
I'm currently reading . . .
A Certain Darkness by Anna Lee Huber
The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews
Secrets of the Maison Fournier by Amelia Pine
Up Next . . . On the TBR stack . . .
One of the books I acquired over the holidays, but I haven't decided which one!
I finished reading . . .
A Holiday By Gaslight by Mimi Matthews (Read my review HERE)
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister (Read my review HERE)
***************
Happy Reading!
This post may be linked at What's On Your Bookshelf? #whatsonyourbookshelfchallenge hosted by Deb's World, and/or at the weekly reading list meme hosted at Book Date.
This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I am also still working the Connections challenge. I think that one is so fun - it has taken me on a fun path!
ReplyDeleteyeah, I don't even care how long it takes me to finish - it's just fun to choose books that way. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteKim, I tried the 52 book club challenge last year and while my volume of books was enough I missed several prompts although as you stated it did get me out of my usual genre. I've decided to go free style this year. Bernie (new cohost of WBOYBS)
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's not the number of books as much as the personal challenge of trying something new. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI'm looking forward to doing the challenge again this year. Some of the prompts could be tricky, but I'm determined to find books, and I'm really trying to use books already on my bookshelf or kindle.
ReplyDeleteThe books I've started reading, and the ones I think will be next were chosen without knowing how they'd match up to prompts. Once I get started, I'll consider the prompts more when I pick up a new book. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
DeleteI flirt with the 52 challenge most years, but tend to forget I'm meant to be doing it. Heavy sighs. Thanks for linking up with us.
ReplyDeleteThat's how I've felt about some book challenges. Oddly enough, the 52 book club is the only one I've really stuck with even though I've never actually completed it. Weird. Thanks for stopping by - I'll be over to visit the other links soon!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYou are always up for a challenge Kym, so good luck with the 52 Book Club challenge this year! Thanks for joining us for #WOYBS, it's always great to see your reviews and ideas for prompts.
ReplyDeleteI see you’re still reading the Verity Kent books…..unfortunately the first one (This side of murder) didn’t appeal to me at all so I’m not continuing with the series.
ReplyDeleteAm green eyed with envy at those who can follow through with challenges like 52 Book Club. A-Z is more my style - less ‘stress’ 😊
Cathy #whats on your bookshelf
It took me longer to get invested with the characters in the first Verity Kent book, but I did get there. It's a different vibe from Huber's Lady Darby series!
DeleteThe A-Z challenge is more low-key but I usually wind up with multiple books for some letters and nothing for others.
thanks for stopping by and commenting!