2026 Reading Challenge discussion
2026 Yearly Challenges
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Plot Twists & Playlists - 2026
date
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How to Participate:
1. Post here telling the challenge leader how many books you plan to read.
You may choose your books at the beginning, or add them as you go. You may join any time during the year, and may change your goal whenever needed.
2. When you finish books for the challenge, edit your original post or member’s corner thread to add them.
Instructions are in the how-to link below.
3. To have your progress updated, post a new comment here to let the challenge leader know.
Every time you post an update, be sure to include your original (sign-up) message number, the number of books you have completed, and your goal. We use your original message number to identify you, since multiple members may have the same profile name.
Example:
Update to message 32: 2/25 books read!
For more information about how our challenges work, visit this how-to thread or ask your challenge leader.
P.S. Please do not delete posts! It changes the message numbers, complicating the update process for both leaders and participants. If you wish to leave the challenge, simply post a comment here to let us know. You may edit your original post to say {deleted}. Thank you!
Participants:
Alyssa - 0 / 12
Amanda - 0 / 12
Amy - 1 / 20
angelinabvby - 3 / ?
Barb - 0 / 5
Beth - 0 / 5
Bubbles - 0 / 12
Caraina - 0 / 12
Carrie - 0 / 24
Chrissie - 0 / 5
CrazyAsACupcake - 0 / 5
Debra Diggs - 3 / 20
Dubhease - 0 / 24
Frankie - 0 / 20
Gohnar - 0 / 56
Jaida - 0 / 10
Jill - 0 / 12
Karin - 3 / 10
Kristina - 0 / 40
Kylie - 0 / 15
Laureen - 2 / 20
Michelle - 0 / 12
Pat 0 / 12
Sarah - 0 / 22
Shari - 0 / 10
TerryJane - 0 / 20
Theresa - 0 / 8
STATS
Participants: 27
Books Read: 13
Books Pledged: 428
Challenges Completed: 0
Updated through Message #40 on Jan 08, 2026. 30
Reserved by backup moderator
Plot Twists & Playlists 5/20
Completed
✔ 1. Book: Together: A Journey for Survival (theme)
....... Song: "United We Stand" by Brotherhood of Man
✔ 2. Book: Stop (for the)
....... Song: "Red Light" by Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford
✔ 3. Book: Hidden Pictures (pictures in book tell a story)
....... Song: "Every Picture Tells a Story" by Rod Stewart
✔ 4. Book: A Man Called Otto (Song featured in movie)
....... Song: "End of the Line" by Traveling Wilburys
✔ 5. Book: Beverly Hills Cop 2 by Robert Tine (song from movie)
....... Song: "Shakedown" by Bob Seger
Possibilities
1. Book: Eight Perfect Murders (Eight)
... Song: "Eight Days a Week" by The Beatles
3. Book: ... (black and white cover)
... Song: "Ebony and Ivory" by Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder
4. Book: ... (a murder mystery)
... Song: "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen
5. Book: Children of Ruin (The need for help.)
... Song: "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones
6. Book:
... Song: "The Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd
7. Book: ... (time travel or time piece on cover)
... Song: "Time Is On My Side" by The Rolling Stones
8. Book: Ice Station Zebra or Antarctica (lyrics: "We come from the land of the ice and snow")
... Song: “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin
9. Book: Airport by Arthur Hailey
... Song: "Leaving On a Jet Plane" by John Denver
10. Book: A Is for Alibi (publication/release 1982)
..... Song: "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey
11. Book: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing (Theme song for TV show Friends)
.... Song: "I'll Be There for You" by Rembrandts
12. Book: (set in hotel)
.... Song: "Hotel California" by The Eagles
13. Book: The White Album (song is on The White Album.)
.... Song: "Back in the U.S.S.R." by The Beatles
14. Book: The Devil's Advocate (devil)
.... Song: "Sympathy for the Devil" by The Rolling Stones
15. Book: Somewhere Beyond the Sea (title and lyrics)
.... Song: "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin
16. Book: The Castaways (theme)
.... Song: "The Ballad of Gilligan’s Isle” by Sherwood Schwartz and George Wyle
18. Book: Heat Wave (title)
.... Song: "Heat Wave" by Holland–Dozier–Holland
19. Book: ... (Oz retelling) (Wizard of Oz)
.... Song: "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John
20. Book: Sleepers of Mars (lyrics: "Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids") or Space Camp (astronauts)
.... Song: "Rocket Man" by Elton John
21. Book: Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas
..... Song: "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms, Maria Becerra
23. Book: Gales of November: The Sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald or The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald
..... Song: "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot
24. Book: The Teacher
..... Song: "Hot for Teacher" by Van Halen
25. Book: My Name is Resolute
..... Song: "What's Your Name" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
27. Book: The Little Stranger
..... Song: "You Don't Know Me" by Ray Charles, Diana Krall
28. Book: Snow (weather)
..... Song: "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Dean Martin
Book: Long Bright River (set in Philadelphia)
Song: "Philadelphia Freedom" by Elton John
Book: Death
Song: "It's All Over Now" by The Rolling Stones
...
I am going to do 24 songs (2 per month)Progress: 0/24
1. With or Without You by U2
2. One Tree Hill by U2
3. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
4. Flowers by Miley Cyrus
5. Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
6. You Want it Darker by Leonard Cohen
7. (Sitting On) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding
8. Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo
9. Long Live by Taylor Swift
10. Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift
11. You're So Vain by Carly Simon
12. A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey
13. Ahead by a Century by the Tragically Hip
14. 50 Mission Cap by the Tragically Hip
15. Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol
16. Rebel Yell by Billy Idol
17. Dani California by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
18. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
19. Science Fiction Double Feature (from the Rocky Horror Picture Show)
20. Time Warp (from the Rocky Horror Picture Show)
21. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
22. White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane
23. I Believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake
24. Fairytale of New York by the Pogues
I'm joining too. 😄Goal: 8 books Progress 0/8
Song: "Sweet" - Toby Keith
Book: The Sweet Spot
Song: "Ol' Red" - Blake Shelton
Book: The Friend
Song: "Mission Temple Fireworks Stand" - Sawyer Brown
Book: Revival (Sawyer Brown is mentioned in this book)
Song: "All Summer Long" - Kid Rock (Released 2008)
Book: Cross Country (Published 2008)
I’m in for 12 books. 1/12Song: “You Won’t See Me “. by The Beatles
Book: You Won't See Me: When the Beatles Ghosted Imelda (duh)
I will go for 20 books.4/20
1. Book: The Twisted Women's Book Club
Song: Like a Knife in the Back by Twisted Sister
2. Book: Behind a Locked Door
Song: Psycho Killer by The Talking Heads
3. Book: A Secret in the Keys
Song: Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On by Jimmy Buffet
4. Book: Remarkably Bright Creatures
Song: Octopus Garden by The Beatles
i’ll join for 5 to start, please!
PLOT TWISTS & PLAYLISTSJanuary 01 - December 31, 2026
Progress: 0/40
Sign me up for 40!
Member Corner Tracking Post
Claiming my spot for now, and starting with 5.Progress: 4/5
1. Song: "Schrei nach Liebe" by Die Ärzte
Book: From the Red Fog 3 by Nohara Mosae ✓ 01/03
How: Deep down Ruwanda just wants to be loved
2. Song: "Why did I end up falling in Love with you" by Tohoshinki
Book: Sag's mit den Händen, Band 1 by Rinteku ✓ 01/05
How: Their "why" is their mutual understanding of each other when formerly neither was understood by others
3. Song: "Last Vow" by Kim Jaejoong
Book: Kenshin 04 by Watsuki Nobuhiro ✓ 01/06
How: Kenshin vowed to never kill anyone again
4. Song: "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
Book: Red Hood by Haji ✓ 01/08
How: MPG Fantasy (Is this just fantasy?)
PLOT TWISTS & PLAYLISTSDuration: January 1 - December 31, 2026
00/20 Completed
Sign me up for 22 books. All the songs are from my favourite band New Kids on the Block.0/22
Book: Popsicle (Title in common)
Song: Popsicle by New Kids on the Block
Book: Be My Girl! (Title in common)
Song: Be My Girl by New Kids on the Block
Book: I Wanna Be Loved By You (Title in common)
Song: I Wanna Be Loved by You by New Kids on the Block
Book: Taking Sides - published in 1986
Song: Treat Me Right by New Kids on the Block - released in 1986
Book: The Fifth Child - published in 1988
Song: Please Don’t Go Girl by New Kids on the Block - released in 1988
Book: Cover Girl (Title in common)
Song: Cover Girl by New Kids on the Block
Book: White Christmas (Title in common)
Song: White Christmas by New Kids on the Block
Book: The Little Drummer Boy (Title in common)
Song: The Little Drummer Boy by New Kids on the Block
Book: G is for Gumshoe - published in 1990
Song: Step by Step by New Kids on the Block - released in 1990
Book: Happy Birthday (Title in common)
Song: Happy Birthday by New Kids on the Block
Book: If You Go Away (Title in common)
Song: If You Go Away by New Kids on the Block
Book: Never Let You Go (Title in common)
Song: Never Let You Go by New Kids on the Block
Book: Good Night, Gorilla - published in 1994
Song: Keepin’ My Fingers Crossed by New Kids on the Block - released in 1994
Book: Summertime (Title in common)
Song: Summertime by New Kids on the Block
Book: Lights, Camera, Action (Title in common)
Song: Lights. Camera, Action by New Kids on the Block
Book: American Wife - published in 2008
Song: One Song by New Kids on the Block - released in 2008
Book: We Own Tonight (Title in common)
Song: We Own Tonight by New Kids on the Block
Book: The Husband's Secret - published in 2013
Song: Survive You by New Kids on the Block - released in 2013
Book: One More Night (Title in common)
Song: One More Night by New Kids on the Block
Book:Gwendy's Button Box - published in 2017
Song: We Were Here by New Kids on the Block - released in 2017
Book: Better Days (Title in common)
Song: Better Days by New Kids on the Block
Book: Stay (Title in common)
Song: Stay by New Kids on the Block
[redacted]
I'll join for 20. Thank you!
I signed up for too many challenges, so I am going to have to drop this one, sorry.
[Redacted]
I'm in for 12 booksPLOT TWISTS & PLAYLISTS
Duration: January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026
*This is YOUR challenge so the books you choose can relate to the songs in whatever way works for you. It could be the release dates, words in the titles, or even a personal experience the song makes you think of.
Example:
Book: One True Loves (The husband in the book is named Jesse.)
Song: "Jessie's Girl," by Rick Springfield
Completed: 0/12
Book:
Song:
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PLOT TWISTS & PLAYLISTSDuration: January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026
*This is YOUR challenge so the books you choose can relate to the songs in whatever way works for you. It could be the release dates, words in the titles, or even a personal experience the song makes you think of.
Example:
Book: One True Loves (The husband in the book is named Jesse.)
Song: "Jessie's Girl," by Rick Springfield
Completed: 0/12
Book:
Song: Everything I Do by Brian Adams
Book:
Song: I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
Book:
Song: Anastasia by Slash featuring Myles Kennedy
Book:
Song: A Little Piece of Heaven by Avenged Sevenfold
Book:
Song: Sound of Silence covered by Disturbed
Book:
Song: Crocodile Rock by Elton John
Book:
Song: Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins
Book:
Song: Hotel California by The Eagles
Book:
Song: When the Going gets Tough, the Tough get Going by Billy Ocean
Book:
Song: Thriller by Michael Jackson
Book:
Song: Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
Book:
Song: I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by Gayla Peevey
I will start with 24- part of me feels like I could do this for every book that I read this year but that might get exhausting and I would probably get behind.
0/24
Book:
Song:
I have a playlist that I listen to while I school my horses. Each horse has always had his or her own list, which runs about an hour. This year I have a new partner, a lovely appaloosa gelding that I've named Joey. Joey's Playlist!
12 books
1.
Song ~ In Walked You
Singer ~ William Michael Morgan
Book ~ The Paris Novel
Finished ~ 1.2.26
Because ~ Stella walks into a dress shop and her whole life changes
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Book
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PLOT TWISTS & PLAYLISTSDuration: January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026
Completed: 1/12
Hi. Please sign me up for 12 books in 2026.
1. Song: My Future - Billie Eilish (July 30, 2020)
Book: A Year of Second Chances - Lara Avery (August 22, 2023)
Both works highlight the strength that comes from independence and the courage it takes to image a future shaped not by what has been lost, but by who you are becoming.
2. Song: Ground Hog Day - Em Beihold (May 28, 2021)
Book: Life After Life - Kate Atkinson (March 14, 2013)
3. Song:
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PLOT TWISTS & PLAYLISTSDuration: January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026
*This is YOUR challenge so the books you choose can relate to the songs in whatever way works for you. It could be the release dates, words in the titles, or even a personal experience the song makes you think of.
Example:
Book: One True Loves (The husband in the book is named Jesse.)
Song: "Jessie's Girl," by Rick Springfield
Completed: 0/12
Book:
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I'll choose 15 songs and books.progress: 0 / 15
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I'm signing up for 10 books.PLOT TWISTS & PLAYLISTS
Duration: January 1 - December 31, 2026
Progress: 0 / 10
I'm signing up for 12PLOT TWIST & pLAYLISTS
DURATION: jANUARY 1- DECEMBER 31, 2026
Progress: 0/12
This one sounds fun! I'm going to try 5 and see how it goes.0/5
Book: The Taming of the Queen (Philippa Gregory; "Queen")
Song: Radio Gaga (Queen, 1984)
Book: Me (Elton John- same artist)
Song: Levon (Elton John, 1971)
Book: The Office BFF's (Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey; "friends")
Song: Friends in Low Places (Garth Brooks, 1990)
Book: If You Would Have Told Me (John Stamos; General Hospital connection)
Song: Jessie's Girl (Rick Springfield, 1981)
Book: The Killer Angels (Michael Shaara; Angels=Halos)
Song: Broken Halos (Chris Stapleton, 2017)
NB I'm adding music pieces to songs, because some of my favourite music is instrumental :) I'm starting with a goal of 10, but may expand this as the year progresses :)
PLOT TWISTS & PLAYLISTS
Duration: January 1 - December 31, 2026
Love books? Love music? With this challenge, enjoy them both all year long!
For this challenge, choose some of your favorite music and read books that somehow relate to your all time favorite songs!
This is YOUR challenge so the books you choose can relate to the songs in whatever way works for you. It could be the release dates, words in the titles, or even a personal experience the song makes you think of.
🎶🎻🥁 🎤🎧🎶🎸 💃🏼🎶🔊 👂🎶🎧 🎼 🎹 🎶 🎤🎶👩🎤 🎺 🪗
4/10
🎤1.
Tasha Cobbs "Break Every Chain"A Time to Speak by Nadine Brandes
🎸 2.
Cat Stevens - "Another Saturday Night"The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright
🎹3.
"I Will Rise" by Chris TomlinA Time to Rise by A Time to Rise
🎶 4.
"Five Little Ducks" by RaffiThen There Were Five by Then There Were Five
💃🏼 5.
Love's Enduring Promise by Janette Oke
6.
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I'm Up For 56 books (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧YOU UP FOR THE BEST ARTIST EVER EXIST? CARLY RAE JEPSEN'S FOUR ALBUM HITS AKA THE BEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME (ALL FOUR OF THEM, YES)
KISS
* Tiny Little Bows
* This Kiss
* Call Me Maybe
* Curiosity
* Good Time
* More Than a Memory
* Turn Me Up
* Hurt So Good
* Beautiful
* Tonight I’m Getting Over You
* Guitar String / Wedding Ring
* Your Heart Is a Muscle
* I Know You Have a Girlfriend
E•MO•TION
* Run Away with Me
* Emotion
* I Really Like You
* Gimmie Love
* All That
* Boy Problems
* Making the Most of the Night
* Your Type
* Let’s Get Lost
* LA Hallucinations
* Warm Blood
* When I Needed You
Dedicated
* Julien
* No Drug Like Me
* Now That I Found You
* Want You in My Room
* Everything He Needs
* Happy Not Knowing
* I’ll Be Your Girl
* Too Much
* The Sound
* Automatically in Love
* Feels Right
* Right Words Wrong Time
* Real Love
* For Sure
* Party for One
The Loneliest Time
* Surrender My Heart
* Joshua Tree
* Talking to Yourself
* Far Away
* Sideways
* Beach House
* Bends
* Western Wind
* So Nice
* Bad Thing Twice
* Shooting Star
* Go Find Yourself or Whatever
* The Loneliest Time
* Anxious
* No Thinking Over the Weekend
* Keep Away
..
Update to message #5: 3/20
Such a fun, creative challenge!
Update Message #22:Book: The Living and the Dead by Christoffer Carlsson (1/4/26)
Song: Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi
1/20
𝄞⨾💿✮˚.⋆𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽 𝓽𝔀𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓼 & 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓵𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓼𝄞⨾💿✮˚.⋆💌msg #36
read: 2☑️
💿now playing ~ hotel california ~ eagles💿
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☑️💿now playing ~ spinning ~ madison beer💿
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💿now playing ~ show me ~ madison beer💿
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💿now playing ~ please please please ~ sabrina carpenter💿
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💿now playing ~ too sweet ~ hozier💿
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💿now playing ~ born to die ~ lana del rey💿
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💿now playing ~ video games ~ lana del rey💿
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☑️💿now playing ~ dark paradise ~ lana del rey💿
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💿now playing ~ you know that im no good ~ amy winehouse💿
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💿now playing ~ vampire ~ olivia rodrigo💿
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💿now playing ~ lacy ~ olivia rodrigo💿
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💿now playing ~ pink pony club ~ chappell roan💿
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💿now playing ~ pretty poison ~ nessa barrett💿
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Update Message #22:Book: A Blossom of Bright Light by Suzanne Chazin
Song: "Brigther than the Sun" by Colbie Caillat
2/20
Thank you all for joining me for this challenge! Enjoy!The participant list is updated to here.
Updates will likely be twice a month.
Updated message 9-- 3/20
Update Message #22Book: Atmosphere by Taylor Reid Jenkins
Song: “Drops of Jupiter” by Train: Contains the lyric “The atmosphere tonight”
3/20
#4: Book: After Life by Gayle FormanSong: "In My Life" by The Beatles
4/20
2026 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Love's Enduring Promise (other topics)Remarkably Bright Creatures (other topics)
Then There Were Five (other topics)
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (other topics)
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Janette Oke (other topics)Elizabeth Enright (other topics)
Nadine Brandes (other topics)
Robert Tine (other topics)
Arthur Hailey (other topics)
Duration: January 1 - December 31, 2026
Love books? Love music? With this challenge, enjoy them both all year long!
For this challenge, choose some of your favorite music and read books that somehow relate to your all time favorite songs!
This is YOUR challenge so the books you choose can relate to the songs in whatever way works for you. It could be the release dates, words in the titles, or even a personal experience the song makes you think of.
Some examples:
Book: One True Loves (The husband in the book is named Jesse.)
Song: "Jessie's Girl," by Rick Springfield
Book: Heart on a Leash (A dog on the cover appears to have a smile on its face.)
Song: "Smile," by Uncle Kracker
Book: The BFG - published in 1982
Song: “Africa” by Toto – released in 1982
Book: Stay
Song: “Stay,” by Sugarland (Title in common)