It is a new year and this 30 day reading challenge will get you out of a reading rut by challenging you and some friends to a fun reading contest.
When the new year starts a lot of people make resolutions and goals for the coming year. The goals are often about losing weight, exercising, eating healthy, etc.
Reading can be a part of those goals because it’s a form of self-care. Sitting down with a good book can improve your mental and physical health by giving your mind a break from all the stress and your body a chance to rest and relax.
Jump to:
What is a 30 day Challenge?
The basic concept of a 30 day challenge is that you are working on one area in your life a little bit each day. It is much easier to make changes in our lives if we start small and stay consistent.
A timed and specific challenge can really help you learn new things, try new things and gain better habits. Most people can complete a 30 day challenge — it is a reachable goal.
Trying to convince someone to do something every day for 365 days would be difficult. Asking them to try something daily for 30 days is attainable.
What is the 30 day Reading Challenge?
This printable 30 day reading challenge is all about expanding your reading selections.
If you are anything like me, I stick to the same type of books most of the time. I read what is comfortable, familiar and easy for me.
However, sometimes that means I finish reading all of the books in a series (or several series) I liked and there isn’t any other series by that author to read. Or, maybe I finished reading all of the type of books (like Christian romance) that are available for free on my reading app.
So, this is where this reading activity will be helpful.
It will challenge you to try out new authors and new genres. At the end of the 30 days, you’ll be surprised at how many different types of books and authors you enjoyed reading and will want to continue reading in the future.
Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools for Printables
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Printer paper or cardstock: If you’re printing for one-time, quick use, print on regular printer paper. If you need the printout to hold up to being handled often or if you plan to laminate it to use it multiple times, choose cardstock.
Laminator: Laminating your printable is an inexpensive way to use it multiple times. Just use dry erase markers and wipe off when you’re done so you can use it again! Alternately, you can cover the printable with clear contact paper to achieve the same thing or place the printable in clear page protectors.
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Ideas on how to Complete the 30 Day Reading Challenge
The basic premise of the challenge is to pick out and read at least one chapter of a book that fits the description for that day. You can read the book at home, at the library or even online.
More than likely you won’t have time to read a whole book each day of the month, so, that’s why it’s suggested to read at least a chapter. That will give you an idea about the book and then if you like it, you can finish it at another time.
By the end of the 30 days, you will have gotten a taste of many different types of books, genres, and authors. You will have totally immersed yourself in a wide variety of book options.
Print the Challenge
The first thing you will do is print this 30 day reading challenge. I always print mine off on white cardstock so it lasts all month.
Just fill in the form below to download the 30 Day Reading Challenge.
Printable FAQs
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The most likely place will be in your computer’s Downloads folder. You can also select “Downloads” in your browser menu to see a list of your downloads, then simply select “Show in folder” below the file name to see where it is stored on your computer.
You’ll need a program that supports PDFS, like Adobe Acrobat (which is free). Open the program, click File > Print. Select your printer and set the number of copies you want to print. Double check your print preview, then click print.
Complete the Challenge with Friends
This is a great challenge to complete with friends. Gather up a few friends and give each person the challenge printable.
Each person in the group will pick certain “days” during the challenge. You can all still complete every challenge each day, but having everyone pick days will make it easier for talking about it at the end of the challenge.
For example, one group member will pick days 5, 10, 15 and 20. Another group member will take days 3, 6, 9 and 12. Just make sure each day is covered by someone in the group.
At the end of the month get the group together and report back on what books you found to read for your days. You will get some great book recommendations from the other members of the group.
This works great for book clubs too. If you aren’t in a book club this could be the segue to starting one.
Keep a Reading Log
It is a good idea to keep a reading journal or log. Write down what books you have read and a brief synopsis of whether you liked the book and the author or not.
I have found myself grabbing a book and starting it only to realize it sounds familiar and I have read it before. If I consult with my reading log beforehand I don’t waste time rereading a book.
This reading challenge is the perfect time to start a reading log if you haven’t done one before. You will be trying out so many new genres and authors and it can be hard to remember later which ones you liked best.
Additional Reading Fun
Keep the reading fun going strong for you and your family with these other free ideas and printables.
- Printable Reading Kit for Kids: Keep your kids focused on reading with this Printable Reading Kit for Kids! From colorful bookmarks to interactive reading logs everything is crafted to make reading exciting and accessible.
- Summer Reading Challenge: This printable summer reading challenge is the perfect way to make reading fun for kids over the summer months. Challenge kids to read more this summer or anytime of the year.
- Free Printable Reading Log for Kids: Three different printable reading logs to help motivate your child to read. Track books, pages read or minutes read.
- How to Start a Family Book Club: A family book club is an easy way to encourage your kids to love reading, have fun as a family, and learn more about each other. Here’s how to start yours.
- DIY Wire Flower Bookmark: A DIY Wire Flower Bookmark is a quick craft project. These adorable flower bookmarks will hold your place when you read and make great gifts!