Wickson Library is launching a new and exciting Winter Reading Challenge to kick off the new year. Winter is the perfect time to start or reignite a reading habit. With the cold weather keeping us indoors, there's no better excuse to curl up with a good book.
The challenge features 12 snowballs, each containing a unique genre or type of book to complete, but participants are only required to complete 5 of these challenges. Some of the challenges for the Winter Reading Challenge include mystery, poetry, young adult fiction, historical fiction, a celebrity book club pick, or a book by a local Michigan author.
One of the perks of this particular challenge is that it provides a framework for pushing people to read outside of their preferred genre while also allowing patrons enough space to read exclusively within the confines of their comfort zone.
Wickson’s Winter Reading Challenge also provides people with an opportunity to set a small goal and accomplish it. For those wishing to read more frequently in the new year, setting a clear, achievable goal—like completing five books by the end of February—can be incredibly motivating.
If you’ve never tried a reading challenge before, you might find that it’s the perfect way to ease into the new year without feeling overwhelmed. Alternatively, if you’re a big fan of reading challenges, then this challenge might feel like a warm welcome in this very cold season.
Winter is arguably the best season for reading, and for good reason. The long, dark evenings invite us to slow down and unwind. The season itself requires that we bundle up, bust out the blankets, and snuggle up with a steaming cup of hot cocoa or tea. And while Michigan winters are not peak travel season, there’s no better feeling than escaping into the world of a good book. Winter is the perfect time for reflection, hibernation, and plenty of quiet moments, and reading is a wonderful companion for all these things.
Participating in the Winter Reading Challenge is also an opportunity to make reading a more social activity. Many people find a sense of community in connecting with others about the books they're reading, and one of the challenges on the reading log is to read a book recommended by a friend. This is my absolute favorite way of gleaning recommendations, and ones that usually pay off. So, ask your friends what they are reading, and when in doubt, ask your local librarians.
Those interested in participating in the Winter Reading Challenge can stop by the Wickson Library to pick up their reading log. Everyone 18 years and older who completes five challenges can bring their completed reading log into the library by February 25, 2025. All finishers will receive a 2025 edition Winter Reading Champ enamel pin.
It's a great season to settle down with a book and try something new. And who knows, you might finally tackle that reading list you've been meaning to get to—and enjoy the journey along the way. Happy reading!
