Happy 2026!

We have now been doing this travel reading challenge for 9 years. It started as a simple project with friends, grew into a larger project with friends and friends of friends, and now we have a small community of travelers who love to read.

I’ve been diligent with my reading, finishing 137 books. My reading streak that now totals 1,124 consecutive days and for 390 consecutive weeks. I’m proud of that streak and not just for the gamification part of it (although I do worry that when I’m changing lots of time zones and don’t have wifi that it will break my streak).

I’ve also added in audio books to my reading repertoire. It’s primarily been for nonfictions, but I’ve dabbled a bit with listening to fiction. The former is still my preference for audio.

You can take a look at the 2025 challenge, along with all the books that I read here. It spans a variety of genres, some heavy duty nonfiction, some light and breezy fiction. I try to mix it up, but I have an abiding appreciation for historical fiction, smart detectives, glamorous travel destinations, and an evolving appreciation for urban fantasy and memoirs.

I’m generally a Kindle reader. I like having dozens of books (actually hundreds) at hand. It makes for light packing, it slips into a purse, and with the reading app, I can synch it up to all my digital devices.

I’m currenty reading with the Kindle Oasis and love it. It adjusts to various light situations, so I can read in a darkened airplane cabin or the bright light of a beach. If you’re not yet sure if you’ll use an e-reader all the time, the entry-level Kindle is a great start. A refurbished version is also an option.

Because I’m also a frugal reader, I get a lot of my e-books from my local library (where I usually have 10-15 books on hold) and only purchase when I absolutely can’t wait to read a new release. Check your local library’s online services – I bet you have this available as well, whether through a proprietary app or the Libby App.

Despite enjoying Kindle reading, I always purchase hard copies of guidebooks. There’s something about having one that I can write in, underline, and refer back to on future trips.

Speaking of guidebooks – you know that I wrote one, right? Secret Seattle is a guide to Seattle’s weird, wonderful, and obscure.

This travel reading challenge is designed for those who enjoy traveling and learning more about the world. It seems I’m always queuing up a book about someplace I’m going or someplace I’ve been.

The basic reading challenge has a pace of two books per month, for a yearly total of 24 books. The advanced portion of the reading challenge adds on another six books, bringing the yearly total to 30 books. It’s a doable number and gives you a way to be mindful about your reading choices.

The challenge is self-paced. Read what you want, when you want. There’s no order you must follow. Fiction or non-fiction, both are great. Feel free to interpret the list in any way you wish, choosing the type of books that you enjoy. However, I also hope you’ll be encouraged to try some new authors and genres, and will add new voices to your reading list – that’s part of the fun of the challenge.

For suggestions of what to read, lively discussions about our favorite books, book club questions, and recommendations of what to take along on your next trip, please join the Facebook Group. We talk about books, authors, reading, travel, and all the great stuff of life. You’re welcome to join us there. And don’t worry – it’s a no-spoiler kind of place.

You can also sign up for our monthly newsletter in the subscription box on the challenge home page. We anticipate monthly updates with recommendations on what to read, new releases, reading information and suggestions. We’ve gotten better about sending it our regularly.

I’m starting off the challenge reading Parents Weekend (for the prompt “a book with a family member in the title”). Check back to this post frequently as I’ll be updating with all my reading for the year.

Are you up for the challenge?

Click to download a printable prompt list

Basic Challenge (an average of two books per month)

1. A book by an author from Oceania
2. A book set in the Southwest
3. A book set in Appalachia
4. A book with a family member in the title (e.g., daughter, son, etc.)
5. A book by a favorite author
6. A book with a title that starts with the letter B
7. A book with a yellow colored cover
8. A book set in a destination on your travel bucket list
9. A book set in a destination you remember visiting
10. A book set in the future
11. A book with a color in the title
12. A book with cozy vibes
13. A Reese’s book club book
14. A book featuring a conspiracy
15. A book with a nosy neighbor character
16. A book with a character with a secret identity
17. A book that is biographical fiction
18. A book that has money or finance as part of the storyline
19. A book recommended by someone in the TRL group
20. A book set in a hotel, motel, inn B&B, etc.
21. A book that is a police procedural
22. A book about a character on a journey
23. A book about the law or lawyers
24. A book with an apostrophe in the title

Advanced Challenge (an additional six books)

1. A book with short chapters
2. A book with a neurodivergent character (or by a neurodivergent author)
3. A book by two or more authors
4. A book that is narrative nonfiction
5. A book about an overlooked person in history
6. A book that reminds you of childhood