Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
2026 Challenge - General
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2026 Challenge Speculation
Nadine in NY wrote: "Erica wrote: "Anyone got a banned book that fits a gardening theme?"Not ABOUT gardening, but ... there are a lot of banned books with titles that include flora.
A Clockwork Orange.
Also I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.
It's 5 AM for me, and I'm sitting here wondering what time/time zone the 2026 Prompts will be dropped. LOL!
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it's here!
I'm just tryin g to format it so I can paste a numbered list - just a sec and I'll start opening the posts
Well, of all the 26 possibilities, I didn't see Michigan coming.
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LOL right there with you!!!!
LeahS wrote: "Well, of all the 26 possibilities, I didn't see Michigan coming." And now I know Michigan was the 26th state to join the US LOL
Ugh, for the first time ever, I'm disappointed in the prompts. I went through the list and highlighted all the ones I liked. There are 20 that I don't care for, so I'm just going to end up doing a partial challenge.
Ooh!!! I really like these....Except how the heck am I gonna find a book about pilates?? Sheesh...
And I worry the infertility one will be triggering for some people.
OverweightSexless marriage
Postpartum
Infertility
Debt
*****
What kind of prompts are these? I'll only be adding the ones I like to my journal.
I think they sound like things people might be struggling with in their personal lives and might want or need more information or support around.I think people should also keep in mind that they are a website geared towards health, wellness, family issues (including sex or lack thereof), beauty and pop culture. They (the editors, writers, staff or whoever) are making this reading challenge for *their* readers, not necessarily a challenge for the wider reading world. They are largely staying in their lane.
Ron wrote: "Overweight, Sexless marriage, Postpartum, InfertilityDebt... What kind of prompts are these?"
I find these prompts to be really depressing. With a "garden" theme, I thought the prompts might be more focused on growth... or happiness or gratitude?
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I've been thinking about it, and I encourage anyone who is triggered by any of these to replace them with a book about self-care, or a book that IS self-care. You don't even have to tell us you're doing it, no one is policing the books we all choose, no one will know.
Jennifer W wrote: "I think people should also keep in mind that they are a website geared towards health, wellness, family issues (including sex or lack thereof), beauty and pop culture. They (the editors, writers, staff or whoever) are making this reading challenge for *their* readers, not necessarily a challenge for the wider reading world. They are largely staying in their lane."Good reminder Jennifer!
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a brooding, powerful male character, often from the fantasy or paranormal romance genres, who is fiercely protective of the female protagonist. They are frequently portrayed as having a dark, intimidating aura or "shadow powers," but beneath their tough exterior lies a devoted and often morally grey or complex personality that evolves throughout the story.
LOL that is NOT what I thought it meant!!! I was thinking "deadbeat dads" ...
OH YES Nadine - Xaden from Fourth Wing is the epitome of a shadow daddy...What the heck is a type C person?? I just looked it up and feels SUPER specific but yet not??
Britany wrote: "OH YES Nadine - Xaden from Fourth Wing is the epitome of a shadow daddy..."Oh maybe I'll just read Onyx Storm for that then!
Agreed Britany. I searched for type C person and it’s either one of four perfect employees or a depressed person. ??
I thought they were talking about Type C parenting... From Google: "Type C parenting is a modern, relatable style that blends the organized, structured approach of a Type A parent with the flexible, relaxed spontaneity of a Type B parent. It is characterized by a parent who values structure, like having a schedule for routines, but chooses to let go of perfectionism and embraces the messy reality of everyday life. This style prioritizes emotional connection and being present with children over maintaining a flawless home or appearance."Popsugar has an article on their website about Type C parenting: https://www.popsugar.com/parenting/ty...
THIS is why a challenge guide with examples of how to interpret the prompt and what books you might read is helpful.
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What the heck is a type C person?? I just looked it up and feels SUPER specific but yet not??"
If the fourth Empyrean book comes out next year, that's on the top of my list for this one!!!
I'd never heard of Type C either. I am thinking it's like Mr Spock.
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this explains why I was finding two different definitions when I searched for Type C. I was getting the "analytical and logical" definition most often so I chose that one, but I also saw some "laid back" definitions, and ... those two things don't really go together?
I'll add a note to that post. Since they did not explain, I'd say both types are fair game!!
Ellie wrote: "Oh maybe I'll just read Onyx Storm for that then!"Definitely! I hate when there's a book that fits a prompt perfectly and I've already read it. Feel the same way about The Favorites for winter Olympics sport.
Laura Z wrote: "THIS is why a challenge guide with examples of how to interpret the prompt and what books you might read is helpful."EXACTLY - I really hope they post another article with book suggestions for each prompt. I really need that for some of these.
Nadine in NY wrote: "I just realized they do not have a "Published in 2026" category! I think this is the FIRST year that a Popsugar challenge did not include that one!!!!"Sad about not having this one, but DO appreciate the "meant to read in 2025 prompt".
Nadine in NY wrote: "If the fourth Empyrean book comes out next year, that's on the top of my list for this one!!!."TOTALLY. Is there any speculation on dates for the fourth book?
At first glance, everything seems narrow.Worse, I said I was going to use the PS prompts as movie prompts for the year. There are no books for some of these prompts. Movies is going to be a nightmare.
Nadine in NY wrote: "I just realized they do not have a "Published in 2026" category! I think this is the FIRST year that a Popsugar challenge did not include that one!!!!"ATY's rule is that you get to "Wildcard" one prompt. I am going to extend that rule here this year and sub a 2026 book into whichever prompt is the worst.
I have to be honest...I'm really disappointed in this year's list of prompts. So many of them are either super depressing, or things I just have no interest in reading.I was really hoping that I'd be able to fulfill most of the categories with books from my TBR list, but that is definitely not going to be the case. At most, I could complete 8 prompts with books from my already-owned TBR, and that's just not enough to make participating in the challenge worth it. I'll still participate in our group, but 2026 is going to be another year where I skip Popsugar's challenge to focus on getting caught up on my TBR.
This isn't the first year that some of the prompts in the advanced category seem easier than books in the regular category.
I just realized that they don't have "book published in 2026" as a category. That's a first.
I’m looking for a “Type C” Shadowdaddy who does Pilates in book form.
Karen wrote: "I’m looking for a “Type C” Shadowdaddy who does Pilates in book form."LOL
Honestly, it seems a bit like they looked at what people speculated and went even further. And yeah as others have said, the advanced prompts are probably going to be easier.I gotta admit I didn't see Michigan coming. But in 2027 they are out of letters so that is a good theme to move into (27th is Florida for the internationals).
Jennifer W wrote: "I think they sound like things people might be struggling with in their personal lives and might want or need more information or support around.I think people should also keep in mind that they ..."
I see your point. But there is no way they are ignorant of their place in the landscape either. Theirs has become one of the reading challenges because of its mix of challenge, accessibility and community. Adding multiple triggering topics in a single challenge feels risky.
Karen wrote: "I’m looking for a “Type C” Shadowdaddy who does Pilates in book form."🤣🤣🤣
Agree with many of you that I don't like a lot of these prompts. But I also thought this years were kind of narrow but found books I enjoyed for all of them. I do feel that they again had a book in mind they want people to read for a few of them (sorry but I already read Atmosphere, what other female astronaut book did you have in mind PS?)
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Yes I REALLY want them to come back and tell us which book they were thinking of for these prompts. I was disappointed that they did not do that for 2025.
Sometimes I wonder if they checked first to see if a book can even be found for some of these. I mean, Pilates or Lagree??? I have found a TON of books where the characters do yoga, but I haven't found any yet that work for this prompt.
At first I was kind of meh about a lot of the prompts, but after spending an unhealthy amount of time yesterday searching my TBR list, I found books there for 42 of the 50 prompts, so 84%. That seems pretty good to me. I've already found new-to-me choices that I think I'll enjoy for the remaining eight as well, although admittedly the Pilates one looks like it'll be an actual Pilates book rather than fiction.
Since the Facebook group is no help and the corresponding prompt thread isn't up yet in the Regular Prompts section here, I'll try here: What exactly do they mean by a "travel ghost" book?? Ist that some pop culture thing I'm unaware of? Or are they talking about a "traveling ghost" or a travel-related ghost?I miss the days when they used to include a short explanation and a book recommendation for each prompt :(
Conny wrote: "Since the Facebook group is no help and the corresponding prompt thread isn't up yet in the Regular Prompts section here, I'll try here: What exactly do they mean by a "travel ghost" book?? Ist tha..."I think it means a ghost that someone encounters while travelling (so not in their own home, for instance. ) We agreed on another thread that anything that involves both ghosts and travel should count, so I wouldn't worry too much.
My problem with the new prompts beyond the specificity is that they will require me to find books not on my TBR, which is huge!
Eh, this list does not appeal to me. So I am going to do one of the older Popsugar lists from before I started doing Popsugar challenges. I'm much more excited about the 2018 list!
I think my biggest issue with these prompts is that so many of them seem so specific and not easily researchable.I’m sure I have fifty thrillers on my list where some housewife or other does Pilates regularly. Is it something that’s going to be advertised. In the blurb? Probably not. Is there a list of these books somewhere? I mean I guess maybe here eventually but probably not. So I either have to hope I stumble across one, or seek out a book which does mention it and when I think of the book most likely to fall into that category it’s unlikely to be something I want to read.
And that’s just one example. There’s multiple examples on the list. I’m also so sick of the sports/athletics prompts in general.
Unlikely to participate next year but that’s fine. I’ve got so much of my own reading to do anyway. To everyone that braves it I wish you luck and hope you find some new favorites!
Oooof. Not only super specific prompts, but a number where I don't understand / know what the prompt is a reference to.
I see people have talked about it, so seems like I won't have to do all my own research but in reading the list I think I went 'what's a granny hobby?' 'what's a "type C" character?' 'what is Lagree?' 'what is a travel ghost story?' 'what is a shadow daddy?' I've never had a list make me feel so ignorant/out of touch before, and that's before I even start getting to trying to think of books that will fit some of these prompts!
Nadine in NY wrote: "OMG I just googled SHADOW DADDYa brooding, powerful male character, often from the fantasy or paranormal romance genres, who is fiercely protective of the female protagonist. They are frequen..."
I read their definition here https://www.popsugar.com/books/shadow.... I have never heard of this but I also don't like romantasy, and I particularly don't like enemies-to-lovers plots. I'm neutral about shadow wielding though. As long as they are not also vampires.
I am kind of disappointed with a lot of these prompts, but I will do the ones that I can find a good book for. If I can't find a book that I want to read for one, I will skip it. :)ETA: also, I'm side-eyeing the "granny hobby" one. What, exactly, is a granny hobby? Grannies are not a monolith.
From checking the article, I see they count Nahadoth from The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. I really enjoyed that trilogy, and for those who aren't as big on romantasy, I wouldn't count it as that. I read it a bit ago, so don't remember precisely but wouldn't say it has a lot of spice. Big recommendation from me if anyone is looking for something but isn't so keen on the romantasy genre (definitely still fantasy though).
First time I've ever joined a reading challenge but I am going to try this one out and see what happens not sure about these crops I think the props might help broaden my rooting genres so wish me luck
I was watching a PBS documentary last night and realized I was surprised that neither PS or ATY did a 40th anniversary of Chernobyl prompt.
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Books mentioned in this topic
Don't Call It a Comeback: What Happened When I Stopped Chasing PRs, and Started Chasing Happiness (other topics)The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (other topics)
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (other topics)
Atmosphere (other topics)
The Favorites (other topics)
More...
They'd probably ban it in Florida if it mentioned worm reproduction."
Worm Loves Worm, it's true.
But perhaps a little more in line with what Erica might be looking for- Lawn Boy.