Like many people, I have mixed feelings about New Year’s Resolutions. As I wrote in a blog not too long ago, I think setting goals to do things you actually want to do is a better way to go. It seems safe to assume that library blog readers are a bookish bunch and may have set a reading goal for this year. Now that we’re a week and change into March, it is a good time ask: How’s your 2026 goal going?
If the answer is that it is going great and you have a system for tracking your reading that you love and you have been reading up a storm: awesome. You probably don’t need to read this blog. Go back to your books, friend.
But if you’re getting off to a slow start or you’ve been reading but forgetting to keep track (like me!), stick with the blog a little longer to learn about a JCLS exclusive reading tracker that keeps you motivated with achievement badges that remind you about some of the many beautiful natural sites around Jackson County.
The Read With JCLS In 2026 challenge encourages readers of all ages to keep track of all the reading they do this year, but how you track is up to you. Whether you want to read a certain number of books this year, you want to track (and maybe increase) the time you spend reading, or you just want to read as many days this year as possible, the tracker will meet your needs. There are built-in milestones for each of those types of tracking, with gorgeous badges created by the artists in our marketing department, depicting local outdoor landmarks.Â
So far, I’ve earned Bear Creek just for registering and Lithia Park for reading for one hour.
Other sites include McKee Covered Bridge, Roxy Ann Peak, Pearsony Falls, and Touvelle State Park. They start out black and white and when you earn them, then show up in bright and beautiful colors.
Okay, you say, I’m interested! How do I sign up?
Read With JCLS uses Beanstack, which can be used via a mobile app or an internet browser. It is easy to set up an account, and if you’ve ever taken part in Summer Reading online or one of our other reading challenges in the last few years, you may already have one. Accounts can be solo, or family-style, with one person managing the accounts for others. That works especially well when kids want to participate in the challenge as well. Instructions on how to sign up are at the link above, and you’ll have a head start when other reading challenges roll around.
I will confess that I am not always a fan of tracking reading. Sometimes I just want to get on with reading and not worry about making notes about it. But there’s something about this one that is starting to hook me. Maybe it is the local sites, or maybe it is the genuinely beautiful art, but I think I might stick with this one. I’m even beginning to feel inspired to check out some of the landmarks I haven’t visited in a while. This is a great time of year for the Table Rocks.