THE YEAR TWO PROMPTS ARE HERE!

Seraphina Rook
5 days ago
18 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Imagine a little fanfare here, maybe a flourish of confetti: the Year Two prompt list has now been finalised and is ready for the challenge launch on the 1st January!

This is always a lovely moment in the challenge cycle. A fresh set of prompts means new books to explore and new genres to tempt you out of the familiar.

Remember, the challenge begins whenever you’re ready after launch day, whether that’s 1st January 2026 or sometime in 2030. If you're waiting to begin, you can use the time before January's launch to plan your reads for the Year Two challenge and get your TBR pile scrutinised, we're sure quite a few of those books which have been lurking can be read this year!

THE YEAR TWO PROMPTS...

Inspired By…

Choose a book based on someone in your life who has inspired you. Perhaps a friend, family member or mentor; someone whose values, passions, career or life choices have sparked your curiosity. Maybe select a novel that reflects their profession, a memoir that mirrors their experiences or a story that embodies their resilience, creativity or spirit. Your book choice doesn’t need to be biographical; it just needs to carry a thread that reminds you of that person. Perhaps their life led you to a story set in a similar world. Or their example encouraged you to explore a theme you wouldn’t have picked otherwise. Whether it’s about admiration, shared interests or emotional connection, let this book be a quiet tribute to someone who’s made a lasting impression.

A Light Read

Not every book needs to be a tome. This prompt invites you to pick up something light in tone, theme or thickness. Maybe it’s a short novella, a fun rom-com or a book that made you laugh out loud in public. Perhaps it’s something joyful or nostalgic, the kind of story you read in one sitting with a grin on your face. A comfort read. A palate cleanser. Or a sun-drenched beach book filled with fizz and fun. Whatever form it takes, let it lift the mood, not weigh it down.

The Peasants’ Revolt

The people are rising — are you with them? This prompt is for tales set in times of rebellion, upheaval and sweeping change. From full-blown revolutions and regime overthrows to quieter acts of defiance that reshape societies. The story should centre on transformation and unrest. It could be historical fiction grounded in real revolts or speculative fiction imagining future uprisings. Cultural revolutions, worker strikes, political coups or stories where long-standing power structures are challenged. They all qualify. Read from the front lines or from the shadows. The monarchy may fall. The people may triumph. The cost may be everything.

Mystery Solved!

Don your metaphorical trench coat and dig out your magnifying glass. This prompt calls for a first-person detective story, where the mystery unravels clue by clue, right alongside the investigator. Whether it’s a seasoned detective, a plucky investigator, an amateur sleuth or an unlikely observer caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, the key is this: you’re solving it together. You know only what they know. You notice what they notice. Suspects emerge. Red herrings mislead. Revelations twist the truth. Ideal for classic whodunits, noir thrillers, cosy capers and everything in between. As long as the mystery is yours to solve, page by page.

A Question for You

What happens when a book begins with a question? For this one, choose a book where the title is phrased as a question. Question titles can hint at mystery, provoke curiosity or challenge your assumptions before you even turn the first page. The question might be answered. It might not. It might be a puzzle, a punchline or the book’s central theme in disguise. Read it and see how the question lingers.

Illustrated Inside

Look beyond words and step into a world brought to life by images. For this reading adventure, pick a book that includes illustrations. Whether full-colour artwork, black-and-white sketches, graphic novel panels or intricate maps and diagrams, these visuals aren’t just decoration; they add depth, mood, interest or mystery to the story. From picture books for grown-ups to illustrated editions of classic tales, comics or even books with surprising hidden art. This choice invites you to read with your eyes and imagination wide open.

Ghosts and Ghouls!

Whether it’s restless spirits drifting through foggy Victorian mansions or the chilling shadows of a modern horror story, this prompt summons tales that haunt. Ghosts don’t have to be literal. Sometimes it’s the past itself that haunts a character, lingering regrets or memories that refuse to rest. Expect eerie atmospheres, whispered secrets and a sense of something just out of sight. Gothic chills, supernatural suspense or real-world psychological hauntings; all are welcome here. Ready your courage. Something is lurking just beyond the page.

Lost in Translation?

Delve into a story that has travelled across languages to reach you. For this prompt, choose a book originally written in a language other than your own. Then, carefully translated into your first language or preferred language. Explore tales shaped by diverse cultural perspectives, voices and storytelling traditions. Whether it’s an international bestseller or a lesser-known gem, translated works open doors to new cultures, ideas and storytelling styles far beyond your usual horizons.

Set in Australia

From sun-drenched beaches to the endless, red-tinged outback, buzzing modern cities to quiet coastal towns, this prompt asks you to journey ‘Down Under’. Choose a book where Australia is more than just a passing mention. Its landscapes, culture or spirit should shape the story’s heart and soul. Whether it’s a sweeping historical saga, a contemporary drama or a thrilling mystery, the setting may evoke the vastness and uniqueness of this island continent.

Moving Covers

Planes, trains and automobiles are the usual suspects, but maybe you’ll spot something more unusual. For this prompt, pick a book whose cover prominently features a mode of transportation. It could show a vintage car, a speeding train, a soaring plane, a mysterious boat or even something unexpected like a bicycle, skateboard or hot air balloon. The image on the cover should hint at a journey, escape or adventure waiting inside.

Through Other Eyes

Choose a story told from the perspective of a non-human character. This could be an animal, an alien, a fantastical creature, a sentient object or even an AI. Seeing the world through this unusual point of view challenges your assumptions, adds fresh insight and can make familiar human experiences feel entirely new. Pay attention to how the author conveys thought, emotion and perception through a perspective unlike your own. These stories often invite empathy, wonder or humour.

All That Glitters

Pick a book whose cover features gold elements, whether in the lettering, artwork, foil stamping or decorative details. Gold often signals themes of wealth, power, magic, royalty or mystery. It can add a sense of richness or importance even before you open the book. This prompt encourages you to notice how gold is used visually to hint at the story’s tone or subject. From gilded designs to subtle metallic highlights, let this prompt guide you toward books where golden accents set the mood and invite you into a story wrapped in gold.

Island Hopping

Set sail for a story grounded on a small island, whether tropical, remote or mysterious. This prompt invites you to explore tales where island life shapes the plot, atmosphere or characters. From castaway adventures to quiet retreats, hidden secrets to cultural explorations, the island setting perhaps offers isolation, beauty and sometimes danger.

An Existential Crisis

Pick a book where the main character grapples with life’s big questions. They may ponder the meaning, purpose or identity of their existence or simply wonder why the toast always lands butter-side down. Surely there must be more to life for them! The story might explore isolation, mortality, moral choices, dissatisfaction, feeling lost or the absurdities and futility of everyday life. This prompt is not just for heavy thinkers. From tales of quiet introspection to chaotic self-discovery, from dark humour to heartfelt reflection, an existential crisis can appear in any genre. Let the book show you that questioning life’s meanings can be unexpectedly fun and enlightening.

Main Character is an Author

Choose a book where the protagonist is an author, writer or storyteller. These stories often delve into the creative process, the struggles of writing or the blurred boundaries between fiction and reality. Whether the author is crafting a novel, battling writer’s block or confronting their own past through their work, this prompt invites you to follow a narrative and explore how the protagonist’s role as an author shapes the story.

A Deal with the Devil

Seek out a story where a pact is made with the devil, a demon or human with a dark, tempting force. This could be a literal bargain with supernatural stakes or a metaphorical deal that tests the character’s morals, desires or fate. Whether it’s a modern thriller or a twisted fantasy, the theme revolves around temptation and repercussions. Expect tension between desire and consequence, as characters wrestle with the price they must pay for what they want. Whether the devil is a real being, a symbol of temptation or a cunning antagonist: this prompt invites you to dive into stories where choices shape fate in unsettling ways.

Banned Book

Choose a book that has faced censorship, bans or controversy. This might be due to attempts to censor it for its themes, language or ideas. These stories often challenge societal norms, provoke thought or give voice to the marginalised. Reading banned books connects you to the ongoing conversation about freedom, expression and the power of literature to unsettle and inspire.

This Year's Story

Choose a book published in the year you are taking part in the Year Two Challenge. It could be a favourite author, a debut, a sequel or a fresh voice emerging. Explore stories that reflect contemporary themes, trends and ideas shaping today’s literary landscape. Discover what readers are talking about, see what’s capturing imaginations and enjoy the excitement of fresh pages and new perspectives.

Written by a Doctor

This prompt invites you to read a book by someone who holds the title of ‘Doctor’, whether a medical doctor caring for patients or a PhD whose expertise lies in research, history, literature or science. Such authors may draw on years of study and deep knowledge to enrich their storytelling. Their works might share life-and-death moments from the clinic, reveal discoveries from the lab or offer scholarly insight into culture, society and the human condition. Alternatively, their expertise may remain hidden, with no trace in the story at all. Fiction, memoir or non-fiction alike, expect a distinctive perspective and a voice shaped, subtly or overtly, by expertise.

Orange on the Cover

Choose a book whose cover features orange in a noticeable way. This could be a soft peach, a warm amber, a bold tangerine or a deep burnt orange. Orange often suggests warmth, energy, creativity and optimism, but it can also hint at danger, intensity or transformation. Let the colour guide your curiosity. Perhaps it reflects the vibrancy of the story, the passion of its characters or the heat of the setting. Whether glowing gently or blazing brightly, the orange on the cover invites you to explore how colour can shape your first impressions and set the tone for the pages that follow.

Abandoned

Seek out a book where abandonment of people, places, promises or plans shapes the story. This could be a literal empty house left to rot, a character who walks away from family or duty, an abandoned project that changes a life or even a culture left behind. Look for the echo of absence: how it alters memory, rewires relationships or leaves ghosts. Whether the tone is melancholic, eerie, hopeful or furious, pay attention to what the void reveals about the characters or place that remains and the ones who left. Bring tissues, binoculars or a torch. Somebody left something important here.

Recommended by a Blogger

For this prompt, pick a book that caught your eye thanks to a blogger’s recommendation. Whether it’s a popular bookstagrammer, a BookTok star or a thoughtful book reviewer, these suggestions come with passion and insight. Reading a blogger’s pick connects you to a wider reading community and might introduce you to unexpected gems or fresh favourites.

Didn’t See It Coming

Choose a book with an ending that truly shocked you, the kind of twist or revelation that makes you gasp, rethink everything or linger long after the last page. You won’t realise this prompt is met until the very end, so it’s fine to borrow a book from another prompt when you discover it fits here. Then read an alternative book for the original prompt. Whether thriller, mystery or literary fiction, this is for stories that surprise and upend expectations. Brace yourself for a finale you didn’t see coming.

Set During the 1970s

Travel back to a decade of change, ‘interesting’ decor choices, bell bottoms, dodgy disco tracks and significant cultural shifts. For this prompt, choose a book set during the 1970s. It could be a historical drama, a coming-of-age tale or a gritty thriller. Enjoy the fashions, music, politics and social movements of this vibrant era and note how they shape the story’s atmosphere and themes.

Betrayal

Seek out a story where trust is broken and loyalties are tested. Whether it’s a personal betrayal between friends or lovers, a political tale of double-crossing peers or a shocking act of treachery, this prompt revolves around the pain and consequences of being betrayed. Expect tension, heartbreak and the fallout that changes everything.

The Real Deal

Choose a book that tells a true story with the flair and structure of a novel. This narrative non-fiction genre blends fact with storytelling techniques, character development, scene-setting and compelling pacing, to bring real events vividly to life. From biographies to true crime, memoirs to historical accounts, this prompt invites you to experience nonfiction that reads like fiction.

POV, ‘The Bad Guy’

Pick a story told from the villain’s perspective, where the antagonist takes centre stage as the narrator. This point of view offers a glimpse into dark motives, twisted logic and complex characters often hidden behind the hero’s story. Whether a chilling psychological thriller, a dark fantasy or a morally grey drama, dive into a narrative that challenges who you root for and why.

Mr and Mrs

Find a book featuring two romantically linked main characters who are truly inseparable. They might be heroes, villains or somewhere in between, but their fates are bound together and they stand firmly on the same side. What matters most is that their storylines are intertwined, each character’s choices shaping and influencing the other. This prompt celebrates dynamic pairs who face challenges, adventures or struggles together, proving that sometimes two voices, two hearts or even two schemes are stronger than one.

The Edge of the Map

Seek out a story set where human knowledge thins, populations dwindle and the wild world takes over. Look for books that focus on far-flung places, where maps fade from the regularly explored into realms of uncertainty. Your story might unfold in a frozen forest wilderness, an isolated Antarctic base, deep within a rainforest or a desert so remote and inhospitable that few have survived. These are tales of endurance, solitude and survival, where the landscape itself becomes a force to reckon with. The setting should feel remote, raw and untamed, the sort of place that tests the limits of those who dare to journey there.

Espionage

Dive into a spy thriller filled with secrets, double agents and high-stakes missions. Whether it’s cloak-and-dagger Cold War operatives, modern cyber spies or thrilling undercover operations, expect deception, danger and a race against time. Look out for secret codes, shadowy meetings and the tense psychology of betrayal, where every choice could tip the balance between success and disaster.

Out of Season

Choose a book set in a completely different time of year from when you’re reading it. How does a summery beach story feel in the depths of winter or a Christmas tale read in spring? Pay attention to how the seasonal setting affects the story: the way characters act, the pace of events or the atmosphere of the world they inhabit. Consider how reading at a different time of year changes your own reactions and understanding of the book. This prompt encourages you to explore the relationship between story and season and notice the subtle ways timing can shape your reading experience.

An Unappealing Cover

Pick a book you’d usually overlook because of its cover. Maybe it’s plain, unattractive or just not your style. Sometimes, beneath an uninviting exterior lies a hidden gem. This prompt challenges you to judge a book by its contents, not the cover.

Behind the Mask

Seek out a story where a character hides who they truly are. Whether through a false identity, a carefully crafted persona or a metaphorical mask, the concealment might be adopted for survival, protection, reinvention or to navigate societal pressures. These stories explore the tension between appearance and reality, showing how the masks we wear shape our relationships, choices and self-perception. As the plot unfolds, notice how the truth begins to slip through the cracks and consider what the potential unmasking reveals about courage, consequence or the freedom that comes from living authentically.

Made into a Film

Pick a book that has been adapted into a movie or TV show. It’s your chance to compare story and screen, to see what shines on the page and how the story translates visually. Watch for differences, surprises and insights that emerge in the translation from page to screen.

Order, Order!

Choose a plot revolving around a court case, courtroom drama or legal battle. Whether it’s a gripping crime trial, a moral dilemma or a fight for justice, expect tension, strategy and powerful arguments that keep you hooked.

A Book Within…

Look for a story that contains another story inside it, such as a diary, fairy tale, secret manuscript, mysterious tome, tablets etched by ancient hands or even a book a character reads that helps them understand their own world. These ‘books within books’ may reveal secrets, mirror the main plot or add new meaning. The second story could appear as excerpts, letters, footnotes or chapters from another text woven into the main one. However it is included, it should play a noticeable role in the overall story.

Her Dark Reign

Find a story where the main villain or antagonist is a woman. Whether she is cunning, ruthless or morally complex, step into the shadows and meet a formidable figure who stands in the protagonist’s way and complicates the plot. Is she coldly calculating, emotionally unpredictable or driven by a twisted sense of justice? From ruthless villains and commanding rivals to morally grey disruptors, let her ambition, vengeance or control drive the tension as you uncover what makes her tick and why she refuses to back down. Expect drama, power plays and a legacy that lingers long after the final page.

What’s Your Poison?

Choose a book where poison plays a role and seeps into the story. Whether it appears on the cover, in the title or unfolds as a key plot element involving toxins, this prompt invites you into a world of danger, secrets and lethal consequences. Be it a murder mystery, historical drama or a fantasy steeped in alchemy, look for stories laced with deception and hidden threats. One drop can change everything!

A Book a Friend Read First

There is special magic in sharing stories and this prompt invites you to read a book already enjoyed by a friend, perhaps even someone in The Circle. This could be a beloved favourite, a hidden gem or a recent discovery that sparked their enthusiasm. Reading a book your friend has already experienced creates a unique connection, turning pages into conversations and stories into shared memories. It is a chance to see the story through their eyes, imagine their reactions and compare your impressions. Sometimes, knowing someone else’s thoughts enhances the layers of meaning; other times, it surprises you by revealing entirely new perspectives. Whether it is a book that sparked lively debates or quiet reflections, let this prompt bring you closer to your reading community and deepen your appreciation for the books that weave us together.

Great Expectations

Seek a story about unrealistic ambitions or the pressure of disappointing parents. The weight of expectation presses heavily on the shoulders of characters trying to live up to family legacies, societal standards or personal dreams. This prompt explores the powerful dynamics of desire and disappointment. These stories often reveal how unrealistic ambitions can shape identities, forge resilience or unravel relationships. Characters may grapple with the longing to prove themselves, the burden of others’ hopes or the painful fallout when expectations clash with reality. Expect character arcs marked by determination, heartache and the search for validation beyond the impossible standards set before them.

Hidden Doors

Seek out a story where a hidden place, secret room or concealed world plays a central role. It could be a forgotten attic, a concealed passage, a hidden city or even a portal to another realm. These spaces are gateways to discovery, mystery or adventure, shaping the events of the story and the journeys of its characters. Pay attention to how the act of uncovering, entering or exploring the hidden space influences the plot, alters relationships or reveals truths that might otherwise have remained unseen. The secret may be magical, dangerous or quietly transformative. It should leave a lasting impression on both characters and reader alike.

Fire Theme in the Title

Choose a book with fire-related words in the title, such as flame, spark, ember, blaze, smoulder, heat, inferno or fire itself. The title could hint at intensity, passion, destruction or transformation waiting inside the pages. This might be a literal reference to fire or it could point to emotional themes such as anger, love or personal growth. The presence of fire in the title should signal a strong, central theme that shapes the book’s tone or narrative.

When the World Stopped

Pick a book set during a pandemic. It may involve a real outbreak such as COVID-19, the Black Death, Spanish Flu or smallpox, or it may explore a completely fictional infection. These stories explore survival, resilience and human connection in extraordinary times. The narrative might focus on how a virus spreads, how people respond to lockdowns, isolation, fear or how society adapts to crisis. Characters could be healthcare workers, survivors, scientists or ordinary people trying to cope. The pandemic setting will influence the characters’ actions and relationships, shaping the atmosphere of the book.

Terrible but Tempting

Choose a book that has received dreadful reviews but still intrigues you. Sometimes the most criticised stories offer surprising enjoyment or unique perspectives. Maybe the book has low ratings, negative reviews or polarising opinions, yet you still want to give it a chance. It could be an author whose style divides readers or a story that’s been called clichéd, strange or poorly written. This prompt is about curiosity, personal taste and reading without judgement. You may end up agreeing with the critics or you might discover a hidden gem. Dare to be tempted where others have turned away.

Let’s Party!

Find a book where a party or celebration plays a key role in the plot, or alternatively, pick a book with a party-themed cover. The celebration might include birthdays, weddings, festivals, masquerade balls or underground raves. Perhaps it’s a stag or hen-do gone wrong, a Christmas office party that spirals out of control or a secret high-society event on a luxury yacht. These stories often bring heightened emotions, unexpected revelations or dramatic turning points sparked by celebration. Look for moments of joy, chaos and simmering social tension waiting to erupt.

What’s in a Name?

Pick a book where either your first or last name features, it could be in the title, the author’s name, a character’s name or perhaps it’s a setting name. It does not need to be an exact match; shortened forms, variations, nicknames or similar-sounding names all count. This prompt adds a fun, personal twist, letting you read a story that feels a little more connected to you simply by sharing a name. If your name is very rare, you can instead choose a variation, a name someone special calls you or a kinship name such as Mum, Grandad or Sister. Even a minor character or playful connection is enough; the point is to enjoy seeing your name in a story.

Seven Sins

Choose a book where the title, plot or central theme connects to one of the seven deadly sins: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath or sloth. Take it literally or interpret it loosely. Perhaps the sin drives the main character’s downfall, shapes the tone of the story or lingers beneath the surface of the world they inhabit.

The Time Between

Choose a book that takes place across two distinct time periods. The story might alternate between past and present, move between generations or explore two separate stages of a character’s life. This is not about a few flashbacks or recent memories; the two timelines should be clearly different, separated by significant periods of time and intentionally structured as part of the narrative. These dual timelines often reflect or influence one another, gradually revealing connections, secrets or parallels as the story unfolds.

Things in Common

Choose a book where you share something with the main character, such as a job, hobby, worldview, hometown, personality trait or life experience. This prompt invites you to reflect on how those shared qualities shape your reading experience. Do you relate to their decisions? Would you make the same choices? It is about recognising yourself in someone else’s story.

Very Different to Me!

Choose a book with a main character who is very different from you in values, background, beliefs or behaviour. They might live a lifestyle you would never consider or make choices you cannot understand. Perhaps they inhabit a culture or world entirely unlike your own. This prompt invites you to step outside your perspective and experience life through someone else’s eyes. It may challenge your views or deepen your understanding of a world far removed from your own.

The ‘To Be Read’ Tower

Choose a book that has been patiently waiting on your ‘To Be Read’ pile. Perhaps it is a title you have been meaning to read for months or even years and now it finally has its moment. Whether it is a forgotten classic, a trending bestseller or a hidden gem, this prompt invites you to explore why it first caught your eye and what makes it worth the wait. Sometimes anticipation adds extra flavour to a story, sometimes it surprises you entirely. Either way, the TBR Tower gives a long-awaited book its time in the spotlight.

The Number Two

For this prompt, choose a book where the number two appears prominently on the cover or in the title. This could be in the title itself, for example A Tale of Two Cities, or symbolically represented in the cover artwork. Any form of the number two, whether numerical or written in words, is allowed. This prompt celebrates Year Two of the challenge.

DOWNLOAD YOUR YEAR TWO PROMPTS AND PLANNER PRINTABLES

We'd love your feedback, your thoughts genuinely matter to us. If anything sparks an idea, makes you grin, or needs a little polish, let us know. Your feedback keeps this challenge fun, surprising and alive. We can’t wait to hear what you think as we head into another year of reading! Seraphina x