Welcome to the 26 Books in 2026 Reading Challenge!
This year-long program can be as laid back or as challenging as you want it to be. You will have the ability to log up to 26 Reader's Choice titles and up to 26 Challenge titles over the course of the year. Challenge books are to fit a specific theme, but you can choose the title.
This program will differ from our Summer Reading Program in that there are no minutes to log - points are earned by completing missions. Points can be used to buy tickets to our monthly raffles. Prizes will consist of $25 gift certificates to local businesses.
To help pace the program, missions are released on the first of each month. You can complete past missions but cannot complete future missions. Each mission can be completed once.
Missions:
Winter Quarter (max 2000pts):
Bonus Challenge: Read a bestseller from 2025
January Challenge:
1. Read a book from one of our displays
2. New Year, New You: Read a book that you consider ‘self-help’
February Challenge:
1. Read a book by a Black author, about a Black historical figure, or about Black history
2. Read a romance book OR if you typically read romance, read a thriller
March Challenge:
1. Read a nonfiction book about a historical woman or a fictionalized account of a real historical woman
2. Read a book by an Irish author
Spring Quarter (max 1900pts):
Bonus reader’s choice
April Challenge:
1. Read a book with dual timelines
2. Read a book that takes place in a library, bookstore or museum
May Challenge:
1. Do the time warp: Read a book with time travel or alternate history/reality
2. Read an award-winning novel
June Challenge:
1. Read a graphic novel
2. Read a book published the year you were born
Summer Quarter (max 2000pts):
Bonus Challenge: Christmas in July: Read a book that takes place during the winter
July Challenge:
1. Read a book by a disabled author or about a disabled person
2. Read a collection of short stories
August Challenge:
1. Read a book about friendship
2. Armchair travel: Read a book that involves travel. Can be a travel memoir, travel fiction, road trip theme, etc.
September Challenge:
1. Read a book from last year’s (2025-26) book club selections
2. Read a book by a New Hampshire author
Fall Quarter (max 1900pts):
Bonus reader’s choice
October Challenge:
1. Read a Banned Book (display)
2. Read a Band book (fiction or nonfiction!) (display)
November Challenge:
1. Read a sci-fi or fantasy novel
2. Read a book by an Indigenous author
December Challenge:
1. Read a nonfiction book of your choice
2. Read a new book from any previous challenge