Winter Reading Challenge

Adult & Teen Winter Reading Challenge

“Chill Out and Read,” Great River Regional Library's 2026 Winter Reading Challenge, begins Friday, January 2, and runs through Saturday, February 28.

This winter, chill out and take the time to read! Nothing is better during these freezing months than finding a good book and curling up by the fireplace with hot tea or cocoa. Now you get to chill out, enjoy reading, and be eligible for cute penguin-themed prizes!

The challenge incentivizes readers to build winter reading habits. It is designed primarily for teens and adults and is open to anyone in the 6^th grade or older. Each of the 32 branch libraries in the GRRL system will have prize drawings for participants. All book lovers need to do is register for the program at a branch library, on the GRRL site, or on the Beanstack Tracker app. Readers can log their winter reading at griver.beanstack.org, in the Beanstack app, or using a paper log from your library. 

By downloading and using the app, readers can keep track of their reading, get book recommendations, and earn online badges to help make reading a habit. Also, readers will count the minutes they spend reading, so any amount of daily reading will make participants eligible for online badges and prizes. Each library branch will have drawings for special penguin-themed “Chill Out and Read” mugs and winter hats.