The 2026 BookTempter’s TBR Challenge
Hellooo!!
Occasionally I am weirdly accused of just wanting to make your TBR piles creak but deep down I just want to help! To Be Read Piles and reading are said to be different hobbies but I say we can work together on that. The Book Tempter’s TBR Challenge is a 12 month long set of monthly tasks designed to help you get to know and reduce your TBR piles. Plus, it actually reminds you why you wanted those books in the first place. This year has been bumpy so I equally am keen to get back into clearing space on the shelves.
There are some ground rules
1 – It applies to your TBR pile as per 23.59 31/12/2025 no new books post this date can be used (but of course you can subsequently add more to your TBR piles I am not cruel)
2 - If you are a book blogger no ARCs! Sorry, but this is to cut down your own self-induced TBR.
3 – You can do one challenge a month (or more if you fancy my stretch goals) but you only have to do twelve across a year and while I am applying some very loose monthly themes. You also have to the end of the year to finish your reads. You could do this in a sprint or just when you feel like it?
January
1 – It’s a classic task for a reason
Read the very last book to enter your TBR pile. TBRs come from the habit we have of not reading books because we put them off. You have my permission to indulge yourself.
Stretch goal – Read a book that you’ve had in your TBR pile for more than 5 years
February
2 – Partners in crime?
For the month of Valentines you can choose a book about a partnership be it friends, lovers or whatever combination comes to mind
Stretch Goal – ever read a book, get the sequel and then park the sequel for a rainy day? This month prepare for that day!
March
3 – First Bloom
As Spring arrives for this change I’d like to read a book that is the debut of an author. Who knows this may become someone you’ll follow forever!
Strech Goal – Our TBR piles often have books by our favourite authors lingering because we think we aren’t yet deserving. Congratulations I say you are worthy!
April
4 – Sidetrips
For this month I’d like you look for a book that has been published by either an independent press or self published
Strech Goal – Read four short stories from an anthology or collection. Hey if you like it finish the whole thing!
May
5– Freedom!
You have my permission to finally pick the most tempting book in your TBR pile – no questions asked
Stretch Goal – You may pick a book purely at random - use whatever system you choose to pick this
June
6 – Equinoxes
Regardless of hemispheres you live in read book over 500 pages and
Stretch goal - read a book less than 150 pages
July
7 – A Ceasar Word Salad
Read a book with an empire – starting, ending or changing
Stretch Goal – we all have a series we have accidentally collected all the books for and not got round to it. You have until the end of the year to end this
August
8 – Schools Out!
Choose a book by an author who is not from the UK or USA
Strech Goal – Choose a book with a long journey in it
September
9 – Back To School
Treat yourself to a book that is not from your usual genre. Expand your minds!
Stretch Goal – Read a non-fiction book
October
10 – Fancy a Fright?
Read a spooky tale – you can choose cosy or downright chilling
Stretch Goal – As the harvest comes in find a book with a countryside setting in some way
November
11 – Short trips
Read four novellas in a month
Stretch Goal – Read something with a wintry setting
December
12 – Its for You!
Read a book you’ve been gifted – they wanted you to read this!
Stretch Goal – By now you’ve got the hang of this so just pick up a book from the pile and read it. You’ve got this
I think that should keep you out of trouble and fear not I’ll have new temptations for you soon!
