Wyrd & Wonder 2026 - r/Fantasy 2026 Book Bingo Challenge: Announcement & TBR

Happy Saturday everyone! In the spirit of Wyrd & Wonder 2026 (a month long celebration of all things fantasy co-hosted by Lisa @ Dear Geek Place, imyril @ There’s Always Room For One More, Ariana @ The Book Nook, Annemieke @ A Dance With Books, and Jorie @ Jorie Loves A Story with artwork by Varvara Gorbash), I've decided to start a new challenge.  I've seen this around for years and have thought about trying it for myself many times, but I've now finally decided to try my hand at the r/Fantasy 2026 Book Bingo Challenge.  The challenge officially started on April 1st, 2026 and it will run through March 31st, 2027.  Even though I've missed a little more than a month, I'd say it's still doable to achieve my goal of completing the full board.  Also, each square has a hard mode variation as an extra little challenge if to the participants. For reference, books must be SFF - fantasy, sci-fi, and horror all count.  I'll let you know if any of my picks fulfill the hard mode variation.  Here's The StoryGraph page for the challenge.  Keep reading to see the books I'd like to read for this challenge:

1. Trans or Nonbinary Protagonist - Story features a trans or nonbinary protagonist. This protagonist must NOT be an alien or robot. HARD MODE: Set in a pre-modern time period.

My choice: Venom & Vow by Anna-Marie McLemore and Elliott McLemore - This YA fantasy standalone sounds really good.  Plus, the co-authors are a married couple, so just that is interesting.

2. Judge a Book by Its Title - Read a book based on the title. This can be a title so epic you had to pick it up or so weird and off-putting that you needed to know why it was called this. HARD MODE: Dive in without reading the blurb or any summaries.

My choice: Zoey Is Too Drunk for This Dystopia by Jason Pargin - I'm also hoping to read the first two books in this series before I pick up this.  For some reason I only own a copy of the third book and not the other two.  Whatever the case, I've been meaning to read all three books in the series.

3. Translated - Story has been translated from a language you don’t read or speak. HARD MODE: First translated into your language within the last 5 years.

My choice: Snowglobe 2 (Snowglobe Duology #2) by Soyoung Park - Book one was so unique and I can't wait to see what's next in this YA sci-fi dystopia duology.  I don't speak Korean, but it would be interesting to learn.  I can recognize a couple of words when I hear them on tv or in the movies, so I guess that's a start.  This sequel was originally published on December 23rd, 2021 and the English translation was released on May 6th, 2025, so this book counts for Hard Mode.

4. Small Press or Self Published - Read a book published by a small press (NOT a Big 5 publisher or Bloomsbury) or self-published. If a formerly self-published book gets picked up by a publisher, you can only count it for this square if you read it before it was traditionally published. HARD MODE: The book has under 100 ratings on Goodreads OR is by an author from a marginalized group.

My choice: Head Cleaner by David James Keaton - This was published by Datura Books and it sounds like it might be right up my alley.  I have seen mixed reviews for it so I guess I'll find out.  I do love that the book cover looks like a VHS tape.

5. Unusual Transportation - Story includes a surprising method of moving from place to place. By “unusual” we mean that it is out of the ordinary in real life AND uncommon to the book’s broader genre. This can include a highly unique take on a genre staple (spaceships with FTL wouldn’t normally count but the Infinite Improbability Drive from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy would) or be a completely original mode of transit (autoducks in The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy). HARD MODE: Transportation is NOT combustion-powered or steam-powered. If the power source is not stated, use your best judgment. A story likely won’t specify that cars are combustion-powered and horses aren’t, but a reasonable person would assume those things to be true if they’re not stated. Likewise, in a steampunk setting, the chances are good that the transport is steam-powered.

My choice: The King's Dragon (Doctor Who: New Series Adventures #41) by Una McCormack - It's the TARDIS, so I'd also say this qualifies for Hard Mode too.  

6. The Afterlife - Story deals with the realm of the dead. This could be communicating with the dead, spirits transferring over, or being set in the afterlife itself. HARD MODE: The afterlife does NOT depict a “Good Place” vs “Bad Place” dichotomy.

My choice: To Hell and Back (Dante Valentine #5) by Lilith Saintcrow - It's about time I finish up this series.  It's been way too long since I've started it.

7. Game Changer - Story features a game or competition. HARD MODE: The protagonist bends or breaks the rules in some way.

My choice: Blade Dancer by S.L. Viehl - It sounds like this one will fit Hard Mode because the leading character is a professional athlete that lives with the secret of not being quite human in a world that hates aliens.

8. Vacation Spot - Story takes place somewhere you’d want to visit (either fictional or non-fictional). This is subjective, as everyone has different tastes. A cozy cottage at the edge of the sea, a mansion in the fantasy Alps, a cruise ship in the stars - anything can count, as long as you think you would enjoy visiting this world. HARD MODE: No hard mode. You deserve a break.

My choice: Desert Creatures by Kay Chronister - Sounds like a horrific and dystopian take on Las Vegas, or at least the journey to get there is!

9. 5 Short Stories - Read any 5 speculative fiction short stories. HARD MODE: Read an entire anthology or collection (must contain at least 5 stories).

My choice: Blood in Her Veins: Nineteen Stories from the World of Jane Yellowrock by Faith Hunter - I've only read the first book in this series so far, but I do want to get back to it.  This fits Hard Mode since it's an anthology by the same author set in the same world.

10. Older Protagonist - Story features a main character who is at least 50 years old. HARD MODE: The protagonist does NOT have exceptional longevity or immortality (e.g. not an elf, dwarf, vampire, god, etc.).

My choice: Slayers of Old by Jim C. Hines - This sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun.  By the way, I'm pretty sure this fits Hard Mode.

11. Duology Part 1 - Read the first book in a duology. HARD MODE: By an author you haven’t read before.

My choice: House of Shadows (House of Shadows #1) by Darcy Coates - I love this author, so I can't wait to try this.

12. r/Fantasy Book Club or Readalong Book - Tackle any past or active r/Fantasy book clubs OR past or active r/Fantasy readalongs. See our full list of book clubs here. NOTE: All of the current book club info can also be found on our Goodreads page. Every book added to our Goodreads shelf or on this Google Sheet counts for this square. You can see our past readalongs here. HARD MODE: Partake in a current selection of either a book club or readalong and participate in the discussion.

My choice: Traitor's Blade by Sebastien de Castell - 

13. Published in 2026 - Read a book published for the first time in 2026 (no reprints or new editions). HARD MODE: It's the author's first published novel.

My choice: Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman - 

14. Explorers and Rangers - Story features an explorer (a character who travels to and investigates an unfamiliar region) or a ranger (a wilderness or forest-oriented warrior frequently specializing in things like stealth, bows, tracking, and other hunting-related skills). HARD MODE: The explorer or ranger has an animal companion.

My choice: The No-End House by Jeremy Bates - 

15. Duology Part 2 - Read the second book in a duology. For this square, you ARE allowed to read the same author you used for Duology Part 1 without violating the no-repeat author rule. HARD MODE: Finish a different duology than you started for the Duology Part 1 square.

My choice: House of Secrets (House of Shadows #2) by Darcy Coates - Like I said earlier, I can't wait to try this duology.

16. One Word Title - Story has a one-word title. HARD MODE: Title is NOT a proper noun (no names of people or places)!

My choice: Detour (Detour #1) by Rob Hart and Jeff Rake - I'm really looking forward to this one.  I can't wait to try something new from Rob Hart.  This book will qualify for Hard Mode.

17. Non-Human Protagonist - Story features a main character who is NOT human. HARD MODE: There are no human POVs in the story.

My choice: Late Eclipses (October Daye #4) by Seanan McGuire - I really loved the first three books in this series, and I need to continue it asap.

18. Middle Grade - Read a middle grade book (intended for readers aged 8-12). See this Wikipedia page for additional information on Middle Grade fiction. HARD MODE: The author is entirely new to you.

My choice: The Unicorn Quest (The Unicorn Quest #1) by Kamilla Benko - This will qualify for Hard Mode given that I've never read anything from the author before.

19. First Contact - Story prominently features interspecies or interracial meeting for the first time. HARD MODE: Non-violent first contact.

My choice: The Last Astronaut by David Wellington - I really like the sound of this sci-fi horror.

20. Murder Mystery - Main plot of the story focuses on solving a murder. HARD MODE: The main character is NOT a detective or private investigator.

My choice: The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton - I'd like to watch the tv miniseries adaptation some time in the future too.

21. Cat Squasher - Read a book over 500 pages in length. An omnibus book (multiple novels in one volume) doesn't count for this. HARD MODE: Over 900 pages.

My choice: The Devil's Diadem by Sara Douglass - It has been ages since I've read this author, but I've loved what I've read from her in the past.  Why "cat squasher" though?  Rude!

22. Feast Your Eyes on This - Food or a meal is significant to the story’s plot. HARD MODE: Attempt making a dish from the story for yourself. We understand faithful replication may be impossible for any number of reasons (the ingredients may be fictional, unobtainable, or too expensive). Just get as close as you reasonably can.

My choice: Spoiled Milk by Avery Curran - Well, a drink works too right?  Either way, I've really been looking forward to this horror.

23. Published in the 70s - Read a book that was first published any time between 1970 and 1979. HARD MODE: Written by a woman.

My choice: The Last Enchantment (Arthurian Saga #3) by Mary Stewart - I love Arthurian stuff so I'm really looking forward to continuing this series.  It was released in 1979 and it qualifies for Hard Mode as it was written by a woman.

24. Politics and Court Intrigue - Politics are central to the story’s plot. This covers everything from royalty, elections, and wars, to smaller local politics. HARD MODE: There is a prominent focus on politics at a city level or lower.

My choice: Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron - I've liked a lot of books from this author, so I'm looking forward to another retelling from her.

25. Author of Color - Story written by a person of color. HARD MODE: Author does NOT live in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.

My choice: The Photonic Effect by Mike Chen - I've really enjoyed this author's books, and this sounds like it will be excellent. 


Are you participating in this challenge? Have you read any of these books? As always, thanks for visiting my blog and perhaps even commenting down below!