Happy New Year to you all!
As is customary, here are a few aims and plans for my reading in 2026.
Resolutions
- Last year I said I aimed to do fewer blog tours – I still did 30 in 2025, a handful less than in 2024 – but they did include a large amount of superb translated crime novels, so no regrets there. This year I have only signed up for 1 so far…
- I always resolve to try to read more from my TBR (books owned before the beginning of the year – so excluding new acquisitions) and I did in 2025 – 36 books making up 33% of my reading. With a four figure TBR, that resolution permanently stays on the books.
- I’d like to fill in some of the gaps on that map from my stats post this year too.
- I’ll take part in as many challenges and reading themes as I can.
- I also really do need to purchase fewer new books though… maybe listing my purchases will help (book group reads excepted).
Plans
In mid-Jan, my critical reading class with Galley Beggar begins. Our first read will be The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine and I’ll report back on how that goes.
I plan to resurrect my ‘Echoes of Eco II‘ – to finish re-reading Foucault’s Pendulum which got rather waylaid halfway through- probably for February.
Emma and I will host 20 Books of Summer again for 2026 – watch out for the sign-up post in May.
And that’s it! Have a happy year of reading.
Good luck with all your goals!
Happy New Year, Annabel! 🎉
Sounds like some great plans there
Happy 2026, Annabel! I’ll be interested to see how the critical reading class approaches The Benefactors. Lots to discuss.
It’s next on my pile to read. I must take good notes.
Happy new year and good luck! My hope is to do at least one reading challenge successfully and read 75 books!
Yay, love a goal post! I don’t know how good your local library system is, but using mine has really helped me cut down on new book purchases. Can’t wait to do 20 BoS again this year – you and Emma hosted brilliantly last summer so it’s wonderful to know you’ll be back!
I feel guilty but I’ve stopped using the library as I have too many books at home unread. And then I added to them with 3 new acquisitions today from the Waterstones sale (well I did have a full card to use up!)
Ooooh how lovely to be able to use that full voucher though.
I am also going to try and buy fewer new books. I don’t get round to reading them and that’s what got me in all this trouble in the first place! Yay for 20 Books of Summer returning.
I failed yesterday – bought 3 in the Waterstones sale – but they were half price and I had a full card to use….
Sounds like some good plans. I really want to sign up to fewer blog tours and get my TBR down to three shelves with a gap at the end …
I do love all the translated crime that comes my way via blog tours though – but will be choosier perhaps? (Famous last words!)
Best wishes for the new year! Reading from my TBR and from our shelves or our library are also priorities of mine for 2026, good luck to you!
Good luck with your goals. I am looking forward to the Summer reading again.
Ooh, I never got round to the Eco, so Iay well shadow you on this!
Some sensible plans Annabel, many of which I could sign up to. Good luck with them all!
Good luck on carrying out your plans. I don’t make resolutions, but I do set goals. I want to do more challenges this year — it is a good way to get your blog read!
I agree re challenges and getting noticed!
Happy new year of reading to you too!
Here are my plans: https://wordsandpeace.com/2026/01/04/2026-reading-plans-and-challenges/