Comet Readings' 2026 Backlist Books Challenge
Are you ready to join a Backlist Books and discover new books all year long?
I’ll admit it — my shelves are full of books I meant to read years ago but never quite got to. And sometimes, I forget that my favorite authors also have older works waiting for me, just as brilliant as their latest releases. Backlist titles are true treasures — books that may not be “new,” but still have the power to surprise, delight, and stay with us.
That’s why I created the 2026 Backlist Mini Challenge. With 12 prompts — one for each month — you’ll finally have the perfect excuse to dive into those forgotten reads, rediscover authors you love, and give those hidden gems the spotlight they deserve. You can complete it on its own or pair it with the main 2026 Comet Readings Challenge if you’d like to double the fun.
What’s the 2026 Backlist Books Challenge?
This is one of our Mini Challenges — a lighter track within the full Comet Readings 2026 Reading Challenge. Instead of 52 prompts, you’ll complete 12 prompts, one per month.
This challenge is your chance to finally give older books the attention they deserve. With 12 prompts, you’ll dive into those hidden treasures on your shelf and tackle your TBR. You can complete it on its own or pair it with the main 2026 Comet Readings Challenge if you’d like to double the fun.
Backlist Books Challenge 2026
★ A favorite author
★ Cover crush
★ Randomly chosen from your bookshelf
★ From a series you never finished
★ Prize-winning book from the past decade
★ A classic
★ Missed the hype
★ Favorite genre
★ A secondhand book
★ In your color era
★ Backlist bestseller author
★ Social Hype, Forgotten Book
Tips for Success
★ Shop your shelves: Before buying new books, check your shelves for backlist treasures.
★ Ask for recs: Friends often love recommending their old favorites — and this is the year to finally listen.
★ Track your progress: Use the Backlist Books Tracker to keep the list handy and track your progress.
★ Join the community: Share your book picks in our Facebook group or use #CometReadings2026Challenge on social media to connect with fellow readers.
Frequently Asked Questions
🔎Do I have to read one backlist book every month?
That’s the idea, but you can adapt it to your reading pace.
🔎 Can I combine prompts with the main 2026 challenge?
Absolutely! Many of these prompts cross over with the 52-week list, so one book can count for multiple prompts.
🔎 What counts as a backlist book?
Any book that isn’t a brand-new release and is sitting on your bookshelf for a while.
🔎 Do rereads count?
Of course — especially if they take you back to a favorite place or setting.
🔎 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 the 2026 Backlist Challenge?
The Backlist Books Reading Challenge 2026 is your chance to finally pick up those long-neglected books and rediscover the joy of older stories. With 12 prompts guiding your year, you’ll fall in love with books that have been waiting patiently for you — and prove that the best reads aren’t always the newest ones.
★ 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.
Need book ideas? You can also find inspiration for these prompts in the Backlist Books lists I’ll be publishing throughout the year — full of suggestions to help you uncover your next great read.
So, which backlist book has been waiting the longest on your shelf?
Happy reading!
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