Jax Stacks Reading Challenge for Adults

# 1 Year, 12 Books, 16 Challenge Categories

Welcome to the Jax Stacks Reading Challenge, Jacksonville Public Library's only year-round reading challenge for adults! Every year, your friendly (and book-obsessed) local librarians will craft:

• 16 fun and challenging categories for you to choose from
• Book 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! 

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Skip to:

Learn the Rules | Choose Your Categories 

Get Book Recommendations

Pick a Prize | Get Social

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The Complete "Rules"

Rule #1: Have fun reading.
Rule #2: Check out books from the Library.
Rule #3: Let us know when you're done so we can give you a prize!

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! 

To Claim Your Prize:

• Bring the completed bookmark back to the Library on or before December 31
• or email jplprograms@coj.net with a picture of your completed bookmark (front and back)

Need Help 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 (listed on the front)! For those who prefer a paperless options, the challenge categories are also listed on StoryGraph and Goodreads.

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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. Each book only counts for one category, so choose wisely! 

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

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.

*This category focuses on characters with neurological differences or those with developmental disorders. Typically, individuals who identify as neurodivergent have one or more of the following: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia, Tourette Syndrome, and/or sensory processing issues. People with certain mental health conditions, such as Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive and Anxiety Disorders, or an intellectual disability such as Down Syndrome might also identify as Neurodiverse.

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Get Book Recommendations

For starter recommendations, read our blog. We also post a few on social media when we announce the challenge categories. If you don't already, please follow us on Facebook or Instagram. We even have a Facebook Group you can join!

For more ideas (and a friendly reminder), sign up for the Jax Stacks email newsletter! On January 1, we send 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:

• Library Book Clubs
• Lit Chat author talks and interviews
• and anything else that will help you complete the challenge

You may be able to cross off more than just "A book read by a Library Book Club" by joining a Library Book Club. Throughout the year, many of these groups will tackle other categories as well. So, find one to join with our events calendar or get their monthly picks on our blog! 

You can learn more about our featured authors and register for author talks and interviews with our monthly Lit Chat blogs. If you're catching up later in the year, you can also find past interviews on our YouTube Channel or Completely Booked Podcast (available wherever you get your podcasts).  

Pro Tip: For even more great book recommendations, sign up for The Book Hookup or get a Personalized Booklist from one of our librarians!

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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. 

Winners receive a

• 50% off coupon to the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library Bookstore
• Choice of a reusable canvas tote, mug, journal, or tumbler (while supplies last)

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Get Social

Are you a Bookstagrammer? Love rating books on #BookTok? 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 may also consider:

• Becoming a member of our Facebook Group
• Making recommendations on StoryGraph
• Finding the challenge on Goodreads

 

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