It’s that time of year when the leaves are starting to fall and we’re breaking out our coziest blankets. That means it’s time for MPL’s Sweater Weather Reading Challenge. Complete this challenge in our Beanstack app starting November 1st.  This all age’s challenge will get you to try new reading genres that you might not have otherwise thought to read. Each month brings a new theme. For November you’ll read an Own Voice novel. Own Voices is a term that was coined by Corinne Duyvis, a young adult author. The term refers to books about characters from underrepresented or marginalized groups in which the author shares the same identity. The writing is inspired by the author’s own experiences and written from their own perspective. For book recommendations check out the lists in the Beanstack app, or stop by the library in November and look at our main book display. December’s reading theme will be poetry. This can be from any classic or modern poet. In January we’re celebrating the New Year and new beginnings with our “New Year, New Me” theme. For this month, you can read any book that encourages self-improvement or perhaps encourages you to try something new. Been eyeing a new recipe in your favorite cookbook? That’ll count towards the challenge. The final sweater weather challenge theme will be in February with a fan favorite, “Page to Screen.” This month will challenge you to read any book that has made it to film. This could be a television show, movie, short film, or anything in between.

What’s a MPL reading challenge without prizes? Each month you will have from the 1^st through the 30^th/31^st to log your book. Library staff will draw one winner from each age category to win a $25 gift card. At the end of the challenge we will draw one grand prize winner from each age category. This year’s grand prize will be a $100 Target gift card. As always, for any questions, concerns, or book recommendations call the library at 701-852-1045 and any of our extraordinary staff members will be thrilled to assist you.