I want to read a LOT more in 2026. Why? Because I do.
Look, I get my escapism from the flaming dumpster that is the current reality in a few ways. The most prominent is absolutely the consumption of media, be it the written word, music, making or enjoying art, podcasts, and visual media (aka the television). I am chronically ill. Currently, I am carefully juggling three part-time jobs, schooling full-time as well, am writing both a queer, magical realism fiction novel and a nonfiction treatise regarding homelessness. Admittedly, I have an absolutely terrible sleep schedule and often need to meditate, breathe through waves of pain, and/or read for a few minutes to an hour waiting for medication to kick in well enough for me to sleep. Also, I just genuinely enjoy reading.
So what is the 13 Moons Reading Challenge? Read on, dear friends!
- The Who of 13 Moons Reading Challenge is:
- User Read N Buried on Tumblr. As far as I can tell, they have been spearheading the 13 Moons Reading Challenge since 2024. Lucky year number three that I’m jumping in here!
- The What and When of the 13 Moons Reading Challenge are:
- An online reading challenge that my darling friend Chele found and shared with me. There are a total of 104 prompts divided between categories that are separated by the names of the 13 Moons of the year.
- According to the announcement post that Read N Buried put on Tumblr, the TL:DR is that it’s a challenge running from 1st January, 2026 to 31st December 2026 for said 104 prompts with several possible levels of participation.
- Potential Levels of Participation:
- Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: 13 books — fulfill one prompt from each category
- Partial Lunar Eclipse: 26 books — fulfill at least one prompt from each category
- Central Lunar Eclipse: 52 books — fulfill at least one prompt from each category
- Total Lunar Eclipse: 104 books — fulfill all the prompts
- Potential Levels of Participation:
- The Where of how I plant to track the 13 Moons Reading Challenge:
- Postmark Wonderland already automatically cross-posts to Tumblr. So, between the blog here, my Tumblr account, and perhaps Instagram, I’ll be relatively regular in updated for the 13 Moons Reading Challenge. The current plan, since it is a Moon-centered challenge, is to update on Moon’s Day. No, I am NOT sorry for the terrible wordplay. Not in the slightest!
Now onto the meat of the 13 Moons Reading Challenge: the prompt list!
Prompt lists are often a lot of fun for me. Since I read such a great variety of things from all over the library, I should have an interesting time doing it! Here is the prompt list as written by Read N Buried with the information on each moon taken from TimeAndDate.com:
- Wolf Moon, 3rd January, 2026
- Book featuring an Asylum
- The word ‘Vanilla’ in the title
- Book with less than 90 pages
- Read a book while eating a sandwich
- Read a book in your Favorite place
- Book by an author who is funny
- Do Not read this book while sitting on the floor
- Book about a Teacher
- Snow Moon, 1st February, 2026
- Book with a Mirror on the cover
- Book with the word ‘Chocolate’ on the cover
- Start this book in Winter
- Book with a Playlist
- Book with 3 Ss in the title
- Read a book while sitting next to someone
- Read a book while eating a treat
- Read a book when you have Nothing else to read
- Worm Moon, 3rd March, 2026 (Total lunar eclipse!)
- Book about a Mental Disorder
- Book with the word ‘Strawberry’ in the title
- Book about Cheese
- Book which has a Movie adaptation
- Book featuring Snakes
- Read a book on a blanket
- Start a book after 5:00 PM or 17:00
- Snail on the cover
- Pink Moon, 1 April, 2026
- Book about Mental Health
- Book with the word ‘Mango’ in the title
- A Friend recommendation
- Choose a book Blindfolded
- Book title is the same as a name of a Song
- Book with a Whale on the cover
- Book that you think will make you blush
- Book about Breast Cancer
- Flower Moon, 1st May, 2026
- Book featuring a Castle
- Book with the word ‘Cookies’ in the title
- Mask on the cover
- Book featuring your favorite Flower
- Book with more than 5 colors on the cover
- Book featuring the Northern Lights
- Book set in the South
- Book with the number 6 in the title
- Blue Moon, 31 May, 2026
- Book with a Knife on the cover
- Book with the word ‘Raspberry’ in the title
- Book in your Reading Challenge TBR
- Book featuring Inheritance
- Book set in a School of any kind
- Book with a Carousel on the cover
- Book you think will surprise you
- Book with a subject New to you
- Strawberry Moon, 29 June, 2026 (Micro full moon, one day after my birthday!)
- Book has a Gothic setting
- Book with the word ‘Cheesecake’ in the title
- Book which has a Series adaptation
- Book with Eyebrows on the cover
- Book with the word ‘Ember’ in the title
- Read this book on a Desk
- Book featuring Sushi
- Polka Dots on the cover
- Buck Moon, 29th July, 2026
- Book with a Ghost character
- Book with the word ‘Caramel’ in the title
- A Book Club read
- Read this book using your phone’s Flashlight
- Start a book right after eating Lunch
- Book featuring a Blue Collar job
- Book you wish turned into a Movie
- Book about Self Defense
- Sturgeon Moon, 27th August, 2026 (Partial lunar eclipse!)
- Book in which a character Dies
- Book with the word ‘Butter’ in the title
- Read a book from somebody’s Anti-TBR
- Book featuring Royalty
- Book with Fangs on the cover
- An AI recommendation
- Book set in one of the countries of the United Kingdom
- Read a Fable
- Harvest (or Full Corn) Moon, 26th September, 2026
- A Horror book
- Book with the word ‘Rainbow’ in the title
- Book with a Framed Painting on the cover
- Book with only 7 Chapters
- Book about a Fandom
- Roll a Dice and read a book corresponding to the number
- Read the First book you see on the Shelf
- Book with a character with Tattoos
- Hunter’s Moon, 25th October, 2026
- Start a book after Midnight
- Book with the word ‘Road’ in the title
- Glitter on the cover
- Book about a Band which is no longer active
- Listen to a Free Audiobook
- Book with Different Endings
- Book written by an Indie Author and then taken by Publishers
- Star Crossed Lovers trope
- Beaver Moon, 24th November, 2026
- Book set in the Victorian Era
- Book with the word ‘Cake’ in the title
- Book featuring a Circus
- Book Similar to your favorite book
- Book with British and American characters
- Book about Ancient Technology
- Book with a Rocking Chair on the cover
- Religious symbol on the cover
- Cold Moon, 23rd December, 2026 (A super full moon!)
- Read a Psychological Thriller
- Book with the word ‘Marshmallow’ in the title
- Book featuring a Game
- Book with a Ferris Wheel on the cover
- Book with a Fantasy creature
- Book featuring an Egg
- Book with an Empty chapter
- Book with Milkshake on the cover
Since everyone is in one of thirty-seven possible time zones, you will notice that I have not put any times. With the time differences, the International Date Line, and my own human fallibility, all information presented here is as accurate as I am currently able to offer it.
I will be updating by, at the latest, next Monday with the information for both the Wolf Moon and the Snow Moon.
Happy readings, my friends! And take your meds, folks!
Postmark Wonderland 