WEEK ONE
Community Read Challenge
Wednesday, March 6 – Tuesday, March 11
Each year, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library hosts a big, exciting, community-wide book club in March so we’re kicking off Book Club Madness with Community Read and the theme of “Art is”!
Community Read is open to all and encourages everyone to read a book, share perspectives, attend a program, engage on social media, and build a stronger community together. Click here to read more about the county-wide reading experience. Score points by doing the following challenges:
Two Pointers
- Pick up or check out the signature adult book Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li
- If your kids are playing along, check out the alternative titles here.
- Read Portrait of a Thief (or one of the alternative titles.)
- Rate Portrait of a Thief on Library’s BiblioCommons site (or one of the alternative titles.)
Three Pointers
- Make Portrait of a Thief the selection for an upcoming book club meeting.
- Review Portrait of a Thief (or one of the alternative titles) on Library’s BiblioCommons site.
- Register and attend Community Read After Hours Affair at the Mint Museum on Randolph Road on March 12, 2025.
Free Throws (a.k.a. one-pointers)
Every week you can score one point for each of the following challenges:
- Check out a book, e-book, audio book or film: 1 point per item.
- Pick up your free tote at any branch: 1 point.
- Post your tote on any social media platform: 1 point per post.
- Visit a branch: 1 point per visit.
- Like and/or post to the social media question of the week on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram for 1 point each. Look for the #bookclubmadness hashtag.
- Vote on the weekly bracket: 1 point.
WEEK TWO
Tailgate Challenge
Wednesday, March 12 – Tuesday, March 18
Sometimes, it’s not just the books but the cozy vibes and delicious spreads that make book clubs irresistible. If we are talking in sports terms, sometimes the tailgate can be as much (or more) fun than the game! This week’s challenges are all about the entertaining side of book clubs and reading — think snacks, drinks, and our favorite reading mascots.
The survey for two pointers and the image uploads for three pointers can be found on the same webpage. You won’t have to enter your two and three pointers onto the Week Two scorecard — just your free throws (a.k.a. one pointers). Your two and three pointers will be calculated automatically on the survey and image upload website.
Two Pointers
- Complete the Tailgate Challenge survey. Each answer is 2 points for a total of 8 points! Check out the results next week. These are the questions:
- Home or Away? Is your book club hosted in a home or do you get together in a library, restaurant, coffee shop, etc.?
- Concession Stand: Book club is the perfect time to indulge. What’s your favorite snack during the lively conversations?
- Cheers-leader! What’s your preferred libation at book club?
- Sweet or Savory? Are you reaching for the brownies or the cheese plate? Let us know.
Three Pointers
- Mascots: Share a picture of your reading buddy like a dog, cat, or kiddo – or something inanimate like a favorite blanket, mug or bookmark. (Note: the images will be shared on our website and will be viewed publicly.)
- Playbook: Share a recipe that was a book club hit. Upload a picture of the recipe and/or the dish and/or cookbook or send us a web link to the recipe or cookbook. (Note: It does not have to be an original recipe.)
- Locker Room: Share a picture of your favorite cozy reading area. (Yes, libraries count!)
Free Throws (a.k.a. one-pointers)
Every week you can score one point for each of the following challenges:
- Check out a book, e-book, audio book or film: 1 point per item.
- Pick up your free tote at any branch: 1 point.
- Post your tote on any social media platform: 1 point per post.
- Visit a branch: 1 point per visit.
- Like and/or post to the social media question of the week on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram for 1 point each. Look for the #bookclubmadness hashtag.
- Vote on the weekly bracket: 1 point.
WEEK THREE
The Coaches Challenge
Wednesday, March 19 – Tuesday, March 25
In addition to our new commissioner Meghan Anderson at South Boulevard Library, six Library staff have joined us as Madness Coaches, specially dedicated staff that can help you with Book Club Madness challenges.
Say hi to Nancy Lingle at Davidson, Kristin Wilkins at Founders Hall, Joyce Ramos at Independence Regional, Justin Singh at Matthews, and Ashley Conte and Amy Hilton at Steele Creek. They will be the ones in the Book Club Madness signature T-shirts!
These are the new challenges they developed to take your Library game to the next level.
Two Pointers
- Library card sign-ups: score two points for every person you encourage to sign up for a Library card. Direct them to one of our locations or to cmlibrary.org/get-a-card to learn more. You can send a text or email or go about it the old-fashioned way and make a phone call or have a face-to-face conversation.
- Find your next read, part 1: Looking for your next read but not sure where to start? Your Library staff is eager to help you find it through our Reader’s Advisory service. Click here to try it out and score two points: https://www.cmlibrary.org/services/find-your-next-read
- Dribble & Design for a Cause: Vote online for your favorite designed basketball featuring the Charlotte Hornets and Dr. Pepper. Each vote is a donation to a local nonprofit including us — Charlotte Mecklenburg Library Foundation!
Three Pointers
- Find your next read, part 2: Ask the Library staff at any branch to help you find your next read — in person. Share your preferences (reading style, book length, genre, etc.) and see what they recommend. Each recommendation = 3 points! (If you check out the book, you will earn a free throw point, too.)
- Find your next read, part 3: Score an extra 3 points if you request a book that’s outside your preferred genre. Addicted to romance? Maybe explore historical fiction. Your Library staff is here to help. Each recommendation = 3 points! (If you check out the book, you will earn a free throw point, too.)
- Book Club kit checkout: Check out a Book Club Kit for 3 points. The recently revamped service has over 200 kits available, and each kit includes 10 copies of the book. You can see the full list HERE.
- Book Club reading guides: Ask the Library staff to help you find a reading guide to enhance and expand your next book club discussion or find your own reading guide online and push yourself to ask questions you wouldn’t normally consider. Either way, give yourself 3 points.
Free Throws (a.k.a. one-pointers)
Every week you can score one point for each of the following challenges:
- Check out a book, e-book, audio book or film: 1 point per item.
- Pick up your free tote at any branch: 1 point.
- Post your tote on any social media platform: 1 point per post.
- Visit a branch: 1 point per visit.
- Like and/or post to the social media question of the week on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram for 1 point each. Look for the #bookclubmadness hashtag.
- Vote on the weekly bracket: 1 point.
WEEK FOUR
Pay It Forward Challenge
Wednesday, March 26 – Tuesday, April 1
Back by popular demand is our Pay It Forward challenge. Show your Library staff some love, earn some points!
Two Pointers
- Drop a thank you note to the Library staff at your favorite branch (either in the Book Drop or at the Circulation Desk)
- Stock a Little Free Library: leave a book or two in a Little Free Library kiosk in your neighborhood. Find them on the Little Free Library app.
- Build a bigger community of readers by loaning or giving away a book to someone.
Three Pointers
- Read a book by LOCAL author.
- Surprise your favorite branch by dropping off a special treat.
- Recommend a book that spurred the best conversation for your book club with a review on the Library’s BiblioCommons site.
- Share the aforementioned review on your social media sites.
- Build a bigger community of readers by reading to a child or recruiting a new book club member.
- Help us promote Library Giving Day on your social media sites. Download your special Book Club Madness graphic here.
- Make a gift of any size on Library Giving Day on April 1.
Free Throws (a.k.a. one-pointers)
Every week you can score one point for each of the following challenges:
- Check out a book, e-book, audio book or film: 1 point per item.
- Pick up your free tote at any branch: 1 point.
- Post your tote on any social media platform: 1 point per post.
- Visit a branch: 1 point per visit.
- Like and/or post to the social media question of the week on Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram for 1 point each. Look for the #bookclubmadness hashtag.
- Vote on the weekly bracket: 1 point.
