On the Reading Challenge: Reading, Learning, and Sharing in 2023
To explore, to learn, to grow, to open new doors, to reminisce, to look ahead, to travel vicariously through the thoughts of others, to see things from another perspective, to be entertained, to have something interesting to share… There are many reasons why participating in a reading challenge can be a fun and beneficial experience for all. Massachusetts Center for the Book’s goal in creating it was to encourage reading, of course, while imposing creative restrictions on choosing which books to read, which, with so many incredible options, can sometimes be an overwhelming experience. We hoped to unite readers across the Commonwealth in a shared goal, one that can be discussed and expanded upon in local communities.
We are delighted that to date, 1,200+ readers have signed up to take part in the challenge, and we look forward to seeing the number grow throughout the year. We invite participants to share their thoughts about the books they read with us through the monthly entry form located on our website, through social media if they feel so inclined, and through our virtual Shout & Share series, the first of which will be on January 31 at 7pm. Register for the event using this link. With 60+ Reading Partners across the Commonwealth, the list of which can be found on our website here, we encourage readers to check out corresponding programs and displays in their local communities. Reading is generally a solitary activity, but being able to engage in communal conversation about a specific book or a category/genre can heighten the experience and increase understanding.
Regarding my personal choices for the challenge, September was an easy one, as I only have one book on my to-read shelf where the author’s name matches my own; that book is The White City by Karolina Ramqvist. A friend had gotten that book for me a couple of years ago for the exact reason of the author sharing my name. My go-to for books under 100 pages is a collection of poetry, one of my favorite genres to read, and to write. Because I was born in Poland, my pick for February may be one of Olga Tokarczuk’s novels translated into English, most of which are set in Poland on the border with the Czech Republic, close to where I grew up. If you are looking for a book in translation for the month of August, I highly recommend Flights by Olga Tokarczuk. I look forward to choosing my Mass Book Awards honoree book for March by scouring the list of honorees, past and present, on our website here. I’m finding that choosing the books is just as fun as getting to read them!
I wish all you other adventure-seeking bookworms out there happy reading!
