Reading Plans for 2026 and Beyond- 6 Month Update 

Despite having plans and being reasonably well trained/experience in planning things (it was actually my JOB for the last 10+ years of my career) my READING plans each year are more... aspirations than actual PLANS. So, how am I doing in 2026? 

Following the Labels   

This is a bit more hit/miss and random so far this year. Although (obviously) some of the labels are getting ‘traffic’ others are still being politely ignored. I hope to address that a bit more consciously later in the year and AIM at getting as many as possible into double figures. 

The ‘Knowledge Streams’   

The streams are doing reasonably OK – again mostly with unplanned additions at this point – but, especially with the US 250th (TODAY!) I’ll see if I can focus a bit more on USA:WTF and looking at the PRESENT (or would that be PRESIDENT) insanity later in the year. I might even make a bit of a splurge of US history/Politics in the run-up to Christmas/New Year [muses] 

Rolling the Dice   

I’m still rolling them dice after every completed book. I think I’ve added 3 extra reads this year. It’s good to add just a bit of randomness to my reading. 

Finishing/Progressing Series    

ZIP on this so far this year. With luck and a fair wind, I *might* manage to move forward with either the Dune or Foundation series. 

Classics and Re-Reads   

I’m still (slowly) working my way through the twin Classics boxsets and have even managed to sprinkle a few larger classics in there too. As predicted, I’ve also managed some Cyberpunk re-reads. More revisiting of ‘classic’ SF to come. 

Deep Dives   

Zero deep dives so far this year but I do have a few in the pipeline. It’s just finding a chunky enough slot to cram them into. They are, as always, from a wide variety of topics. I’ll see if I can fit in at least ONE by the end of the year. 

Ukraine and the Middle East   

I’ve managed ONE book on each this year but really want to do more. I have a deep dive (4 books) on the US & Iran that I’d like to get to and a stack of about 15 books on Ukraine. Maybe THIS year! 

BIG Project    

I’ve been planning a BIG (if somewhat silly) Project for this year – actually intended for LAST year – and the good news is that I’ve actually started it. First results will be in about 2 weeks. Just don’t get your hopes up TOO high...  

Coupling and more   

I’m definitely ‘coupling’ more and enjoying it. Much more of that to come plus a scattering of sandwiches. It’s fun going through my stacks and putting them together in odd little bunches... and then going back and putting some into slightly different bunches... 

Philosophy & Sci-Fi   

STILL haven’t managed any Philosophy reading but at least ONE will drop (probably) before New Year – maybe. I’m AIMING to read some modern (post-2000) Sci-Fi too but I don’t actually have that much to pick through. I’m rather out of touch with the genre these days. I’ll see what I can dig up. I’m also going to try to read at least one belief-based book before the end of the year (over and above one I’ve just finished). It’ll probably be something around Christianity, but I haven’t decided yet...  

As usual, if I actually get HALF of that done, I’ll be both pleased and more than a little amazed....