Welcome, my sweet book friends!
If you’d prefer to listen, you can check out the full episode on The Bookmarks ‘n Blankets Podcast on your favorite podcast platform or listen below.
I’d love to know your 2026 reading intentions or anything you’re excited to share with me. I invite you to hop over to social media, X (aka Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, where you can comment.
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Happy New Year!
I can’t believe we’re stepping into a brand new year and the start of another exciting reading challenge. As I look back on this journey, I feel so grateful for every one of you who listens, reads along, and shows up for this community. I joined the online book world in 2023, and my third anniversary is coming up this March, which still feels a little unreal to say out loud.
This space has grown into such a meaningful part of my life. It truly feels like my world now. Books are woven into my everyday moments, from constant reading to dreaming up new ideas for the show and getting lost in all things bookish. Sharing that passion with you is one of the greatest joys I’ve found, and I’m so thankful we get to start another year of reading together.
2026 Reading Intentions
I wanted to slow down last year, and I truly did. Some months were quieter in my reading life, and that felt intentional rather than disappointing. I found myself listening to audiobooks more and giving myself permission to read digital books at a slower pace. It was a shift that felt nourishing, and it is something I want to continue carrying with me into this new year.
At the same time, I know life is likely to become much busier. We are really hoping to move. I may also be working more, and I want to put more focused energy into the business side of this hobby. I am also considering starting to write a book, which feels both exciting and grounding. With all of that in mind, I am lowering my Goodreads Reading Challenge goal to 125 titles.
I say titles intentionally, because my reading life includes more than just full-length novels. I love graphic novels, short stories, novellas, and shorter middle grade reads just as much. This goal feels realistic, flexible, and aligned with the kind of reading life I want to cultivate, one that makes space for curiosity, creativity, and joy rather than pressure.
DNFs (Did Not Finish)
I didn’t finish 28 books last year, the most I ever have, and it felt surprisingly freeing. Letting go of books that were not working for me reminded me that my time and energy matter. I want to continue honoring those boundaries and give myself full permission to DNF when a book is not the right fit.
Rereads
I reread seven books last year, and it felt good to return to stories I had rushed through the first time. Many of them were audiobooks I had sped up far too quickly, to the point where I barely remembered the plot at all. Slowing down and revisiting those stories gave me a deeper appreciation for them.
This year, I would love to reread even more, especially when it comes to series. Rereading helps refresh my memory and makes it easier to fully sink back into a world before continuing on. It feels less like repeating something and more like reconnecting with a story I already love.
Genres
Last year, I made a list of genres I wanted to explore more, especially ones I do not naturally reach for. In reality, I did not get very far with that goal. Those genres are not my usual comfort reads, and most of the time, I simply did not feel like picking them up.
I am learning to be okay with that. I like what I like. While I am still open to exploring outside my usual lanes when the mood strikes, I want to spend most of my reading time in the genres that genuinely bring me joy: romance, mystery and thriller, historical fiction, fantasy, and Christian fiction across all genres. This year, I am especially excited to discover more spice-free romances and fantasies that focus on story, character, and emotional connection.
As for nonfiction, I did not read any last year at all. I was not in the headspace for it, and that is okay. I have a feeling that may shift this year, but I am not putting any pressure on it. We shall see where my curiosity leads.
Authors
There are several favorite authors whose backlists I want to read all the way through. I love the idea of reading an author to zero and fully immersing myself in their work. This year, I want to be more intentional about that focus, which means you will see more Author Spotlight episodes and blog posts on the site. I want to spend more time with writers whose voices, storytelling, and themes I already know and trust.
That does not mean I am closing the door on discovering new authors. I will always make space for trying someone new. But this year, my priority is leaning into the authors who already feel like home and letting their stories guide my reading life a little more deeply.
Other Reading Plans
My Reading Closed-Door Romance Challenge will be my top priority every month. I will update you every month on social media. To learn more, listen to this episode.
I’m also part of Oceana Read Co.’s Patreon book club, where we vote on a buddy read each month. In addition, she is hosting two other annual challenges, the Francine Rivers Challenge and the Read Christian Romance Challenge, and I plan to participate in those as well.
I also want to prioritize my 12 in 2026 book list and make sure I work through all of them. Last year, I only managed to read five of the twelve. At the same time, I want to let my reading mood guide me, rather than sticking rigidly to my TBR lists. While I’ll still create themed reading months and share my TBR lists, that doesn’t mean I’ll read every book on them each month. I may get to some, or maybe none, and that’s perfectly okay.
Book Series
I really want to make series a priority in this new year, since I didn’t focus on them as much last year. My goal is to binge through series periodically, fully immersing myself in the worlds and stories I love.
I also want to create more Real-Time Reaction episodes as I go through these series. I already have plans lined up for the following book series:
- Finish the Twilight Saga
- Hunger Games (all 5 books)
- The Timeless Series (all the books out currently)
- Letters of Enchantment Trilogy – Divine Rivals (reread), Ruthless Vows, and Wild Reverence
- The Whimberel Series – reread the first two books and continue on
- The Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart triologies
- The Lunar Chronicles
Kindle Unlimited
I want to spend more time reading digital ebooks on this platform, especially shorter formats like short stories and novellas. Amazon Originals offers so many curated collections across genres I already love, and I am excited to explore more of them.
I also want to be more intentional about supporting self-published and indie authors, particularly those working with smaller presses. Discovering these stories feels meaningful and aligned with the kind of reading life I want to nurture, one that values creativity, variety, and voices that may not always be front and center.
NetGalley and ARCs
I need to finish all of the NetGalley ARCs I have already been approved for, which currently sit at about 138 books (ridiculous, I know!). It feels like a big number, but it is also a reminder to be more intentional with how I manage my reading commitments.
Going forward, I plan to be far more selective and thoughtful when requesting ARCs. I want to avoid that sense of overwhelm and make sure I am only saying yes to books I genuinely feel excited to read and have the capacity to enjoy.
2026 Podcast Plans
My schedule has been all over the place, and I do not see that changing anytime soon, especially if we move or my real-life work becomes busier. That season of unpredictability is something I am learning to work with rather than fight against.
When life allows, I do want to be more intentional about creating some kind of rhythm or routine. It may not be perfect or consistent, but even a loose schedule feels like something worth striving for when the space is there.
TBR Lists & Recommendations
I’ll keep curating TBR (To Be Read) book lists, which remain some of my favorite episodes to put together. Each month, I’ll pick a theme and share the books I’m excited to dive into, making it a fun way to explore new reads and revisit old favorites.
Recent Reads
I want to be more consistent with reviewing the books I’ve read. I’m considering returning to monthly wrap-ups, but I also really enjoy the genre-based book review episodes. I’m still figuring out the best balance, but either way, I want to share more of my thoughts on the stories I’ve enjoyed.
Pages to Popcorn
I started these episodes this year and plan to continue them next year. In these episodes, I read the book, watch the movie, and share my thoughts in real time. I’m especially excited for upcoming movie releases like The Housemaid and Practical Magic 2, but I also want to revisit older books and movies, not just the new ones, so there’s plenty of variety and nostalgia to enjoy.
Real-Time Reactions
I will continue creating these episodes, particularly for series, as well as for other popular books, themes, or topics. They’re a great way for me to explore different genres, subgenres, and specific subjects. I especially love sharing my real-time reactions and letting my excitement, and sometimes surprise, come through as I read.
Author Spotlights
As I mentioned earlier, I want to focus more on specific authors and read several of their books in a row. This gives me the perfect opportunity to create these types of episodes, and you can expect to see more of them in the coming year.
YouTube Channel
I’ve been thinking about starting a YouTube channel since I launched this podcast, and I feel like 2026 might be the year to begin that transition. I plan to start small by posting audio-only episodes, then experiment with faceless videos, and maybe eventually move to regular videos. We’ll see how it unfolds. My hope is to foster more engagement and build a community of like-minded readers who love sharing in the joy of books.
The Blog
I will continue writing blogs, publishing new posts every Tuesday and Thursday. These will include reading tips and advice, book discussions, book lists that aren’t covered on the podcast, and other book-related content to keep things fresh and engaging for readers.
2026 Bookish Intentions and Plans
Here are a few other ideas I’m excited to explore this year. I want to dedicate more energy to the business side of this hobby and take steps toward monetizing it in meaningful ways.
Social Media
I’ve been improving at making graphics, but they do take a lot of time, and I’d rather focus my energy elsewhere. I plan to create them when inspiration strikes, without feeling pressured or obligated, only when I genuinely want to.
Merch Store
I’ll be collaborating with my husband to open a store featuring bookish products and merchandise you can actually purchase. Things like t-shirts, sweatshirts, bookmarks, book sleeves, coloring books, stickers, journals, reading trackers, and more. I’m hoping to launch sometime in the first quarter and can’t wait to share it with readers and my followers.
Substack Community
I’ve been thinking about starting a reading and bookish community on Substack, with the option to offer affordable subscriptions for bonus and exclusive content. My goal is to have it up and running by the second quarter.
Final Thoughts
These are my intentions, plans, and ideas for 2026, and I’m excited to start the year surrounded by fantastic books. It’s shaping up to be a busy year, but one filled with fun, creativity, and exciting opportunities, and I’m ready to embrace the next adventure!
Cheers to an amazing 2026!
Happy Reading!
