Want a reading challenge for the year? Push yourself outside your comfort zone by completing a reading challenge!
Add some variety to your reading year by taking on the 2025 NoveList Reading Challenge! NoveList is a database made available to MA libraries by Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) where you can find book reviews, read-a-likes, and more. You can sign in using your library card and PIN.
For each month of the challenge, the library has made a list of book suggestions! As the year goes on, we will add the latest month's list to our website. Keep your eyes out for posts on our socials (Facebook & Instagram) and displays in the library. Happy reading!
January: Mix things up with a genre blend
February: Fall in love with an LGBTQIA+ romance.
March: Stay up to date with a book about current social issues.
April: Read a book with neurodivergent characters.
May: Enjoy a larger-than-life cinematic book.
June: Lighten up with a funny or whimsical graphic novel.
July: Enjoy a chilling summer with must-read horror.
August: Read a cli-fi, solarpunk, or hopepunk book.
September: Read a book set in the decade you were born.
October: Try an award-winning audiobook or graphic novel.
November: Tempt your tastebuds with a culinary read.
December: Go meta with books about books.
NoveList has a new reading challenge for 2024! NoveList is a database made available to MA libraries by Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) where you can find book reviews, read-a-likes, and more. You can sign in using your library card and PIN.
JANUARY:
Start off the year exploring new authors by reading a 2023 debut. NoveList tip: Search for the genre "Debut title"
FEBRUARY:
Read a romance or love story starring Asian characters.
MARCH:
Read a book from the last five years that's been adapted into a movie or TV series. NoveList tip: Search for the genre "Page to Screen"
APRIL:
Discover the joy of communal reading! Read to or in a group of two or more.
MAY:
Read a standalone manga or the first volume of a manga series.
JUNE:
Keep it quick by reading a novella.
JULY:
Read a book set in Australia or New Zealand.
AUGUST:
Enjoy a mix of magic and the macabre with a dark fantasy.
SEPTEMBER:
Get ready for the coziest season by reading a cozy mystery.
OCTOBER:
Embrace the scary by reading a creepy horror novel or ghost story.
NOVEMBER:
Read a novel by an Indigenous author.
DECEMBER:
Wrap up the year by reading an award-winning book from the last three years.
This year we are using the NoveList Reading Challenge. NoveList Plus is a database made available to MA libraries by Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) where you can find book reviews, read-a-likes, and more. You can sign in using your library card and PIN.
There are 12 reading categories, one for each month of the year. Download a reading log.
January: Start the new year off right by picking up a 2022 favorite from the NoveList Best of the Year lists.
February: Read a romance or a love story starring Black characters.
March: Read a book made popular by BookTok. Need inspiration? Check out our For Fans of BookTok Recommended Reads Lists.
April: Read a book that is being adapted into a movie or TV show in 2023. (NoveList tip: Search GN Page to screen.)
May: Read a book starring a main character who has a disability.
June: Use the genre Book Club Best Bets to pick a title.
July: Read a mystery or thriller set in the summer.
August: Read a book that stars an unreliable or unnamed narrator.
September: It's time to go back to school! Read a book with the theme dark academia.
October: Read a book with an orange or black cover.
November: Give thanks and read a book about chosen family or family gatherings.
December: Read a collection of short stories or essays by a non-American author.
This year's challenge is 12 categories. You can track your progress with our paper challenge tracker, grab one at the library or download a copy to print yourself.
Challenge Categories:
- Read a book published in 2022
- Read a book written by an author from another country.
- Read a historical fiction or nonfiction about a time period you are unfamiliar with.
- Read a book that is a retelling of a classic.
- Read a book by a disabled author.
- Read a memoir by a BIPOC.
- Read a book of poetry, short stories, or a novel written in verse.
- Read a book with a Person of Color or LGBTQ+ protagonist.
- Read a fantasy, science fiction, or horror.
- Read a book by a debut author.
- Read a book which takes place outside of North America.
- Read a family saga from the perspective of characters from a different background and culture than you.
Register and make an account at boxlib.beanstack.org to track your progress and earn badges throughout the year. This is the same website as the summer reading program but when you register as an adult you will be automatically enrolled in the Read Harder Challenge.
Or you can track your progress with our paper challenge tracker. Grab one at the library or download a copy to print yourself.
Suggestions for different categories will be posted throughout the year over on our Recommendations Blog. You can always contact library staff if you are looking for suggestions!
