Make 2026 the year you read with purpose. Graphics by Chynna Basillaje
LIFE

Turn the page: Take on the 2026 reading challenge

Pauline Songco

In a fast-paced, noisy world, taking time to read is a small but powerful act that nourishes the mind, calms the spirit and inspires growth.

Keep your curiosity alive, month after month with Fullybooked's 2026 Reading Challenge, a list of smart, flexible prompts designed to keep you turning pages and carrying those ideas into the real world.

January: A book that fuels imagination

Before you ever learn rules, you learn wonder. Creativity lifts moods, sharpens thinking and keeps curiosity alive. Whether it nudges you to paint, bake, journal, garden, or invent something brand new, start the year with a read that wakes up your creative spark.

February: A book about emotions and senses

Love month calls for feeling everything. Choose a story or study that explores vulnerability, grief, joy, fear, longing — or all of the above. From tender picture books to introspective novels or insightful nonfiction, follow your heart wherever it leads.

March: A book centered on Earth

This month is about paying attention to the planet beneath our feet. From climate and conservation to nature writing and environmental poetry, choose a book that deepens your understanding of the world we depend on — and reminds you why it’s worth protecting.

April: A book about people and systems

Step back and observe humanity up close. These reads — fictional or factual — examine how societies work, why people act the way they do, and what lies beneath our shared structures. Expect perspective shifts and quiet revelations.

May: A genre curveball

Time to shake things up. Pick a category you usually skip and give it a fair shot. Poetry? Fantasy romance? Historical epics? You might discover a new favorite hiding just outside your usual shelf.

June: A book rooted in history

In the spirit of Philippine Independence Day, choose a book that revisits defining moments, overlooked narratives, or transformative eras. Local or global, well-known or forgotten — history still has plenty to teach.

July: A book that restores hope

When the world feels heavy, stories can steady us. This month is for books that highlight compassion, perseverance, and human goodness. Comfort reads welcome — healing is productive, too.

August: A book that expands cultural awareness

You don’t need a plane ticket to travel far. Through translated fiction, memoirs, or cultural explorations, step into lives and traditions different from your own.

September: A book released in 2026

Fresh off the press! Pick something newly published this year. It’s the perfect time to meet emerging voices, jump on buzzworthy titles, or take a chance on something brand new.

October: A book that helps you adult

Bills, boundaries, burnout — growing up is a lot. Choose a book that offers guidance, humor, or reassurance about navigating independence and responsibility. Wisdom hits differently when someone else has already learned it the hard way.

November: A book that teaches you how to do something

Curiosity meets action. Whether it’s cooking, coding, drawing, or decluttering, pick a book that encourages hands-on learning. Skills don’t have to be practical to be meaningful — joy counts.

December: A book that looks ahead

Close the year by imagining what comes next. Futuristic fiction, speculative essays, or visionary nonfiction all count. By dreaming forward, we begin shaping the future we want to inhabit.