There’s something satisfying about starting a new year with a fresh stack of books and a few reading goals. Back when This Ohio Life was actively publishing, one of the ongoing themes on the site was simple: read more, read widely, and let those stories shape the way you see your own corner of the world.
A good reading challenge isn’t about checking boxes. It’s about nudging yourself toward books you might not normally reach for — a new genre, a local author, a memoir, a translated novel, or something you picked up on a whim from a used bookstore shelf.
Ideas for Your Own Reading Challenge
If you’re thinking about making your own version of a reading challenge, here are a few simple prompts to get started:
- A book by an Ohio author
- A novel set in a city you’ve never visited
- A memoir from someone whose life looks very different from your own
- A book about a topic you know nothing about (yet)
- A book you’ve owned for years but never actually read
- One recommendation from a friend, and one from a librarian or bookseller
You don’t have to finish a certain number of books to “succeed.” Simply reading with a little more intention can make your year feel richer, whether you finish five books or fifty.
Stories Close to Home
This Ohio Life often highlighted the small ways that reading, writing, and everyday life in Ohio overlap — from cozy evenings at home with a book to visits to local bookstores and libraries. That same appreciation for stories continues today through The Dayton Report, which features profiles, features, and local perspectives from around the region.
For more stories about life in Ohio, community, and the people who call this place home, start here:
Explore Life & Culture Coverage on The Dayton Report
This page is maintained as an archive of the original reading challenge post from This Ohio Life. For current articles and new stories, please visit The Dayton Report.