Read Christie 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Read Christie 2026?

Read Christie 2026 is the official reading challenge from Agatha Christie Ltd, which explores 12 stories throughout the year. This year's theme is Biggest, Best and Beloved. The theme seeks to champion the Queen of Crime’s works that have made the largest impact on readers and the mystery genre. From Best Opening to Biggest Inspiration, Beloved Character to Best to Read in One Sitting. We select 12 books to cover in detail, writing an introductory article at the start of each month. We then explore themes covered in this story, share facts, quotes, audio clips, and images of the various editions published in the past and present around the world throughout the month. If a theme has plenty of books to choose from, we might cover them in a reading list, or if it is a popular favourite we might seek opinions on why this is so from an expert. 

In addition to our monthly book pick, we are planning to read Agatha Christie’s Autobiography across this anniversary year.

What do I need to do to join in?

To join in you simply need to print or download the Read Christie 2026 challenge postcard. This will be sent in your welcome email if you are a new subscriber, or in your December 27th newsletter if you already receive our emails. You can sign up to our newsletter here. We have published a list of the 12 books we will be reading, so you are welcome to follow our lead, or select your own based on the prompts.

How do I know which stories fit each category?

Each month, alongside our official choice, we offer alternative titles for readers to choose from which fit the categories. These are published in our Read Christie 2026 article which will go live in January, as well as in the monthly newsletter. 

Where can I share my opinions of the books I read for the challenge?

We post about the books on our X, Facebook and Instagram channels each week, so we encourage you to share your thoughts and observations on the books there. If you want to join in on Instagram, simply use the hashtag #ReadChristie2026 and tag us (@officialagathachristie) so we can see your posts. We also share plenty of photos via our Instagram feed too. 

Are the books provided for the challenge?

We do not provide free books for participants, however there is no need to purchase 12 new books to join in. You may select stories which you already own (in print, via an eReader, or on audio), borrow the titles from a library or e-lending service, or make the most of the occasional promotional discounts we share on our social media to get your hands on them. If you do want to buy the books, then feel free! It might be a nice excuse to buy a few titles you don’t yet have in your collection.

I haven’t received my downloadable postcard?

Are you signed up to the Agatha Christie monthly newsletter? If not, sign up here to receive your challenge postcard.

If you signed up before the 27th December, you should have received it on December 27th in your last newsletter. We will also share it in our January newsletter, for those who might have been too busy during the holiday season to check their emails.

I would like a printed postcard. Can I have one?

Owing to the large volume of applicants, we have been unable to send printed postcards to all that applied for the challenge. We hope you can still join us by printing out the downloadable card at home, in the office, or at a library. If you can’t access a printer by any of these methods, please email generalenquiries@agathachristie.com with the subject line ‘Read Christie 2026: Can’t Print’, as we have reserved a few printed copies to be sent out to people in this situation.

If there’s anything you want to know which we haven’t covered in this FAQ just email generalenquiries@agathachristie.com with the subject line 'Read Christie: FAQs', and we’ll try to help, and update the answers accordingly.