✨ 2026 Goals | Reading Under the Northern Lights ✨
The start of a new year always makes me a little reflective. I love looking back at what the past year brought. Since Reading Under the Northern Lights officially launched in November 2025, it may look small from the outside, but to me it feels huge. This little corner of the internet has given me a place to collect my reading thoughts, ramble about books I love, and connect with other readers who also think about fictional characters way too much.
I am incredibly proud of what I have built so far. The blog is still growing, but the hours, the late nights, and the enthusiasm poured into it already feel meaningful.
Normally, I set one reading goal every year, usually a specific number of books, check the box, and move on. But for 2026, I want to be more intentional. My goal in 2025 was to read 100 books, a goal I crushed in 2022, 2023, and 2024. This year I finished 83 books, and honestly, I am still pretty darn proud of that.
So instead of just counting books, here are my reading and book blog goals for 2026!
📚 Goal 1: Visit More Small and Indie Bookstores
In 2026, I want to visit one independent bookstore per month in and around my city. Supporting small businesses while surrounded by books feels like a win all around.
The rule is simple. I can buy one book per visit. Just one. Will I follow this rule perfectly? Probably not.
I will be sharing these visits in my monthly reading wrap-ups, including which stores I visit and which book I could not leave behind.
🌈 Goal 2: Finish the Books for Every Mood Series
This series has truly become a passion project. Since starting Books for Every Mood in November 2025, we have already explored feelings of burnout and loneliness, and I have loved creating thoughtful, mood-based reading lists.
My goal is to continue posting one Books for Every Mood blog post each month through December 2026, covering a wide range of feelings that readers experience throughout the year.
If you have not checked out the series yet, you can find it here:
👉 Books for Every Mood Series
✨ Goal 3: Re-read at Least One Former 5-Star Favorite
On my bookshelf lives a special section of books that once meant everything to me. Many of them were read 15 to 20 years ago, long before I tracked ratings or kept reading stats.
As my tastes have changed over the years, I am genuinely curious. Will these books still hold that top spot in my heart, or will nostalgia be doing all the heavy lifting?
I plan to re-read at least one of these former 5-star favorites in 2026, and possibly more if the year allows. I will also share a dedicated blog post featuring these books, because I would love to hear whether you still love them too.
🧩 Goal 4: Reading Challenges I Want to Complete
This might feel like a two-for-one goal, but it is my list, so I am allowing it.
📖 26 Books in 2026
I have created a specific list of 26 books I want to read in 2026. This is not a limit and not a total goal. These are simply books I am intentionally prioritizing this year.
You can see the full list here:
👉 26 Books in 2026
🧙 Reddit Fantasy Bingo Challenge
I am once again participating in the Reddit Fantasy Bingo Challenge, hosted by the r/fantasy community. This yearly challenge runs from April 1 through March 31 and always pushes me to read outside my comfort zone.
You can follow my progress in the Reading Challenges section of the blog. You are also very welcome to join me and can find the information for the challenge here: Fantasy Book Bingo.
📄 Goal 5: Read 20,000 Pages in 2026
Instead of focusing on the number of books I read, I am shifting to a page count goal. Some books are short and cozy. Others are massive doorstoppers. Both deserve love.
My goal for 2026 is 20,000 pages, which works out to just over 50 pages per day. That feels realistic for this season of life while still offering a challenge that keeps me focused.
✨ Final Thoughts ✨
Over the next week, I will be sharing:
If you made it this far, thank you for being here. Truly.
What are your goals for 2026? They do not have to be book-related. I would absolutely love to hear what you are working toward this year.
Subscribe to the blog to join me on this reading adventure! Get new posts delivered straight to your inbox, plus exclusive subscriber-only bookmarks to track and color your reading progress throughout 2026.
Happy reading!
~Kerri 📚❄️
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