We all know there's no such thing as too many books. Is there such a thing as too many reading challenges? Probably. Do I care? I do not. I've always loved reading challenges. They add a fun element to my bookish life. I don't take them too seriously; if I don't finish them, I don't finish them. No biggie. With that being said, let me tell you about the SIXTEEN I'm going to take on in 2026 (no, that's not a typo). 

If you also love reading challenges, check out the Reading Challenge Addict blog. Bev keeps a running list of all the ones happening around not just the book blogosphere, but also on BookTok, BookTube, and Bookstagram. Tanya Patrice over at Chapter Adventure used to keep a master list as well, but I'm not seeing one for 2026...

At any rate, here you go, starting with the ones I'm hosting:

1. Bookish Books Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)—This is a totally laidback challenge in which you read books about books. Easy peasy. There are different levels. I always do the "Living at the Library" one, which involves reading 30+ bookish books. Sign up for the 2026 challenge here.

2. Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)—As you will soon see, I love me a prompt-based challenge. I created this one, which has 50 prompts related to book covers, for funsies and I'm glad that other readers have joined the party with me. Same as last year, I will be joining at Level 5, which involves completing 41-50 of the prompts. Sign up for the 2026 challenge here.

3. Popsugar Reading Challenge (hosted by Popsugar)—This annual challenge has 40 basic prompts, plus 10 "advanced" ones that are (loosely) centered around a new theme each year. (The 2026 challenge has a garden theme). I've only actually completed this one once, so most of the time it really IS a challenge for me. Although this challenge usually starts on January 1st of every year, they actually started the 2026 one early, so you can begin checking off prompts right away. I've still got 8 prompts to go for the 2025 challenge...it looks like this year will be another one where I don't quite finish. Oh, well.

4. Build Your Library Reading Challenge (hosted by Emily @Build Your Library)—I've enjoyed participating in this challenge for the last couple years. It's made up of 40 prompts based around a different theme each year. This time around it's "A Year of Cozy and Whimsy," which sounds perfect! I'm in.

5. Booklist Queen Reading Challenge (hosted by Rachael @Booklist Queen)—Usually, this yearly challenge is the first one I finish, but I've struggled a bit with it this year and likely won't finish all the prompts since I still have 10 to go. No worries. I'm still up for another round.

6. The 52 Book Club's Reading Challenge (hosted by The 52 Book Club)—Another annual challenge with 52 prompts, this is one I do every year. I only have two prompts left for the 2025 challenge, which I'll check off as soon as I finish the two books I'm currently reading. Yay!

7. Medical Examiner Mystery Reading Challenge (hosted by Rick Mills @The Mystillery/RickMillsProject)—Rick hosts several reading challenges, but this one is my favorite. It's a bit macabre since it involves playing medical examiner and "tying toe tags" by counting up the dead bodies in the mystery novels you read. Still, I enjoy doing it and watching the scoreboard to see how the friendly competition between participants is going. (I'm currently in 13th place with 567 toe tags tied; the #1 reader has 1801! Wow.)

8. Pioneer Book Reading Challenge (hosted by Pioneer Book)—The lucky ducks who live in Provo, Utah, are privileged to have this fun indie bookstore in their midst. (I lived there for six years while my husband and I attended Brigham Young University and we still visit at least once a year.) After several years of attempting, I still haven't managed to finish this challenge, but I enjoy trying. You cross off 40 prompts, after which you can claim a $50 gift certificate to the store (for in-person shopping only). The prompts for 2026 have not been announced yet, so keep an eye on the bookstore's Facebook page if you're interested in this one. 

9. Literary Escapes Reading Challenge (hosted by Stacy @Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book)—This challenge involves reading one book set in each of the 50 U.S. states + Washington, D.C., with bonus points given for each country you "visit" outside of the U.S. as well. I finished all the states in November, which wasn't an easy feat! 

10. Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge (hosted by Stacy @Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book)—I always enjoy a good, palate-cleansing cozy mystery, so this challenge is a no-brainer for me since all it requires is reading cozies. I joined at the "Peckish" level in 2025, but I think I'll up the ante in 2026 and go for "Famished," which means reading 26-51 cozies. I may even give the mini-challenge aspect a go next year.

11. Historical Fiction Reading Challenge (hosted by Marg @The Intrepid Reader and Baker)—Since I love hist fic, this annual challenge is another no-brainer. I'm going to join at the "Ancient History" level, which requires reading at least 25 historical novels.

12. Mount TBR Reading Challenge (hosted by Bev @My Reader's Block)—Although I have gotten nowhere near my 2025 challenge goal of reading 100 books off my own shelves, this challenge still helped motivate me to actually read some of the books I already own. I'm going to join again for 2026, but with a more modest goal of at least 24 books (Mount Blanc level). That seems doable.

13. Around the Year in 52 Books (hosted by Emily @Goodreads)—I'm just about finished with this year's challenge, which involved checking off 50 basic prompts, plus a bonus 10 from an "Anniversary List." I'm definitely up for another round.

14. Series Reading Challenge (hosted by Judy @Coffee, Cookies, and Books YouTube channel)—I love to read series books, but I'm in the middle of SO many of them. This challenge is about moving forward in the series your reading (NOT starting new ones) and maybe even FINISHING some of them (gasp!). I've never done this particular challenge before, but it sounds fun.

15. Southern Literary Reading Challenge (hosted by Jen @Introverted Reader)—It's been a hot minute since I participated in this challenge that's all about reading books set in the American South. I'm excited to join in again. I'll be doing Level 4, which involves reading 9+ books set in the South. Shouldn't be too tough.

16. Reading Challenge Addict Reading Challenge (hosted by Bev @My Reader's Block)—Obviously, this one is another no-brainer. It's all about entering and finishing reading challenges. I'm going to be less ambitious in 2026 than I was this year and join at the "Easy As Pie" level, which involves finishing 1-5 reading challenges. 

Whew! That's a lot of challenges. I'm excited to start fresh with a new set of prompts and goals. How about you? Are you joining any reading challenges in 2026? Which are your favorites? Good luck to all of us reading challenge addicts!