2025 Reading Challenge

Can you believe it? We are already at the quarter century mark! It is time to begin a new reading challenge. Last year, we had great success with our first Bingo reading challenge where many of you completed all 25 unique challenges. Congratulations!

The Challenge

To join the 2025 challenge, complete the short sign-up form located on the table in the library's sun room. Place it in the designated folder and take one on the available colored challenge start-up folders. This packet contains instructions, your Bingo Challenge card, and a blank log sheet to get you started.

As usual, the challenge will contain two parts:

1) Set a personal reading goal (minimum of 10). Try to increase your goal from last year. Add your goal to the sign-up form.

2) Complete the Bingo Card Genre Challenges. This year, the focus is on increasing our knowledge of book genres and sub-genres. While the goal is to challenge ourselves, we also want to have fun. With that in mind, the requirements for a successful completion this year will be slightly different. Participants only need to finish 15 of the 25 challenges BUT they must read at least ONE book from each column. For example, if you are not a big Romance reader, choose at least one of the sub-genres in that category to try out. Ask a fellow reader who knows your tastes to suggest a title that you may enjoy. Genre descriptions are provided in each square.

Tracking Your Books Read

Record all books read on the provided log sheet.

• Clearly print your name at the top (or you won't get credit for your reading).

• Clearly enter the title and author of the books you read in each numbered row.

• If you are in the bingo challenge, enter the square ID in the third column. (e.g. B-1)

• Check the last column if you would recommend that book to others. Turn in completed log sheets as you go and pick up a clean log at the same time. There is a designated folder for this in the library sun room.

• If you are working the bingo card, you can also list on the back of the card books read that are specific to the challenge. This will help you remember what challenges were completed as you will be turning in log sheets as they are finished.

  
  

Finding Books That Meet the Challenge

To help you find matching books for each challenge, you will continue to find custom bookmarks in books borrowed from the Senior Center library. When you see a book with this bookmark, look at the checked boxes and match the ID to the same square on the bingo card. As some books may meet more than one challenge, only select one option per book. If possible, return books with the bookmark intact to help the next reader's selection.

The Beverly Public Library knows about the challenge and can assist you in finding matching books in their inventory. Don't hesitate to ask for their help.

As the Senior Center Librarian and Reading Challenge Coordinator, feel free to ask me questions when you see me or email me at clarelund@me.com. I am happy to help.

Enjoy the challenge!

Clare Lundberg