Branch Out Reading Challenge: How to Participate
Branch Out is a new reading challenge for adults, designed to grow your reading.
The program is designed to be as flexible as you like: complete the themes in any order, at whatever pace you like. Complete all 12 themes over 12 months, or faster if you prefer. With each completed theme, your name will go into the hat for raffles happening throughout the year. Finish all 12 themes for a collectible prize.
How To Participate
- Choose a theme.
- Read any book that fits the theme. Our librarians have handpicked some fiction and nonfiction suggestions for each theme to get you started, but you can pick any book that fits the theme, whether it is listed in the booklet, the additional reading suggestions, or something you selected on your own.
- When you finish the book, fill out this form to indicate you have completed that theme.
- Repeat until you have completed all 12 themes.
Have any questions? Check our FAQ or reach out to us at adultdesk@vapld.info or 224-543-1485
Looking for more recommendations beyond the titles in the booklet or listed below? Check out our reading suggestions or stop by the desk for additional book ideas.
Branch Out Themes
Blockbusters You Might Have Missed
Was there a book that made you say "Maybe later" when you saw the waiting list the first time around? Read a book that was recently popular with your neighbors.
One for the History Books
As a library, we always encourage your sense of curiosity. Read a book, fiction or nonfiction, about a period of history that you want to learn more about.
Walk a Mile in Someone Else's Shoes
Step into someone else's life. Read a biographical fiction book or a memoir.
Award Winners
There's a book for every reader and recognition for every genre. Read a book that won an award in recent years.
Lost and Found
Whether it's searching for long-lost family or making a new one with friends, read a book with a found family theme.
Hidden Treasure
Read about a fictional or real-life adventure to uncover secrets, jewels, and other mysteries.
Looking for more books for this theme?
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Lions and tigers and bears—oh my! Read a book that features an animal in the title, story, or cover.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Is the book always better than the movie? You decide! Read a book with a recent or upcoming adaptation.
Color Your World
Read the rainbow. Read a book with a color in the title.
Multilingual Lives
Hello, 你好, Привет, नमस्ते ! Read a book that features dialogue in more than one language.
