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The 2026 Road Less Read Challenge

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In honor of the new year, and Book Riot’s annual ‘Read Harder’ challenge, I’ve always read a copious amount of books each year, but never participated in one.

I thought I’d make one, and if you’re so inclined, you’re welcome to join me! Besides, the name of the site is excellent fodder for such a thing, wouldn’t you agree?

Table Of Contents

How It Works

Here’s how it’ll work, for myself, at least. Attack it in whichever way you fancy!

  1. Choose as many prompts as you like from the proffered list.
  2. Select which book you shall attempt for each prompt you've chosen. (Bonus points if you announce this online and let me know about it!)
  3. When the new year begins, start your reading! You’ll have the whole 365 days.
  4. Track your progress and cross off the prompts you complete.
  5. At 2026’s end, reflect on how you went. Did you discover any new favorites? (Further bonus points if you publish these reflections on the web and share them.)

The Prompts

  1. A fantasy novel by someone from Latin America.
  2. A work of philosophy published or written in the 1800s.
  3. A comedic novel first published before the 21st century.
  4. A science fiction classic.
  5. A young adult novel by an Australian.
  6. A fantasy graphic-novel written for a middle grade audience.
  7. A memoir by someone who's traveled to a continents you’ve never been to.
  8. A book originally written in Japanese (in translation.)
  9. A space opera published in the last five years.
  10. A novel that won the Hugo or Nebula Award.
  11. A book about books, libraries, or the history of publishing.
  12. A queer scifi or fantasy novel by a debut author.
  13. A non-fiction book about digital culture or internet history.
  14. A novel set entirely in a single location.
  15. A book of poetry or essays about nature.
  16. A fantasy novel with an unconventional magic system.
  17. A graphic novel first published as a webcomic.
  18. A book by an Indigenous-Australian.
  19. A dystopian novel published before 2000.
  20. A novella in any genre.
  21. A book about food, cooking, or culinary history.
  22. A science fiction novel that explores consciousness.
  23. A book recommended by a book blogger.
  24. A short story anthology.
  25. A book that’s been adapted into a film or series you haven't watched.

Hope you find these interesting! Happy reading, and all the best for the new year.

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