Escape into books during the 2021 Reading Challenge! The Des Moines Public Library is challenging you to read 12 books in 12 months, with the chance to win great prizes along the way. Read 1 book from each of our 12 selected categories and see what you discover!
To register, you'll need to sign up for a Beanstack account, which takes just seconds. Be sure you register for the "2021 DMPL Reading Challenge."
Don't forget to signup for our groups and discuss what you're reading with others! We have two different groups this year:
2021 Reading Challenge FAQ
- Choose one book from each of our 12 categories and log your progress online. You can read books and categories in any order - there are no assigned months. Find the categories below.
- We will offer suggestions, but feel free to choose any book that fits within a category.
- Books, audiobooks, and eBooks all count.
- A different book must be read for each different category.
- Participants who stay on track (i.e., have read three books in three months, six books in six months, etc.) will be eligible to win monthly prizes. At the end of each month, one winner will receive a $20 gift card. At the end of each quarter (March, June, September), we'll draw three winners. Each winner will receive a $25 gift card.
- Those who complete the challenge (read a book in each of the 12 categories over the course of the year) will be eligible to win one of our grand prizes. One winner will receive a $150 gift card and two will win a $50 gift card.
- You can always play catch-up! If you don't register until February, you can still be eligible for the monthly prize by reading two books by the end of the month, or for the first quarter prize by reading three books by the end of March. If you miss a month, read two books the next month to stay on track. If you don't register until November, you can still read 12 books before the end of 2020 and be eligible for the grand prize.
- Must be 18 years of age or older to participate. An individual that turns 18 over the course of the year may register and begin participating on or after their birthday.
- The contest begins on December 31, 2020.
- Tag us on social media or use our hashtag and let us know what you're reading: #DMPLReads21
- Join our Facebook Group - #DMPLReads21 - and talk about which books you're reading with other challenge participants.
The prize structure is as follows. Prizes are given out at the end of each month.
- January: 1 $20 gift card
- February: 1 $20 gift card
- March: 3 $25 gift cards
- April: 1 $20 gift card
- May: 1 $20 gift card
- June: 3 $25 gift cards
- July: 1 $20 gift card
- August: 1 $20 gift card
- September: 3 $25 gift cards
- October: 1 $20 gift card
- November: 1 $20 gift card
- December: 1 $150 gift card and 2 $50 gift cards