Adult Reading Challenge

Welcome to the Sutton Libraries Adult Reading Challenge 2026

Looking for a gentle nudge to read more this year? Or maybe a reason to finally pick up something completely outside your usual comfort zone? The Sutton Libraries Adult Reading Challenge 2026 is here to help you rediscover the joy of reading, at your own pace, in your own way.

This challenge is open to anyone aged 16+, whether you’re a lifelong bookworm, a lapsed reader, or someone who just wants a bit of reading inspiration. There’s no pressure, no homework, and no required reading lists, just prompts designed to spark curiosity and keep things interesting.

What is the Adult Reading Challenge?

The Adult Reading Challenge encourages adults across Sutton to read regularly throughout the year, discover new authors and ideas, and enjoy reading as part of everyday life.

In 2026, the challenge also supports the National Year of Reading: a nationwide initiative celebrating reading for pleasure and highlighting the positive impact reading can have on wellbeing, learning, and connection. By taking part, you’re joining readers across the country in making time for stories, ideas, and shared reading experiences.

You choose what to read, guided by 24 creative reading prompts. You can dip in casually, aim for the minimum target, or set yourself a bigger personal challenge, it’s entirely up to you.

To complete the challenge, you:

• Read books that match the challenge prompts
• Log what you’ve read using a simple online Form
• Enjoy exploring new books, genres, and ideas along the way

How many books do I need to read?

The challenge is designed to be flexible and achievable:

• 🌱 Take part: read and log at least 1 book during the year
• 🎉 Complete the challenge: read and log 6 books in total
• 🚀 Stretch goal: read up to 24 books if you want to tackle every prompt

That works out to roughly one book every one or two months, but you can read more or less whenever it suits you.

The Reading Categories

To help you choose your books, we’ve created 24 categories. Each book you read can match one category (but the book itself is always your choice).

1. A book from an author you have never read before
2. A book with the name of a country in the title
3. A non-fiction book on a topic you know nothing about.
4. A book set in Paris
5. A book being adapted in 2026
6. A book by a black author
7. A classic book you've always meant to read
8. A graphic novel
9. A book with a beautiful cover
10. The first book you see in a bookstore or library
11. A book featuring music
12. A librarian recommendation
13. A book from a place you've never been
14. A book featured at the Sutton Literature Festival
15. A book with a character who is not human
16. A book shortlisted for the Booker Prize
17. A book by an author who shares one of your names
18. A book that came out the year you were born
19. A book about time travelling
20. A short story book
21. A book that has a colour in the title
22. A book that was being read by a stranger in public transport
23. A book with an animal on the cover
24. A book with a one word title

Some prompts are playful, some encourage discovery, and some invite you to look at familiar shelves in a new way. You don’t have to follow them in order, and you can choose the ones that appeal to you most.

How do I log my books?

Once you’ve finished a book, logging it is quick and easy.

You’ll be asked to fill in a short Online Form, where you can:

• Enter the book title and author
• Select which prompt it matches
• (Optionally) share a short comment or recommendation

You can log your books at any point during the year, and you don’t need to register in advance. Just start reading and log as you go.

Is there a prize?

Yes! 🎁

Everyone who logs at least 6 books by the end of 2026 will be entered into a free prize draw. Details of the prizes will be shared later in the year.

But the real reward is discovering new favourites, getting inspired by other readers, and making reading a regular part of your life again.

Read on your own or with others

You can take part completely independently, but there will also be opportunities to connect with other readers along the way.

Throughout the year, Sutton Libraries will:

• Share reading trends and popular prompts
• Highlight hidden gems and reader recommendations
• Create in-library displays inspired by the challenge
• Link the challenge to festivals, author events, and cultural programmes

You can join at any point during the year. There’s no deadline to start.

Ready to begin?

There’s nothing to sign up for and no reading list to collect. Just:

1. Pick a book
2. Enjoy reading it
3. Log it using the form

Whether you read one book or twenty-four, every page counts. We can’t wait to see what Sutton is reading in 2026.

Happy reading! 📚