The Helmet Reading Challenge 2018

The Helmet Reading Challenge inspires people to read something new for the fourth time.

The Helmet Reading Challenge 2018 is now the fourth time it has been arranged. It is a playful reading project where you get to choose something new to read from 50 different subjects all through 2018. Come explore literature with us!

Once again most of the subjects on the list have been chosen from suggestions made by previous reading challenge participants. It was pieced together by a group of library professionals who love to read. Some topical subjects from 2018 are represented on the list, but the goal has once again been to gather a varied and exciting list. We hope that all participants, old and new, find items that are fresh, fun and challenging for them.

If a list of 50 items feels too long, there is another option for you. The Helmet Reading Challenge for Young Readers has a new name this year and is now called The Little Helmet Reading Challenge. The list for The Little Helmet Reading Challenge is half the size of the main challenge. The Little Helmet Reading Challenge list is still created with children in mind. However, the subjects on the list were chosen primarily from the longer list so that it fits perfectly for both readers big and small who find a list of 50 subjects too long for them.

The aim of The Helmet Reading Challenge is to excite and surprise, and to give readers new perspectives. The Reading Challenge is an open invitation to reading for all and we hope you join us too!

Five key points to success for the reading challenge:

1. Anyone can join

Even though the challenge is called Helmet Reading Challenge in reference to the Helmet Libraries, any readers who want to take the challenge are more than welcome to do so.

2. No-stress challenge

When you take the reading challenge remember that it is intended to increase the joy of reading and not to increase stress. Therefore, read as many books as your personal time allows. Choose thin books or withdraw from the challenge in the middle of the year if you feel like it. Also, you don’t need to follow the order of the challenge subjects. You can choose any order suitable for you.

3. Free-style challenge

Do you want to use the same book to check off more than one subject from the list? Perhaps a subject doesn’t inspire you and you’d like to skip it? You would prefer to read memoirs for most of the challenge subjects? You are free to do so! The goal of the Helmet Reading Challenge is to give you inspiration; you can make your own rules.

4. The shared joy of reading is multiplied

It’s fun to tackle the Reading Challenge with other people. Challenge your friends to join in or join the Helmet Reading Challenge Facebook group (discussions mostly in Finnish, but you can start one in English). There you can talk about the most wonderful, awful, or surprising book you read during the year.

5. Help is always available

Having a hard time finding suitable books for the challenge subjects? Don’t worry, help is near! Go visit your library or check the reading challenge Facebook group. The library staff or other readers will help you. There are also many online resources available.

Have a great reading year 2018!

Helmet Reading Challenge 2018:

1. A book where someone moves to a new place
2. A book of poetry from your country
3. A book that starts a series
4. The book title has a place in it
5. The book takes place in the decade you were born in
6. The book has been published in more than one format
7. The book takes place in a ficticious country or world
8. A book written by a Baltic author
9. The book cover has only one color
10. A book chosen for you by a friend or family member
11. A book that end well
12. A graphic novel
13. The book has just one or two characters
14. The book takes place in two or more countries
15. A book translated by an award winning translator
16. A book where someone reads book
17. A book about a social injustice
18. A book about making movies
19. A book about parenthood
20. A memoir or a biography of an artist
21. A book that takes you out of your comfort zone
22. The book has references to popular culture
23. The book includes a sea or an ocean
24. A sad book
25. A collection of short stories
26. A book about a place you have not been to
27. A book about a LGBT family or couple
28. The book title has words in alphabetical order
29. The book has a dragon in it
30. The book is connected to the time of World War I
31. Starting a book that slightly frightens you
32. Someone goes to school or studies in the book
33. A survival story
34. Something is born or created in the book
35. A book about a country that was part of the Eastern Bloc
36. The book has a poem as an important part
37. The author has the same name as a family member
38. The book cover has a vehicle on it
39. The book is written by an immigrant
40. The book has a pet in it
41. A book chosen at random
42. The book title has an adjective in it
43. A Finnish book that has been translated to another language
44. The book is connected to a game
45. An award winning non-fiction book
46. The book title is just one word
47. The book is told from the perspective of a child
48. A book in which I would like to be the protagonist
49. A book published in 2018
50. A book recommended by library personnel