I feel like I’ve started all of these recently talking about the weather, but it really has been the topic of conversation. It’s cooled down a little now (thankfully!), but there’s definitely still some heat in the air. I’m eagerly looking forward to autumn now, when I can wrap up and have hot chocolate and not feel so bleeding warm all the time.
I’m not quite sure how I did with the reading through August – on the one hand, I just finished a couple books in quick succession, but on the other, I feel like I spent quite a while reading them! Only one way to find out how well I really did.
2026 Reading Challenges
Updates: #1 / #2 / #3 / #4 / #5 / #6 / #7
Goal: 54/70 (+8)
Musicals Reading Challenge 2026
15/24, +1 Bonus (+2) Prompts Completed
Currently Reading
1940s: On the Town – New York, New York – Set in or about a major city
This seemed like the perfect reason to finally read London: The Concise Biography by Peter Ackroyd. I’m not far into it, but so far I’m enjoying the tone and style, and appreciate how Ackroyd conveys the history of this incredible city.
The Prom – Unruly Heart – YA LGBT+
Now, Showstopper felt perfect for this. I’m really loving this one – a cute, YA theatre kid m/m romance that I think plenty of adults and teens would love. The two characters are adorable, and I love seeing them grow together over the space of a week.
Read
2010s: The Greatest Showman – From Now On – Found Family
Drawn Together was adorable, and I think is definitely making it into my top books read in 2026! It’s such a cute romance, and absolutely perfect for the Found Family prompt. One of the best M/F contemporary romances I’ve read for a while.
Rocketman – Rocketman – Set in Space
I didn’t get on as well with Lady Eve’s Last Con as I thought I would – the sapphic romance is the strongest bit of the book, but overshadowed by how flat the rest of it felt. A shame, really, but I’m still glad I read this one.
Books to Read: Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night, The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association, The Convenient Marriage
Twenty Genres in 2026
17/20 (+5) Prompts Completed
Read
Mystery
I was quite glad to finish The Diabolical Bones – it was okay, but I really struggled to click with it fully. It felt like it was missing a bit more of that gothic element that I was expecting.
New Release – any book published in 2026
I read Rainbow Wales by Emily Garside for this prompt, and it was fantastic! Really nice to have this kind of book out there, as Wales often gets overlooked in discussions of queer history, culture, and yes, icons! There’s a nice mix of ‘Welsh’ famous and more wider, globally famous faces in here, too.
Contemporary or BOTM
Honey & Spice was fantastic – a really excellent contemporary romance! I love coming across British romances, too – I feel like contemporary romance is dominated by American books, so it’s also exciting to come across British romance voices.
Dystopian
Occasionally, I’ll come across a book that throws me for a loop and leaves me unsure about how, exactly, I felt about it. Dot Slash Magic falls into that category. I struggled to get into it, then it picked up, then there were some things that left me feeling a bit off, then the ending was just…not the kind of ending I enjoy. I can definitely see why others would love this one, but right now I’m kind of still working out my own reactions!
Self Help, Medical, Psychology, Sociology, or Mental Health – Tagged with any of the above, or just a book that you think will better you in some way. Maybe for you that’s a book about vampires…so be it, happy reading!
Are You Mad At Me? was fantastic, and absolutely a book I’d suggest if you struggle with people pleasing!
Books to Read: Maria the Wanted and the Legacy of the Keepers, Sleep Like Death, Rebel Writers
Netflix Movies & TV Shows
16/24 (0) Prompts Completed
Currently Reading
Heartstopper – LGBTQIA+ Romance
Yes, now I’ve finished two challenges and the others are progressing very nicely, I’ve picked up this challenge again. Although not a ‘traditional’ romance, All That Remains features a sapphic romance among the supernatural thriller storyline. I’m not far into it, so still making up my mind about this one.
Books to Read: So You Want to Talk About Race, A Discovery of Witches, Agony’s Lodestone
Romance Tropes & Microtropes
0/81 (0) Prompts Completed
Currently Reading
best friends brother
And, finally…a new challenge! This one has no time limit, and I picked it up once I realised I was going to complete the two horror challenges and maybe needed something different to use between the other challenges. It’s going to be a long while before I complete this challenge, but I’m starting with Cross the Line which fits very nicely into the prompt and is my current audiobook.
Books to Read: Cash Target, Donut Girl and the Bosshole, Deranged
I had a really good August when it comes to reading, which was a bit of a surprise as I have also been very busy (hence the August hiatus!). I’m really pleased with how all these challenges are going, and I’m hopeful I’ll finish both the Musicals and Twenty Genres challenge by the end of the year. How was August for you? Did you hit your monthly reading goals?
Unwrapping Words 