Jax Stacks Reading Challenge for Adults

# 12 Books, 16 Categories, 1 Year

Welcome to the Jax Stacks Reading Challenge, Jacksonville Public Library's only year-round reading challenge specifically for adults! Every year, your friendly (and book-obsessed) local librarians will craft 16 fun and challenging categories of books for you to choose from, along with some recommendations to get you started. You pick the 12 categories that interest you most and start reading! It's that simple.

Throughout the year, we hope that you try a new series, a new genre or a new format (like graphic novels). You might just find a new favorite! It's also a great way to broaden your reading horizons or read something you might have overlooked in the past! 

Skip to:

Learn the Rules | Choose Your Categories 

Get Book Recommendations

Pick a Prize | Get Social

Learn the "Rules"

Rule #1: Have fun reading.
Rule #2: Check out books from the Library.
Rule #3: Let us know when you're done.

That’s all we’re really asking of you! OK. So, these are really more like guidelines than rules (except the first rule, we're pretty sure that one is important).  You can complete as much or as little of the challenge as you want. Don't think you can commit to 12 books? Pick your favorite category and just start reading. You might surprise yourself! But if you want some more structure, or you plan on completing the challenge, keep reading!

Keeping track of your progress?

Stop by your local library for a Jax Stacks Reading Challenge Bookmark. Just make sure to grab the one with the current challenge year on the front! To claim your prize, 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!

Choose Your 2025 Challenge Categories

Choose your reading adventure - starting January 1, 2025! 

Pick your 12 categories from the list below. Then, find one book to read for each category, for a total of 12 books, before the end of the year. 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 2025 -- that fits one of these 16 categories -- counts for the challenge.

1. A book by a 2025 Lit Chat author*
2. A book read by a Library Book Club in 2025**
3. A book from a Library display
4. A book by an author who shares your name or initials
5. A book published before 2000
6. The first book in a series
7. An anthology or book with two or more authors
8. A retelling of another book or story
9. An epistolary book or diary format
10. A graphic novel, either in fiction or nonfiction
11. A book featuring a Neurodivergent character***
12. A mystery set outside the U.S.
13. A nonfiction book about a minority group or person
14. A book about music
15. A book with a heist
16. A book written for children

For starter recommendations, check out our blog.

Get Book Recommendations

Looking for ideas (or a friendly reminder)? Sign up for the Jax Stacks email newsletter! On January 1, 2025, we'll be sending out the first round of recommendations (a few books for each category) via a welcome message to current subscribers. Don't worry if you sign up after that. We'll be sending out the same welcome message regularly to new subscribers! 

Every month, we'll also send you reminders about our Library Book Clubs, Lit Chat author programs, and anything else that will help you complete the challenge! In addition to being able to cross off "A book read by a Library Book Club," throughout the year, these groups will be tackling other categories as well. So, join a Library Book Club or track their monthly picks! 

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 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! 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 may also choose from a Jax-Stacks-branded reusable canvas tote, ceramic mug, journal, or stainless tumbler. 

Get Social

Are you a Bookstagrammer? 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 and Instagram so we see your posts! You can also become a member of our Library U Facebook Group!

Keep track of your progress and make recommendations for other readers on the Jax Stacks StoryGraph Challenge. You can also find the challenge on Goodreads.