Reading Challenge 2021
This year, Toronto Public Library invites you to read widely and discover new books, authors and genres. Read or listen to 12 books in 12 categories from January to December to complete the 2021 Reading Challenge.
- Reading Challenge form
- How to participate
- The Challenge
- The Advanced Challenge
- What other participants are reading
- Join the Facebook group
- Reading Challenge programs at library branches
- Past Reading Challenges
- Rules & FAQ
Reading Challenge Form
Download the fillable, printable Reading Challenge form (PDF), or view the categories below.
How to Participate
- Read widely. Try books you wouldn’t normally read, in any format you like, and interpret the categories as broadly as you’d like.
- Track your reading. You can use the Borrowing History or Saved Lists features in Your Account, or any other method that works for you.
- Connect with other readers. Join the discussion on Facebook, or attend a Reading Challenge event.
- Win prizes. Share your booklist at the end of 2021 to be entered into a random draw for a prize pack.
The Challenge
Read or listen to 12 books in 12 categories in 12 months.
We'll be posting recommendations for each category over the course of the year in the order they're listed here:
Categories
- A book that is someone else's favourite
- A book that is the first in a series
- A book set in the future
- A book about growing older
- A book by an Indigenous woman or Two-Spirit* Indigenous person
- A book about your heritage or culture
- A book about someone unlike yourself
- A book by two or more people
- A children's book by an LGBTQ2S+ author
- A book by or about someone you'd like to meet
- A book that made you feel comforted or hopeful
- A book where the main character is not human
The Advanced Challenge
Up for more? Read or listen to 14 more books to complete the Advanced Challenge.
- A debut book
- A book about fame
- A book about music
- A book that is narrative non-fiction
- A book that was published posthumously
- A book of speculative fiction by a BIPOC† author
- A true story written by an author with a disability‡
- A book with a one-word title
- A book about love (not just the romantic kind)
- A book about someone who is living your dream
- A book in a genre you've never read before
- A book about STEM¶
- A book written before the author turned 21 (for 2021!)
- A book published this year
* Two-Spirit refers to an Indigenous person who identifies as having both a masculine and a feminine spirit. To learn more, visit the Re:searching for LGBTQ2S+ Health website.
† BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour.
‡ Disability is understood as any physical, mental, developmental, cognitive, learning, communication, sight, hearing, or functional limitation that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society. To learn more, visit the City of Toronto's Disability Awareness & Inclusion website.
¶ STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Join the Facebook Group
Share reading recommendations with fellow readers.
Upcoming Events
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Reading Challenge Online Book Discussion
Thu Mar 25, 2021 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Join us for a Reading Challenge-themed discussion all about books! Our librarians, Christie and Myrna, will host a virtual event to talk about "a book about fame", "a book about love (not just the romantic kind)" and "a book in a genre you've never read before".
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Reading Challenge Online Book Discussion
Wed Apr 28, 2021 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Join us for a Reading Challenge-themed discussion all about books! Our librarians will host a virtual event to talk about categories in the 2021 Challenge. They will be sharing their recommended books and asking for yours. Follow along and share your input.
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Reading Challenge Online Book Discussion
Thu May 27, 2021 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Join us for a Reading Challenge-themed discussion all about books! Our librarians will host a virtual event to talk about categories in the 2021 Challenge. They will be sharing their recommended books and asking for yours. Follow along and share your input.
Past Reading Challenges
Want to take the Challenge from previous years? Download the forms or browse our recommended reading lists.
Reading Challenge 2020
Reading Challenge 2019
Rules
Prize draw rules
The draw is open to all individuals who have completed the 2021 Reading Challenge and have a valid TPL card or Digital Access Card. Complete the online entry form by 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, January 2, 2022 to enter. Limit of one entry per person. On Monday, January 3, 2022, three individuals will be randomly selected to win a prize pack of books and library merchandise. A fourth winner will be drawn from those who have completed both the 2021 Reading Challenge and Advanced Challenge. Prize packs will be available for pickup at the winner’s choice of TPL branch. Winners will be required to answer a skill-testing question to claim their prize.
FAQ
- Who can participate in the Challenge and prize draw?
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The Challenge is for anyone who is interested in reading more.
To be eligible for the prize draw, you will need to have a valid Toronto Public Library card or Digital Access Card and complete the Challenge (don’t have a card yet? Here’s how to get one). Those who complete the Advanced Challenge as well will be eligible for an additional draw.
You don't need to participate in the online discussion to be eligible for the prize draw. Check back here in December 2021 for details on how to enter.
- Do I have to read books from the library?
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You can buy, borrow from friends, read from the library, raid your personal collection… any source of books is fair game.
- Do I have to read books in English? Can I read books in French?
- You can – in fact, you can read books in any language, not just English or French.
- How should I track the books I’m reading?
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There are several ways you can keep track of what you've read:
- use the Borrowing History feature in your library account
- use the library's Save to List feature
- track your reading on Goodreads
- keep track on the Reading Challenge form
- any other way that works for you.
- I prefer audiobooks. Do those count?
- Absolutely. If you prefer your books in audio, you’re welcome to listen to books for the Challenge too.
- I read a book that can fit into two of the categories on the Challenge. Can I use it for both?
- Nice try, but each book can only be used for a single Challenge category.
- My child is interested in the Challenge. Can they participate?
- The Challenge is generally aimed at adults, but children and teens are welcome. They will also be able to enter the prize draw in 2021.
- Where can I find recommendations for books to read?
- You can find reading recommendations online, on our Books page, and in blog posts throughout the year.