My 2026 Reading Challenges
My favorite thing to do is read, so I have chosen to add a few reading challenges to my yearly goals. I also enjoy doing reading challenges. Last year, we created some challenges to help me read more of the genres that I prefer. Basically, to give me a count by genre.
If you want to join one of the challenges below, click the link after “Hosted by. ” This will take you to the challenge page, where you can find all the rules and sign up. You can also create your own challenges, whatever you want to do to enhance your reading experience.
Due to the number of reading challenges, my progress will be tracked in separate posts, which you can find at the top of the page under “Reading Challenges.”
2026 Goodreads Reading Challenge
Hosted by: Goodreads
My goal this year is to read 75 books.
2026 Cloak and Dagger
Hosted by: Carol’s Notebook
My goal this year is to be an Inspector with 30 books.
Challenge Rules:
- You can read any book from the mystery/suspense/thriller/crime genres. Any subgenre is welcome as long as it incorporates one of these genres.
- You don’t need a blog to participate, but you do need a place to post your reviews to link up. (blog, Goodreads, Instagram, etc.)
- Make a goal post and link it back here with your goal for this challenge.
- Books need to be at least 100 pages long. Please, no short stories.
- Crossovers with other challenges are fine.
- The challenge will run from January 1st to December 31st. (Sign-up ends March 15th)
Look for the hashtag #CloakDaggerChal on Social Media. There is a closed Facebook group. You can also find it on StoryGraph.
2026 Craving the Cozies
Hosted by: Escape with Dollycas
My goal this year is to enter the Peckish level with 20 books.
Cozy mysteries, or “cozies,” are a sub-genre of crime fiction mysteries in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously, and the crime and detection occur in a small, socially intimate community. The crime-solver is an amateur sleuth, usually, but not always, a woman, who is thrust into the aftermath of a murder. The protagonist frequently has an occupation or hobby that brings appealing information to the reader.
The challenge runs from January 1st to December 31st.
2026 Cruisin’ thru the Cozies
Hosted by: Socrates’ Book Reviews
My goal this year is to become a Level Two (Investigator) with 20 cozy mysteries of my choice.
This year’s cozy mystery reading challenge has two ways to participate. You choose whichever suits you the best: Read cozy mysteries of your choice, or read one book from the sub-genres listed on the sign-up post. I am choosing to read those of my choice.
2026 Medical Examiner’s Mystery Reading Challenge
Hosted by: Rick Mills Project
My goal this year will be to complete at least 20 toe tags.
You are the Medical Examiner, and your goal is to issue as many Toe Tags as possible in 2026 by reading murder mysteries and documenting the deaths of the unfortunate victim(s).
2026 Six Shooter Reading Challenge
Hosted by: Rick Mills Project
My goal this year will be to complete 2 notches.
Shoot (read) six mysteries by the same target (author) – this can be done over multiple years. You get one notch on your gun (and a prize) for each target completed.
Challenges that I have created for myself.
There are no hosts for these reading challenges, but if you want to join in, you can leave a comment on my tracking post. If you decide to join one of these, I will give you a gift at the end of the year. Your books can be fiction or non-fiction in any format: print, digital, or audio. It can be combined with other challenges.
2026 Baroness’ Finishing the Series Reading Challenge
Hosted by Baroness Book Trove, you can join me here if you are interested.
My goal this year will be to complete at least 1 to 4 book series and ride the train in coach class.
This challenge focuses on finishing a series you’ve started but haven’t yet completed. I am looking forward to finishing some of the series sitting on my shelf.
2026 Traveling the World
Hosted by Baroness Book Trove, you can join me here if you are interested.
My goal this year is to visit (by book) at least 20 states and 3 countries.
Goal:
Challenge – To read books set in one of the United States (you choose how many states). Set a goal for the number of countries, too. (Repeated locations don’t count, but feel free to track them.)
2026 Baroness’ Romance Book Reading Challenge
Hosted by Baroness Book Trove, you can join me here if you are interested.
My goal this year will be to read 12 romances—one book per month.
Goal:
Read one romance book each month.
2026 Baroness’ Young Adult Book Reading Challenge
Hosted by Baroness Book Trove, you can join me here if you are interested.
My goal this year will be to read 12 YA books.
Goal:
Read one YA book each month.
2026 Middle Grade Reading Challenge
Hosted by Baroness Book Trove, you can join me here if you are interested.
My goal this year will be to read 12 MG books.
Goal:
Read one Middle Grade book each month.
2026 Baroness’ TBR Jar Reading Challenge
Hosted by Baroness Book Trove, you can join me here if you are interested.
My goal this year will be to read 12 books from my TBR – one book per month.
Goal:
Read one physical book from my TBR shelf.
Thank you for stopping by to see which 2026 Reading Challenges I will participate in.
Remember that Reading Challenges are there to get you to read more and give you a community to discuss all the fabulous books you read. So, have fun with it.
Due to the number of reading challenges and my website’s health, I will post separately this year to track my and Jen’s progress. Go to Reading Challenges in the menu above, which links to our tracking system.
Are you doing any Reading Challenges in 2026? Please follow my progress on our tracking posts, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter).
Until next time,
Happy Reading!
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