Are you looking for a way to spark your student's love of reading? Searching to move them beyond their preferred genre? Join me in a reading challenge this year!
In 2024, I came across a challenge designed to drive adults to read. It grabbed my attention. As a young child, I was an avid reader. I grew up in a home without a television set until my high school years. As a result, my family found entertainment in good books. My parents modeled this by reading books to us, alongside us, and on their own. I distinctly remember seeing stacks of books my parents were reading; we had bookcases loaded with tons of options, even the old World Encyclopedias. As I grew into an adult, joined the workforce, and had children, the time I had available to read for pleasure diminished and became overshadowed by daily responsibilities. So when I stumbled upon this post, I determined to join this challenge and try to bring back an old love.
I spent time thinking about which goal I could realistically achieve and then wrote a list of the books I would read. Some of my choices were old favorites I wanted to rediscover, some were titles I had always wanted to read, some recommendations came from friends. I ordered some online and gathered those I already owned before clearing off a prominent space on a shelf in my living room where I stacked my selection as a visual reminder of my goal as well as a sort of display of my accomplishments after I finished reading. My family was curious about what I was doing - did they think I was nuts? - but were supportive. Over the months that followed, I became used to hearing my kids ask me about what I was reading and what "number" I was on. Can you believe that I met my original goal of 13 books with three more partially finished? I hadn't read that many books in years.
I'd love to share a similar challenge with you for 2025. Like you, I want to get good books into my childrens' hands to spark a love of reading. My two eldest daughters are avid readers, but my two youngest children prefer comics and graphic novels, which have their place but pale in comparison to great (or even good) literature.
So, modeled after the post that spurred me back into reading in 2024, I created this list of 13 genres. Choose any title you'd like to build a list of books to read in 2025. Get your student involved in making the choices if you can, and then work together to choose a reward they would like to earn once they've met their goal. Make your own list as well - model reading around your children and establish a love of books in your home!
Happy reading, and Happy New Year!
