I’m confessing to an addiction. It’s not to caffeine or reality TV—it’s to ebook sales.
My Kobo bookshelf is a beautiful, daunting digital monument to my impulse control issues. I currently have over 100 unread books staring back at me, a silent, mounting To-Be-Read (TBR) pile that rivals a small library. I swear to myself, “No more purchases! Read what you own!” and then, bam! A title from my wishlist goes on sale, and before I know it, my fingers have betrayed me, clicking “Add to Cart” faster than I can say “I regret nothing.”
But for 2026, the digital madness must stop. I’m declaring a reading resolution: The Great Kobo Cull.
My 2026 Reading Mandate: Read What I Own
The goal is simple: Focus almost entirely on my Kobo TBR.
To make this manageable and exciting, I’ve curated a challenge list of 26 books—one for every two weeks of the year. It was no easy feat whittling down 100+ titles, but I believe I’ve put together a lineup worthy of a year’s dedication.
Here is my curated list, broken down by genre and mood. Wish me luck!
❤️ 1. Contemporary Romance & Women’s Fiction (10 Books)
This is the literary equivalent of a perfect playlist featuring artists like Taylor Swift or Delta Goodrem—it’s all about emotional stories, dating mishaps, deep-seated relationships, and happy (or at least satisfying) endings. These are my comfort reads, perfect for a cozy weekend.
| Title | Mood / Theme |
| Ink: A Love Story on 7th & Main | Light-hearted romance, small town charm. |
| Wrong Text, Right Love | Classic rom-com trope, mistaken identity fun. |
| A Season of Love | Seasonal romance and connection. |
| When You Were Mine | Second chances or reflection on past love. |
| Just One Summer | Vacation flings and fleeting romance. |
| What Happens in New York | Big city backdrop, high stakes romance. |
| Enemies with Benefits | The delicious “enemies-to-lovers” dynamic. |
| Twelve Dates of Christmas | Holiday cheer and dating adventures. |
| Maybe in Another Life | The road not taken; fate and choices. |
| Maybe Later | Fast-paced contemporary romance with witty banter. |
🔪 2. Thrillers, Mystery, & Emotional Suspense (6 Books)
When I need a gripping, character-driven story with a secret buried deep inside, I turn to these. Expect unreliable narrators, shocking twists, and high-stakes tension.
| Before I Let You Go | A story where a past choice has devastating consequences. |
| Bad Blood | Likely a tale of rivalry, secrets, and betrayal. |
| Sometimes I Lie | The epitome of an unreliable narrator who makes you question everything. |
| I Let You Go | A suspenseful look at what happens after a traumatic event. |
| Six Days | A race against time or a short, intense period of conflict. |
| Bad Summer People | A mystery set against a seemingly perfect, affluent backdrop. |
🧠 3. Literary, Memoir, & Wellness (5 Books)
This is my space for critical acclaim, profound ideas, and life-affirming perspectives. This section includes insightful memoirs and essential non-fiction titles I know will stay with me long after I finish them.
| Under the Whispering Door | A poignant, critically acclaimed look at life, death, and what happens next. | Literary |
| The Body Keeps the Score | Essential reading on trauma and healing. | Non-Fiction, Wellness |
| I’m Glad My Mom Died | A raw, honest, and often humorous memoir. | Memoir |
| The Humans | A unique, philosophical look at humanity through an outsider’s lens. | Literary |
| This Is How It Always Was | A moving family story and exploration of identity. | Literary |
🌌 4. Fantasy, Sci-Fi, & Historical Fiction (5 Books)
If I need to completely escape my world, these titles promise rich world-building, high adventure, or a fascinating window into the past—much like sinking into a conceptual album for the first time.
| The Ten Thousand Doors of January | Magical portals and exploration. | Fantasy |
| Malibu Rising | The drama of a famous family in 1980s California. | Historical Fiction/Family Saga |
| Code Name Verity | A highly praised, emotional story of friendship and espionage. | Historical Fiction |
| Artemis | A heist story set on the moon—fast-paced and clever. | Sci-Fi |
| Dragonfall | Hopefully epic world-building and mythic creatures! | Fantasy |
The Final Tally
| Genre Category | Count |
| Contemporary Romance & Women’s Fiction | 10 |
| Thrillers, Mystery, & Emotional Suspense | 6 |
| Literary, Memoir, & Wellness | 5 |
| Fantasy, Sci-Fi, & Historical Fiction | 5 |
| TOTAL | 26 Books |
Do you also have a digital TBR that’s spiralling out of control? I’d love to hear if any of these titles are on your list, too!
Tell me: Which book on my list should I start with in January 2026?