Some people train for marathons.
I read books.
Actually, I also trained for a marathon once, but I digress…
In 2026, I’m attempting to read 100 books in a year. Not to optimize my life, not to win the internet, and not because a podcast told me successful people do this before 5 a.m.
I’m doing it because I like reading, I like tracking things, and this felt like the right amount of ambition without hating my life for a year.
This page explains what my 100 book reading challenge entails, why I’m doing it, and how it works.
What Is the 100 Book Reading Project?
The idea is simple:
- Read 100 books in 2026
- Track them
- Enjoy the process
- Avoid turning reading into a productivity contest
That’s it.
Some books will be funny.
Some will be thoughtful.
Some will be terrible, and I’ll still try to power through.
All of them count.
If you’re looking for a perfectly curated “best books only” list, this won’t be that. This is a real-time record of what I actually read, not what looks impressive on a shelf.
Why 100 Books?
I didn’t pick 100 because it’s magical.
I picked it because:
- It’s ambitious but realistic (I sort of accidently read almost 80 books last year)
- Audiobooks exist
- I already read a lot
- A round number makes charts happier
- It gave me an excuse to re-create Wilt Chamberlian’s famous 100-point game photo
This isn’t about speed-reading or volume for volume’s sake. It’s about shifting my attention from doom-scrolling to slower, more intentional reading. (Although I will still spend plenty of time on TikTok, I assure you.)
My Rules (Yes, Audiobooks Count)
I’m a rule follower. But if I’m creating my own challenge, I want to shape my rules to fit my lifestyle.
Here’s the short version:
- Audiobooks count
- Print books count
- E-books count
- Not finishing a book is allowed. (But I should at least get past 50% to document it.)
- Skimming is not a crime
If a book adds value, amusement, or insight, it counts.
I’ve written the full, overly specific version here:
What I’m Reading (Broadly Speaking)
I don’t read by strict categories, but patterns emerge.
You’ll see a lot of:
- Funny nonfiction and essay collections
- Memoirs (especially by comedians or writers)
- Clean humor
- Sports
- Business and self-improvement books
- Books about faith, life, or meaning
- Creative Nonfiction
You’ll see very little:
- Romance
- Fantasy
- Historical Fiction
- Horror
- Crime
I’m not opposed to these. I just can’t read everything, and this project needs a lane.
How I’m Tracking the Reading Challenge
I keep this intentionally low-tech.
For my own tracking, I use a simple Google Sheets tracker with:
- A reading log
- A running total
- A chart showing where I should be vs where I actually am
If you’re the kind of person who enjoys spreadsheets, charts, and data, you might like it too.
Make a copy of the 100 Book Reading Tracker (Google Sheets)
No signup. No email required. Use it, modify it, abandon it in July. I won’t know.
Will I Review Every Book?
Probably not.
Some books will get:
- Full reviews
- Ratings
- Unnecessarily complex analysis
Others will get:
- A title
- A checkmark
- A quiet thank-you for their service
When I do review a book, I’ll link it directly from the reading list so everything stays connected. You’re welcome.
👉 My Rating System (mostly applies to humor books)
Why I’m Sharing This Publicly
Part accountability.
Part curiosity.
Part “this might help someone else read more.”
Part sneaky self-promotion to help sell my own book
Mostly, though, this project gives my reading a home. A place where lists, reviews, charts, and opinions can live together in publicly documented harmony.
If you’re doing your own reading challenge, feel free to borrow anything here. The goal isn’t to match my pace. It’s to keep reading.
👉 Browse the 2026 Reading List
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