Are you ready to boldly go where no book nerd has ever gone before? We hope so, because in 2024, we’re embarking on a TRULY EPIC READING CHALLENGE!
It’s always great to hit a big reading milestone, but when we’re in a reading rut, progressing page by page counts too. This challenge is designed to help you do just that, helping you achieve your dream book nerd status.
Part 1: Reading Challenge Prompts
Our bookish prompts throughout the year will help you step up your reading game, go outside of your comfort zone, and maybe even make some fellow book nerd friends in the process! Now, because we respect choice when it comes to a book nerd’s taste, we won’t be choosing one specific book for everyone to read every month. Instead, we came up with 12 prompts to guide us throughout the year. Each month’s prompt also has enough wiggle room if you want to add an additional layer onto your challenge. For example, if you want to read books by only BIPOC or queer authors, or only graphic novels, or only banned/challenged books, you can absolutely do that with these prompts! If you’re stumped about what to read for a particular prompt, keep scrolling for recommendations from our blog.
Part 2: Off-the-Page Challenges
You already know we’re an ambitiously bookish bunch, so in addition to the reading prompts, we also came up with a series of off-the-page challenges to do every month as well. Before you get stressed, don’t worry—a majority of these challenges are things you can do from the comfort of your favorite reading space, and we encourage you to get creative!
Keep Us Posted!
Want to share with us what you’ll be reading? Be sure to use #EpicReadingChallenge in your social posts each month. Need some inspo from your favorite team of YA enthusiasts? Follow along with us on Instagram and TikTok where we’ll be posting about the challenge throughout each month. (However, if you’re less interested in following along month-by-month with the Epic Reads team, you also have the option to mix and match the prompts and challenges throughout the year to do your own thing and make it yours!)
At the end of the day, this is about all of us reading as a community and discussing the books that bring us together. And if you find yourself falling behind, don’t worry about it! There are always more books.
Awesome, right?! So now that we’ve gotten the basics out of the way, here are our 2024 challenge prompts (in both monthly and mix & match formatting!)
2024 Epic Reads Next Page Reading Challenge
Jump to: Yearly Checklists | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Yearly Checklists
Monthly Challenge Printable PDF
Epic Reads Reading Challenge Printable PDF
January
Reading Prompt: The First Book in a Series
Can’t decide what to read this month? Look for ideas in:
- Completed Book Series to Binge Guaranteed to Keep You Reading
- YA Trilogies That Prove It’s Still the Best Type of Series
- These YA Duologies Will Look Great On Your Shelf
Off-the-Page Challenge: Buddy read with a friend!
Not sure how to participate? Here are some ideas:
- Make time together in person or on video chat
- Start a book club
February
Reading Prompt: A Multi POV Book
Can’t decide what to read this month? Look for ideas in:
Off-the-Page Challenge: Show your local library some LOVE!
Not sure how to participate? Here are some ideas:
- Sign up for or renew your library card
- Donate books to your local library
- Ask a librarian if you can volunteer
March
Reading Prompt: A Book with a Movie or TV Adaptation
Can’t decide what to read this month? Look for ideas in:
Off-the-Page Challenge: Donate to a Little Free Library!
Not sure how to participate? Here are some ideas:
- Find a LFL in your area
- If you don’t have a LFL nearby, start one in your neighborhood
April
Reading Prompt: A Book That’s Been on Your TBR Forever!
Can’t decide what to read this month? Look for ideas in:
Off-the-Page Challenge: Visit an indie bookstore and follow them on social media!
Not sure how to participate? Here are some ideas:
- Search “independent bookstore near me” in your search engine of choice
- If you’re not able to get to a bookstore this month, shop from/follow a bookstore listed on Bookshop.org or IndieBound
May
Reading Prompt: A Book with Gorgeous Cover Design
Can’t decide what to read this month? Look for ideas in:
Off-the-Page Challenge: Share a book with someone!
Not sure how to participate? Here are some ideas:
- Tell a friend/family member/coworker/anyone who will listen about a book you loved
- Post about a book you love on social (be sure to tag the author if they’re on that platform and the review would actually make them smile!)
- If you’re brave enough, lend someone a book from your collection
June
Reading Prompt: A Book Outside of Your Comfort Zone
Can’t decide what to read this month? Keep an eye out for our “Books to Read if You Hate…” post coming soon!
Off-the-Page Challenge: Watch the Epic Reads History of Queer Lit video!
Looking for something to do beyond just watching the video?
- Share it with people you love or on your social media (if it’s safe for you to do so)
- Read one of the literary works featured in the video
July
Reading Prompt: A Book Known for Making People Cry
Can’t decide what to read this month? Look for ideas in:
- YA Books Guaranteed to Make You Ugly Cry
- YA Fantasy Stories That Will Make You Ugly Cry—And Break Your Heart
- Historical Fiction Books That Made Us Cry
- Heart-Wrenching Contemporary YA Novels That Will Make You Feel All of the Emotions
- Heartbreaking, Angsty Romances That Will Beautifully Shatter Your Heart
Off-the-Page Challenge: Buy or donate a used book!
Not sure how to participate? Here are some ideas:
- Check out this list of book donation options from the American Library Association
- Purchase a book from a local/online used bookstore or secondhand shop
August
Reading Prompt: A Diverse/Gender Swapped Retelling
Can’t decide what to read this month? Look for ideas in:
- Classic Retellings Reimagined With BIPOC Characters
- YA Queer Retellings That Might Be Even Better Than the Classics
Off-the-Page Challenge: Spend time reading outdoors!
Not sure how to safely participate? Here are some ideas:
- Choose a time of day where the weather is conducive to sitting outside with seasonally appropriate clothing
- Read with a friend, family member, or group you know well (or make sure someone you know and trust is aware of your location)
September
Reading Prompt: A Book Based on Your Favorite Season
Can’t decide what to read this month? Look for ideas in:
- YA Romance Books to Read Based on Your Favorite Season
- YA Fantasy Books to Read Based on Your Favorite Season
Off-the-Page Challenge: Post a review of your favorite book so far this year!
Not sure how to participate? Here are some ideas:
- Leave a review on the platform where you purchased your book
- Leave a review on Goodreads, Storygraph, or a similar book tracking platform
- Post about your thoughts on social media
October
Reading Prompt: A Banned or Challenged Book
Can’t decide what to read this month? Look for ideas in:
- Banned and Challenged Books That Will Always Have a Spot on Our Shelves
- ALA’s Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022
- ALA’s Top Challenged Books Archive
Off-the-Page Challenge: Support a book that’s banned or challenged!
Not sure how to participate? Here are some ideas:
- Share a banned book you love with people in your life
- Reach out to your school board or local government representative—or a banned/challenged author (with these handy-dandy prompts!)
- Get even more ideas from the American Library Association
November
Reading Prompt: A Graphic Novel
Can’t decide what to read this month? Look for ideas in:
- Graphic Novels You Need to Read Because Yes, They Do Count as Real Books
- Fantasy Graphic Novels to Escape Into
- Sci-Fi Graphic Novels That’ll Take You to New Dimensions
Off-the-Page Challenge: Write a letter/fan mail to your favorite author!
Not sure how to participate? Here are some ideas:
- Visit their website to see how they like to be contacted
- Interact with their posts on social media (if they have accounts)
- THINK before you reach out — make sure it’s Thoughtful, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind
December
Reading Prompt: A Book by a 2024 Debut Author
Can’t decide what to read this month? Keep an eye out for our 2024 Debut Author post coming soon!
Off-the-Page Challenge: Follow a debut author on social media!
Looking for something to do beyond just following them?
- Like or leave a positive comment on one of their posts
- Attend a book tour event if they come to your area
- Post about how much you loved their book