Key Takeaways
- Reading challenges help libraries connect with readers and help readers easily decide what to read next.
- The 2026 NoveList Reading Challenge offers ready-made prompts with curated book lists in NoveList Plus.
- Free resources include a yearly overview, plus customizable materials in LibraryAware.
How reading challenges help libraries engage readers
Reading challenges aren’t just fun add‑ons to your library services, they're practical tools for helping readers get started and stay interested. A simple challenge prompt lowers the barrier to entry for busy or hesitant readers, replacing “What should I read?” with a clear, inviting next step. Just as importantly, challenges invite exploration without pressure, encouraging readers to try new genres, authors, or story styles in ways that feel approachable and rewarding. Over time, that gentle nudge can help readers move past slumps, expand their reading habits, and discover books they might never have picked up on their own.
For libraries, reading challenges create consistent opportunities to connect with readers throughout the year. Each prompt becomes a built-in touchpoint that keeps readers coming back for fresh ideas while expanding your readers’ advisory beyond the desk. With curated book lists to support each prompt, you can share your expertise with a large audience while still encouraging readers to have meaningful interactions with staff if they want even more options. And when readers participate together, even informally, challenges foster a shared sense of community built around reading.
NoveList is here to support your reading challenge all year
That’s where we come in. NoveList helps readers identify what they love about books across genres, formats, and styles. With the 2026 NoveList Reading Challenge, we’re inviting your library and your patrons to join us in a year of exploration centered on a simple idea: Find what you like.
At NoveList, we believe people already have a sense of what they enjoy, or at least what they’ve enjoyed so far. But sometimes readers rule out entire genres before they’ve found the right fit. The right book — one that blends familiar favorite elements with something new — can open the door to a whole category of reading they didn’t expect to love.
It’s not too late to start a reading challenge
If you’re midway through the year, it can feel like you’ve missed your chance — but reading challenges don’t have to be all-or-nothing. Starting mid-year can make the challenge feel more manageable and flexible, giving readers the freedom to choose the prompts that excite them most. When readers jump in at different points, it reinforces the idea that reading is a personal journey where every book counts, no matter when you begin.
If you want to encourage readers to join in, consider framing your challenge seasonally. You can even break up the NoveList Reading Challenge into Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter lists, creating natural entry points throughout the year and more chances to embrace reading.
Reading challenge resources in Novelist Plus and LibraryAware
To make the 2026 NoveList Reading Challenge easy to use, our team of experts has created curated lists in NoveList Plus for each monthly prompt. These lists highlight the range of options within each genre, helping you match different types of readers with books that will truly click. Whether your patrons stick to their favorites or want to branch out, you’ll have ready-to-use recommendations that support both.
We rolled out the first half of the lists in December, and, as promised, the July-December lists launch in early June, so you’re ready to support readers throughout the rest of the year.
You’ll also find helpful materials in LibraryAware, including a customizable reading tracker, social media graphics, and a ready-to-go email. Everything is designed to save you time while making it easier to promote the challenge and connect readers with books they’ll love.
Yaika Sabat is the Manager of Reader Content and Services at NoveList. She's currently reading American Rapture by CJ Leede.
