The 2026 Great Canadian Reading Challenge! #2026GreatCanadianReadingChallenge

Every year, I look for ways to be more intentional about my reading—and this time, I wanted to focus on something that’s been on my mind for a while: reading more books by Canadian authors. Canada has such a rich, diverse literary landscape, filled with voices that deserve to be discovered, shared, and celebrated. So in 2026, I’m committing to a brand-new personal challenge… and I’m inviting you to join me!

🍁 What Is the 2026 Great Canadian Reading Challenge?

The idea is simple:

I’m calling it The 2026 Great Canadian Reading Challenge, and my goal is to highlight the incredible talent that comes from right here at home.

The goal is to read 12 books written by Canadian authors over the course of 2026. That works out to one book per month, which feels both manageable and meaningful.

📖 Who Counts as a Canadian Author?

1. The author must have been born in Canada, OR
2. They currently reside in Canada

Any genre, any format, any time period—fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, thrillers, romance, fantasy… you choose your own reading path.

👋 Want to Join Me? I’d Love That!

📅 Starting January 1, 2026 and running until December 31, 2026

If this sounds like fun and you’d like to take part, you’re more than welcome! Here’s how to join in:

• Write a blog post introducing this challenge using the official challenge image below.
• Tag your introductory post and reviews with: #2026GreatCanadianReadingChallenge
• Share the books you’ve read for the challenge
• Link back to this post and comment below so I know who is joining in. You do not need to have a blog to participate. 

Whether you want to read more Indigenous writers, dive deeper into Canadian history, revisit favourite authors, or discover brand-new ones, this challenge is meant to inspire connection, curiosity, and community. Here is a list of some Canadian authors to get you started:

Fiction & Literary

• Margaret Atwood
• Alice Munro
• Miriam Toews
• Michael Ondaatje
• Emily St. John Mandel
• Lawrence Hill
• Nita Prose
• Heather O’Neill

Romance & Contemporary

• K.A. Tucker
• Catherine McKenzie
• Marissa Stapley
• Amy Stuart (also suspense)
• Farah Heron
• Carley Fortune

Thriller, Mystery & Suspense

• Louise Penny
• Shari Lapena
• Linwood Barclay
• Riley Adams
• Nathan Ripley
• Daniel Kalla

Indigenous Authors

• Richard Wagamese
• Cherie Dimaline
• Waubgeshig Rice
• Tanya Tagaq
• Katherena Vermette

I’ll be sharing my monthly picks and reviews throughout the year, and I can’t wait to see what everyone else chooses. Canadian literature is beautifully varied—let’s explore it together.

If you decide to join, please tag me or leave a comment after you leave your introductory post so I can follow along with your reading journey. I will list all those participating with a link to their challenge below. Here’s to a year of celebrating Canadian voices, one book at a time! 🇨🇦✨

The Official Image To Use:

Any questions? Simply ask in the comments below.

My Challenge Books Read:

Is This A Cry For Help? by Emily Austin

Liberty Street by Heather Marshall

The Fake Matchmaker by Sonya Singh

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As we head into a new year, I’m excited to dive deeper into the incredible stories and voices that make Canadian literature so special. Whether you’re joining for all 12 books or simply following along for inspiration, I hope this challenge encourages you to discover new authors, revisit old favourites, and celebrate the talent found right here at home. If you decide to participate, don’t forget to use the hashtag #2026GreatCanadianReadingChallenge so we can cheer each other on. Here’s to a year of great Canadian reads—let’s make 2026 a wonderfully bookish adventure! 📚🇨🇦✨

Participants:

Jodie @ That Happy Reader

Carla @ Carla Loves to Read

Shellyrae @ Book’d Out

Shoe’s Seeds & Stories

Beverley @ Beverley A Baird

Nancy @ NancyElin.blog

Dianne @ dianneandherbooks