New Year Book Tag

We’re now mid-way through January and the New Year content posts are still just about clinging on 😊 Today, I’m sharing my take on the New Year Book Tag. I saw this over at Misty’s Book Space – you can check out her version of the post here. I thought this would be a fun, informal way to introduce my flavour of reads, as well as a bit about me, to any new potential readers. Even for returning readers, this more personal content hopefully appeals as a bit of a shake-up. 

Prefer your content in video format? Take a look at my video version of this post. 

 

New Year Book Tag

How many books are you planning to read in 2026?

In 2026, I’m planning to push myself to read 60 books. 

In 2025, I set out to read 45 books and succeeded in reading 48 by mid-December. With a view to pushing myself harder and to read a little more this year, I’m setting the goal at 60 so I have a bigger number to chase. Historically, having a goal like this really works for me. On the contrary, my reading progress tanked in December 2025 once my goal was reached. And, in 2021, when I didn’t set a goal for the year I only read 25 books. Figure… 

As of this New Year Book Tag post I’m on track with my reading. Using Goodreads and/or StoryGraph’s tracking and being assured I’m on track, or kicking me up the bum, is the best motivator for me. It doesn’t work for everyone and not everybody wants a number to chase. However, it works for me and its my goal, so I’ll do what works for me. 

 

Name 5 books that you didn’t get to this past year but want to make a priority in 2026

My five books featured on my 20 Books of Summer Challenge list, but as of this New Year Book Tag post I still haven’t read these. 

Excluding the books on January 2026 TBR that were on my 20 Books of Summer Challenge list, the five books I’m planning to pick up in 2026 are: – 

Eve

This feminist non-fiction is exciting me for its female-focus on the biology of women and how we have shaped the evolution of human race in the last 2000 years. 

The Bone Collector

This book features later on in the New Year Book Tag post – it was on my 20 Books of Summer Challenge, but there is one more reason I want to pick this up. More on this one later… 

The Burning Girls

I’ve enjoyed several books by C.J. Tudor in the past. I’m looking forward to getting to this one, especially as it also featured on my December 2025 TBR and I didn’t get to it then, either. 

Sisters Under the Rising Sun

Another repeat author I’m looking forward to returning to is Heather Morris with Sisters Under the Rising Sun. I loved the Tattooist of Auschwitz series, so I’m confident this will be a hit. 

A Man Called Ove

A contemporary read with a humorous protagonist I can’t wait to try! 

 

What genre do you want to read more of?

Fantasy, fantasy and fantasy! That won’t be a surprise to regular readers of mine. 

When I was a teenager I read exclusively fantasy and as a result, I got bored of reading the same things over and over again. Nowadays, I read somewhat more diversely but variety is the plan going forward. Yes, I’ll always turn to fantasy for comfort. However, I’m ready to enjoy more variety in 2026!

 

Name 3 not-related-to-book goals for 2026

I’m not a big resolution setter in the New Year outside of my blog. Change can happen anytime, and honestly there’s less pressure at any other point in the year. 

My goals aren’t really new year specific or making any drastic changes. MY first goal is to start saving to get married. My fiancé and I got engaged last year, and as I’m sure you’re aware, weddings aren’t cheap. No wedding bells are on the horizon just yet, so we have time to save for the day we both want. 

Ona much smaller note, in the next few weekends I’m hoping to finish my DIY kitchen project. Towards the end of last year, I started changing all the fronts of my kitchen. It was a little tired-looking and needed a refresh. Me being me though, I wanted to change the colour. It could have been less of a job, but if I’m going to the effort I might as well have it the way.I want, right?! 

Finally, my last goal is more of a continuation of a goal I started last year. Making healthier changes to my habits is something I started in a small way. In August 2024, I started going to the gym. Then, early last year, I started cooking more regularly from scratch. This year, I want to continue this further and also try new recipes. It’s so I don’t get bored above anything else. 

 

What’s a book you have had forever and are determined to read?

Here’s where The Bone Collector comes back on this New Year Book Tag! The reason I want to pick up The Bone Collector in 2026 is because my sister bought this book for me when she was in her first or second year of university. That was probably about 7-8 years ago now – it’s fair to say she’s no longer at university!

So, it’s about time right?! 

 

One word that you’re hoping 2026 will be.

***Auspicious***

Conducive to success. That’s obviously going to mean different things in different contexts. For each of my goals, bookish and non-bookish, I can obviously only hope for the best and work my hardest to be as successful as I can in 2026. 

 

Summary 

Thanks for reading (or watching) today’s New Year Book Tag! 

I answered a question on which books I didn’t get to in 2025 that I want to in 2026 – what’s one of yours? 

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