Comet Readings' 2026 Reading Challenge
Welcome to the 2026 Comet Readings Challenge!
Are you ready to make 2026 your most exciting reading year yet? Whether you’re a seasoned bookworm or just starting to explore the world of reading challenges, this one is for you. The Comet Readings 2026 Challenge is all about keeping your reading life fresh, fun, and full of new favorite reads.
I still remember the first time I joined a reading challenge — it completely changed the way I approached books. Suddenly, I wasn’t just reading what was comfortable; I was exploring stories I’d never have picked up otherwise. That sense of adventure is exactly what I want to share with you through this year’s challenge.
What’s the 2026 Reading Challenge?
The 2026 Reading Challenge is your golden ticket to 52 weeks of reading joy. Each week, you’ll explore a new prompt — from “A City of Love” to “A Myth or Fairy Tale Retelling.” It’s like having a year-long literary adventure that pushes you to discover fresh authors, revisit beloved classics, and maybe even stumble upon your new all-time favorite book.
Reading Challenge 2026
- Set in a City of Love
Lose yourself in the charm of Paris, Venice, or another city where romance drifts through the streets.
- Bookstore Setting
Dive into a story set among the shelves.
- Family Drama with Secrets
Unravel messy histories and hidden truths in a page-turning family drama
- One-Word Title
Sometimes one single word says it all — and hints at a story that packs a punch.
- True Crime Inspired
Step into the chilling world of mysteries ripped from the headlines.
- Unreliable Narrator
Who’s really telling the truth? Question everything as the story twists and turns.
- Color in the Title
Red, blue, or pink — find a book that pops with color.
- Sibling Story
Explore bonds of rivalry, loyalty, and love between brothers and sisters.
- Reese’s Pick
Pick up a Reese Witherspoon Book Club favorite everyone’s talking about.
- Under 250 Pages
Short, sharp, and impossible to put down.
- Watch & Read
Read it, then stream it — compare page to screen.
- Bookstagram Favorite
Snag the book that’s filling your Instagram feed with buzz.
- Read with Jenna
Choose one of Jenna’s thoughtful, conversation-worthy book club picks.
- Over 500 Pages
A sweeping epic that takes you deep into another world.
- YA Phenomenon
Revisit the books that became cultural milestones for young readers.
- Dual Timelines
Piece together past and present in a story told across time.
- WWII Historical Fiction
Courage, survival, and resilience in unforgettable wartime tales.
- Cozy Mystery
A charming whodunit that feels like curling up with a friend.
- Second-Chance Romance
What if love really does deserve a do-over?
- Set on an Island
Paradise… or secrets waiting to be uncovered.
- Folklore Fantasy
Ancient myths and modern storytelling collide in magical ways.
- Translated Book
Expand your world with stories told beyond your own borders.
- Comet Circle Pick
Join our book circle and read along with us this year.
- Beach Read
Sunny, breezy, and just right for long afternoons by the water.
- Time Travel
Leap across centuries and discover what-ifs big and small.
- Roaring ’20s
Step into an era of jazz, glamour, and scandal.
- Shocking Twist
A thriller that will leave you gasping at the last page.
- Tearjerker Book
Bring tissues — these stories are heartbreakers in the best way.
- Debut of 2026
Be the first to discover the next breakout author.
- Found Family
Celebrate the beauty of the family we build, not just the one we’re born into.
- Myth or Fairy Tale Retelling
Old tales made brand-new in creative and surprising ways.
- Laugh-Out-Loud Novel
Because sometimes the perfect read is the one that makes you smile.
- Small Town Charm
Big emotions thrive in the smallest of places.
- Prize Winner
Pick up a recent award-winning book and see what the buzz is about.
- Backlist Gem
Rediscover a hidden treasure from a favorite author’s past work.
- Dystopian Tale
Grim futures that feel all too possible.
- A New York Times #1 Bestseller
Pick up a book that climbed all the way to the top of the list.
- Romance Obsession
The love story everyone is raving about right now.
- New Beginnings
Fresh starts and second chances on every page.
- Global History
Travel through time with stories beyond Europe and North America.
- Dark Academia
Secrets, obsession, and gothic charm in scholarly halls.
- BookTok Hit
Join the hype and read a TikTok sensation.
- “Girl/Woman” Title
Bold titles with “girl” or “woman” front and center.
- Heist or Con
Clever plots, big risks, and perfectly executed schemes.
- Futuristic Sci-Fi
Fast-forward into bold visions of tomorrow.
- Genre-Bender
Romance + mystery? Fantasy + thriller? Expect the unexpected.
- Random Shelf Pick
Close your eyes, grab a book — let fate decide.
- Buzzed-About Book
The release everyone’s talking about right now.
- Seasonal Read
Cozy winter nights, breezy summer days — pick a story that matches the season.
- Heartbreaker & Healer
A book that cracks your heart open and puts it back together.
- Holiday Story
Festive cheer (or chills) for your favorite holiday.
- Mini Challenge Pick
Choose one prompt from the YA, Literary Travel, Cozy, Backlist, or Book-to-Screen mini-challenges.
Why Join the Comet Readings Challenge?
★ Flexibility: You decide how much you want to read — go full throttle with 52 books or stick to the monthly themes.
★ New prompts: From “A Tearjerker” to “A Cozy Mystery”, our prompts aren’t just categories — they’re invitations to discover stories that will move, delight, and surprise you.
★ The Comet Readings Community: Share your progress in our Facebook group, track your reads on StoryGraph, and join our Comet Book Circle for deeper discussions.
★ Downloadable PDFs: Subscribe to the newsletter and download your free Reading Challenge Tracker to keep the list handy and track your progress.
Mini Reading Challenges
Don’t have time to commit to all 52 prompts? No worries! You can always break the challenge down into monthly prompts — or take part in one of our five Mini Challenges.
Each Mini Challenge comes with 12 prompts (one per month) and focuses on a specific theme:
★ Literary Travel Mini Challenge
★ Backlist Books Mini Challenge
★ Book-to-Screen Mini Challenge
It’s a lighter way to stay inspired and still make steady progress, without the pressure of a weekly commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
🔎 Do I have to read every week?
Nope! You can take it at your own pace, follow the weekly prompts, or stick with the monthly mini-challenges.
🔎 What if I can’t finish all 52 books?
That’s okay. Even completing a handful of prompts will enrich your reading year.
🔎 Do audiobooks and e-books count?
Absolutely! All reading counts.
🔎 Can one book count for multiple prompts?
Yes — it’s your challenge, your rules.
🔎 Where can I share my progress?
On the Comet Readings Facebook group, use the hashtag #CometReadings2026Challenge, or log your reads on StoryGraph.
Ready to Join?
★ Subscribe to the newsletter and download your Reading Challenge Tracker.
★ Join the Facebook group to connect with fellow readers.
★ Follow along on the Storygraph Challenge.
So what do you say? Let’s make 2026 a year of unforgettable stories, surprising twists, and books that stay with us long after we turn the last page.
Happy Reading!
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