Winter Reading Challenges
Jackie and I started getting into the seasonal reading challenge game with our Summer reading bingo, but when that took off, we started seasonal reading challenges in the fall of 2022. The first of the winter reading challenges launched in December of 2022, but was known as the Winter 2023 reading challenge.
Released at the start of each winter season, Jackie and I work hard to come up with fun and inspiring book prompts to get people reading outside their normal book selections. The winter reading challenges feature 9 prompts to be read over the course of three months (December, January, and February).
While the Winter 2025 Reading Challenge is currently active, I know some people like to look back at previous challenges, either to substitute a prompt or simply to get inspired outside of the challenge. With that in mind, I’ve rounded up all the previous winter reading challenges in one spot for you to peruse.
Winter 2025 Reading Challenge
Reading Challenge Winter 2025 Prompts
- Best of 2024
- Holiday Book
- Set in the 80s
- Book Set in the Library
- Book Being Adapted
- Short Story
- Psychological Thriller Books
- Second Chance Romance Books
- Mythical Creature
- Check out these books with magical creatures, dragon books for adults, dragon books for tweens, vampire books
Winter 2024 Reading Challenge
Reading Challenge Winter 2024 Prompts
- Read a Book with a Con Artist or Thief
- Read a book by your favorite author (here are some of our favorite authors’ books ranked/ in order)
- Read a Book Set in Old Hollywood
- Read a Book with a Royal
- Read a Book Being Adapted to the Screen
- Read a Thought-Provoking Book
- Read a Sherlock Holmes Story or a Sherlock Retelling
- Read a Fake Dating Story
- Read a Book about Friendship
Winter 2023 Reading Challenge
Reading Challenge Winter 2023 Prompts
- Book Set During a Holiday
- Family Drama or Family Saga
- Book About the Holocaust
- Goodreads Choice Award Finalist for 2022
- Book Being Adapted into a Movie or Tv Show
- Book Set on the Beach
- Feel-Good Read
- Historical Romance
- Isolation Book
Expert Tip
- Intimidated by tackling 3 books a month? Try our annual reading challenge instead!
- Looking to read more than 3 books? Double up! Do more than one winter reading challenge at a time OR try reading two different books per prompt!
- Want to play around? Head to Instagram to join the community of reading challenge participants!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do a seasonal reading challenge?
Seasonal reading challenges are perfect for people with a short-term goal of wanting to increase their reading over a small span of time, making it easier to commit to than a year-long reading challenge. Seasonal reading challenges also tend to be tied to the season they are in, with fun prompts inspired by the season.
What are some good winter reading challenges?
The Beyond the Bookends Winter Reading Challenges are a medium-level difficulty, asking readers to tackle 9 books in three months (December, January, and February).
Join the Beyond the Bookends Book Club!
Looking to engage with like-minded readers and the authors of your favorite books? Join our book club!
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Epilogue
I think our 2024 winter reading challenge is my favorite because I love any excuse to read a beloved writer’s backlog of books! Have you participated in one of our winter reading challenges in the past? Which year was your favorite?
