Pre-Readathon Mini-Challenge

Several years ago, we started doing “pre-readathon readathons”. These were usually 2-3 different “challenges” that people could participate in to get amped up for the readathon. When we took over as hosts, this was something that we wanted to bring to the event as a whole. These are completely optional to participate in and are just meant to be fun.

For the first of our challenges, we thought it would be fun to put together a list of 15 reading challenges for you to complete before the start of the readathon. These are intended to challenge you, but not be impossible. You can track your reading challenge here on the blog or in the space for the challenge on the Goodreads or Facebook groups as well as our new Reddit Community (each of those link back to where you can post your challenge). Please just make a new post or comment and then update it as you complete a challenge. Each book read, may only qualify for one challenge, so no double dipping for this (unlike in the Bingo event).

So without further ado, here are your Reading Challenges:

1. Read a “long” book (over 500 pages) – For readers under 13, page count over 250 pages. Can be multiple books
2. Read a “short” book (under 250 pages) – For readers under 13, page count under 100 pages. Can be multiple books
3. Pick 5 of your favorite genres and enter them in a randomizer. Read a book in that genre
4. Read a “spooky” book (your own definition of spooky is fine)
5. Read a book that is 75% one color on the cover.
6. Read a book that was published in the last 18 months
7. Read a book that was published more than 100 years ago – For readers under 13 years old, a book published more than 10 years ago.
8. Read a book set in the Fall or with a cover that looks like it is Fall (leaves changing, etc)
9. Read a book set in the Spring or with a cover that looks like it is Spring (trees blooming, etc)
10. Read at least 75% of a book when it’s dark outside – For readers under 13, it must be read 75% after dinner, but doesn’t have to be when it’s dark outside.
11. Read at least 75% of a book outside (please social distance… a park or back patio will do fine)
12. Read a book with an animal (real or made up) on the cover
13. Read a book with a main character or author whose first name starts with the same letter as your first name.
14. Take five books you really want to read and put them in a randomizer and read whichever one is chosen.
15. Read a book that is set in a location you wish you could visit or live in. This location can be real or imaginary.

We are allowing one Alternate task where if there is a task you don’t like or can’t complete, you may read book of your choosing in it’s place. This may only be done once. The only other requirement is that qualifying books need to be over 125 pages (except for the short book task and for readers under 13).

***I have tried to add adjustments for our younger readers, but parents, if you feel any challenge prompt needs further adaption, please feel free to do this. No need to check if a prompt is okay. You know your child and what will challenge them.

Once you have fully completed the reading challenge, you may come back here and enter your information and books on included Google Form. Everyone who completes the challenge will be given a shout out in the Welcome post on the day of the readathon! And one lucky person will be awarded a gift card from Steph Coelho. Thank you so much for offering a prize donation!