Brighter Winter Reading Program
Join us for Brighter Winter 2026, our 7th annual reading event! Registration opens on November 28, 2025.
If you need a push to read more, are in a reading slump, or simply love books and connecting with other book lovers, you will enjoy this 2-month winter challenge.
As a participant, you will receive a grid of 20 reading challenges - one for January and one for February - that include a wide variety of fun, unique, and at times, hands’ on challenges that not only encourage you to read more this winter, but also find ways to brighten the season that can so easily feel dark and dreary.
Throughout the program, we'll share weekly bookish content, giveaways, and opportunities for interaction with other participants on the Brighter Winter Substack.
Experience a brighter winter, and join us for the 2026 program!
Help us keep Brighter Winter going!
If you've enjoyed this program, consider saying "thanks" with a monetary gift - it helps us provide the staff and resources to keep this special reading challenge going year after year. Thank you!
Apply for Ad Space in Brighter Winter
This year we are making a limited number of advertising spots available in our weekly Substack posts! This is an awesome way to give our engaged and devoted audience exposure to your product or business. We have over 1300 subscribers on Substack, with a consistent open rate of +75%. Your purchase gives you an ad banner in one of our Substack posts, and the opportunity to provide an item for a giveaway as well -- increasing your exposure even more!
Ad Details:
- Cost: $160
- Banner size (placed at end of Substack post): 200pxW x 700pxH
- Includes: up to 150 words describing your shop, logo, 2-3 photos, discount code to your shop (opt.)
- Logistics: you provide ad content; our team will design the ad banner and schedule it in one of our January or February Substack posts. We will let you know when yours is scheduled.
REGISTRATION OPENS november 28, 2025
The Brighter Winter 2026 reading grids will be delivered to participants by email on the Winter Solstice, December 21, 2025. The program officially begins on January 1, and concludes on February 28, 2026.
If you don't want to wait until December 21 for the Brighter Winter reading challenge grids, we will have the opportunity to purchase early access through one of our bonus content packages! The Green Gables, and The Pemberley packages will be available when registration opens.
How does Brighter Winter work?
Step 1: Register to participate
Registration for Brighter Winter 2025 will open on November 28. It will remain open throughout the program so you can sign up at any time.
Registering is important! It’s how we keep track of who is participating, send updates, and host bi-weekly giveaways to participants. You can join the program at any time, but you must register to be eligible for giveaways.
The Brighter Winter program runs during January and February 2026. We hope you’ll join us for both months of the program, but you are welcome to participate for just one if you prefer.
Step 2: Read, read, read!
For Brighter Winter, we create 2 grids of 20 reading challenges each: one for January and one for February. You pick which challenges you’d like to complete each month!
On December 21 (the Winter Solstice!), all registered participants will receive a PDF that includes a reminder of the program rules, both the January and February reading challenge grids, and a handy sheet of explanations for each of the monthly challenges. You can print the challenge grid for each corresponding month and fill in the books you read as you go along.
When the program begins on January 1, you can begin reading!
Step 3: Connect with other readers
Reading good books can help brighten the bleak winter months - and so can connecting with other readers!
We share weekly Substack posts throughout the program. If you subscribe to our Substack (free!) you'll receive weekly posts to your inbox with bookish resources and inspiration, and have the opportunity for fun interaction with other participants in the comment section, via polls, etc.
In addition, the Brighter Winter Instagram @brighterwinter is a great place to “mingle” with other program participants, get reading inspiration, and share how you’re completing challenges yourself.
Step 4: Upload your completed reading grids
At the end of each month, we’ll email you a link where you can upload your name and completed grid, which will also count as your entry ticket for the MONTHLY grand prize giveaway.
Wait...what? That's right! This year, we are giving a grand prize both months, instead of just one at the end of the program. While reading for the sake of reading is reward enough, we love to give you just a little more incentive to complete program challenges.
Here's how it works: for each month that you complete at least 7 challenges, you will receive an entry ticket to that month's grand prize giveaway, which will include a collection of lovely, literary-themed items (more details will be sent to participants throughout the program).