#12 Books. 1 Year. 16 Categories.
Welcome to the Jax Stacks Reading Challenge, the Library's year-round reading challenge for adults! Your librarians have hand-picked 16 categories of books for you to choose from. You pick the 12 that most interest you and start reading. It's that simple. Try a new series, a new genre or a new format (like audiobooks). It's a great way to broaden your reading horizons or read something you might have overlooked in the past!
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Rules | Recommendations | Categories
Virtual Book Club | Prizes | Get Social
Learn the Rules
Rule #1: Have fun reading.
Rule #2: Check out books from the Library!
That’s all we’re really asking of you! But if you want some more structure, head on over to our Jax Stacks blog for a complete rundown of the rules and how to claim a prize.
Keeping track of your progress? Stop by your local library for a Jax Stacks Reading Challenge Bookmark. We also ask that you bring the completed bookmark back to the library when you're done or email us a picture of it if you want to claim a prize for completion. More on that below!
Get Recommendations
Looking for ideas (or a friendly reminder)? Sign up for the Jax Stacks email newsletter!
Every month, we'll send library staff suggestions for each of the 16 categories! Note: You can read any book that fits a category, not just the ones we send out, but if you need help finding something new, the mailing list is here for you! We also post book recommendations to the Library's blog.
Get great book recommendations by email!
Pro Tip: For even more great book recommendations, sign up for The Book Hookup or get a Personalized Booklist from one of our librarians!
Pick Your 12 Challenge Categories for 2024
Pick your 12 favorite categories from the list below and then just find one book to read for each category, for a total of 12 books. Note: Each book only counts for one category, so choose wisely! Don't worry if you get started later in the year! Any book you've read in 2024 -- that fits one of these 16 categories -- counts for the challenge.
For more detailed descriptions of each category, check out our blog!
- A book by a 2024 Lit Chat author*
- A book with an eye-catching cover
- A book published the year you were born
- A book you read as a child
- A book of poetry, essays, or short stories
- A book read by a Library Book Club in 2024**
- A sci-fi or alternate history book set in Asia
- A book with an LGBTQIA+ protagonist
- A nonfiction graphic novel or comic book
- A Pulitzer Prize-winning book
- A book by a Jacksonville author
- A book in translation, written in the 21st century
- A horror or dystopian novel
- A cookbook
- A book by a debut author over 50
- A book based on mythology
*Find recommendations for 2024 Lit Chat authors on our monthly Lit Chat blog
**See what our Library Book Clubs are reading on our monthly Book Club blog
Join the Virtual Book Club
Want to connect with fellow Jax Stacks Readers across Jacksonville? Join us at our monthly Jax Stacks Virtual Book Club and come talk about the books you're reading! Each meeting will focus on one or two categories from the bookmark. Note: No specific book is required to be read for this book club. But it is a way for you to get (and give) extra book recommendations!
Pick a Prize
It's completely optional but if you want to win a prize, be sure to keep track of those book titles on your Jax Stacks Reading Challenge bookmark. When you're done, just snap a picture of the front and back and send it to us at jplprograms@coj.net before December 31, 2024! You can also bring it to your favorite library location and ask a librarian to snap the picture and submit it on your behalf. All winners receive a 50% off coupon to the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library Bookstore. You can also choose between a Jax Stacks-branded tote, sunglasses, mug, or tumbler (while supplies last).
Get Social
As you read through the challenges, share what you’re reading on social media using the hashtag #jaxstacks and #amreading. Be sure to tag @jaxlibrary on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram so we see your posts! You can also become a member of our Library U Facebook Group!
