This 2024 reading challenge is an easy way to stay motivated in your reading goals this year! With a fun variety of prompts, this challenge is accessible to readers of all ages and experience.
Do you enjoy reading but can never seem to find time to enjoy a good book? Do you want to read more but aren’t sure where to start? Are you looking for ways to mix up your reading routine? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, then this reading challenge is for you!
How this reading challenge works
- Download the list of 25 prompts for books to read this year. You can also make your own checklist in a bullet journal or other fun notebook if you want.
- During 2024, read 25 books that fit the prompts on this list. Check them off the list as you go and keep track of the books you read. Feel free to get creative with matching books to prompts. 🙂
- Let me know what you’re reading in the comments section or tag me on instagram @oldfashionedinspiration!
It’s that easy! Reading 25 books in a year means reading one book every two weeks, with two weeks built-in for a break if you need. If you set aside even 20 minutes to read every day, you can totally meet this goal.
Book ideas for this 2024 Reading Challenge
The point of this challenge is for you to explore new books and develop your own reading preferences. However, if you’re stuck on finding a book to match the prompt, you can check out this list for some inspiration:
Book you can’t put down – Obviously, this will depend on what you love to read, but here are a few ideas: A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin, Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk, Juniper: The girl who was born too soon by Kelley French.
New author – Again, this one will depend on what you’ve already read, so here are some newer novels to check out: The Star that Always Stays by Anna Rose Johnson, Her Hidden Genius by Marie Benedict, and The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin.
Retelling of a fairytale – I love these! The Ordinary Princess by M. M. Kaye, The Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson, and Ella Enchanted by Gail Levine.
Book set in Asia – If you want to count Russia as part of Asia, that works too. 🙂 Here are some ideas: Where the Wind Leads by Vihn Chung, Something Beautiful for God by Malcolm Muggeridge, Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.
Book title starting with the first letter of your name – I can’t list 26 books here, but here’s a few hints if your name starts with an uncommon letter: for “Q” try looking for books about queens or quilts, for “Z,” try looking for titles that start with “Zero,” and for “Y,” try finding titles that start with “Year.” (Also if the title includes “The,” you don’t have to count that as the first letter of the title. :))
Childhood favorite – Hopefully you have a few favorites you go back to again and again. I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery, The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, or The Green Ember by S. D. Smith.
Book about advent – Save this one for December! Tabitha’s Travels by Arnold Ytreeide is great for reading with kids while Joy to the World by John Piper is more suited to adults.
Bildungsroman (coming of age story) – There are so many options for this! Here are a few great examples: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.
Published in 2024 – These are two titles I’m excited for: A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventures by Angela Bell and Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart.
Book that makes you look up 5 words with a dictionary – If you’re struggling to find one, look at classics like Jane Austen, Mark Twain, or even Shakespeare for ideas.
About an American president – You might be surprised at how interesting these can be! Dear George, Dear Mary and If a Poem Could Live and Breathe Mary Calvi, about George Washington and Teddy Roosevelt, are excellent historical fiction options to try.
Makes you laugh – We always need a couple of these every year 🙂 Pay Attention Carter Jones by Gary Schmidt, Right ho, Jeeves! by P. G. Wodehouse, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson.
Book that became a movie – Make sure to read the book first! Boys in the Boat by Daniel Brown, Mr. Malcom’s List by Suzanne Allain, The Help by Kathryn Stockett.
Short story – Save this for a week when you’re really busy! The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe and The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry are total opposites (horror vs. romance) but both fantastic options.
Recommended by a friend – This is one of my favorite ways to find new books! Some books I’ve found through friends include The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Bradley and The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Fenollera, and The Chosen by Chaim Potok.
Book you’d recommend to someone who doesn’t read much – This one depends on who you’re trying to convince to read -maybe it’s a sports biography, a mystery, or a dystopian novel. Give yourself bonus points if you actually get your friend to read it! 🙂
Biography of someone who inspires you – Here are a few that inspired me: For Such a Time as This by Kayleigh McEnany, Glimmers of Grace by Kathryn Butler, and A Cup of Cold Water by Christine Farenhorst.
Murder mystery – Or just a mystery would work too. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry, Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron.
Book about a new hobby – Whatever you’re interested in learning more about, whether it be origami, photography, or hiking.
Book with an element in the title – These might be slightly harder to find, so get creative! I might use ones like Straw into Gold by Gary Schmidt or Greater than Gold by David Boudia.
Written as a diary or letters – Sometimes these can be challenging to read, but try it out and see! Marmee by Sarah Miller, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, The Hired Girl by Laura Schlitz.
Beautiful cover – A pretty cover is so satisfying! Here are a few that I love: The Basket of Flowers by Christoph Von Schmid, Persuasion by Jane Austen, The Gown by Jennifer Robson.
Book you’ve always wanted to read – This should come straight of your To-Be-Read list. Some that I’d love to read include Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt, Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, and Let Me be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot.
Book that challenges your thinking – You don’t have to agree with the author by the end! You are Not Enough by Allie Beth Stuckey, Walking on Water by Madeleine L’Engle, The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher.
Set in the 1800s – You could also pick another century if you prefer – the point is that it’s historical fiction. These are all set in the 1800s though: Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby, Mr. Dickens and his Carol by Samantha Silva, and The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee.
Did you enjoy these book recommendations?
If so, make sure to check out other book lists and reviews at the Book Nook! Here are a few posts you might enjoy:
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