Beach Reads Challenge

*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no expense to you.*

Ready to turn your summer reading list into a bookish adventure? This isn’t just a reading challenge – it’s a board game designed to help you crush your TBR and discover your next favourite read. Whether you’re lounging under a cabana or dreaming of tropical sea breezes from your couch, roll the dice and dive in!

How it works:

We love summer here at The 52 Book Club because it is the perfect opportunity to add a twist to our classic reading challenges. This year, we’ve created twenty-four new prompts and infused them with a unique game element to keep you on your toes. This challenge has a few extra additions, so be sure to review the challenge rules before making your first move!

Vacations along the coast inspired the design of this challenge, but don’t feel restricted to sun and sand. Your book choices do not have to be “beach reads” or summer-themed.

Timeline:

This challenge was originally released for our summer 2026 season. Many members will complete it during a three-month time period (June, July, and August); however, these prompts are timeless and can be completed at any time. Take this challenge at your own pace!

The Challenge:

This challenge is unique to all previous 52 Book Club challenges. Designed like a board game, this challenge comes with a unique set of rules and guidelines. Be sure to read through everything before starting (or watch this helpful YouTube tutorial we’ve put together to answer all your questions!)

You can find the challenge on Storygraph here.

HOW TO PLAY:

The Goal: Complete all 24 prompts on this reading challenge, following the game rules. Match one book to each prompt for a total of twenty-four new reads.

To complete this challenge, you’ll need a six-sided die. Free printables for all other game content is included below.

1.

Complete a Genre Card

Before beginning play, pick six different genres and record them on a genre card. (You can find blank Genre Cards under the “downloads” section of this post.)

Choose any six genres to start and write them in any order on your genre card.

For example:

Get as specific with these genres as you like. Using sub-genres or niche genres will make the challenge more difficult. For this challenge, all prompts must be completed using only the genres on your Genre Card, so pick wisely!

2.

Roll the Die to Move:

Roll the die to move around the game board. Each square on the board contains a book prompt or an action. When moving around the board, jump over prompt squares you’ve already completed so as to only land on uncompleted prompts.

3.

Complete the Prompts:

You’ve rolled the die and landed on a prompt. Now, match the number on the die to your genre card to determine the required genre for this prompt. You must complete this prompt using that genre.

For example, let’s say your opening roll is a 4. You move forward four squares and land on the prompt, “Author from somewhere you’ve vacationed.”

Because you rolled a 4, you must complete that prompt using a book from genre number four on your genre card. (In our example, we said genre four is “Sports Romance.” So, we would choose a sports romance written by “an author from somewhere you’ve vacationed.”

If on our next turn we roll a 3, we would complete that next prompt using a book from genre 3 on our genre card (in this example: fantasy).

Work your way around the board game, completing all twenty-four prompts on this challenge. Unless otherwise stated, prompts must be completed using the genre that matches your die roll.

4.

Finish All Twenty-Four Prompts:

Once you have completed a prompt, cross it off the game board. When moving around the game board, skip over completed prompts so that you only land on open squares.

Complete all twenty-four prompts and reward yourself with a new book (or two) for being so ridiculously talented at this game.

SPECIAL SQUARES:

*

Start: New Book Smell

Start on this square. If you land on it during game play, roll again!

*

Holds Overdue

Any time you land on the “Holds Overdue” square, you must swap out one genre on your genre card. Roll the die to see which genre you must swap.

The genre must be different from the other five genres currently on your genre card. (It may, however, be a sub-genre of one of the other genres.)

You must now use this updated genre card for the rest of the game. (Unless or until you land on the Holds Overdue space again.)

If you land on Holds Overdue multiple times, you may switch back to a previously used genre. (For example, in the above example, we swapped Fantasy for YA Dystopian. The next time we land on Holds Overdue, we could replace another genre for fantasy.)

For added difficulty, complete the challenge without re-using genres.

*

Free Library

Roll again! For the next prompt you land on, choose any genre from your genre card.

*

Book Slump

If you land on Book Slump, head directly to “Holds Overdue.” Do not complete any other prompts on your way there. Once you arrive at Holds Overdue, roll the die and swap out the corresponding genre on your genre card. (See “Holds Overdue” instructions on previous page.)

*

Chance Cards

On the board are four different squares marked “Chance.” When you land on a chance, randomly select one chance card to complete. (Either print and shuffle the cards, or roll the dice to determine which card to complete first.)

There are six different chance cards, each with unique rules. (With the exception of chance card #2, these cards can be completed using any genre. You are not limited to the six genres on your current genre card.)

At the end of the game, you will have completed four of the six chance cards.

*

Extra Rules: Two in a Row

Uh-oh, the sticker on your limited edition left a sticky residue. If you roll the same number twice in a row, the author’s last name must fall after your previous author in the alphabet.

*

Extra Rules: Three in a Row

You rolled the same number three times in a row. Your bookshelf has collapsed from the weight of all your books! Shuffle the genres on your genre card. (Same genres, just different numbers for each.)

Downloads

Game Pieces:

Beach Reads – Board Game (PDF)Download

Beach Reads – Board Game (PNG)Download

Beach Reads — Rules & How to Play (PDF)Download

Beach Reads – Chance Cards (PDF)Download

Beach Reads – Blank Genre Cards (PDF)Download

Beach Reads Prompt List (Word Doc)Download

Printables & Shareables:

Beach Reads — Individual Book (Square)Download

Beach Reads – Individual Book (Story Size)Download

Beach Reads – 24 Books (Story Size)Download

Beach Reads Printable Logbook (PDF)Download

Beach Reads Challenge Journals

*This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no added expense to you.
Thank you for supporting The 52 Book Club!*

Looking for an easy way to track your challenge reads? Our Beach Reads Challenge Journal will be available on Amazon soon! (Journals are currently available on Amazon CA, Amazon UK, and Amazon Australia. We’re still waiting on Amazon US to go live. Amazon tells us there was a little glitch and it should happen within the next 24-48 hours. We’ll let you know as soon as it’s available!)

This journal contains:

Challenge Game Board
Game Rules
Blank Genre Cards
Chance Cards
Book Review pages for each prompt (including all six chance possibilities)
Challenge Stats and Trackers
And more!

This journal has been specifically designed to pair with this Beach Reads Challenge and is the perfect “all-in-one” tool for completing it. Journals are printed and shipped on demand through Amazon. They are available anywhere Amazon ships and delivers.

We recommend using non-bleed pens in this journal. Pens or highlighters designed for thinner pages (such as Bible pens like these or like these) work well in this journal.

Links to the individual Amazon regions: Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, Amazon DE, Amazon FR, Amazon ES, Amazon IT, Amazon NL, Amazon PL, Amazon SE, Amazon BE, Amazon IE.

AUSTRALIA: and JAPAN: Please note that journals ordered through Amazon Australia or Amazon Japan will have a black-and-white interior due to printing restrictions in those regions. Our friends using Amazon Australia can purchase here, and our friends in Japan can purchase here.

Beach Reads Sticker Collection

The Beach Reads Challenge sticker collection is available now through our sticker partner, PlanItWithStickers. This sticker collection contains twenty-six challenge stickers (includes all six chance stickers), plus a decorative sticker sheet, and are an optional add-on for those who enjoy tracking their reads with physical journals or planners. (They’ll also fit within your 52 Book Club Beach Reads journal!)

Purchase stickers here!

Prompt Walkthrough:

Need help understanding a specific prompt? We’ve got a full walkthrough for you here! The six “Chance” prompts are located at the end of this walkthrough. Prompts are labelled 1-24 for ease of reference, starting at the top left of the gameboard and moving clockwise.

Prompt 1 — Sand in your shoes! A gritty read.

Step 1: You’ve rolled the die and landed on this prompt. Match the number on the die to your current genre card to determine the required genre for this prompt. (For example, if you rolled a 2 to land on this prompt, use genre number 2 on your genre card.) This prompt must be completed using that genre.

Step 2: Now that you know your genre, use any definition of the word “gritty” for this prompt. You may choose a book that offers a “gritty” (realistic/uncompromising) look at life, a plucky character with a lot of grit (stamina, determination), sand on the cover, a book that feels physically gritty, etc.

Prompt 2 — A ___ word title. (Roll to see how many words long.)

Step 2: Roll again to determine this prompt’s title length. The number on this second roll will equal the length of the title. It is up to you whether or not to include subtitles in the word count.

If you roll a one = A one-word title
Two = Two-word title
Three = Three-word title
Four = Four-word title
Five = Five-word title
Six = Six-word title

Prompt 3 — Chance

(See bottom of this walkthrough for chance prompts)

Prompt 4 — Author from somewhere you’ve vacationed

Step 2: Using the required genre, choose an author from somewhere you’ve personally visited on vacation. This may be the author’s country of birth, residence, etc. You may also choose a more specific location, such as an author from a certain province, state, region, city, etc. The author may or may not currently reside there.

For example, let’s say you took a particularly memorable vacation to San Francisco. You may choose an author who currently resides in San Francisco, an author from California, or an author from the United States.

Prompt 5 — Item on cover: A thing you’d find at the beach

Step 2: Using that genre, find a cover featuring a beach-related item. This may be a physical depiction in the cover design, a word in the title, part of the author’s name, etc. Items could include things like: sand, ocean, sandals, sunglasses, towels, palm trees, seashells, boats, swimsuits, etc.

Prompt 6 — Beachcomb for hidden gems: A non-popular read

Step 2: Let’s beachcomb for hidden gems! Look for a non-popular read within your required genre. This may be an older “forgotten” book, or a newer release that’s not receiving as much attention. It may not have many online reviews, or it could be a book that you personally don’t see posted online or discussed frequently. Need suggestions? Ask in our Facebook group for some “hidden gem” recommendations!

Prompt 7 — Final page number: even or odd? (Roll even/odd.)

Step 2: Now, roll the die again to determine whether the book should end on an even or odd page count. (If you roll an even number, find a book that ends on an even page number. Odd number = Odd page number.) This will be the final page number in the book, including any extra content or appendices.

Prompt 8 — Features an island country

Step 2: Using that genre, pick a book that features an island country – a country that is fully surrounded by water with no land borders. (There are some exceptions to this, for example, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia share an island.) The island may be the main setting, a country that plays a key role in the plot, where the main character is from, etc. It may be a fictional country. Examples of island countries include: Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan, the United Kingdom, Cuba, etc.

Prompt 9 – Chance

(See bottom of this walkthrough for chance prompts)

Prompt 10 – Character with a unique career

Step 2: Using that genre, choose a book featuring a character with a unique career. This may be the main or a secondary character. It may be a career you consider unique, or a career that you haven’t seen in a book before. The career may be fictional.

Prompt 11 – Flip flop! Pick two books. (Let a coin toss decide.)

Step 2: Pick any two books that fit your required genre for this prompt. Designate one as “heads” and one as “tails.” Let chance decide this read by flipping a coin. (Don’t have a coin? Feel free to use your dice. Designate one book as “even” and one as “odd.”)

Prompt 12 – More than ___ hundred pages. (Roll for number.)

Step 2: Now, roll the dice again to see what length of book you’ll be reading.

If you roll a:
One = more than 100 pages
Two = more than 200 pages
Three = more than 300 pages
Four = more than 400 pages
Five = more than 500 pages
Six = more than 600 pages

Different editions will vary in page count. As long as at least one version fits within your required page count, you can read any version, format, or edition for this prompt. It’s up to you whether you count extra content such as authors’ notes, appendices, bonus chapters, etc.

Prompt 13 – Published within ___ years of previous author’s birth

Step 2: What book did you just finish? Find that author’s birth year. Now, roll the dice again. You’ll need to find a book (within your required genre) that was published within __ years of this author’s birth year.

For example, if the author was born in 1965 and you roll a 2, you’re looking for a book published anywhere from 1963 to 1967. If you rolled a six, you’d be looking for a book published between 1959 and 1971, and so on.

Prompt 14 – Publisher you haven’t used on this challenge yet

Step 2: Using the required genre, choose a book by a publisher you haven’t yet used for this challenge. This may be a larger publisher with multiple imprints or a smaller indie publisher. Participants can decide whether or not to consider imprints as part of the same publisher.

Prompt 15 – Chance

(See bottom of this walkthrough for chance prompts)

Prompt 16 – An author with ___ books. (Roll for number.)

Step 2: Roll the die again. This second die roll will equal the number of books the author for this prompt has published. This should be an exact number. For example, if you roll a one, we’re looking for an author with one published book. A two = any author with two published books, etc.

Prompt 17 – Apply sunscreen. A red spine.

Step 2: A spine is the part of the book that binds the front and back covers. (It usually faces outward on the bookshelf.) Using your required genre, pick a book with a red spine. (Any shade of red. There may be other colours as long as the majority is red.) Keep in mind that cover colours may vary depending on editions. As long as one edition has a red spine, you can complete this prompt using any edition or format of reading.

Think you’ve seen this prompt before? You’re right! (Good work, 52 Book Club Superfan!) This prompt appeared on our February 2021 Mini-Challenge. However, we couldn’t resist using it again for this sunburnt play on words.

Prompt 18 – Published in 202_ (Roll for year.)

Step 2: Roll the dice again. The number it lands on will dictate which year this book should have been published. For example, if you roll a five, the book needs to have been published in 2025. If you roll a six, 2026. There is a total of six different years possible for this prompt (2021-2026). Remember that this prompt still has to be completed using your required genre from step one!

Prompt 19 – Author’s last name starts ___ letters after yours

Step 2: Roll the die again. Use this number to determine which letter the author’s last name should start with.

For example, let’s pretend our last name is “Bookster.” If we roll a 3, we want to find an author who is three letters ahead in the alphabet. (B + 3 = C, D, E!) So for this prompt, we’d pick an author whose last name starts with E (and fits the required genre from step one). If we rolled a 5, we’d be looking for an author whose last name starts with G. (B + 5 = C, D, E, F, G!) and so on.

Use the alphabet on a loop. For instance, if your last name starts with W and you roll a four, you’ll need to find an author whose last name starts with the letter A.

Uh-oh, did you end up with the letter “X?” Congratulations, you found the one freebie for this prompt. Roll again.

Prompt 20 – A “watery” scene

Step 2: Pick a book in your required genre that contains a “watery” scene. This may be a scene in which a character goes swimming or visits the ocean, set on a boat, in the rain, a flood, etc. It may also be a scene in which a character cries, or a book that makes you cry. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Prompt 21 – Chance

(See bottom of this walkthrough for chance prompts)

Prompt 22 – Related to the word “Destination”

Step 2: In your required genre, choose a book somehow related to the word “destination.” This may involve a character travelling somewhere or on a journey, a destination wedding, death as a “final destination,” etc. It may also include a destination in the title or subtitle, or relate to the cover design.

Prompt 23 – Retails new within $___ of your last read. (Roll.)

Step 2: Roll again. Use this number. In your required genre, pick a book that retails within $__ of your previous read. This can be $__ more or less.

For example, if your previous read sells for $25, and you rolled a three, find a book that retails between $22 – $28. ($25 plus or minus three dollars.) If you rolled a six, you’d find a book that retails new between $19 and $31.

Use comparable formats and currency for pricing (compare both as e-reads, or both as hardcovers, etc). You can read them in any format and do not have to purchase a new copy.

While the prompt uses $, feel free to use a different local currency, if applicable.

Prompt 24 – First word in book is ___ letters long. (Roll.)

Step 2: Roll again. Choose a book within your required genre. The first word should be the same length as this second dice roll. For example, if you roll a 1, choose a book opening with a one-letter word. If you roll a 2, choose a book opening with a two-letter word, etc.

It’s up to you to decide whether or not to count any author’s notes, introductions, quotes, etc that appear at the beginning of the book.

Opening words can be in any language. As long as one version of the book opens with a word fitting your number count, feel free to read that book in any language.

Chance #1: Your TBR pile is overflowing. Write down six titles from your TBR and label them #1-6. Then, roll the die to see which of those books you’ll be reading for this prompt! There are no genre limitations for this prompt. Use any genres you like, regardless of what’s on your current genre card.

This is one of the few prompts on this challenge where you don’t need to use your genre card. Choose any six book titles from your TBR. (Some of us have physical TBR lists, and some don’t. Use whatever “TBR” means to you!) There are no limitations to these six books. You can choose books that are all the same genre, six different genres, genres that are on your genre card, genres that aren’t, etc. Treat this as a fun freebie to finally get around to that book you’ve been meaning to read!

Once you have your six titles, number them #1 to #6, then roll the die. The number on your die will align with the book you need to read for this prompt.

Chance #2: Uh-oh, you fell asleep in the tub, and your book got wet. Re-do your last prompt. Roll the die again. Compare that number to your current genre card to see which genre you must use this time. (Got the same genre? Roll again!)

What was the last prompt that you completed for this challenge? Let’s redo it, but with a different genre. Roll the die again to see which genre you need to use this time. (You must use your genre card for this prompt.)

For example, let’s say that we just finished prompt 17, “Apply sunscreen. A red spine.” Last time, we’d rolled a three and had to read genre #3 on our genre card. (It was historical fiction, so we read The Women by Kristin Hannah.) Now, we need to redo that prompt. We’re going to complete, “Apply sunscreen. A red spine” one more time. We roll the dice again, and this time we get a 5. We check our genre card and see that #5 is “thriller.” We’re going to look for a thriller with a red spine. (We pick The Anniversary by Alex Finlay.)

Chance #3: You went to a book signing and got a selfie with a local author! For this prompt, choose an author whose last name starts with the same letter as your previous author. There are no genre limitations for this prompt. Choose any genre regardless of your current genre card.

This is another prompt where you do not have to use your genre card.

Which book did you just finish for this challenge? Take that author’s last name. Find an author for this prompt whose last name starts with the same letter as your previous author. For instance, let’s say you just read And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Now, you’re going to need to find another author whose last name begins with the letter “C.” You can use any genre for this prompt.

You may choose the author’s legal name or a pen name or pseudonym. If the book has multiple authors, at least one should share the same letter as your previous author.

Chance #4: For this prompt, choose a book with an acknowledgement in which the author acknowledges a Sarah, Jessica, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Lynn, Lisa, Ashley, Emma, or Mary. (Alternate spellings or shortened names acceptable!) There are no genre limitations for this prompt. Choose any genre you like, regardless of your current genre card.

Authors often include an acknowledgement section at the end of their work to recognize those who helped them in their writing, or people who have been pivotal in their lives. For this prompt, we’re looking for an acknowledgement that includes one of these popular names: Sarah, Jessica, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Lynn, Lisa, Ashley, Emma, or Mary. Alternate spellings or shortened names are acceptable.

Chance #5: It’s someone else’s turn to pick for book club this month. Ask six different individuals for one book recommendation each. Number the recommendations #1-6, then roll the die to see what you’re reading for this prompt! Use any genres for this prompt, regardless of your current genre card.

Ask six different individuals for one book recommendation each. Number the recommendations 1 through 6, then roll the die to see which book you need to read for this prompt. You do not need to use the genre card for this prompt. All genres are open and available.

For this prompt, we want you to ask six individuals for a book recommendation. You can ask anyone you like. These can be individuals you know personally, a librarian, family members, friends who love to read, book friends you’ve met online at The 52 Book Club, etc.

You can ask for recommendations within a specific genre or recommendations based on your personal reading preferences, OR give your friends free rein. Ask for their favourite books or a book that they think you’ll enjoy, but that will stretch you out of your comfort zone. (This is the PERFECT opportunity to try something new and unexpected!)

You’re also welcome to post in The 52 Book Club’s Facebook group and ask for six recommendations, saying something like, “I’m looking for six recommendations. I enjoy historical fiction, mysteries, and self-help books. Comments close after the first six recommendations.”

Easier option: For a slightly easier option, post on a personal social media page or in The 52 Book Club Facebook group and ask for general recommendations, then choose the six that appeal to you most.

Chance #6: Bookmail! You just found out your favourite author’s new book is available for pre-order. Read a book from the backlist of an author you love! There are no genre limitations for this prompt. Choose any genre regardless of roll or current genre card.

Pick an author that you love and read one of their backlist books! This could be a book you haven’t read yet or a re-read. Choose any genre you’d like.

Beach Reads Challenge

How it works:

Timeline:

The Challenge:

HOW TO PLAY:

1.

Complete a Genre Card

2.

Roll the Die to Move:

3.

Complete the Prompts:

4.

Finish All Twenty-Four Prompts:

SPECIAL SQUARES:

*

Start: New Book Smell

*

Holds Overdue

*

Free Library

*

Book Slump

*

Chance Cards

*

Extra Rules: Two in a Row

*

Extra Rules: Three in a Row

Downloads

Beach Reads Challenge Journals

Beach Reads Sticker Collection

Prompt Walkthrough:

Prompt 1 — Sand in your shoes! A gritty read.

Prompt 2 — A ___ word title. (Roll to see how many words long.)

Prompt 3 — Chance

Prompt 4 — Author from somewhere you’ve vacationed

Prompt 5 — Item on cover: A thing you’d find at the beach

Prompt 6 — Beachcomb for hidden gems: A non-popular read

Prompt 7 — Final page number: even or odd? (Roll even/odd.)

Prompt 8 — Features an island country

Prompt 9 – Chance

Prompt 10 – Character with a unique career

Prompt 11 – Flip flop! Pick two books. (Let a coin toss decide.)

Prompt 12 – More than ___ hundred pages. (Roll for number.)

Prompt 13 – Published within ___ years of previous author’s birth

Prompt 14 – Publisher you haven’t used on this challenge yet

Prompt 15 – Chance

Prompt 16 – An author with ___ books. (Roll for number.)

Prompt 17 – Apply sunscreen. A red spine.

Prompt 18 – Published in 202_ (Roll for year.)

Prompt 19 – Author’s last name starts ___ letters after yours

Prompt 20 – A “watery” scene

Prompt 21 – Chance

Prompt 22 – Related to the word “Destination”

Prompt 23 – Retails new within $___ of your last read. (Roll.)

Prompt 24 – First word in book is ___ letters long. (Roll.)

Chance #2: Uh-oh, you fell asleep in the tub, and your book got wet. Re-do your last prompt. Roll the die again. Compare that number to your current genre card to see which genre you must use this time. (Got the same genre? Roll again!)

Chance #3: You went to a book signing and got a selfie with a local author! For this prompt, choose an author whose last name starts with the same letter as your previous author. There are no genre limitations for this prompt. Choose any genre regardless of your current genre card.

Chance #6: Bookmail! You just found out your favourite author’s new book is available for pre-order. Read a book from the backlist of an author you love! There are no genre limitations for this prompt. Choose any genre regardless of roll or current genre card.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply