Reading Challenge: Must-Read Booklists for Every Month of the Year!
Your answer to “What should I read next?” is this Reading Challenge!
If reading more books tops your wish list, you’ve probably considered taking on a book challenge.
Reading challenges are great for helping you stay accountable to your “read more” resolution. Plus, they’re a fantastic way to expand your reading interests beyond your usual go-to author or genre.
To help you make this year’s Reading Challenge a success, check out 12 tips for reading challenge victory. And, if you’re wondering why you should take on a reading challenge at all, I’ve given you 22 reasons why it may be one of the best decisions you make this year.
An easy, no-pressure reading challenge
This Reading Challenge is here for you! While reading challenges come in a variety of formats, for this reading challenge, I’m keeping things simple. There are 12 book lists for each month, each with a wide selection of book recommendations.
But no pressure! Read as little or as much as you like. It’s up to you. The most important thing is to fit in time for yourself to enjoy a good book – even if it’s five or ten minutes a day.
Choose one book from each month’s booklist, and by the end of the year, you’ll have read a dozen books – go you!
I’ll update this post with the next booklist as the year progresses. You can check back here or … Subscribe to my newsletter to get each month’s book list delivered right to your inbox!
The 2024 Reading Challenge
Slay your reading goals! Here’s a look at 2024’s monthly booklists.
Each month’s booklist starts with the phrase, “books that.” Hopefully, by the end of the challenge, you’ll complete this phrase with “books that inspired me to enjoy reading more!”
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What are the 2024 Reading Challenge’s Monthly Booklists?
- JANUARY – Books That Feel Like Winter
- FEBRUARY – Books That Make You Want to Fall in Love
- MARCH – Books That Will Change Your Life
- APRIL – Books That Are Movies
- MAY – Books That Make You Want to Travel
- JUNE – Books That You Need to Read This Summer
- JULY – Books That Will Boost Your Mood
- AUGUST – Books That’ll Keep You Reading (Past Your Bedtime)
- SEPTEMBER – Books That Are Banned (But Shouldn’t Be)
- OCTOBER – Books That’ll Scare the (You Know What) Out of You
- NOVEMBER – Books That You Can Read Fast
- DECEMBER – Books That’ll Get You into the Holiday Spirit
Up for the challenge? Join the Book Lovers Newsletter and never miss out on each month’s Reading Challenge booklist, plus receive extra helpful articles to help you achieve your reading goals!
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January 2024: Books That Feel Like Winter
This booklist brings all the moody, wintry vibes! You’ll discover a book series featuring picturesque winter settings, cabins shrouded in snowfall, a new release, a little romance, and perhaps a magical plot twist or two.
February 2024: Books That Make You Want to Fall in Love
This booklist of romances, rom-coms, and love stories will make you want to fall in love! It has everything from passionate relationships to “situationships.”
March 2024: Books That Will Change Your Life
Readers most often recommend the life-changing books on this inspiring, entertaining, and empowering top 10 booklist. (Top 10 Life-Changing Books Highly Recommended by Readers)
Check out last year’s 2023 Reading Challenge
What were the 2023 Reading Challenge’s Monthly Booklists?
- JANUARY – New Releases for the New Year
- FEBRUARY – Books About Love
- MARCH – Best Book Series
- APRIL – Book Club Books
- MAY – About Mother-Daughter Relationships
- JUNE – New Releases for Summer
- JULY – Best Beach Reads
- AUGUST – Books about Friendship
- SEPTEMBER – Best Fiction Books to Read this Fall
- OCTOBER – Books About Witches
- NOVEMBER – Fiction and Nonfiction Pairing
- DECEMBER – Holiday Romance
January 2023: Best New Book Releases for the New Year | 2023
The 2023 Reading Challenge starts with this round-up of the best new book releases in January 2023. Grab a cozy blanket, something warm to drink, and cuddle up with these must-read books!
February 2023: Best Books About Love (And Life)
This collection of books about love and life will inspire, touch your heart, and make you believe in the power of love! If you’re looking for a reading list that’ll make you laugh and cry, look no further than this list.
March 2023: Best Book Series for Adults to Read Now
Why stop at one book when you can have a whole series? This list of the best book series for adults will keep you turning pages book after book after book after … well, you get it!
April 2023: 11 Celebrity Book Club Picks Worth Reading
From Oprah’s book club to Reese’s, I’ve compiled a list of 11 recent celebrity book club picks worth reading! Get ready for captivating storylines, unique writing styles, and a fair share of societal and cultural issues to discuss until the sun comes up.
May 2023: Best Books about Mother-Daughter Relationships
Get ready to discover the best books about mother-daughter relationships. Whether you’re seeking catharsis, insight, or a good story, you’ll laugh, cry, and be inspired by these remarkable tales of love, loss, and growth!
June 2023: Best Summer Books to Read in 2023
I’m so happy to share this summer reading list of new releases and the best fiction books set in the summer. Pack these novels on your next vacation, or enjoy them in your outdoor reading nook!
July 2023: 23 Best Beach Reads of Summer
Whether sitting with your toes in the sand, lounging by the pool, or dreaming of an escape to the beach, I’ve compiled a list of the hottest new releases and all-time favorites. So grab your sunscreen, pack a towel, and dive into the best beach reads of summer!
August 2023: Top 10 Books About Friendship for Adults
Celebrate the strength of female friendships with this list of unforgettable fiction books that showcase the enduring bonds, shared struggles, and uplifting moments that define true sisterhood. Get ready to discover your next literary companion!
September 2023: Best New Fiction Books to Read this Fall
This booklist of new releases for fall has a little of everything you love about Autumn reads. From pulse-racing thrillers to novels that’ll warm your heart on a frosty morning, you’ll surely find your next read to cozy up under a blanket with a warm steaming mug beside you.
October 2023: Best Books About Witches (That Are Wickedly Spellbinding)
This enchanting list of the best books about witches will keep you spellbound to the very last page. Get ready for some wickedly magical reads!
November 2023: 5 Fiction and Nonfiction Book Pairings (Double Your Reading Fun!)
What are fiction and nonfiction book pairings? They’re two books that share a connection, and when read together, totally elevates your reading experience! For this list, I paired a bestseller (in fiction or nonfiction) with a related book that you may not have come across but is so worth the read.
December 2023: Best Holiday Romance Books (Fun & Festive Rom-coms!)
‘Tis the season for holiday romance! Curl up with these festive love stories that’ll warm your heart in this booklist of new releases!
Find Your Reading Challenge Books Here
- Get titles from this booklist and more on Bookshop.org.
- Try Audible Plus – thousands of titles, FREE 30-day trial!
- Find books via Kindle Unlimited – start your FREE 30-day trial!
- As a member of Amazon Prime, don’t miss Amazon First Reads for early access to Kindle books.
- Get FREE Shipping when you join the Millionaire’s Club at Books-A-Million.
More Reading Challenge Book Recommendations
The 2022 Reading Challenge may be complete, but you can still enjoy 12 months of awesome book recommendations. Check them out here!
January 2022: Best Winter Books to Read Cuddled in a Blanket with a Hot Beverage
Wondering what the best books to read this January 2022 are? Grab a cozy blanket, something warm to drink, and cuddle up with these must-read books!
February 2022: Romance Reads (Happily Ever After Included)
If you love a “happily ever after,” then you’ll love this booklist of romance reads. Bonus – these book recommendations pair well with red wine and dark chocolate!
March 2022: Best Books with Strong Female Characters
Celebrate Women’s History Month with this booklist full of strong female characters and strong female leads. Be prepared to be awed and inspired!
April 2022: Top Historical Fiction Book Picks
Feel like the proverbial “fly on the wall” to fascinating historical moments. This booklist asks, “If you could, to which era would you travel back in time?”
May 2022: Books to Take You Places
The settings in these books will take you places, minus the expensive airfare! Travel to faraway locations – if only in the pages of a book.
June 2022: Best Books to Read This Summer
This summer book list will help you find a great read whether you’re planning a getaway to the beach, the mountains, or even a staycation!
July 2022: Best Beach Reads
You don’t have to be sitting on a beach to enjoy this booklist – but a frozen drink with an umbrella chilling by your side is highly recommended!
August 2022: Mystery Books to Keep You Guessing
End the summer by solving the mystery of “what to read next” with this selection of mystery books that’ll keep you guessing. Brew a pot of coffee for this lineup of books! Plot twists and last-page reveals might keep you up all night, speed reading to the end.
September 2022: Cozy Autumn Books to Read This Fall
Here’s your pumpkin-spiced, apple-picking in a flannel shirt booklist! If you’re wondering what to read this Fall, consider getting cozy with one of these Autumn-inspired books.
October 2022: Psychological Thrillers with a Twist
This booklist of psychological thrillers is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat – because it wouldn’t be October without some thrills and chills! (Insert evil laugh here.)
November 2022: Addictive Page-Turners (You Won’t Be Able to Put These Books Down!)
This booklist of absolutely addictive page-turners will help you keep going as this year’s reading challenge nears its end. Seriously, clear your schedule because you won’t be able to put these books down!
December 2022: Best Holiday Books to Read this Christmas
Make your reading merry! This festive booklist of the best holiday books to read this Christmas season are like Hallmark movies in book form. Break out the spiked eggnog poured into moose-shaped glasses for these reads!
12 Tips for a Successful Reading Challenge
If you want to keep the 2022 Reading Challenge going all year long, here are 12 tips for setting you up for reading success. With a little advanced planning and the right mindset, you too can become a reading challenge ninja master – or, more likely, be able to brag that you read a lot of great books this year.
12 Tips for Reading Challenge Victory
1. Ditch distractions.
2. It’s about time! Figure out a time each day that you can dedicate just for your reading pleasure.
3. Location, location, location – make sure you have your book/ebook/audio along with you with you’re there.
4. Make comfort a priority.
5. Reading is reading even if you’re listening. No matter how you take in the contents of a book, it all counts.
6. Love it or leave it – there’s no shame in giving up on a book that’s lost your interest. The goal of doing a reading challenge is for the sheer joy, enjoyment, entertainment, and inspiration of it all.
7. Mind your budget. This reading challenge can be done on a budget, from lending libraries to thrifty online options to freebies and discounts.
8. Add an incentive to keep going or a mini-celebration each time you read or reach a reading milestone.
9. Turn reading into a habit and put the whole process on auto-pilot, and repeat.
10. Make a ritual around reading, and chances are you’ll read longer and more often.
11. Make yourself accountable by doing this challenge with a friend or a group of friends, or an entire book club. If you prefer the individual accountability approach, try journaling or charting your progress. Add stickers – go wild!
12. Simple and easy, for the win! Choose a reasonable goal, make reading a habit, and most of all, have fun.
22 Reasons Why You Should Do a Reading Challenge (or Any Reading Challenge)
You may ask, “Why should I do the 2022 Reading Challenge?” or “What’s the purpose of doing a reading challenge?” I hear you! It’s a commitment and a bit of an undertaking to read several books in a year.
But it’s so worth it! Why? Well, for starters, here are 22 reasons for doing a reading challenge and the benefits you’ll gain from developing a regular reading habit.
Plus, knowing your “why” and reminding yourself of it can give you the motivation you need to get started and complete the 2022 Reading Challenge. If any of these resonate with you, copy them or write them down. Then display your top reasons and use them as motivation to keep reading.
22 Reasons to Do a Reading Challenge
- Setting a reading goal leads to more reading
- Discover different authors
- Realize you like a new genre
- Be a positive influence to inspire others to read
- Get inspired to learn more about yourself
- For the entertainment value
- Reduce your stress and anxiety
- Get a better night’s sleep
- Improve your mood and lessen depression
- Expand your imagination and creativity
- Build discipline and earn a feeling of accomplishment
- Improve your focus and concentration
- Strengthen your brain and keep your brain young
- Build your vocabulary
- Increase your knowledge
- Sharpen your memory
- Gain better analytical thinking skills
- Improve your communication skills
- Broaden your perspective on the world
- Develop empathy about other people’s lives
- Extend your lifespan
- For the fun of it
I dive deeper into each benefit in 22 Reasons Why You Should Do a Reading Challenge.
Final Thoughts: Completing a Reading Challenge
Hopefully, this Reading Challenge is the spark you need to take time for yourself and escape into a good book. Get ready to dive into a new booklist each month and discover some amazing, unforgettable books that inspire and entertain you.
Best of all, by the end of the year, being able to say that you read 12 books should be a cause for celebration! And don’t forget all those extraordinary benefits you’ll gain from a year of regular reading.
Good luck, and remember, no worries if life gets in the way and you miss a few days/weeks of reading. Get back on track with next month’s booklist. And, most of all, happy reading!
Doing this year’s Reading Challenge?
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