Reading Challenges: How to Expand Your Literary Horizons

Introduction

The world of literature is vast and exciting. There are hundreds of books out there with diverse characters, settings, and themes. But even with all of these options available to us, it can be hard to find the time or motivation to read them all. That’s where reading challenges come in! These fun challenges give you a reason (and sometimes a deadline) for reading new books. Whether you want to expand your horizons by exploring topics you’ve never read about before or just want something fun to do on your next summer vacation, reading challenges can help get you started on an adventure through the world of literature.

Read a book with a character who has a disability.

This challenge is important because it helps you to be aware of what people with disabilities can and can’t do, and how they get around. It’s also a great way to learn more about the world around you.

You can find books with characters who have disabilities by searching online or at your local library or bookstore. Here are some examples:

“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by Mark Haddon (a boy with Asperger’s syndrome)
“Wonder” by R.J Palacio (a boy born with facial deformities)

Read a book that is set in a country you’ve never been to before.

Read a book that is set in a country you’ve never been to before.
Read a book that is set in a country you want to visit.
Read a book that is set in a country you have visited.
Read a book that is set in a country you are interested in visiting or learning more about (for example, if you like historical fiction, try reading one of the books on this list).

Read a book with an LGBT main character.

While straight, cisgender (that is, not transgender) characters dominate literature, there are many books with LGBT main characters. You might be surprised at just how many there are!

The first step in this challenge is to find a book that has an LGBTQIA+ protagonist. If you’re not sure what all those letters mean, don’t worry–you can read more about them here: https://www.glaad.org/blog/what-does-lgbtqia-mean

Read an award-winning book.

One of the best ways to expand your literary horizons is by reading books that have won awards. Awards are given not only for fiction and nonfiction, but also poetry and drama. Some of the most prestigious awards include:

Booker Prize (British)
Pulitzer Prize (American)
National Book Award (American)

Most booksellers will tell you which books are on their shelves because they’ve been awarded one or more of these prestigious prizes. If you’re looking for something new to read, try searching on Amazon or Goodreads for award-winning titles in your favorite genre(s).

Read the first book in a series.

The next time you’re in a bookstore or library, pick up a book that’s part of a series. The first book in any series will give you a good idea of what to expect from the rest of them, and if you enjoy it, then continuing on is just as easy as grabbing another book from the shelf–and perhaps even easier than deciding which standalone novel to read next!

If there’s an author whose work appeals to you but whose books aren’t always organized into series (or even if they are), try reading one of their standalones first and then move onto one of their other works after finishing this one. This way, even if everything else fails miserably at least this particular author still has his/her chance at redemption!

Read a book that takes place during one of your favorite holidays or seasons of the year.

Read a book with a holiday theme.
Read a book that takes place during the season you enjoy most.
Read a book that takes place during the season you dislike most, or one you’ve never experienced before!

Tackle a big book (over 500 pages).

Choose a book that you are interested in reading.
Read the first page and last page to get an idea of the story.
Read the first chapter to get an idea of the writing style.
Read the first paragraph of each chapter to get an idea of the plot (if there is one).

Reading challenges can help readers discover new books!

Reading challenges can help you discover new books. They can also help you discover new authors, genres, perspectives and places and times.

If you’re looking for a way to expand your literary horizons, here are some ideas:

Conclusion

Reading challenges can be a great way to discover new books and authors. They can also help you expand your literary horizons by reading books in genres that are outside of your normal comfort zone. If you’re looking for some reading challenges that might interest you, check out our list below!