Q1 2026 Reading Wrap-up
Q1 went by extremely fast at the end, and it definitely had its ups and downs, but I’m excited to do my Q1 2026 Reading Wrap-up. If you’d like to see the books I had on my Q1 TBR, you can check that post out here.
In Q1 2026, I read a total of thirty books, sixteen of which were client books, and twelve of which were on my Q1 TBR. Client books aren’t counted in my StoryGraph stats besides for number of books read. This was definitely less than I wanted to read as I had twenty-two books on my Q1 TBR, but my chronic illnesses started flaring up in February as you can see by how the pages I read declined after January. I still think it’s a good start to the year though since my yearly goal is to read fifty books. Here’s the progress on my other yearly goals:
Read Intentionally: I read seven books with Black main characters, one book with chronically ill/disabled main characters, and one book with an aromantic and asexual main character. Besides client books, I haven’t read any indie books for fun. I have so many books on my Kindle app though from Stuff Your Kindle events, so I think I can read at least one in Q2, especially since there are some novellas on there.
Engage on Social Media: I’ve managed to keep up with the ten minutes of daily engagement on Instagram. Sometimes it’s easy, and other times I find myself not very interested in scrolling, but it’s still important to interact with others’ content.
Join a Book Club: This is one that I wasn’t sure about, and I still haven’t achieved. There is one I have on my radar, and I went to one meeting, but I’m not going to consider this goal checked off unless I attend the meetings regularly.
Attend More Local Book Events: I attended a silent reading book club event in January at a local indie that was such a nice event. I also attended Julian Winters’ Atlanta tour stop for his latest release Last First Kiss. There were a few events I sadly couldn’t attend because of my flare-ups, but I’m aiming to go to at least two book events in Q2.
Book More Author Interviews: I started doing interviews on the blog again this year, and I had four lovely indie authors let me ask them questions about their processes and books. I don’t have any more planned at the moment, but I’d love to do a few more before the end of the year. Interviews: A.P. Mobley; Aycee Lucy; K.L. Hernandez; Shania Scichilone.
Overall, I’m happy about how much nonfiction I’ve read so far and that I’ve kept a handle on my ARCs. I’m behind reading a few, but I’ve really been intentional with what I’m requesting and following through. My Q2 2026 TBR will be coming up next, but one focus I have is working through final copies I’ve been gifted. Here’s a further breakdown of my reading each month:
January
January Reviews: Spark Joy: An Illustrated Guide to the Life-Changing KonMari Method; Refuse to Be Done; Trustworthy: Thirteen Arguments for the Reliability of the New Testament; Fire Sword and Sea; My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church; Restore Me (Deluxe Edition); Sundown Girls; The Star of Moon Village.
Books I started and paused: Write Through It.
February
February Reviews: Until the Clock Strikes Midnight; It’s All in Your Head (I finished this book in February, but didn’t write the review until March); Enola Holmes and the Clanging Coffin (I finished this book in February, but didn’t post the review until March).
Books I started and paused: Language as Liberation: Reflections on the American Canon.
March
March Reviews: The Free Verse Society; Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts; Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away.
Books I started and paused: The Gardins of Edin; Flooding the River; Year of Yes: 10th Anniversary Edition.
