The 2026 Uncorked Reading Challenge Is Here!

As we finish up 2025 Uncorked Reading, get ready for a year of rest and relaxation in 2026...

Hey Reader,

​2026 Uncorked Reading Challenge Bingo is here with themes, directions, the start of reading lists, and more! Thank you to everyone who took a few minutes to suggest such fun and wonderful topics. I loved them. I hope you do, too.

This email will have everything you need to participate in the reading challenge. Please note that the remainder of 2025 Uncorked Reading is at the bottom of the 2026 challenge.

If you'd like to donate a small tip using [secure] Stripe to keep this reading challenge going and help with all expenses, you may do so here. I really appreciate it.

2026 Uncorked Reading Challenge Bingo Cards & Canva Templates

There is only one version of each bingo card this year with themes at the bottom. Using these cards is not required. Track and share any way you wish. Bonus cards will drop later in 2026.

If you prefer using Canva, here is a link to easily edit these templates (just upload your book covers).

Or, you can upload bingo cards to any app or editing program that you like. They are 1000px by 1500px.

Quick Reminder: How Themes Work

Full theme explanations are on the website. However, they are meant to be interpreted any way you wish, which makes this challenge extra special and hopefully fun (or maybe a small nightmare, if that isn't your jam).

If the theme is "sun" read the sunshine/grumpy trope, look for a sun on the cover, or find a steamy romance that makes you sweat. Maybe it's a yellow/orange/sunny looking cover. Read a book set in a sunny location. Think about a summer-set book, a story where you need to cool off, or even a book that sunburned you.

Ways To Get The Most Out Of This Challenge

Not required, there are two ways to enhance your reading challenge experience:

1. Join our private and very chill Facebook group, Uncorked Readers. Post your book reviews, recommendations, and bingo cards. Ask questions, and chat books, libraries, travel, & more.
2. Join us on The StoryGraph, adding books and tracking your challenge progress.

A Note On Trolling & Being Unkind In This Space

If you do not like this reading challenge, that is - of course - OK. I always appreciate your kind, honest, and constructive feedback. I edited this challenge and our cards based on feedback, and we get better every year because of YOU.

However, there is no need to tell me how "awful" it is or be abusive, unkind, or rude in my inbox, comments, online tags, and on surveys. You may leave at any time, skip themes, unsubscribe, etc. No hard feelings. I move on from content creators sometimes, too.

Non-trolls and people who wish not to participate this year are more than welcome to stay in our Facebook group, share reads related to the challenge or not, and just have fun. Our website and newsletter are more than just this challenge.

However, if you are mean (and worse) to me or anyone else, you will be immediately removed & blocked from the group, this newsletter, and all The Uncorked Librarian social media.

In our heyday, we had 3 - 5 million annual readers (isn't that wild and cool?! Imagine all those people reading books!). Please consider how many opinions this is when looking at our voluntary and free-to-you reading challenge, which costs me a lot of time and money to make.

Are You Ready?!

Phew, I think that is it for now! Remember, the full Uncorked Reading Challenge with DIRECTIONS is here. Interpret themes, make them your own, and have fun.

And, keep reading for 2025.