How this will work: I set some rules for The Borderless Bookshelf

Embarking on a quest to read a book from every country is exciting — and a little overwhelming. To keep things manageable, I’ve set some ground rules for myself. And I fully reserve the right to bend or break them as I go.

I’ll also be sharing curated book lists for each country — so whether you’re joining me on this journey or just looking for a great read, there’ll be plenty of options to choose from. Your literary adventure doesn’t have to mirror mine. In fact, I’d love to hear what you’re reading and why.

Rules to the madness

These rules are my guideposts, not rigid laws. They are meant to help me stay on track while leaving room for curiosity and spontaneous detours. This is supposed to be an adventure, not homework!

• Rule #1: Fiction First
  My primary focus will be on fiction by authors native to the country I’m exploring, preferably stories set within that country. Fiction is my own reading preference, but I’m open to including non-fiction if it provides valuable cultural or historical insights — or if it simply grabs my attention.
• Rule #2: Alternative Paths
  I already anticipate that rule #1 will prove hard to follow for some smaller countries or regions where not much is available in translation. In those cases I will consider fiction by foreign authors set in that country, or as a last resort, I’ll choose fiction by a native author set elsewhere.
• Rule #3: Lists For Everyone
  I will try to have a mix of genres in my curated book lists — classics, contemporary hits, and hidden gems. Probably fantasy and science fiction will feature if available, because those are genres I personally enjoy. And while not the main focus of my project, I will also aim to include marginalized voices (women, indigenous people, LGBTQ …).
• Rule #4: Flexibility is Allowed
  This journey is about discovery, not perfection. I hope there will be surprises along the way —books I stumble upon unexpectedly, or plans that need to shift. If a book from a particular country is unavailable, if an unexpected recommendation excites me, or I need to stay in one area and read a series of seven books, I’ll embrace the detour. After all, some of the best adventures happen when you stray off the map, right?
• Rule #4: Enjoyment Above All
  This is the most important rule! I will always choose to read books that excite or interest me, even if they’re not the most famous or obvious choices. If a book doesn’t spark joy (thanks, Marie Kondo), I reserve the right to set it aside and try something else. And yes, this means that I might very well skip a country’s “most iconic” book if it doesn’t appeal to me. Life is just too short to force-read books you don’t enjoy.
  

How many books? Yes, I did the math.

There are 195 recognised countries in the world. But since I’m already in way over my head here, I also want to read the parts of Great Britain and all the US states individually, AND I have a list of interesting territories I want to include as separate stops on my journey. Just for a start, being Danish, how could I possibly leave out Greenland and the Faroe Islands?

So far it has landed me on 270 places to go, and at my usual reading pace of about one book a week plus freedom for detours and layovers, this project is going to take me well over five years to complete. It’s a long road ahead, but I’m not in a rush — this is about savoring the journey, not about racing to the finish line.

I am ready to start my journey! Are you coming along?