Booked Abroad Reading Challenge
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If you love books that make you feel like you’ve traveled somewhere new – different streets, different cultures, different ways of life – the Booked Abroad Reading Challenge is for you.
At its heart, this challenge is about one simple thing: encouraging more reading and helping people fall in love with reading in new ways. Whether that means discovering authors from other countries, stepping outside your usual genre, or just finding fresh inspiration for what to read next, this challenge is designed to make reading feel fun, flexible, and rewarding.
There’s no pressure to keep up, no required reading order, and no deadlines to stress about. You can follow along month by month or simply pick destinations that intrigue you. Think of this challenge as a literary passport – you decide where to go next.
Key Takeaways: Booked Abroad Reading Challenge
How the Booked Abroad Reading Challenge Works
The Booked Abroad challenge is intentionally simple. It’s not about completing a checklist or proving anything – it’s about reading more often, reading more widely, and enjoying the process of choosing what to read.
Use the structure as much or as little as you like. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s momentum, curiosity, and fun.
1 – Follow the Monthly Destinations
The challenge is organized around 12 destinations, with one suggested country per month. You’re welcome to follow the suggested order, jump ahead, skip around, or start wherever you like.
This challenge is intentionally flexible – there’s no such thing as being “behind.”
2 – Choose a Book Set In the Country
For each destination, I’ll share a curated list of recommended books to help you get started. These lists span multiple genres, including:
- Contemporary & literary fiction
- Historical fiction
- Mystery & thrillers
- Romance
- Select narrative nonfiction
You’re welcome to choose a book from the curated list, or select any book of your own that fits the country.
Guideline: The book should be primarily set in the country for that destination.
It doesn’t need to be set there 100% of the time, but the location should meaningfully shape the story and reading experience.
Above all, the focus is on enjoying your book choice, and being excited to read 🙂
3 – Read the Book In Any Format
- Print books
- Ebooks
- Audiobooks
All the formats count, as long as you finish the book.
4 – Track Your Reading
When you join the Booked Abroad challenge, you’ll receive a printable reading tracker you can use to keep track of your journey around the world.
Using the tracker is completely optional – some readers love having a visual record, others prefer to read freely without tracking anything at all.
5 – Start Anytime, Read Anytime
You can join the Booked Abroad challenge at any point during the year.
- Read one book or several
- Skip months or double up
- Read in order or completely out of order
The purpose of this challenge is simply to encourage more reading and help you enjoy the process, however that looks for you.
2026 Monthly Booked Abroad Destinations
The Booked Abroad challenge includes 12 destinations, one for each month of the year. Each destination links to a curated book list with suggestions across multiple genres.
Each destination links to a curated book list to help you choose your next read. From time to time, I may update these lists as new books are released or new favorites are discovered.
- January: England
- February: Ireland
- March: France
- April: Italy
- May: Egypt
- June: India
- July: South Africa
- August: Australia
- September: Japan
- October: Mexico
- November: Brazil
- December: Iceland
Frequently Asked Questions About the Booked Abroad Reading Challenge
Do I have to start in January?
Not at all. You can start the challenge anytime and read in any order you like.
Do audiobooks count?
Yes! Audiobooks, ebooks, and print books all count toward the challenge.
Can I choose my own book?
Absolutely. The curated lists are there to help, but you’re welcome to choose any book that fits the destination, and sparks your interest.
Does the entire book need to be set in the country?
No. The book should be primarily set in the country, but brief scenes, framing, or flashbacks elsewhere are perfectly fine.
Can I read more than one book per month?
Of course. Read one book, read several, or take a break – it’s completely up to you.
What genres are included?
The challenge includes a wide range of genres, including fiction, historical fiction, mystery, romance, and select nonfiction. I do my best to include something for everyone in my curated book lists. Variety is encouraged – discovering new kinds of books is part of the fun.
Is this challenge free?
Yes. The Booked Abroad reading challenge is completely free to participate in.
Conclusion
The Booked Abroad Reading Challenge isn’t about finishing on time or checking off boxes. It’s about reading more often, reading more widely, and rediscovering why you love reading in the first place.
Whether you explore one country or all twelve, follow the monthly rhythm or go completely off-script, the challenge is here to make choosing your next book more enjoyable – and to remind you that reading itself is the reward.
Wherever you decide to travel first, I’m glad you’re reading along.
