The When Are You Reading Challenge is back for 2026, once again hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. It involves reading a book set in each of twelve time periods. Determining what year a book belongs in is the decision of the participant. On the whole, the rule is to choose a year where the largest part of the action occurs or the most important event.
I’ve managed to complete the challenge for the past few years, including in 2025. Not surprising perhaps given the amount of historical fiction I read but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to match every time period.
A provisional list for the 2026 challenge is below. I’ve deliberately tried to include books that have been in my TBR pile for a long time. Some of them even appeared in a similar post last year! Links from the title will take you to the book description on Goodreads or, once I’ve read them, to my review.
If you love historical fiction but often find yourself sticking to one or two favourite time periods, or you’re keen to read more historical fiction in 2026, why not sign up?
Pre-1200: Bane of Bernicia by Matthew Harffy Read and reviewed
1200-1499: The Pretender by Jo Harkin Read and reviewed
1500-1699: Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris
1700-1799: Mary Anne by Daphne du Maurier Read and reviewed
1800-1899: Benbecula by Graeme Macrae Burnet Read and reviewed
1900-1919: Paper Sisters by Rachel Canwell Read, review to follow
1920-1939: The Eights by Joanna Miller Read and reviewed
1940-1959: The Shock of the Light by Lori Inglis Hall Read and reviewed
1960-1979: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
1980-1999: The Midnight Hour by Eve Chase
2000-Present: Goodbye Chinatown by Kit Fan Read and reviewed
The Future: The Memory of Animals by Claire Fuller
What Cathy Read Next... 