2026 Reading Challenge

A grid of ten diverse book covers above an orange and white 2026 reading challenge promotion.

The Omaha Public Library (OPL) Reading Challenge is here! OPL staff have created a series of reading challenges to push you outside your reading comfort zone and into new literary realms. Take on one challenge each month or complete them on your own timeline. Finish all 12 to qualify for a prize!

How it works:

Read or listen to a book for each of the 12 challenges.
Want to swap out a challenge? Reach out to request a new challenge at readingchallenge@omahalibrary.org.
Track your reading in your Reading Challenge notebook and complete the log sheet on the final page or download a printable log sheet (the printable log is also available in Spanish).
You may submit your entries online or bring in your printed sheet to any OPL branch by December 31, 2026 to receive a pin and to be entered into a drawing for a book store gift card! Pins will be available starting in April.

As you read through the challenges, share what you’re reading on social media and tag @omahalibrary!

If you have any questions about the Reading Challenge, contact readingchallenge@omahalibrary.org.

A collection of ten book covers with promotional text in Spanish for a 2026 reading challenge. ¡Lee más atrevidamente este año! ¡Completa esta serie de 12 desafíos para ampliar tus horizontes literarios y participar en el sorteo de una tarjeta de regalo de una librería!

Cómo funciona: Lee o escucha un libro para cada uno de los 12 desafíos.

¿Quieres cambiar un reto? Contáctanos para pedir uno nuevo en readingchallenge@omahalibrary.org.
Entrega tu hoja completada en cualquier sucursal de OPL para recibir un pin y participar en un sorteo para ganar una tarjeta de regalo de una librería. Las inscripciones deben recibirse antes del 31 de diciembre de 2026.
¡Los pins estarán disponibles a partir del abril!

¡En cuanto inicies o avances con los desafíos, comparta lo que estás leyendo en las redes sociales y etiqueta a @omahalibrary!

2026 Challenges

Read a book to boost your happiness. / Lee un libro para aumentar tu felicidad. | Suggested Titles
Read a book about a crime. / Lee un libro sobre un crimen. | Suggested Titles
Read a book from OPL’s Top Shelf, opens a new window. / Lee un libro de Top Shelf de OPL. | Suggested Titles
Read a collection of short stories. / Lee una colección de cuentos cortos. | Suggested Titles
Read a book about an immigrant’s experience. / Lee un libro sobre la experiencia de un inmigrante. | Suggested Titles
Read a book set in another world or another time. / Lee un libro ambientado en otro mundo o en otra época. | Suggested Titles
Read a book about revolution. / Lee un libro sobre la revolución. | Suggested Titles
Read a love story. / Lee una historia de amor. | Suggested Titles
Read a book about an Indigenous character set in the present. / Lee un libro sobre un personaje indígena contemporaneo. | Suggested Titles
Read a book written by an LGBTQIA+ author. / Lee un libro escrito por un autor LGBTQIA+. | Suggested Titles
Read a book about writers or writing. / Lee un libro sobre escritores o escritura. | Suggested Titles
Read a new children’s book or reread a favorite children’s book from your youth. / Lee un libro infantil nuevo o lee uno de tus favoritos de la infancia. | Suggested Titles

Read an author’s debut book.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book with a one-word title.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book that explores belonging, identity or inclusion.	Suggested titles
Read a book about or featuring books, a bookstore or library.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book from OPL’s Top Shelf., opens a new window	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book set on a continent you want to visit.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a nonfiction or biographical graphic novel.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book that starts with the letter O.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book published in the 21st century.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about or featuring a non-human main character.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about celebrations.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book in the cozy subgenre.	Suggested titles, opens a new window

Read a book about or featuring technology & culture.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about or featuring social justice.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book by, about, or featuring a refugee or immigrant.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book from OPL’s Top Shelf.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about or featuring mythology.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about or featuring LGBTQIA+ families.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book by, about, or featuring a person with a disability.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book mentioned on The Book Drop, opens a new window.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book with a color in the title.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book by, about, or featuring a 20th-century icon.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book by, about, or featuring a veteran.	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about or featuring spirituality.	Suggested titles, opens a new window

Read a book mentioned on The Book Drop, opens a new window	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about or featuring a real person	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about or featuring LGBTQIA+ history	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about or featuring plants	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about or featuring a movie or TV show	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book by a Latine writer	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about or featuring friendship	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about or featuring mental health	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about or featuring music	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book from OPL's Top Shelf, opens a new window lists	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book by a Black writer	Suggested titles, opens a new window
Read a book about or featuring food	Suggested titles, opens a new window

Read a comic book/graphic novel written/illustrated by a woman	Blog \| Titles, opens a new window
Read a book about sports	Blog, opens a new window \| Titles, opens a new window
Read a book from OPL's 2021 Top Shelf	Blog, opens a new window \| Titles
Read a book about neurodiversity	Blog, opens a new window \| Titles
Read a book by an Asian American or Pacific Islander author	Blog, opens a new window \| Titles
Read a book about or featuring water	Blog \| Titles
Read a book about travel	Blog, opens a new window \| Titles
Read a book by a Midwestern author	Blog, opens a new window \| Titles
Read a microhistory	Blog, opens a new window \| Titles
Read a book mentioned on The Book Drop Podcast	Blog, opens a new window \| Titles
Read a book published or set in the decade you were born	Blog, opens a new window \| Titles
Read a collection of short stories or essays	Blog, opens a new window \| Titles

2026 Reading Challenge

How it works:

2026 Challenges

Past Challenges

FAQs