October is here, and I’ve been on the hunt for a reading challenge to take part of! I’ve put together a list of the best October reading challenges for 2026 that I found – I’m planning on taking part in more than one, and thought this would be a handy resource for any book bloggers out there looking for a challenge!

Bewitched Book Challenge

This is the one I’m most excited for this year. The Bewitched Book Challenge 2026 is hosted on Storygraph by Erin Smith and the Page Mages Book Club. This is the most gorgeous, witchy-themed book challenge — running from October 1st to November 1st.

The aim is to read books to collect potion ingredients, craft various elixirs and tonics using the ingredients you earn, and track your progress on Storygraph! For example, a Draught of Wisdom requires four ingredients – rosemary, quartz, eye of newt, and an owl feather. To collect rosemary, you would need to read a historical fiction book, for quartz you need to read a book with a beautiful cover, and so on! This challenge has been put together with so much love and is so creative that I just had to mention it on the blog.

You can find the Bewitched Book Challenge here. I’m definitely planning on taking part!

31 Spooky Stories

Carrying on the witchy Halloween theme, #31 Spooky Stories is an October reading challenge hosted by Notebook of Ghosts! The challenge is to read either 13 or 31 spooky stories over the month of October. There are resources for tracking your progress, and a tag to join in on the fun with other participants! You can learn more over here.

Romanceopoly Final Frenzy Cup

Romanceopoly has been running since 2012, and is a year-long reading challenge with a beautifully designed board-game style. The Final Frenzy Cup for fall has just started, running from October 1st through to December! There are printable resources, and a community taking part on Storygraph, Discord and Fable. If you want a reading challenge with a huge fanbase taking part, this is the one to try! You can find the details on Romanceopoly here.

Beyond the Bookends Fall Reading Challenge

Beyond the Bookends hosts a three-month fall reading challenge, and October is the perfect time to get started on it! This one is particularly popular on the Beyond the Bookends’ Instagram page. You can find the resources, rules and template to download here.

Frightfall Readathon

The Frightfall reading challenge is another spooky one for the Halloween season. Running from October 1st through to October 31st, this challenge calls for participants to read something scary! There are readathon days planned for the event, and there are social media groups and a Discord running for tracking progress and sharing your challenge with others! It’s being hosted by Seasons of Reading, and you can find more information on Frightfall here.

SshhStagramOct26

This one is for the Bookstagrammers! ‘SshhStaGramOct26’, hosted by Warhawke, is a short but sweet October reading challenge – Halloween themed – with five distinct spooky challenges spaced out through the month. If you’re looking to share progress with your reading challenge on Instagram, check out Warhawke’s challenge here!

Paperbacks & Planners October Challenge

Finally, Paperbacks and Planners hosts a monthly reading challenge on Storygraph. Their October 2026 reading challenge is live as of now, and it features the most lovingly crafted prompts! A book for October’s birthstone, a book for October colours, a book for October flowers, and so on! Sign up for the challenge here.

Which October reading challenges are you planning to take part in this month?