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Expand Your Literary Horizons This Summer!
Join The Girlfriend Summer Reading Challenge, a free, flexible way to discover new books and connect with women who love to read. You’ll also have the chance to win free books and other fab reading-related items.
What is The Girlfriend Summer Reading Challenge?
The Girlfriend Summer Reading Challenge is a feel-good summer experience designed to help women read more intentionally, discover new perspectives, and connect through books.
Whether you’re diving into beach reads, memoirs, mysteries, or longtime favorites, you’ll enjoy:
- Biweekly challenge emails that keep you engaged and motivated
- A welcoming community of fellow readers
- Fun bingo-style activities you can complete at your own pace
- Sweepstakes for free books and other reading-related items
How It Works
- Sign Up For Free
- Play Bingo
- Win Free Books
- Get Inspired All Summer
- Connect with Fellow Readers
Join with your free aarp.org account—no AARP membership needed. Starting June 21 to September 22, you'll receive challenge emails and access to the Challenge Hub.
Complete prompts from our Summer Reading Bingo Board featuring 24 activities plus one free space. Aim for a row—or simply play for fun.
Challenge participants will have chances throughout the summer to win free books, book-themed goodies, and prizes perfect for passionate readers, including an e-reader.
Every other Sunday, we’ll send themed reading inspiration, book ideas, and encouragement straight to your inbox.
Join the private Girlfriend Challenge Facebook Group to swap recommendations, share progress, and enjoy conversations with women who love books as much as you do.
A Few Ways to Play
The Girlfriend Summer Reading Challenge uses a bingo board with 24 prompts and a free space. Participants are urged to complete just a single row during the summer, supported by biweekly themed emails.
Your bingo prompts might include:
- Read a memoir by someone you admire
- Read a book celebrating female friendship
- Read an autobiography by a woman
- Read a book that was recommended by another participant
Make This Summer a Chapter Worth Remembering
Reading gives us something we all need more of: a moment to slow down, reflect, laugh, escape, and reconnect—with ourselves and with others.
The Girlfriend Summer Reading Challenge is designed to make reading feel joyful, social, and intentional again. There’s no pressure to complete every activity. Even one new book or conversation can open the door to fresh ideas and meaningful connections.
Along the way, you’ll discover new authors, swap recommendations with fellow readers, and enjoy chances to win free books and literary prizes.
FAQ
After registering to participate, we will share the link to join the Facebook closed group for The Girlfriend Challenge.
Step 1: Log in using your Facebook account.
Step 2: Click this Facebook group link and press “Join Group” to request access to the community.
It’s that simple! All members of the Facebook group will participate in the Challenge with you. Feel free to share your bingo card and experience through posts and comments.
While both are closed Facebook groups, The Girlfriend Challenge group is only for those participating in The Girlfriend Summer Reading Challenge. The Girlfriend Book Club is a larger, ongoing book club with author interviews, book sweepstakes, and great recommendations from fellow women readers.
No, The Girlfriend Summer Reading Challenge is completely free. You only need an aarp.org account to sign up. There is no cost to create an account, and an AARP membership is not required.
No, an AARP membership is not required. You only need an aarp.org account to sign up, and creating an account is free.
At the start of this challenge, you will download a bingo board with 24 activities and a free space. You have until summer to complete a pattern (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). Every other Sunday from June 21 to September 13, you’ll receive an email with new tips and resources for some activities to help expand your literary horizons and encourage reflection. You don’t have to do everything. The goal is to discover new perspectives and enjoy reading your way! Near the end of the Challenge, be sure to post your progress on the closed Challenge group.
This is a virtual challenge, with bi-weekly emails, a closed Facebook group for participants, and multiple sweepstakes.
Choose activities that align with your goals and intentions. Completing even one task helps you expand your reading horizons.
After registering to participate, you can visit the Challenge webpage for participants where you will see links to enter the sweepstakes through the official entry form. There will be several sweepstakes throughout this Challenge.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends Tuesday, June 30th, 11:59 PM Eastern Time. See Official Rules for details.
If you have trouble logging into your aarp.org account to sign up, please try the following steps:
- Try resetting your password.
- Clear your cookies and cache, and ensure your browser is up to date.
- Close and reopen your browser and try logging in again.
If you are not receiving challenge emails, check your spam folder. You can also access the biweekly challenge themes on the Challenge page.
If you experience issues, please reach out to thegirlfriend@aarp.org for assistance.
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