Every new year, we promise ourselves the same thing: next year, I’m going to read more. But somewhere between the never-ending TBR pile and real life, the Goodreads goal begins to feel more like a chore than a challenge. As 2025 wraps up, maybe it is time to look beyond the Goodreads goal and work towards new reading challenges in 2026. These creative, low-pressure reading challenges for 2026 are not about page counts but curiosity, connection, and falling back in love with the act of reading itself. Here are ten reading challenges to make 2025 your most meaningful reading year yet.
The Library-Only Challenge
Next time you go to click “buy now”, consider making 2026 the year of investing in your library card instead. Most libraries offer free memberships for residents, giving you access to an endless supply of books, both physically and digitally. The library-only reading challenge means committing to read only what you borrow, whether that’s a certain number of titles or simply working through your ever-growing hold list before it expires. It’s a nod to community and sustainability, letting readers rediscover the magic of local libraries while tracking how much money they save along the way. A novel like The Reading List by Sarah Nisha Adams beautifully captures that spirit, following how a shared list of library books brings unexpected connection to a London neighborhood.
Around the World in 12 Books
Travel the world through literature with this global reading challenge. The idea is simple: each month, pick a book set in or written by an author from a different country. You’ll not only explore new settings but also gain a deeper appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. A popular pick to begin this journey is The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, which takes place in post-Civil War Spain.
A Year of One Genre
If you’ve ever found yourself hopping between genres, this challenge invites you to slow down and dive deep into one. Spend the year exploring a single genre: romance, memoir, fantasy, thriller, etc. You can choose to read exclusively within that genre for twelve months or simply set a smaller goal, such as one book per month. It is a great way to uncover patterns, tropes, and storytelling nuances you might otherwise miss. Immersing yourself in literary fiction with books like Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin can reveal how authors stretch familiar themes in unexpected ways.
The Slow Reading Challenge
In a world obsessed with speed and numbers, the slow reading challenge encourages the exact opposite. Instead of racing through your TBR, limit yourself to one book per month and savor every page. Pick something long, dense, or challenging, the kind of book that has been sitting on your shelf intimidating you for years. Annotate, highlight, or even journal as you read. The goal isn’t quantity but connection. A richly detailed novel like The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt rewards that kind of attention, reminding you that reading is not about finishing fast but staying immersed.
Reverse TBR Challenge
This one’s for the readers whose TBR lists have gotten a little out of hand. The reverse TBR challenge means starting from the bottom, reading the books that have been on your list the longest. Whether you pick the shortest one, the most random one, or the one you swore you would get to “someday”, the key is no new purchases. Read what’s been waiting for you the longest and rediscover forgotten finds on your own shelf. Maybe that means finally picking up Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, a book that has quietly waited its turn on countless lists and proves to be worth every page.
The Serendipity Challenge
Some of the best reads are the ones that find us. With the Serendipity Challenge, ditch your reading plans and let chance decide your next pick. Maybe it’s something you stumble upon at a thrift store, a little free library, or a friend’s recommendation. This one’s all about discovery and delight, proof that your next favorite book might be waiting where you least expect it. Maybe you spot Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt on a return cart at the library and decide to give it a chance.
Finish the Series Challenge
If you have ever read the first two books of a trilogy and never quite made it to the finale, this challenge is your sign to finish what you started. Pick one of the series you have left hanging and commit to completing them in 2026. Maybe it is finally closing out The Inheritance Games trilogy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Finishing what you started can be surprisingly satisfying.
The A-Z Challenge
A bookish twist on the alphabet game: read 26 books in a year, with each title or author starting with a different letter. It’s flexible, visual, and surprisingly motivating. You can plan ahead or fill in the blanks as you go. By December, you may be finishing Zero Days by Ruth Ware and discovering an alphabetized snapshot of your reading year.
The Adaptation Challenge
For readers who love a good book-to-screen moment, this one’s for you. The Adaptation Challenge invites you to read books that inspired movies or TV shows, then compare the two versions. Host a watch night, jot down what changed, or decide which version told the story better. It’s a fun way to merge your reading and streaming habits. A perfect pick to start with is Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, whose TV adaptation brought its fictional band to vivid life.
The Genre Detox
We all have a comfort genre, but this challenge asks you to step outside of it for a whole year. If you’re usually a romance reader, try a thriller. Love fantasy? Pick up a memoir. You don’t have to give up your favorites forever, just push yourself into a new territory. You might be surprised by what you discover when you let your reading habits evolve. A good gateway might be I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, which blends memoir with raw humor and honesty in a way that surprises readers of any genre.
At the end of the day, reading goals don’t have to be about numbers or streaks but about connecting with books or discovering new favorites. Whether you’re exploring new genres, rediscovering your library, or simply slowing down, each of these challenges offers fun new ways to be a reader in 2026. Whatever challenge you choose, let it remind you why you love to read in the first place.
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