Explore more authors and genres with the 2026 Fantasy/Sci-Fi Reading Challenge! This is our third challenge and includes new prompts to expand your fantasy and sci-fi reading horizons.
This reading challenge is perfect for you if:
- You want to read more fantasy/sci-fi books
- You want to discover more subgenres and authors within speculative fiction
- You like a challenge
- You want more accountability while reading
- You want ideas for what to read next
A Few Guidelines
- Each book needs to be either fantasy or sci-fi. If you’re not sure whether a book fits or not, check out these fantasy genres or look at these sci-fi categories. Usually if the book takes place in another world or has elements not found in ours, it will fall into one of these two categories.
- You may pick either a fantasy or sci-fi book unless the challenge specifically states one or the other.
- You may reread a book for the category (unless it specifies otherwise).
- Books may count for only one category.
- You may join the reading challenge at any time.
2026 Reading Challenge Checklist
Get a printable checklist of each month’s theme by signing up for my newsletter. Not only will you receive a printable checklist to help you keep track of what you read, but you’ll receive reminders and ideas for the themes each month as well as book recs and sneak peeks of my upcoming fantasy and sci-fi books.
2026 Fantasy/Sci-Fi Reading Challenge Plan
January: A Viking-Inspired Fantasy or Sci-Fi Book ⚓
I’m not sure why, but the fantasy genre seems fascinated with Vikings and Norse culture. Perhaps it’s all those cool carved ships, weapons, or fascinating Norse gods. Regardless, pick up your axe and venture onto the battlefield in the YA novel, Sky in the Deep, or something a little more historical (yet still fictional) in Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton.
February: A Fantasy or Sci-Fi Book From the Library
This month, you get to support your local library! Spend some time browsing the shelves, inhaling that delicious book library smell (or whatever your library smells like), and choose something new you’ve been dying to read or something old and beloved.
March: A Fantasy/Sci-Fi Book About Books 📖
It’s always fun to read about books–especially magical books or bookstores. I hope to have a post with plenty of ideas for you.
April: A Fantasy/Sci-Fi Book Released in the Last Year
See what all the hullabaloo is about and read a new book. You can determine whether this means published in any part of 2025 or from April 2025 to April 2026. It’s up to you! Check out these 2025 YA fantasy book releases and these 2025 adult fantasy book releases for ideas.
May: A Book about Mermaids 🧜♀️
Journey to the sea this month. Your book can have as many or as few mermaids as you’d like, as long as they actually show up in one scene. And what about sirens? Those can count, though in my mind, they’re different creatures. I hope to have a post with ideas.
June: A Book with a Magical Forest 🌳
These show up in fantasy books more than you’d think. They’re in Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Uprooted, and others. The forest you choose could be magical, haunted, creepy, or snowy. I hope to have a post with ideas or an essay exploring this unique trope.
July: A Fantasy/Sci-Fi Book with a Color in the Title
Perhaps you’ll pick up The Red Queen, Priory of the Orange Tree, or Jade City by Fonda Lee. And yes, “jade” can be a color if you wish it to be. Have fun researching, and I’d love to hear what you find in the comments below!
August: A Book that Takes Place on a Spaceship 🚀
Venture to the stars and leave your worries behind. You could step into a mystery in The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei or meet aliens in The Martian by Andy Weir (which is being made into a movie!). YA options include Across the Universe by Beth Revis and Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff. The entire book doesn’t need to take place on a spaceship, but much of the book should.
September: A Fantasy/Sci-Fi Book Recommended by a Friend
Has someone recommended a book to you, but you just haven’t gotten around to reading it yet? Well, now’s your chance! It doesn’t necessarily have to be recommended by a friend; it could be from a coworker, family member, neighbor, etc. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it just as much as they did!
October: A Cozy Fantasy Book 🪴
As the weather cools here in the United States, and the leaves start changing colors, pull out a blanket, a cup of something hot, and a cozy book. Think low stakes, character driven, and slice-of-life. I’ll plan on having a post with ideas, but some of my favorites include Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst, and Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett. You also can’t go wrong with these cottagecore books.
November: A Fantasy/Sci-Fi Book by a Native American
Let’s celebrate Native American Heritage Day by reading a book by one of these talented authors. I’ll send out ideas via email, so be sure to sign up for my newsletter. When you do, you’ll receive a checklist of the reading challenge.
December: A Fantasy/Sci-Fi Book with Snow (or ice) on the Cover ❄️
Time to get into the festive spirit by cuddling up with a wintery book. These 25 winter fantasy books are a great place to start!
Are you looking forward to the 2025 Fantasy/Sci-Fi Reading Challenge? I look forward to seeing what you read! If you’re on Instagram, be sure to tag @rachelagrecoauthor to share your books. And don’t forget, if you’d like a checklist as well as ideas in your inbox every month, sign up here. Good luck, and have fun!
