By Libby Anderson
Rowan Public Library

With the weather getting colder, now is a great time to stay cozy inside with a good book. For those looking for a challenge to take their reading up a notch this month, Rowan Public Library’s Winter Reading Bingo challenge is here. From Jan. 1-31, adults ages 18+ are invited to participate in Winter Reading Bingo. To join in on the fun, register for the program by using the READsquared app or online at bit.ly/RPLR2. If you prefer a physical Bingo card, visit one of RPL’s four branches to pick one up at the Circulation Desk. 

Some Winter Reading Bingo prompts are winter-themed, like “Read a book with a snowy setting.” Other Bingo prompts might challenge you to try a different genre or get out of your reading comfort zone, such as “Read a non-fiction book” or “Read a book that takes place outside of the U.S.” You’ll also find challenges to read audiobooks, poems and magazine articles, and there is even a cooking challenge! No matter which Bingo prompts you choose to complete, you will likely have some enjoyable reading moments.

RPL library cardholders also have access to a great resource, NoveList Plus, that can assist you with the Bingo challenge. NovelList Plus allows you to do a deeper search for books based on a variety of preferences. You can search by mood, themes, cultural identities or publication year, narrow your search by location or time period, find award winning books, and even find additional books you may like based on books you have previously read and loved. To access NoveList Plus from RPL’s website at www.RowanPublicLibrary.org, click “I Want to…” then “Find a Book.” That will bring you to RPL’s catalog. You will see a link for NoveList at the top of the page. Librarians at any RPL branch can also assist you with accessing and using NoveList Plus.

Once you get Bingo (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) in the Winter Reading challenge, stop by the nearest RPL branch to claim a prize. Everyone who completes the Winter Reading Bingo challenge will also be entered into a raffle to win a gift card. The challenge ends Jan. 31 at 11:59 p.m. To learn more, call 980-432-8670 or go to www.RowanPublicLibrary.org.

Libby Anderson is a librarian at Rowan Public Library.