Welcome the the Mid Sussex Reading Challenge blog, run by West Sussex Libraries. To celebrate books and reading in our Mid Sussex libraries, we’re inviting you to join us for the 2020 Reading Challenge. Make twelve reading resolutions that we hope will inspire you, challenge you and connect you to fellow readers.
The challenge is running in Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, East Grinstead, Hurstpierpoint and Hassocks libraries. Join the challenge for free at any time by popping in with your library card or by giving us a call. Find out how to contact your local library here. And if you don’t have a library card, it’s completely free to join!
You might want to join us as an individual reader, looking to kick start a reading habit or get out of a reading rut. Or perhaps you would like to join us as part of a reading group, or form a group with your colleagues? Our challenge prompts are suitable for readers of any age, so why not take on the challenge as a family? However you choose to be involved, everyone is welcome.
So what is the challenge?
Read a book each month using the following prompts:
January: A book that has been adapted into a film
February: A collection of short stories
March: A book set in another country
April: A children’s classic
May: A non-fiction book
June: A book under 200 pages
July: A debut novel
August: A book based on real people or events
September: A banned book
October: A book recommended by a friend or librarian
November: A prize-winning book
December: A book published this century
WILDCARD: Substitute any month of the challenge by rereading your favourite book
Sign up in your local library, and keep in touch by joining our Facebook group, tweeting us with the hashtag #MidSussexReadingChallenge or submitting a book review. Also, keep an eye on our events page to find out what’s going on in your local library!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up?
Sign up by taking your library card (or valid ID) to any Mid Sussex library – Burgess Hill, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Hurstpierpoint or Hassocks. If you can’t make it in, please give us a call. Find out how to contact your local library here.
Is there an age limit to take part?
Nope! The challenges are broad enough for people of all ages to enjoy, so feel free to join as a family!
What happens if I miss a month?
It’s completely okay to skip a month – just complete as many challenges as you can. The challenge is designed to get our local library customers talking about reading, so it’s just the taking part that counts!
I want to join but I’m too late! Can I still take part?
You absolutely can! Anyone can join the challenge at any time and you don’t need to catch up the months that you missed.
Can you recommend a book for each month?
Yes! Keep an eye on our recommended reads page for book lists and reviews for each month, pick up book recommendations on our Facebook group or pop into any Mid Sussex library and browse our reading challenge displays.
Can I submit a book review for the blog?
Please do! We love reading your reviews and publish as many as we can. Submit your review via this online form.
What happens when I complete the challenge?
In December 2020, we will invite everyone who participated in the challenge to an end of year celebration at one of our Mid Sussex libraries. We’ll discuss our favourite reads and everyone who took part will be entered into a prize draw.
I’ve lost my leaflet! Can I have another one?
Yes – leaflets are available from any Mid Sussex library (Burgess Hill, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Hurstpierpoint or Hassocks).
I want to take part but I use a different West Sussex Library! Can I still take part?
Yes! You can only officially register by contacting a Mid Sussex library (Burgess Hill, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Hurstpierpoint or Hassocks) and we’ll only have special reading challenge displays in those libraries. However, as long as you have a West Sussex Library card, you can use any library in West Sussex, so you’re more than welcome to follow along using books from any library. Also, everyone is welcome on our blog and Facebook group!
Mid Sussex Reading Challenge 2020 