Over Christmas break I was contemplating what, if any, bookish goals I might want to set or reading challenges I might want to do in 2026. I've seen some bookish bingos that look like fun. And Deb@Readerbuzz has come up with her own Back to the Classics Challenge for 2026 with 12 great categories; I'm still considering that one. And since I have a list of at least 10 historical fiction books I'm hoping to read this year, Marg@The Intrepid Reader's Historical Fiction Reading Challenge is also a possibility.
But in the end, I decided what I really want to do this year is honor/celebrate America's 250th by reading at least 10 books about the Founding Fathers, the Revolutionary War, and the courageous men and women who helped build this country. It's an idea I got from my sister and is my own personal reading challenge for 2026. And I already have a great list of books I'm excited to read:
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➧Those Turbulent Sons of Freedom by Christopher Wren
➧John Hancock: Merchant King and American Patriot by Harlow Unger
➧Bunker Hill by Nathan Philbrick
➧American Rebels by Nina Sankovitch
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➧American Spring: Lexington, Concord, and the Road to Revolution by Walter R. Borneman
➧Revolutionary Summer: The Birth of American Independence by Jospeh J. Ellis
➧Henry Knox's Noble Train by William Elliott Hazelgrove
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➧Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution by Eric Jay Dolin
➧Band of Giants: The Amateur Soldiers Who Won America's Independence by Jack Kelly
➧God Save Benedict Arnold: The True Story of America's Most Hated Man by Jack Kelly
I also own a bunch of Little Maid books that my parents purchased from various used library sales when I was growing up that I'd like to reread. Alice Turner Curtis does an excellent job of capturing colonial life and portraying small but important moments in the Revolutionary War in her classic series of historical fiction books for children. Plus, they're fun reads. I've already reread Little Maid at Valley Forge and am looking forward to reading the rest this year.
What are some of your bookish goals and reading challenges for 2026?
Whatever they may be....
Happy Reading!
American history, especially *early* history, will be a popular topic for a LOT of people this year! I might even join in myself - at least a little bit (along with everything else I 'plan' on reading).
ReplyDeleteThe only challenge I ever do is the Goodreads reading goal. I set my goal at 100 books read this year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique challenge to set for yourself! I wish you luck!! I tend to stick to fantasy, romance, and mystery myself. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a worthy goal. I'm sure you will accomplish it. I don't really set reading goals for myself. (Perhaps I should.) I am basically a laissez-faire reader.
ReplyDeleteOh good idea for your challenge. I recently watched the Ken Burns series on the Revolutionary War and it was pretty info packed. I might even watch it again later. I hope you enjoy the books.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for a challenge Lark and if your thinking of including historical fiction I would highly recommend Rise To Rebellion by Jeff Shaara. Its the first book in his 2 book series on the American Revolutionary war era. I read it years ago and it was excellent.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great challenge for 2026. I can't commit to anything except Goodreads but maybe one year I'll get it together.
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