26 in 2026

reading challenge

26 in 2026

Welcome to my reading challenge of 26 books in 2026 This is where I’m keeping everything in one place, from the list of books to the finished reviews. If you’ve already read these books, I’d love for you to follow along without spoilers.

Come pull up a chair and see which stories become new favorites along the way.

Reading Journey

Current Status

↻ In Progress

Started

January 2026

finished

NOT YET!

Where I’m Starting

‘ll be honest. I am terrible at reading challenges. Most years I don’t even bother because somewhere along the way they stop being fun and start feeling like another thing on my to-do list. This year, though, I’m trying to get myself back into a better reading rhythm, so I decided to give a couple of challenges a chance. This one just happens to be the first.

The goal is simple: read 26 books during 2026. That part isn’t really the challenge for me. I’ll usually read that many books by the end of February. The challenge is sticking to this list of 26 books. Some were recommended by readers, some are new releases I’ve been excited about, a few are old favorites I haven’t revisited in years, and others have been collecting dust on my TBR for far too long. These are simply the 26 stories I hope to experience this year, and I’m inviting you to follow along with me as I read them.

Why Readers Love This Universe

Readers don’t just recommend Sarah J. Maas books. They hand them to friends, stay up late talking about them, and spend years revisiting the characters long after the final page. It’s one of those worlds that seems to stay with people.

From everything I’ve heard, this universe is filled with unforgettable characters, complicated relationships, dangerous magic, impossible choices, and the kind of emotional moments that leave readers staring at the ceiling after they finish a chapter. It has built a community that loves theorizing, debating favorite characters, and introducing new readers to the journey.

That’s exactly why it’s on my list.

I’m coming into these books with fresh eyes, no nostalgia, and no idea what’s waiting for me beyond the first page. If you’ve already fallen in love with this world, I hope you’ll enjoy watching someone discover it for the first time. Just…try not to spoil anything.