Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same book for more than one prompt?
If you want to complete the challenge as it was originally designed, then the goal is to read 52 different books over the course of the year. This means no doubling up on prompts.
BUT… using the same book for more than one prompt IS helpful for those who aren’t able to read 52 books in one year. (Example: Your goal is to read 20 books for the year, but you still want to check off all 52 categories. In this case, you could double them up to complete the list with fewer books.)
Remember — your challenge, your rules.
Do I have to complete the challenge in order?
Not unless you want to! Feel free to mix it up as you like.
I feel bad that I’m not reading as much as others.
This club is pressure-free! Some participants read five books a year. Others read two-hundred-and-five. Find what works for you while still trying to push yourself. Set reading goals that are fun and attainable, but that stretch your comfort zones!
How do I find books for each prompt?
There are a few ways to go about finding books.
First, we’d recommend joining our Facebook Group. Use the “search” function within the group to see what others are reading for each prompt or post a comment, asking for recommendations.
We’d also recommend using our Goodreads lists — we’ve created a list full of books that match each prompt. Get as creative as you need to!
I’m joining late. Can I use books I’ve already read?
Definitely! Any book read within that specific calendar year, counts! (Example: Any book read in 2024 counts towards the 2024 Challenge.)
Do I have to read books I don’t like?
Ugh, no! There’s nothing worse than forcing yourself through a “bad” book. Try a little research and find books that fit the prompt but still sound interesting to you. (See question below.) The point of this challenge is to have FUN while reading! That being said, one of the main goals of this challenge is to stretch our reading habits. Oftentimes, we get stuck in “book ruts” and we need a little push to try something new. This is why the challenge is purposefully very diverse in its prompts.
I’m really stuck on this prompt. What do I do?
You never have to take a prompt at face value. Feel free to interpret it as creatively as needed. Try to think outside the box. Remember, if you think a book fits the prompt, it does!
Example 1: Let’s say the prompt is “a book about sports.” You could interpret that as an autobiography of an athlete, an expose on Olympic doping, a fictional character who’s the quarterback on his high school team, a murder mystery that takes place on a golf course, or anything in between.
Example 2: The prompt is “a spy novel.” You absolutely hate espionage novels but you love fantasy. Try finding a book within that genre that has a character who acts as a spy.
Example 3: The prompt is “a senior.” You could choose a character who is a senior citizen, or a grandparent, a book about a senior in high school, or a character whose name is “John Sr.”
Can I read more than one book a week?
Of course! Some books may take a couple of days to finish, others may take a couple of weeks. Some participants finish the challenge in May, others in December. Read at your own pace!
(If you’re an avid reader and want to make the challenge MORE difficult, you could try to limit yourself to only one challenge book a week, while reading other books in-between.)
I thought I saw this challenge on a different site?
These challenges were originally shared on the MommyMannegren website. As of 2020, we have rebranded as The 52 Book Club. All future challenges will be found here.
Where do I find the Facebook Group?
You can find the Facebook group by clicking here!
Where do I find the Goodreads Group?
You can find the Goodreads group by clicking here!
Where do I find the challenge on Storygraph?
You can find the 2024 Storygraph challenge here. All our past challenges are also on Storygraph. Make sure you’re joining the official challenge specifically hosted by “the52bookclub.”
Do children’s books count?
At The 52 Book Club, we affirm that all books are books. All sizes, formats, and types of reading are encouraged, welcome, and equal. You’re more than welcome to complete the challenge using children’s books if you want.
Do re-reads count?
Of course! We love re-reading good books. If you’ve read them this year and they fit a prompt, they count!
Do audiobooks count?
Always. At The 52 Book Club, we affirm that all books are books. All sizes, formats, and types of reading are encouraged, welcome, and equal.
When are mini-challenges released?
It’s a surprise! Mini-challenges are released randomly throughout the year. Some months have mini-challenges. Some don’t! They can be released at any time during the month, not just the first week.
The best way to ensure you don’t miss a mini-challenge is to sign up for e-mails. We’ll send an e-mail as soon as a new one is released. You can also double-check (and see all our past mini-challenges) by visiting the Mini-Challenge section of our website, here.
When is the new challenge released?
Challenges for the following year are usually released sometime in November. The exact date is always a surprise. We’ve released it as early as the first week in November and as late as the last. We recommend signing up for e-mails so you’re notified as soon as the new challenge drops.
When does the challenge start?
The challenge begins on January 1st of each year. It runs until December 31st of that same year.
Can I start before January 1st?
The challenge is released in November but doesn’t officially begin until January 1st. Because of this, we often get asked, “Can I start reading for next year’s challenge in December? Or do I have to wait until January 1st?”
While we encourage everyone to start together on January 1st, some participants do start early. This may be particularly helpful for those who aren’t sure if they can read fifty-two books in one year and want a jump start. Other participants might begin a really long read towards the end of December, knowing that they won’t actually finish it until January. As always, it’s ultimately your decision when you start the challenge.