Looking to travel the world? Everyone can if they have a good book to transport them to wherever their heart desires. Travel is the theme for the C.H. Booth Library’s 2020 Reading Challenge in January and that is just the beginning.

Each month, readers can partake in a different designated theme and log the book(s) they read to win prizes.

Reference Department Head Amy Schumann created the Reading Challenge, which ran for its first year in 2019, to introduce readers to books they may not have discovered before.

For those that usually stick to reading one particular genre, this contest gives people the opportunity to expand their horizons and try new reads that they would not have delved into on their own.

Selecting this year’s themes was a collaborative effort among the staff at the library, Ms Schumann said.

According to the reading log, upcoming themes include presidential books for February, books with a visual component for March, children’s books for April, international authors for May, “from page to stage/screen” for June, modes of transportation for July, art or artists for August, historical fiction for September, books “set in a fantastic but real place” for October, short and sweet reads for November, and books about books for December.

For those not sure what books to select, the library has provided a display table on the second floor with book suggestions that change for each month’s theme. The table also has handouts with additional reading options and free pins that read, “I’m taking the 2020 Reading Challenge.”

Reading at least one book a month in the assigned theme allows a person to be eligible to have their reading log stamped at the end of the month at the library. Once a stamp is given, the recipient can claim their reward while supplies last. There is one monthly award given per reader.

In the spirit of traveling, January’s prize is shortbread cookies, tea, and a postcard of the C.H. Booth Library for the recipient to share of their travels.

Participants who accomplish reading all 12 months’ worth of reading are eligible be entered for a chance to win the end of the year raffle.

To be officially registered, a person’s filled out reading log must be presented to a librarian by 1 pm on Thursday, December 31, 2020, to be given a raffle ticket for the grand prize.

While the Reading Challenge is geared towards adults, older teens can also participate.

Audiobooks and e-books count, too, so be sure to pick up a reading log at the library’s Circulation or Reference Desk to get started or visit chboothlibrary.org/readingchallenge to print out a log from home.

For questions about the 2020 Reading Challenge, visit the C.H. Booth Library at 25 Main Street, call 203-426-8552, or e-mail reference@chboothlibrary.org.