2022 Great Reading Challenge

GRC 2022

Another year of the Great Reading Challenge is coming to a close. We hope you’ve read lots of great books in 2022! Please submit the total number of books you’ve read by Jan 2, 2023, using the form below. Also, let us know if you want to receive a Certificate of Completion (these will be available to pick up at the Recommendations Desk in Mid-January.)

The new Great Reading Challenge begins in January. You will be able to register and pick up or print new packets beginning on January 13, 2023. If you want to get started right on January 1, the January 2023 Reading Roulette category is: Read a novella. Read a book that is under 200 pages long. Thank you for your continued participation in the Great Reading Challenge! We help keep Dubuque reading.

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to email the GRC creator and Librarian Angie at ajohnson@carnegiestout.org.


The Great Reading Challenge (GRC) is a year-long reading challenge open to adults 18+ who have a Carnegie-Stout Public Library card. To complete the challenge, you need to read at least 18 books by the end of 2022 that fit into one of the many categories in the GRC Book Log. There are also Reading Roulette categories announced each month, and if you read a book from that category, it will count as two books read! (See below for Reading Roulette categories.)

GRC Reading Levels:

  • BRONZE LEVEL (18-29 books read)
  • SILVER LEVEL (30-49 books read)
  • GOLD LEVEL (50-79 books read)
  • PLATINUM LEVEL (80-99 books read)
  • DIAMOND LEVEL (100+ books read)

2022 Reading Roulette Categories

December: Warm Setting
It’s cold outside! This month, read a book that takes place somewhere warm and it will count as two books read for the challenge.

November: Veterans Day
Read a book with a military theme this month in honor of Veterans Day. If you need suggestions, please feel free to ask at the Recommendations desk. Thank you to all who have served!

October: Spooky Season
Read a spooky book this month and it will count as two books read for the challenge. This can be a gothic classic, a horror story, a thriller, or anything that scares you.

September: Library/Librarian
Read a book about a librarian or a book set in a library in honor of Library Card Sign-Up Month! A book in this category will count as two books read for the challenge.
And remember to talk with your friends and family about the joys of having a library card and encourage them to get a card this month!

August: Campus Novel
Read a book that takes place on a college or university campus, or at a boarding school. If you read a book in this category during the month of August, it counts as two books read for the Great Reading Challenge!

July: Female Warrior
Read a book starring a female warrior in the month of July and it counts as two books read for the GRC. Examples: a female athlete, military/police, a groundbreaking scientist, politician, thinker, or trailblazer who fights for their cause in fiction or non-fiction. Happy Reading!

June: Fathers/Grandfathers
Read a book starring a father or grandfather during the month of June and it will count as two books read for the GRC. Happy reading 🙂

May: Desert
Read a book that’s set in the desert (or has sand/a desert image on the cover) during the month of May and it will count as two books read for the challenge. Happy reading!

April: Read a Book Set During Springtime
Read a book that’s set during spring this month and it will count as two books read for the challenge!

March: Historical Fiction by a Woman
Read a book of historical fiction written by a woman and it will count as two books read for the challenge!

February: Road Trip
Read a book that features a road trip this month and it will count as two books read for the challenge!

January: Read a Novella
Read a book that is approximately 150 pages or less and it counts as two books read for the challenge!


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