52 Prompts for Your Yearly Reading Challenge: Printable PDFs
A reading challenge, simply put, is a fun and engaging way to connect with your passion for books. It’s a set goal you give yourself to read a particular number of books within a specific timeframe, like a year.
This reading challenge, for instance, could involve reading a set number of books by the end of the year. But it’s not just about quantity; a reading challenge can also encourage you to explore new genres, authors, or themes.
So, how does it work?
You set your reading goal, pick your books based on the ones you have in your current “to be read” (TBR) pile or that are being released in the upcoming year. Use the prompts below to help you choose which books will be on your reading list or to decide which one to read next.
There is no pressure. Read as many books as you like. If a book marks off more than one category on the list, great. If you want to read a different book for each suggestion, go for it. Tweak and change as you go so it works for you.
How Does it Work?
There are 52 prompts below. Each prompt will correspond to a book of your choice. It is like a scavenger hunt through the bookshelves.
Mix and match them however you wish. Decide if you will read a book for each prompt or if a book can satisfy more than one prompt at a time.
Any format of book works. Kindle. Audiobook. Hard copy. Whatever reading format you enjoy.
NOTE: If you end up with a “Did Not Finish” (DNF) book, the usual consensus is you can count it for the challenge if you read more than 100 pages.
Make it Your Reading Challenge
The following reading prompts (book list challenge) is available as a printable in multiple formats below.
A book that(s)
- a New Release (in the current year)
- you meant to read last year
- less than 250 pages
- more than 500 pages
- was gifted to you
- has a library or bookshop
- a funny memoir
- is about art
- a fantasy book
- has a movie or TV adaptation
- set during a historical time period
- has an obscured face on the cover
- recommended by a friend
- set in the woods or the mountains
- gives you cozy vibes
- set during winter (or has snow on the cover)
- has a king or queen
- cover is purple
- a legal thriller
- includes a skull on the cover
- set in a hotel or school
- set in a country you’ve never been to
- is written from the villain’s point of view
- a retelling of a fairy tale, myth, or classic novel
- gives you spooky vibes
- won a literary prize
- that is about an escape
- been on your TBR list for 5+ years
- by an author you love
- seasonal or holiday-themed
- set during summer (or has a beach on the cover)
- not your typical reading genre
- about secrets
- an author you‘ve never read
- has the name of a flower in the title
- has a multi-colored cover
- that has a male main character
- part of a series
- is a Goodreads Winner (pick the previous year or any year you like)
- has 250,000+ Goodreads ratings
- has less than 10,000 Goodreads ratings
- has a 5-star rating
- is a full-cast audiobook
- a short story collection/anthology
- includes a tree on the cover
- is told from multiple points of view
- has been sitting at the bottom of your to-read list
- cover is ugly
- is a popular book you have never read
- has a one-word title
- a book everyone is talking about
- a favorite (reread)
Book List Challenge
If you choose to go for the whole big list as a challenge, there is a printable with checkboxes and a space to write the title that you read for the challenge.
Jump around the list. There is no reason to work through it from top to bottom unless that is how you prefer to accomplish your reading goals for the year.
The list may seem a little daunting at first. As you get going it will be less intimidating. The fun will kick in and you may end up reading more books than you planned.
Printables for Reading Journals
The printables for each challenge format are posted below. Click the button and save or print. You can print them and add them to your reading journal, stick them to the fridge, or keep them in your current book as a reminder and to use as a placeholder.
If you are part of a book club and want to use the challenge with your bookish besties, feel free to share with them as well.
Full Sheet Challenge Tracker
Challenge Bookmark Tracker
Challenge Write In Pg 1
Challenge Write In Pg 2
Read 12 Books in a Year: Monthly Challenge
It might be that reading more than a book a month is just too much for your schedule. If that is the case, you can use the 12-month printable for your challenge instead. Each month has 3 suggestions for a book as well as a write-in slot for a prompt that you might want from the list that isn’t included in the 12-month options.
This is a great way to give yourself a bit of a challenge without it being overwhelming or feeling like it will be impossible to fit into your schedule. This list was made in 2024 but you can adapt it to any year (and pick up in any month you like).
52 Weeks of Reading
Can you finish a book in a week?
Your challenge could be to read a different book for each prompt. Finish all the prompts by the end of the year and you will have read at least 52 books. That’s impressive.
