2026 Popsugar Reading Challenge - June Update

 

Happy Wednesday everyone!  I can't believe it's already the first of July!  Today I'm sharing my my sixth update for my progress for the year long reading challenge called the 2026 Popsugar Reading Challenge.  In June, I completed 6 books for a total of 38 read so far out of 50 total books on my tbr.  Only 12 to go!  You can see my original tbr here.  Keep reading to see my thoughts on the books I read in June for this challenge:

27. A book with a character who has curly hair

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Witches' Night of Fear (Witches' Chillers #2) by Silver RavenWolf was okay, but definitely not a favorite. Also, I haven't read book one of this series so I was missing some stuff. Either way, not a whole lot happened in this until far too close to the end.  It feels like a bit of a time capsule too (back to 2001) which I wasn't quite expecting going in.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

15. A book about new beginnings

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It Will Only Hurt for a Moment by Delilah S. Dawson is a novel I'd been putting off for quite awhile.  I ended up really liking the atmosphere and the setting itself, but some of this which I wasn't expecting going into the story I could have totally done without.

My review is also on Goodreads, The StoryGraph, and my Summer of Horror 2026 - Sunday Funday: June Week 4 Update post.

1. A book where gardening or a garden is central to the plot

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This Poison Heart (This Poison Heart #1) by Kalynn Bayron is a book I've been meaning to read for a long time.  I've enjoyed a lot of what I've read by this author so I was looking forward to jumping into this duology opener.  I loved getting to know the characters in this one especially Briseis and her family.  The world-building and the magic system are fun too.  My only complaint is that it takes a bit too get going and the pacing is a bit off.  Anyway, the ending of this one is something else and I'm really looking forward to the sequel to see where it goes

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

19. A book about teen angst

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Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White is an impressive and brutal rollercoaster, but I'd still say my favorite from this author is still The Spirit Bares Its Teeth. I also highly recommend the audiobook because the production is outstanding.

My review is also on Goodreads, The StoryGraph, and my Summer of Horror 2026 - Sunday Funday: June Week 4 Update post.

44. Two books written by real-life partners or spouses (2)

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Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels #3) by Ilona Andrews was one of my most anticipated urban fantasy reads on my tbr for the Popsugar Reading Challenge this year.  I enjoyed the first two books, but this third installment was easily my favorite in this series so far!  It's highly enjoyable, a lot of fun, and the characters are awesome to follow on further adventures.  I also love the world and the magic/ technology system.  I can't wait to read the rest of this series, especially on audiobook because the narrator, Renée Raudman, does an excellent job of bringing it all to life.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

29. A book that takes place during harvesting season

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Beyond (The Founding of Valdemar #1) by Mercedes Lackey is my second ever book and my first set in Valdemar, but it won't be my last.  I enjoyed this one and will definitely continue this series as well as check out others.  I don't have a lot to say about this except that I need more.

My review is also on Goodreads and The StoryGraph.

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