Reading Challenges
"Go-pher the Gold" this summer!
Get ready to read this summer! Find some great reads and count your pages for our bronze, silver, and gold challenges. Complete the M Rings challenges for even more chances to win in the prize drawing in September. Download the reading log, and find more information and submit your challenges at z.umn.edu/read2024!
If you need some reading inspiration while you wait for the challenge, contact the Libraries Book Matchmakers for personalized recommendations!
Questions? Comments? Contact us at libfunreads@umn.edu
Overdrive and Libby app
Overdrive and the Libby app are new ways to read ebooks, listen to audiobooks, read magazines and more. These tools are common in public libraries but they are new to the UMN Libraries. We have a growing collection with an early focus with titles from our Libraries Racial Equity Fund.
- Search or browse Overdrive to see the UMN Collection.
- Learn more about getting started with the Libby app.
*new* Magazines in Overdrive and Libby app
We have over 5000 magazines you can read use Overdrive or the Libby app. Read magazines on news, politics, cooking, crafts, fitness and more including titles like The New Yorker, Harpers, Vanity Fair, etc.
Need recommendations? Try UMN Libraries Book Matchmakers
Having trouble finding a book you really love? Looking for something fun or different?
Fill out a short form about your reading life and our expert book matchmakers will email you a list of three books from the University of Minnesota libraries that match what you are looking for.
Questions? Contact the book matchmakers at libfunreads@umn.edu
Sample of "best of" book lists
Here are a sample of books lists and reading suggestions. To check to see if it is in the UMN libraries, simply copy and paste the title into the search box or request it.
- Hennepin County Library’s most borrowed books of 2023
- Best books of 2023 from the New Yorker magazine
- Best 16 books of 2023 from Wired magazine
- Bestsellers from independent bookstores from indieboung.org
- Best fiction books from 2023, Best non-fiction books from 2023, and Best Young Adult fiction from 2023 from Kirkus Reviews
Why read fun books?
Reading for pleasure during college is important for a variety of reasons. Benefits of reading include:
- reduces stress
- improves vocabulary
- encourages critical thinking
- reading before bed can improve sleep
- improved performance (e.g. scores, grades, etc.) across many subjects from English to Math to Science to History, etc.
- increases empathy
Read more about reading for pleasure at The Impact of Pleasure Reading on Academic Success (PDF).
Browse popular reading collections in Wilson, Walter, and Magrath Libraries
Stop by our popular reading collections in Wilson, Walter and Magrath Library. Your Ucard is your library card. Use it to check out books and other materials.
Wilson Library is the home of the Robert and Virginia McCollister Collection for Contemporary Literature on the 1st Floor of Wilson Library. 
Walter Library has a collection of popular reading on the 2nd floor.
Magrath Library has a collection on the ground floor, near the service desk.
Request item
If you don't want to go to a library to check it out, you can use our "Get it" service to have a book sent to a library close to you (or your home). The item will be moved to another campus library in 2-4 days and mailed to a house/office in 5-7+ days.
Step 1: Find item
Step 2: Select the Library you want to pick the item up at or "home" delivery (faculty/staff/instructors can request "office" delivery)
Goldy's Little Free Libraries
Take a book, leave a book!
Goldy’s Little Free Libraries are now available for U of M community members to enjoy across the Twin Cities campus. Stop by to see what gems you can find and share your favorites with others.
Find Goldy's Little Free Libraries:
East Bank - Near 4th St. ramp
West Bank - Near Rarig Center
St. Paul - Near the Student Center
Ebooks Minnesota
Ebooks Minnesota is an online ebook collection for all Minnesotans. The collection covers a wide variety of subjects, both fiction and non-fiction, for readers of all ages, and includes over 10,000 titles!
Public libraries
UMN students can sign up for a library card from Hennepin County Library (Minneapolis campus) or Ramsey County Library (St. Paul campus) or other public libraries. This gives students access to free ebook/music/magazine downloads (and a lot more).
Arvonne Fraser Library in Dinkytown
"Arvonne Fraser Library (previously known as Southeast Library) sits on the east bank of the University of Minnesota and serves residents of the University community. The building was designed by master architect Ralph Rapson and originally functioned as a credit union for university and state employees. It opened as a library in 1967."
Read online newspapers and magazines (no paywalls!)
Popular newspapers guide
Consult our guide to find newspapers, magazines, broadcasts, and other news sources available from the Libraries like the New York Times, Wall Street Journals, etc.
Guide for reading magazines, current news, commentary, and opinion
Consult our guide of current journals and magazines of news, commentary, and opinion. Here is a sample of what is sometimes called 'Long form journalism" -- longer, in-depth articles written by journalists but usually about or with experts like researchers or professors. They are written with less jargon then scholarly journal articles and are great sources to consult as you learn more about a topic. They feature stories about current or controversial topics. You can "browse" and read current issues or search. Examples include the Atlantic, the Economist, National Geographic and more.