Reading Challenge 2026
I’ve printed this list off and put it in my journal. I hope you’ll join in with us and do the same.
Books
Books We Got and Gave on Christmas
This was a very richly endowed book exchange holiday for us. In this post you can see the books we got and gave– mostly non-fiction, and only one novel!
Best Books of the Year (Reading Challenge Summary)
I read 68 books this year, ten of which were art and cookbooks, 13 were other non-fiction, and the rest were novels. I listened 22 on audio. I gave 19 books five stars this year.
Nice Board Book Gift Idea
These are delightful in every way, with wonderful art and rhyme, as well as peek-a-boo holes to see through onto other pages. They would be a great gift for you little loved one.
Sword Catcher (Book Review)
This is the only book over 500 pages I read this year and I really enjoyed it. I’ll be reading its sequel soon in the New Year.
Buckeye (Book Review)
Buckeye is a long, sweep of a book, taking place between two families in a small town in Ohio between WWII and Vietnam.
Run with the Horses (Book Review)
It might make you want to be in a more constant relationship with God, in troubling times.
Raising Hare (Book Review)
Finding refuge in the appreciation of nature and agency in the desire to protect it can be resuscitating for us all.
How to Write a Poem (Children’s Picture Book Review)
I was so excited by it, I thought you needed to know about it as well1
Be Ready When the Luck Happens (Book Review)
This is the story about how following what we love with curiosity and courage, as well as tenacity and hard work, creates our luck.
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Turns 150 Years Old
Out of gratitude, I’m making free copies available if you don’t have one!
Tuga Trilogy (Book Review)
These books feel like an antidote to and a refuge from the bleak realities of our news cycle. I
The Correspondent (Book Review)
I found this deeply engaging, and I recommend it to you. I give it 5 stars. Now I want to write more letters!
The Stolen Queen (Book Review)
You too might enjoy this compulsively readable story by this highly capable writer.
River of the Gods (Book Review)
This is a dramatic account of two egotistic British explorers’ rivalry in searching for the source of the Nile.
The Briar Club (Book Review)
I totally recommend reading this historical fiction set in the early 1950’s and give it 5 stars.
Confessions of a Grammar Queen (Book Review)
May we also summon the courage to fight for what we deserve, which is nothing less than the best for everyone.