Tag: 2026 resolutions

New Year Book Tag

Posted on by

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? 

signature

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Threads| YouTube

Top Ten Tuesday – Books on my Winter 2025/2026 TBR

Posted on by

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday features books I’ve got coming up on my Winter 2025/2026 TBR over the next few months. This list takes into account some books on my December 2025 TBR, and some planned reading goals for 2026.

I’ve got a static list of books I want to pick up throughout 2026, so some of those books feature on this Winter 2025/2026 TBR as well.

Interested to take a look at what’s made it to the list?

 

Books on my Winter 2025/2026 TBR

Yellowface

The first book on this Winter 2025/2026 TBR is also a feature on my December TBR. Keen to kick off early, I’m looking to pick up Yellowface by R.F. Kuang very soon.

So far, I’ve enjoyed two reads by R.F. Kuang and rated them both 5 stars (Babel and The Poppy War).  Yellowface is very different from both of these books, which are also quite different from each other. It goes to show Rebecca is a versatile writer, and I’m intrigued to try this more contemporary book.


I Know I’m in There Somewhere

For my work book club in January, I’ve set a theme as opposed to a ‘set’ book. It’s the first time we’re trying out some flexibility, so we’ll see how that goes. However, in case anyone at work wants to stick with a single book, I’ve committed to reading I Know I’m in There Somewhere.

With New Year and new goals in mind, this will be a timely read. I added this to my reading list fairly recently, but I can’t wait to try it out!


A Man Called Ove

A Man Called Ove featured on both my TTT Summer 2025 TBR and 20 Books of Summer Challenge. However, as of this Winter 2025/2026 TBR, I haven’t picked it up yet.

I’ve read great things about this book, and I’ve been meaning to read it for a while now. So, with this in mind, it’s time to pull my finger out and start reading it!

A Man Called Ove will also make a change. I read a lot of fantasy, especially lately. I’m looking forward to a more contemporary story as a break from what I’ve been reading of late.


1984

For Christmas last year, I was gifted two books, the first of which is the classic that is 1984. I first read this book at school. Now, admittedly, when I had to study this book for my GCSEs, I hated the experience. The reading in class. The discussion and analysis. Yawn. Bloody. Yawn.

However, I later read this book as an adult, of my own volition. Completely different experience. I loved it. And the scary thing is, there are aspects of the book that probably ring truer than we’d like to think.

It’s a classic that I’ll want to go back to time and again. It’s coming back around!


Julia

Also last Christmas, I received a second book that’s a twist on 1984 – written instead from the perspective of a different character – Julia.

My plan is to read the original, and then jump into Julia so I can appreciate the rewrite and different perspective.


Eve

My Winter 2025/2026 TBR has a lot of books I’ve planned to read already, but not got to! Another such book is Eve.

Eve by Cat Bohannon was also on my 20 Books of Summer Challenge, but I didn’t quite get to it either. What I love about the premise of this book is that it emphasises the importance of women and how biologically, they’ve driven the evolution of the human race.

It’s a niche book for sure, and hopefully, a refreshing change of subject!


The Courage to be Disliked

Self-help reading recs are abound in this Winter 2025/2026 TBR! Another such book I plan to read, and I offered as a suggestion in my work book club, is The Courage to Be Disliked.

Whilst the title of the book comes across as a little clickbait (is there an equivalent term in the bookish world), The Courage to Be Disliked is more of a discourse on why we are influenced by the opinions of others and how we can find the courage to make our own way, for our own reasons.


Deep Wheel Orcadia

Another December TBR pick makes for a change to reading style. This month, I’m looking forward to trying the first science fiction book written in Orkney dialect!

Confused? Perhaps I will be too. There’s an English translation, so I can still appreciate the story. The novelty factor sparked my curiosity, what can I say?


The Burning Girls

The last book of this Winter 2025/2026 TBR that also featured on my 20 Books of Summer Challenge was The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor.

Here’s another author I really like going back to time and again. The Chalk Man and The Taking of Annie Thorne were fantastic books. It’s been a while, so I’m excited to read this latest book and enjoy some more thriller vibes before the nights start getting light again. It’s more atmospheric, okay? I don’t make the rules 🤷🏻‍♀️


The Pillars of the Earth

A tome, is what this book is. However, it’s a tome I’ve been recommended by two trusted reader friends. So, I have to pick it up!

Next year, I’m planning to set myself a list of books I want to finish before the end of 2026. The Pillars of the Earth is the first book on that list. At a fraction under 1000 pages, it’s a commitment. However, I trust the recommendations I have and so I’ll be embarking on this journey after the new year.

It’s a highly rated book and has been on my list since 2020, so it’s high time I give it a go!


Summary

My Winter 2025/2026 TBR has lots of great books on it. Have you read any of these? Are any of these books on your TBR?

signature

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Threads