Note from the author: Nothing in this piece is AI. I really love em dashes, please don’t take them away from me.

Second note: This piece is taken from my Substack, written in January 2026

Last year, the big ‘25, I picked up and put down more books than pages I actually read. I was upset, StoryGraph was upset, and yet I kept adding to the TBR pile like a needy lizard, hoarding mealworms. 

This year I’m hoping to traverse the reading landscape with a little more skill, and a lot more books. That’s why I’ve set my reading goal to a palatable fifteen twenty. 

I’m a solid believer that you can read as much, or as little, as you want. I don’t understand why people get so up themselves about being ‘proper readers’. But, I am a dastardly creature that flicks between books like they’re fabric samples, and I’m sewing a patchwork quilt. So this year, I just want to get better at finishing them.

In their entirety.

Join me as I split my predictions for this literary year into the stages of creation. When 2026 ends, I shall be birthed anew. My mother, the pile of books awaiting me. My umbilical cord, the desire to avoid StoryGraph shame, pumping 12 successful months of reading into my new form. And me, dope as hell. 

First Trimester

For some reason, at the start of every new year, I am filled with the desire to read Crime. Luckily, I have a new Janice Hallett perched on my shelf — The Killer Question. I believe that reading the new Janice has become a yearly January tradition of mine. There’s just something addictive about a good crime, and Hallett has the kind of unique touch that makes her novels perfect for starting a year of reading, the right way.

The beginning of the year is ultimately where my motivation is at its highest — the books on my shelves are like fresh snow, waiting for me to flail about in their pages and make a snow-angel. I’m settled in to see what new publications are coming out, and I’m, overall, just really excited for a good year of novels. 

With this newfound high-point, I know that the first few months are the best for getting into those lengthy novels I put off at the end of last year, or the space operas I’ve been meaning to get to for the longest time. 

In 2026 I’m expecting to read Annihilation, given it’s been waiting for me since 2024; there are a few series gathering dust under my bed, and it’s still a goal of mine to finish Lord of the Rings.

Second Trimester

Now we’re in the middle of the year, 2026 is feeling less ‘brand new’ and, in turn, the dreamy reading-haze I’ve inevitably been in, is dwindling. The passion is there, the yearning for a good page-turner, but this is around the time when I pump the breaks on high-fantasy and crime, and move over to contemporary, for a plot with less maps. 

Usually, this is the point where I dabble in short story collections, but I’ve never been good at finishing them. So, this year, I’m planning to finish at least three collections. I’d also like to steer away from my usual habits, and try to maintain a steady reading pace further into the year.

Summertime, in my opinion, is a great opportunity for non-fiction in the sun and horror in late-night cafes. With warmer weather and longer days, it certainly seems like there are more chances for great reading. But, this year is about stopping heavy expectations, and focussing on enjoying books. My main genre is literary horror, but I’ve always had a soft spot for sapphic romance (or sapphic anything, really), so in 2026, maybe I’ll give into the summer trope of romance-in-the-sun, and find a good WLW story.

Third Trimester

It’s easy to reach the end of the year and feel that familiar panic… ALL HAIL THE READING GOAL.

I do this every single time. 

The problem with the looming reading goal is it puts pressure on reading; it’s not about enjoyment, it’s about going as fast as you can to meet a number that you made up. It’s important to remember that that number doesn’t takeaway from you as a reader, which can be hard when there are so many supposedly ‘perfect’ readers to compare yourself to. But there is no ‘perfect reader’ and the best thing to do as the year comes to an end, is to keep going at your own pace, and don’t let the rush ruin your enjoyment.

That being said, I’m a sucker for short books to round out the year. Even as I take the looming goal less seriously, I still find a bit of fun in seeing how many books, and which ones, I read by the end. Around this time, I’ll pick up the graphic novels I’ve been hoarding (I’ll take suggestions by the way), and anything under a hundred pages.

It’s a tradition I quite like, with the busyness of the end of the year, a quick read is great to keep spirits high.

Birth

All in all, I’m measuring the success of 2026 by how much I enjoy reading. I’m hoping to let go of expectations and finally get back to relaxing when I’m with a book. 

I’ll keep you all posted as I go — get excited for my thoughts on The Killer Question, by queen Janice — and I’m looking forward to looking back on this in December!

Thanks all,

Lexie :)