It’s nearly January 1, 2026, which means it’s time to kick off the 2026 IHS Reading Challenge—huzzah!
We’re thrilled about this year’s challenge, which is a little different from what we’ve done in the past.
What exactly is the 2026 IHS Reading Challenge?
The 2026 IHS reading challenge will focus on books set in different parts of the world.
It seems like every time we read the news LGBTQ+ rights are under attack someplace. Yet, we always hear wonderful stories from queer people about how amazing the country, state, city, town, neighborhood, or cabin in the woods where they live really is.
We think it’s vital to show that sapphic people not only exist but are everywhere. Whether you want to explore all the states in the US or travel the world by going to as many countries as possible, this reading challenge is for you.
Here are some important details:
- The challenge runs from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. You can join at any point during the 365-day span just by picking up a book and starting to read.
- This year’s challenge is focusing on places. The categories include all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C., and territories, all countries outside the US, plus settings such as outer space or fantasy locations.
- When you finish reading a book, submit it here to get one entry into the end-of-the-year prize drawings. More on that below.
- You can only submit one book per location. A location would be a state in the US, or a country outside the US. Once you’ve hit 45 different places, you may continue to submit books taking place in any location. There is no limit to the number of books you can enter after reaching the 45 different places threshold.
- IHS will feature two regions per post (one in the US and the other outside the US) over 45 weeks (a total of 90 locations) and will share a list of book suggestions on our website. Some of them will even be on sale! You are in no way obligated to read only the books we showcase. As long as a book fits a category, that works!
- You are not required to read a book during the week a certain place is featured. We do this to showcase the locales, but you can read a book that takes place anywhere in the world at any time during the year.
- You are not required to only read books in the states, countries, regions that we highlight. The world is a big place and we encourage you to travel far and wide.
Why should I get involved?
Because reading is fun! Not a good enough reason? We also have prizes!
One of the big changes from previous challenges is there won’t be levels. This means even if you only read one book in 2026, you have a chance of winning one of three $100 Amazon gift cards. That’s right, we’re giving away $300 just for reading books. Please note, you can only win one of the $100 gift cards.
But that’s not all. We have weekly and monthly prizes, too.
Weekly Prizes
- eBook Giveaways: Every week, there’s an eBook giveaway for the featured locations. The prize is a collection of all the eBooks that have been generously donated by authors and publishers. There is one lucky winner per drawing per week! The most recent giveaway posts can always be found at the top of this page. You can enter every week and can win multiple times during the year.
- Facebook contests: Throughout the week, check our Facebook Reader Forum for games and prizes hosted by authors who have books in featured challenge categories.
Monthly $25 Amazon gift Card giveaways:
Each Wednesday, look for our What Are You Reading post on Patreon.
This is a BIG change for 2026. We’ll only post the What Are You Reading on the IHS Patreon page. It’s become increasingly difficult to navigate all the posts in the IHS Facebook group since the algorithm has changed, making it nearly impossible to find things you need. We want your entry to count, not be lost in a Facebook void. You can join our Patreon as a free member.
If you don’t like Patreon, no problem. You’re more than welcome to email us your info. Please send an email to [email protected], put “Monthly IHS Reading Challenge Giveaway” in the subject line, and tell us the name of the book and the category. Just like the Patreon peeps, you can enter once per week. All entries for the drawing will need to be received by midnight Eastern Time on the last day of the month to qualify. Entries received after that will roll over to the next month’s drawing.
If you’re not a fast reader, and it takes you more than a week to read a book, that’s fine, too. As long as you reply to the new post the following week (or weeks) to say you are still reading that book, we will count it as a new entry toward the monthly drawing.
You cannot enter on Patreon and via email to double your chances. Let’s keep this fair, peeps! We’ll assign a number to every entry we receive, and then we’ll use a random number selector to choose the winner.
You’re eligible to win multiple months so keep entering every week.
Is there a reader group I can join?
Yes! The next best thing to reading is talking about what you’re reading. IHS has a Facebook group where we would love to hear about your reading progress.
Plus, since the next best thing to reading is talking about what you’re reading, you’ll find plenty of other SapphFic book lovers to chat with and get even more book recommendations.
How do I find books?
We’ll be sharing posts featuring different locales three times a week. You can also consult the Geographic Locations on I Heart SapphFic. Not every country is listed in the database because we need a certain number of books before we can carve out a new category option. There’s also the search option. Type in a location and see what books pop up.
Where can I find a complete list of rules?
Here is a complete list of the rules, including all the details about entering our giveaways. For added fun, try reading them out loud like you’re doing a voiceover in a pharmaceutical commercial.
How can I contribute an interview for Sapphics Around the World?
We want to hear from you about what makes your neck of the woods special. We invite authors and readers to answer some simple questions, and we’ll share them on the IHS website throughout 2026.
Find the questions right here.
Now it’s time to get reading!
We’re wishing you a lovely, healthy, safe, and fun 2026.
TB & Miranda
