#Broaden Your Reading Horizons

Welcome to the 2023 Jax Stacks Reading Challenge, the Library's year-round reading challenge for adults! Library staff have hand-picked 16 categories of books for you to read this year. Try a new series, a new genre or a new format (like audiobooks). It's also a great way to check out some books you might have overlooked!

#Skip to:

Rules | Recommendations | Book Club | Categories | Prizes | Get Social

#Learn the Rules

Rule number one: Have fun reading.
Rule number two: check out books from your local library!

That’s it, that’s all we’re really asking of you! But if you want some more structure, and a prize, head on over to our Jax Stacks blog for a complete rundown. Or, stop by your local library for a 2023 Jax Stacks Reading Challenge Bookmark! 

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#Get Recommendations

Looking for ideas (or a monthly reminder)? Sign up for Jax Stacks emails at bit.ly/JaxLibraryUpdates. Every month, we'll send our 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'll also post these book recommendations to the Library's blog.

Pro Tip: If you want even more book recommendations (from all kinds of categories), you can also sign up for The Book Hookup or get a Personalized Booklist from one of our librarians!

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#Join the Book Club

Want to connect with fellow Jax Stacks Readers across Jacksonville? Join us at our monthly Jax Stacks Book Club meetings and come talk about the books you're reading! Each meeting will focus on one or two categories from the bookmark. 

Note: Meeting locations and times change every three months. This is a great opportunity for you to meet fellow book lovers in different parts of the City and to visit a library branch you might not have seen before! You might just find a new favorite!

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#Choose Your Categories

Choose the 12 categories that interest you and read one book that fits each category, for a total of 12 books. Each book only counts for one category, so choose wisely!

1. A book you've read and loved before
2. A book written before 2000
3. A book in a genre you don't usually read
4. A book recommended by a Library staff member
5. A historical book set in Africa
6. A book in translation
7. A book written by an author when they were under 30
8. A book set in a place you want to visit
9. A book read by one of the Library's book clubs in 2023 
10. A book by a visiting 2023 Lit Chat author
11. A self-improvement, how-to, or DIY book
12. A book with a non-human protagonist
13. A book banned in the last 10 years
14. A book by a Nobel Prize winner
15. A book with illustrations
16. A book under 300 pages

Don't worry if you get started late! Any book you read in 2023 that fits the categories counts for the challenge. For more detailed descriptions of each category, check out our blog! 

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#Pick a Prize

If you want to win a prize, be sure to write those book titles down on our Reading Challenge bookmark, snap a picture of the completed bookmark, and send it to us at jplprograms@coj.net before December 31, 2023! YOu can choose between a Jax Stacks branded tote, notebook, earbuds and more (while supplies last).

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#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, TikTok and Instagram!