“Read. Rest. Repeat.” Make Time for Yourself in 2026 with our Winter Reading Program

WWPL kicks off its 2026 Winter Reading Program for Teens and Adults on Thursday, January 1st. The theme this year is, “Read. Rest. Repeat.” This year’s Winter Reading Program will emphasize ways to incorporate reading as a valuable part of your self-care routine.

Do you read to relax, or do you read to stimulate your brain? Have you considered using reading for stress relief? Studies say that you can reduce your stress level by up to 68% in just six minutes of reading, so imagine what consistent reading over an 8-week period can do for you!

Aim to improve your focus, cognitive abilities, and empathy levels by consciously adding reading as a part of your daily routine. You’ll emerge from the chilly winter months relaxed and recharged!

Some tips to make your reading more relaxing include choosing genres or formats that you love. Reading should be a pleasure and not an obligation! Find a comfortable place to read with good lighting and a warm blanket. Reduce your screen time (unless you like to use an e-reader) and find ways to escape and tune out the pressures of the daily grind. If you’d rather not escape with fictional characters, you can always choose a subject you’d like to learn more about and actively seek out books to expand your knowledge. There are no wrong ways to read!

January is typically a time for New Year’s resolutions, so in 2026 we suggest resolving to read, rest, and repeat. Make time for yourself this winter and read with us! The 2026 Winter Reading Program for Teens and Adults will last for 8 weeks, ending on Saturday, February 28. It is completed after 2400 minutes of reading (or listening to audiobooks). Log your reading hours to earn digital badges and incentive prizes. Registration is easy and you can go ahead and sign up now, before the program begins, at wwpl.beanstack.org or by using the beanstack app on your mobile device.