Jax Stacks Reading Challenge for Adults

Jax Stacks Reading Challenge

#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! 


#Skip to:

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 email a picture of the completed bookmark if you want to claim a prize for completion.

Jax Stacks Bookmarks


 

#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! 

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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 2024 Challenge Categories

Choose your categories and read one book that fits each category, for a total of 12 books. 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

  1. A book by a 2024 Lit Chat author
  2. A book with an eye-catching cover
  3. A book published the year you were born
  4. A book you read as a child
  5. A book of poetry, essays, or short stories
  6. A book read by a Library Book Club in 2024
  7. A sci-fi or alternate history book set in Asia
  8. A book with an LGBTQIA+ protagonist
  9. A nonfiction graphic novel or comic book
  10. A Pulitzer Prize-winning book
  11. A book by a Jacksonville author
  12. A book in translation, written in the 21st century
  13. A horror or dystopian novel
  14. A cookbook
  15. A book by a debut author over 50
  16. A book based on mythology

 

#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!

Jax Stacks Book Club meeting first Tuesday of the month via Zoom.

 


 

#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! 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).

Jax Stacks branded prizes including a tote, mug, tumbler and sunglasses

 

#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!


 

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