This year, challenge yourself to read a book that fits into each of the 25 categories!
- 1. Set in a foreign country
- 2. Already on your bookshelf (or to read list) waiting to be read
- 3. That was made into a movie or TV show
- 4. Has 500 or more pages
- 5. With a magical element
- 6. Is a Banned Book (ask a librarian for a list)
- 7. About sports
- 8. About current events
- 9. Won or was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize
- 10. Purchased from the Friends book sale or sale cart
- 11. That you previously did not finish
- 12. That was published posthumously
- 13. Epistolary novel or collection of letters
- 14. Reread a book you read as a kid or teen
- 15. Has an element in the title (i.e. David Copperfield)
- 16. Takes place in Europe
- 17. By an author with a color as part of their name
- 18. Title begins with the letter I
- 19. An alternative history (fiction or non-fiction)
- 20. Set in spring
- 21. A holiday novel
- 22. A western
- 23. With cats or dogs featured
- 24. Takes place in California
- BONUS: By an author featured on our Behind the Books podcast
What is a Reading Challenge?
It is not a contest, but a way to discover books outside your normal reading habits. Participants can look for items that match the prompts and can choose any format (print, eBook, or audio) and do the prompts in any order you wish. With 24 prompts, that averages out to 2 books a month and the bonus is to read a book by an author featured on our podcast, Behind the Books. Visit for our social media to see regular posts about the challenge – let us know what you are reading, how you discovered the book and how you feel about reading outside their normal genre. We also have a GoodReads group you may join to share your titles and book reviews.
Reader’s Advisory Resources
Personalized Picks
Looking for something new to read? Check out our personalized book selection service! Our librarians will recommend titles in print and available through our online services hoopla and eLibraryNJ!