A Picture Paints a Thousand Words!
For readers, a book represents a transformative piece of art that uses the written language to paint a story. So, the 2025 Winter Reading Challenge celebrates the art of reading with the theme, Works of Art.
Whether you enjoy the visual arts, the musical art form, the act of creating, or people’s personal experience with the art of living, we have something waiting for you in the stacks!
The Winter Reading Challenge is an opportunity for adults (ages 18+) to celebrate leisure reading and earn an incentive—the limited-edition 2025 Winter Reading Challenge mug—by reading ANY five books in two months. (And we do mean ANY five books! Not into art? You can still celebrate the art of reading by diving into any five books that interest you!
And new this year, the Winter Reading Challenge will be open to kids and teens as well! Youth 17 and under can read ANY five books to earn a small prize.
Make sure to mark January 2-March 15 on your calendar, and prepare to introduce some new works of art into your reading life.
Want to enhance your reading experience?
Join a branch book group, or check out an online book discussion. The Library will also be offering a variety of programming for those either wanting to create art or just those interested in learning more about the arts and artists throughout history.
- Adult readers (18+) may join online by signing up for a Beanstack account or picking up information at any MCPL location.
- Check out the Suggested Readings lists (coming soon!) for recommendations. These selections have been approved by Library staff to provide a quality reading experience.
- Read any five books of your choosing between January 2 and March 15, 2025. Titles do not have to be included on the Suggested Readings list or within the romance genre.
- List those five books on the online Reading Log beginning January 2 or pick up a paper log at any branch to track your progress. Once you have completed the Challenge, return the log in an envelope to Library staff at any branch by March 15.
- Participate in discussions and programs hosted by MCPL staff via the Winter Reading Challenge Facebook group and programs.
- After you complete the Challenge and have logged your books online or turned in your log to your branch, pick up your mug at any branch. All participants who have completed the Challenge will receive a mug and will be automatically entered into the drawing for the grand prize.
If you post online about what you are reading, use #mcplwinterread to stay connected!
Winter Reading Challenge FAQs
What are the dates of the program?
The program begins on January 2 and ends on March 15. All books must be logged in Beanstack or paper logs turned in to an MCPL branch by that date.
If I live outside of Kansas City, can I still participate?
We welcome anyone to participate, but people outside of the greater Kansas City area are not eligible for the grand prize and must arrange for someone to pick up their mug from one of our branches as we do not ship mugs
Can I only read books from the recommended list?
No, you can read any title you’d like!
Do audiobooks count? What about graphic novels?
Both audiobooks and graphic novels can be logged towards your goal.
Do my personal books (not checked out from the Library) count?
Yes, you are welcome to read books in your home collection.
Do books I read to my kids count?
Yes. However, while all books count, we encourage you to challenge yourself with teen or adult titles. The Winter Reading Challenge was created to encourage adult leisure reading.
Do I have to use the online tracking system?
No, you may use a paper log. Contact your branch to pick one up when you visit the branch or through curbside service.
What do I do if I have a paper log?
Place your log in an envelope and drop it off at the information desk at your local MCPL branch. Any paper log received by the end of March 15, 2025, will count for WRC completion.
How do I get a Winter Reading Challenge booklet?
Booklets are available inside the branch or through curbside service. If you’d like to pick one up through curbside service, contact your branch to request one.
When can I pick up my mug?
This year, mugs will be available at your branch as soon as you complete the Challenge by logging at least five books online or filling out and turning in a paper log at your branch.
How long do I have to pick up my mug?
You will have until April 15.