Looking back on 2025 and ahead to 2026 for my book journal (which goes back to 2006). The reading challenges have been a great way to read from my own shelves, as the two stipulations I make for myself are that they have to be books I already own, and I can’t apply a book to more than one challenge. I failed abysmally at restricting my book purchases—and in fact, I think I acquired more this year because I had that scarcity mindset.

This year I’m setting myself the goal of reading some “chunkster” novels (The Brothers Karamazov is first up, followed by Lonesome Dove). I have also decided to do something I rarely engage in, and that is rereading books. And finally, reading a graphic novel or nonfiction book each month. I may add another challenge (the book bingo is fun) but we’ll see.