If you had told my younger self that I would one day love reading, I probably would have laughed. As a kid—and even into adulthood—books just weren’t my thing. Reading felt more like a chore than a joy, something I had to do instead of something I wanted to do.
That has completely changed.
Somewhere along the way, reading became part of my daily rhythm. What once felt overwhelming now feels comforting. I read every day, and without even trying, I now consume more than 50 books a year. Reading has become a place I go to learn, to relax, to escape, and sometimes simply to be still.
What surprises me the most is how reading opened the door to something else I never expected—I became a writer.
Today, I’m the author of more than 10 books, and every story I read continues to shape the stories I tell. Reading fuels my creativity, sharpens my voice, and reminds me why words matter so much. Books have a way of connecting us—to ideas, to emotions, and to one another—and I’ve grown to love being part of that exchange as both a reader and a writer.
Recently, my local library shared a reading challenge that immediately caught my attention. It felt like the perfect way to celebrate this new chapter of my life and to stay intentional about reading throughout the year.
Here is the challenge posted by my local library: (The Inky Bookworm’s Reading Challenge) Worland, WY
- A book made into a movie
- A book published this year
- A book set in your home region
- A book you choose because of the cover
- A book based on a true story
- A book you’ve been meaning to read
- A book with a red cover
- A book set in a country you to want to visit
- A book by an author who shares your first or last name
- A book from a genre you don’t normally read
- A book with a number in the title
- A book you read in school
- A banned book
- A book with an author who is of a different ethnicity than you
- A book based on a fairytale
- A book you started but never finished
- A book recommended by a friend
- A book set on a different planet
- A biography
- A book you own but haven’t read
Whether it’s a new genre, a book by a local author, or something completely outside my comfort zone, this challenge feels like an invitation—to explore, to stay curious, and to keep turning pages.
I’m excited to see where this challenge takes me, what stories I’ll discover, and how they’ll continue to influence my own writing journey.
If you had told the younger version of me that books would one day become one of my greatest joys, I wouldn’t have believed you. But here I am—reading daily, writing often, and grateful for every story that finds its way into my hands.
If you’re participating in a reading challenge this year—or thinking about starting one—I’d love to hear what’s on your reading list.