Bookish Challenges discussion

TASKS

🎉 New Year & Celebration

1. A book that begins with a party. - Melissa
2. A book with fireworks on the cover.
3. A book set during New Year’s Eve (any amount of time).
4. A story where characters count down to something.
5. A book where champagne or sparkling drinks are mentioned. - Cats
6. A book with the word celebration or party in the title.
7. A book where music and dancing play a key role.
8. A book that includes a ball, gala, or banquet. - Nistha
9. A book with a midnight scene (your interpretation). - Claire
10. A book featuring a festival or public celebration.

🌱 Fresh Starts & New Beginnings

11. A debut novel. - M
12. A book where a character moves to a new city. - Julia
13. A book where someone starts a new job. - Julia
14. A story about a new relationship. - KayLynn
15. A book where someone starts over after loss. - Anastasia
16. A book where a character reinvents themselves.
17. A book with the word beginning or start in the title.
18. A memoir about someone’s “new chapter” in life.
19. A book that begins with “Chapter One” literally titled as such. - M
20. A story about a big life transition (retirement, graduation, etc.). - KayLynn

✨ Resolutions & Self-Improvement

21. A book about health or fitness. - Denise
22. A book about learning a new skill.
23. A book about quitting a bad habit.
24. A book that focuses on mindfulness or meditation. - M
25. A book about financial planning or saving money.
26. A book where a character makes a resolution (and keeps or breaks it).
27. A book on productivity or organization.
28. A self-help bestseller. - Anastasia
29. A book about setting and achieving goals.
30. A book where the main character undergoes self-discovery. - Julia

🗓 January & Winter

31. A book set in January (any amount of time). - Denise
32. A book with January in the title. - Fiona
33. A book with snow on the cover. - Anastasia
34. A book where winter weather is important.
35. A story that takes place in a cabin or lodge. - KayLynn
36. A book with ice on the cover or in the title. - M
37. A book with a winter sport (skiing, skating, etc.). - Julia
38. A book where characters bundle up in coats and scarves. - Julia
39. A book with a frosty character (your interpretation). - KayLynn
40. A book where the cold influences the story’s events. - M

🕰 Time, Dates & Milestones

41. A book with a clock on the cover. - Fiona
42. A book with time in the title. - Claire
43. A story spanning multiple years.
44. A book where a significant birthday is celebrated.
45. A book about traveling to the future or past. - Cats
46. A book published last year (2025). - Claire
47. A book published in 2026. - Denise
48. A book published in a “milestone year” (2000, 2010, etc.). - Fiona
49. A book with “future” in the title.
50. A story that begins on the first day of something (school, job, year). - KayLynn

🥂 Hope, Optimism & Looking Forward

51. A feel-good romance. - M
52. A book with a happily ever after. - KayLynn
53. A book with hope in the title. - M
54. A children’s book about dreaming big.
55. A fantasy where the hero fulfills a prophecy.
56. A story about overcoming challenges.
57. A book with a sunrise on the cover. - Cats
58. A book about someone rebuilding their life.
59. A book with an inspiring title (your interpretation). - Fiona
60. A book recommended to “make you smile.”

🔮 Predictions & Future

61. A science fiction novel set in the future. - Anastasia
62. A book published in your birth year + 26 (for 2026). - Cats
63. A dystopian or utopian novel. - Melissa
64. A book about artificial intelligence. - Melissa
65. A book that imagines what 2026 will be like.
66. A book with future, tomorrow, or next in the title. - M
67. A story with fortune-telling. - Anastasia
68. A book where someone makes a prediction that comes true. - KayLynn
69. A story set in space (the “future frontier”). - M
70. A book about invention or innovation. - Julia

🎯 Goals & Achievement

71. A book with a medal or trophy on the cover. - KayLynn
72. A sports story about winning.
73. A book about climbing a mountain (literally or figuratively).
74. A memoir about a personal achievement. - Nistha
75. A book about an Olympic athlete (fiction or non-fiction). - Julia
76. A story where a character completes a long journey.
77. A book that has won a major award. - Cats
78. A book where determination is the theme. - Anastasia
79. A book about education or learning.
80. A story about accomplishing a dream. - Julia

🔁 Cycles & Change

81. A book with the four seasons mentioned in the text. - Nistha
82. A story that spans multiple generations. - Cats
83. A book about reincarnation or rebirth.
84. A book with circle, cycle, or wheel in the title. - M
85. A book where nature’s cycles matter (farming, harvest, etc.). - Cats
86. A book where someone transforms completely.
87. A story where endings lead to beginnings. - Julia
88. A book you bought second-hand. - Claire
89. A book where history repeats itself. - Anastasia
90. A book about changing one’s destiny. - Nistha

🪩 Fun Miscellaneous New Year Touches

91. A book with glitter or sparkles on the cover. - Fiona
92. A book with gold, silver, or black as the dominant cover color. - KayLynn
93. A book with a character staying up late into the night. - Cats
94. A book where people make toasts.
95. A book where someone writes in a diary or planner.
96. A book where people travel for a fresh start.
97. A book that opens with the word New.
98. A book that closes with hope for the future. - Cats
99. A book with confetti, balloons, or lights on the cover.
100. A book where a chapter (or the entire book) is titled after a month.

You can claim tasks now!

Please note: You can only claim two tasks at a time and books need to be started after January 6th at 10:00 am CET!

First, a happy 2026 to all of you!

I’ll take

46. A book published last year (2025).
88. A book you bought second-hand.

Hello and Happy New Year

I will take

11. A debut novel.
36. A book with ice on the cover or in the title.

Happy New Year!

I'll take

48. A book published in a “milestone year” (2000, 2010, etc.).
59. A book with an inspiring title (your interpretation).

Happy New Year, everyone! I'll claim:

31. A book set in January and
47. A book published in 2026

The book I am currently reading fits several of these tasks. It opens with a big over-the-top party. Just mentioning it in case anyone else has it on their TBR. It's

I'll take
33. A book with snow on the cover.
28. A self-help bestseller.

I'll take
12. A book where a character moves to a new city.
13. A book where someone starts a new job.

The challenge starts now, happy reading everyone :)

Not one I picked but the book I just read fits
21. A book about health or fitness.
The Circadian Code: Lose Weight, Supercharge Your Energy, and Transform Your Health from Morning to Midnight: Longevity Book by Satchin Panda
Date read: 06/01/2026
How it fits: A book about improving our health

11. A debut novel.
Book: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Author: Jamie Ford
Date completed: 6/1/2025
Task: 11. A debut novel.
How it fits: The first full-length novel published by the author. Published in 2009

8. A book that includes a ball, gala, or banquet.
King of Wrath by Ana Huang
Date completed: 7/1/2025
How it fits: There is a big Valhalla gala hosted which is in the book which is for the ultra billionaires

67. A story with fortune-telling.
Dying to Meet You by S.C. Stokes
Date read: 07/01/2026
How it fits: Kasey Chase has psychic abilities and is able to see the future

5. A book where champagne or sparkling drinks are mentioned

Book: Murder at Almack's by Jo Ann Ferguson, Mona Gedney, Valerie King
Date: 7/1 2★
Fit: "Instead, he sipped his champagne and steadfastly avoided looking at Miss Sherborne again." p.157

I'll claim
62. A book published in your birth year + 26 (for 2026)

Haven't claimed this yet but the book I just finished works for it.
Book: Too Old for This
Author: Samantha Downing
Date: 1/7/2026
Task: 20. A story about a big life transition (retirement, graduation, etc.).
Fit: Lottie is a retired serial killer who has to come out of retirement when her past catches up to her. Her son is also remarrying and she is looking into moving into an adult living center. Lots of big life transitions.

93. A book with a character staying up late into the night

Book: The Widows of Broome by Arthur W. Upfield
Date: 8/1 4★
Fit: MC Bony is awake at all hours of the night, he gets very little sleep at all through this book

Book/Author: Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes
Date read: January 8
Task: 59. A book with an inspiring title (your interpretation).
How it fits: VERY inspiring title... (for legal purposes, this is a joke)

Claiming:
91. A book with glitter or sparkles on the cover.

A book published last year (2025)

Book:Isola
Author: Allegra Goodman
Read: 4 January
Pages: 346

How it fits: published in 2025

88. A book you bought second-hand

Book: De roep van de wildernis
Author: Jack London
Read: 6 January
Pages: 215
How it fits: I bought the book second hand

Next I’ll take

9. A book with a midnight scene (your interpretation).
42. A book with time in the title.

12. A book where a character moves to a new city.

Book: Make Me Fall by Riley Nash
Read: Jan 8
How it fits: Grey and Jonah move from New York to rural Iowa.

75. A book about an Olympic athlete (fiction or non-fiction).

Does a former Olympian count? If yes, it works for my next book.

Book: Slashing Through the Snow
Author: Jacqueline Frost
Date: 1/8/2026
Task: 35. A story that takes place in a cabin or lodge.
Fit: Holly White owns and runs a B&B. One of her guests is murdered, so a big chunk of the story takes place at her lodge.

Fiona wrote: "How it fits: VERY inspiring title... (for legal purposes, this is a joke)."

I laughed waaaay too hard at this. For legal purposes, I believe you.

36. A book with ice on the cover or in the title.
Book: Antarctica
Author: Kim Stanley Robinson
Date Completed: 1/8/2025
Task Number + Description: 36. A book with ice on the cover or in the title.
How it fits: Glacier on the cover

I will claim 2 more tasks
66. A book with future, tomorrow, or next in the title.
69. A story set in space (the “future frontier”).

Book/Author: The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
Date read: January 9
Task: 48. A book published in a “milestone year” (2000, 2010, etc.).
How it fits: published in 2020

62. A book published in your birth year + 26 (for 2026)

Book: All the Weyrs of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
Date: 9/1 4★
Fit: book pub. 1992, now you know

Claiming

77. A book that has won a major award

Julia wrote: "75. A book about an Olympic athlete (fiction or non-fiction).

Does a former Olympian count? If yes, it works for my next book."

Yes, sure!

KayLynn wrote: "Fiona wrote: "How it fits: VERY inspiring title... (for legal purposes, this is a joke)."

I laughed waaaay too hard at this. For legal purposes, I believe you."

I'm glad you laughed :D I guess you can see how happy I am in my current job haha

77. A book that has won a major award

Book: The Giver by Lois Lowry
Date: 10/1 3★
Fit: Newbery Medal, among many others

Claiming
45. A book about traveling to the future or past.

Claiming

41. A book with a clock on the cover.

13. A book where someone starts a new job.

Book: Show Me Wonders by Riley Nash
Read: Jan 9
How it fits: Jackson gets a job as a janitor in a bank.

78. A book where determination is the theme.
Father's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
Date read: 10/01/2026
How it fits: Lucy Stone is an investigative reporter and is determined to find the murderer. She receives an award in this book for an article she wrote.

66. A book with future, tomorrow, or next in the title.
Book: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Date Completed: 1/10/2025
Task Number + Description: 66. A book with future, tomorrow, or next in the title.
How it fits: Tomorrow in the title.

28. A self-help bestseller.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondō
Date read: 11/01/2026
How it fits: A self-help bestseller

75. A book about an Olympic athlete (fiction or non-fiction).

Book: Teach Me to Sin by Riley Nash
Read: Jan 11
How it fits: Alec is a former Olympic swimmer.

15. A book where someone starts over after loss.
Strawberry Sin by Rosie A. Point
Date read: 11/01/2026
How it fits: Georgina rebuilds the cat shelter after it is burnt down

Claiming
38. A book where characters bundle up in coats and scarves.
80. A story about accomplishing a dream.

52. A book with a happily ever after.
Book: How My Neighbor Stole Christmas
Author: Meghan Quinn
Date: 1/10/2026
Fit: Storee Taylor and Cole Black get a happily ever after.

Claiming:
92. A book with gold, silver, or black as the dominant cover color.

45. A book about traveling to the future or past

Book: Ming and Flo Fight for the Future by Jackie French
Date: 10/1 4★
Fit: time travel to the past

claiming 98. A book that closes with hope for the future

80. A story about accomplishing a dream.

Book: And All Their Stars by Riley Nash
Read: Jan 12
How it fits: Grey and Jonah get married and adopt an orphaned boy. Grey has dreamed of fostering or adopting children all his life since he grew up in foster care himself.

Claiming 70. A book about invention or innovation.

31. Read a book set in January
Book: And to All a Good Bite by David Rosenfelt
Read: Jan. 12
How it fits: Andy takes on a new client before Christmas. The investigation and trial take place in January.

I'd like to claim #15 - a book where someone starts over after loss