Diana's 2026 Reading Challenge (bookofsecrets)

Hello! I'm Diana from Olathe, Kansas. This is my second year participating in this challenge. Last year, I came to the realization that 75 books is not a realistic goal for me, so I changed it to equal the age I'm turning each year.

My reading goal for 2026 is 56 books.

Mini-Challenge #1: After organizing my LibraryThing shelves recently, I discovered that I've never read a book set in Delaware, Nebraska, North Dakota, or Utah, at least not ones that I can remember. These are the books I'm planning to read to complete the 50 states:

• Sunburn by Laura Lippman (Delaware)
• The Anniversary by Alex Finlay (Nebraska)*
• The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich (North Dakota)
• When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka (Utah)
*Replaces The Magician’s Assistant

Mini-Challenge #2: I want to complete the Practical Magic series on audiobook. Last year I listened to the prequel, Magic Lessons, and loved it. Next up will be:

• Rules of Magic
• Practical Magic
• The Book of Magic

Mini-Challenge #3: I'm hoping to read six or more vintage gothic paperbacks from the 1960s-70s. I have a huge collection and need to keep chipping away at them.

1. The House at Swansea by Alicia Grace
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Happy reading to all, and good luck on your 2026 goals!

Welcome back, Diana

Nice to see you back for another year, Diana.

✦ JANUARY READS ✦

1. Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon (4.5 Stars)
2. When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka (4 Stars)
3. Grimm Curiosities by Sharon Lynn Fisher (3 Stars)
4. The Storm by Rachel Hawkins (4 Stars)
5. Cape Fever by Nadia Davids (4 Stars)
6. Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser (5 Stars)
7. Hidden by Helen Frost (4.25 Stars)
8. Keep This for Me by Jennifer Fawcett (3 Stars)
9. The Cold House by A.G. Slatter (3.5 Stars)
10. The Haunting of Emily Grace by Elena Taylor (2 Stars)

I loved The Magician's Assistant (Anne Patchett is one of my faves). If you enjoy audiobooks, all of her titles are beautifully done and just as memorable as the printed version. Have fun!

>5 lpz: Thank you for the audiobook recommendation! I have The Dutch House from Libro.fm on my TBR this year. I see that Tom Hanks is the narrator, whom I love.

JANUARY READING RECAP

I read 10 books in January, which for me is A LOT. It's because I put my phone down and read instead of mindlessly scrolling the evening away. It's been too cold for long walks, so unfortunately I didn't listen to any audiobooks.

My favorite book this month:



My thoughts:

I have been obsessed with this book for the past few days. I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but I know this will be one of my favorites this year. LADY TREMAINE is an unusual retelling of Cinderella, told from the point-of-view of the "evil" stepmother, Etheldreda. I love that it read like historical fiction, maybe set in the 17th/18th century (?), minus the fantasy elements of the original story.

This book challenges readers to see Ethel in a different light, as a widow, a mother, and a survivor struggling to do right by her daughters in any way possible. It's a remarkable story of the strength and love of mothers. The writing is gorgeous, and I definitely expanded my vocabulary with this one (the built-in dictionary on my ereader came in handy). LADY TREMAINE is a captivating story that I'd highly recommend, even if you're not into folktale retellings. Loved it!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book. Opinions are my own.

✦ FEBRUARY READS ✦

1. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (5 Stars)
2. Needle Lake by Justine Champine (3.5 Stars)
3. Psychopomp & Circumstance by Eden Royce (3 Stars)
4. It's Not Her by Mary Kubica (5 Stars)
5. The Bookbinder's Secret by A.D. Bell (3 Stars)
6. Love and Saffron by Kim Fay (4.5 Stars)
7. Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden (3.75 Stars)
8. All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson (4.5 Stars)

FEBRUARY READING RECAP

I read 8 books in February (listed above), including two that earned 5 stars. All this month I've been listening to bits and pieces of Wuthering Heights on audio (still not finished). I keep seeing it everywhere, so I thought it was time for a re-read.

My favorite book this month:



My thoughts:

WILD DARK SHORE is a bleak but beautifully written story, part eco-thriller/mystery and part family drama, set on a remote subantarctic island. The island is home to a global seed vault, as well as an ecological research station, but with the climate crisis at hand, the tiny island is being swallowed by the sea.

An injured woman is rescued by the island's last inhabitants, a caretaker and his three children, when she washes ashore. I don't want to risk giving spoilers, so I'll just say that the island with its tragic past holds secrets, and the mysterious newcomer is the same.

Haunting and impactful, I know this book will stay with me for a long time.

✦ MARCH READS ✦

1. An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena (4 Stars)
2. Glaciers by Alexis M. Smith (4 Stars)
3. On Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah Yah Scholfield (3 Stars)
4. Ask for Andrea by Noelle W. Ihli (5 Stars)
5. Loon Point by Carrie Classon (4.5 Stars)
6. It Should Have Been You by Andrea Mara (3.5 Stars)
7. Address Unknown by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor (5 Stars)
8. Life: A Love Story: A Novel by Elizabeth Berg (4.25 Stars)

MARCH READING RECAP

First quarter of the reading year done. I read eight books in March, which makes a total of 26 for the year. I received a free 3-month subscription to Kindle Unlimited around Christmastime which ended on the 24th. I was able to read four KU books, including my favorite book this month:



My thoughts:

ASK FOR ANDREA is a phenomenal paranormal thriller! I was drawn in by the unique premise, three ghosts, the victims of a serial killer, come together to try and stop him from murdering again. The tension was fantastic. My stomach was in knots from the beginning. It was also heart-wrenching and made me tear up a few times. I read a lot of suspense/thrillers, so it's exciting to come across a standout.

✦ APRIL READS ✦

1. The House at Swansea by Alicia Grace (2 Stars)
2. On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle (4 Stars)

APRIL READING RECAP

Well, April was a complete bust for reading. I only finished two books and got started on a third. It was a busy month for family birthdays and other activities, plus our biggest change — we adopted a new rescue chihuahua named Daisy °✿.*♡

Of the two books finished, my favorite was a re-read of a delightful cozy mystery from 2003:



My thoughts:

There was much I enjoyed about ON WHAT GROUNDS. I loved the setting being a historic coffeehouse in New York City. The author painted a vivid picture of the people and places in Greenwich Village. (There was a very touching scene when Clare remembers the outside wall of St. Vincent’s Hospital after 9/11). Throughout the book, there are detailed descriptions of various coffees and brewing techniques. As a coffee lover myself, I found that interesting, though it slowed the story down a bit. Recipes from The Village Blend are located at the back of the book. I’m looking forward to more from this series.

✦ MAY READS ✦

1. The Tenant by Freida McFadden (4 Stars)
2. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (5 Stars)
3. The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman (3 Stars)
4. The Anniversary by Alex Finlay (4.5 Stars)
5. Catch Me, Cowboy by Jeannie Watt (4 Stars)

MAY READING RECAP

My reading picked up somewhat this month. I read three ebooks, plus I was able to finish two audiobooks, one being The Rules of Magic, which is part of my second reading goal above. Not counting the re-read of Wuthering Heights, I seemed to enjoy the thriller picks the most. Of course, Catch Me, Cowboy will always have a special place in my heart. ♥

My favorite book of May:



My thoughts:

This is my third Alex Finlay thriller, and I have loved all three books. In THE ANNIVERSARY, I particularly enjoyed the unique way the story was told, set only on May 1st during different years, the date a serial killer strikes. The lives of two high school friends, Quinn and Jules, intersect over the years on this date as they hunt for answers. I always enjoy the compelling characters this author creates, and Quinn and Jules were no exception.

Overall, this was an exciting, fast-paced mystery that kept me glued to the pages. I loved the 1990s setting too. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a digital copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

✦ JUNE READS ✦

1. For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes (2 Stars)
2. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (5 Stars)
3. Whistler by Ann Patchett (3.5 Stars)
4. The Original by Nell Stevens (3 Stars)
5.