Summer Reading Challenge
The Arlington Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge asks you to Imagine Your Story! Join us all summer long for free, fun activities.
Summer Reading Club starts on June 1 and ends August 1. It's easy to participate, and you can earn free prizes while supplies last.
How to Participate
Need something to do this summer? We have 3 challenges every week this summer. If you do any of these each week, you can enter the drawing to win a themed gift pack. Create, read, and explore with us this summer!
Summer Reading Challenge Main Page
Week Nine: Award Winning
This week's challenge is to read a literary award-winning and then give a review. Let us know what you read, what award did it win, why you choose to read that novel, and would you recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library's Goodreads Discussion Page.
Week Eight: Science Fiction
This week's challenges is to read a Science Fiction book. Let us know what you read, why you choose your book and would you recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Libray's Goodreads Page.
Week Seven: Historical Fiction
This week's challenges is to read a historical fiction set before the 1900s then give a review. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read book, and if you would recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library Goodreads Page. stories
Week Six: Read a Mystery or Thriller
This week's challenge is the read a Mystery or a Thriller. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read that collection, and if you would recommend it to someone else and write a review on our Arlington Public Library Goodreads Page.
Week Five: Read a book of Poems or Short Stories
This week's challenges is to read a book of poems or short stories then give a review. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read that collection, and if you would recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library Goodreads Page.
Week Four: Read a Middle Grade or Young Adult Novel
This week's challenges is to read the book version of a movie you have seen and then give a review. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read that novel and would you recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library's Goodreads Page.
Week Three: Read a Biography
This week's challenges is to read a biography of someone you don't know a lot about and then give a review. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read that novel and would you recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library's Goodreads Discussion Page.
Week One: Read a Graphic Novel
This week's challenges is to read a Graphic Novel/Comic Book and then give a review. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read that novel and would you recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library's Goodreads Discussion Board.
Week Two: Read a Book to Movie Adaptation
This week's challenges is to read the book version of a movie you have seen and then give a review. Let us know what you read, why you choose to read that novel and would you recommend it to someone else. Leave us your answer on the Arlington Public Library's Goodreads Discussion Page.
Week Nine: Learn the Basics of Quilting
With this tutorial, you will learn the basics of quilting, what do you need to know, and what supplies you will need to get to start in the world of quilting.
Week Eight: Learn to Make Fairy Light Jars
Using various materials we will show you with this tutorial on how to design beautiful jars filled with fairy lights.
Fun fairy book list to read! Fairy Books.pdf
Week Seven: Paper Quilling Technique
We will be learning the paper quilling technique while creating a fun gnome design.
Quilling, officially known as paper filigree, makes new life and transforms flat paper and designs into 3D art forms of their very own with rolled, coiled, and shaped strips of paper that are often glued together on their own or onto a background. From recycled and simple to elaborate and complex, it is time to leap off the paper and get rolling!
This class will be virtual using the Zoom video and audio-conferencing platform.
Please click here to register for this virtual class and we will send you access information for the Zoom meeting by email.
Registration for virtual programs is not an automated process, so please do not wait until the last moment to register.
Week Six: Mosaic Painting
We invite you to paint with us! We will be painting an easy abstract painting using masking tape! Join us and put on your favorite music. This activity is perfect for you and your friends and family to do virtually!
Week Five: Cross Stitching
Week Four: Photo Documentary
Please join us as awarding and NEA grant artist Sara Easter virtually displays here photo documentary of families experiencing homelessness.
Week Three: Mono-Printing
Week Two: Family Art Making Confetti
Week Nine: Performance Theater
Look back at the comedy of 100 years ago that can still make us laugh today.
Enjoy a script reading of Fourteen by Alice Gerstenberg performed by APL staff. This short comedic play is celebrating its centennial anniversary, 1920-2020.
Click Here to see where you can see other Broadway Style Performances
Week Eight: Gardening
On July 23, 2020, at 6:00 p.m Learn ways to attract and provide a habitat for butterflies…and other animals that bring your landscape to life with activity.
The class is being presented by Water University at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center – Dallas. The event will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams.
Click here to register for this event. Registrants will receive the event attendance link thru email.
Here are some links to take virtual tours of gardens to inspire the gardener inside.
https://parade.com/1028783/lindsaylowe/virtual-garden-tours/
https://www.gardensillustrated.com/gardens/gardens-to-visit/virtual-garden-tours-best/
Here are some Texas gardening resources
https://dcmga.com/north-texas-gardening/vegetable-gardening/planning-a-fall-vegetable-garden/
Week Seven: Book Clubs
APL’s Book Clubs Have Gone Virtual, And You’re Invited
If you’re looking for your next book or want an excuse to chat with other book lovers, try a virtual book club! Arlington Public Library hosts six book clubs and all of them are currently meeting virtually. Every book club meets monthly to discuss a chosen book and socialize with fellow book lovers.
Browse this list of the library’s book clubs to find one that can fit your schedule. Click on the title for a book club to see the event on the library calendar and learn more and see a list of upcoming titles for the club. Upcoming titles are in the library’s collection and may be available as print books, audiobooks, eBooks or eAudiobooks. Patrons can pick up requested physical items by visiting a library branch and also thru Curbside Pickup.
Meets on the second Tuesday of the month, 6:45 p.m.
Southwest Morning Reading Group
Meets on the second Wednesday of the month, 11 a.m.
Meets on the third Wednesday of the month, 11 a.m.
* This is a choose your own book discussion group, so no required reading! But a love for reading and talking about books (and a #2 pencil) is recommended.
Meets on the third Thursday of the month, 7 p.m.
*This book club normally meets outside the library at various Arlington social destinations. The group is currently meeting virtually only.
Meets on the third Thursday of the month, 6:45 p.m.
Meets on the last Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m.
*This book club is for Spanish and bilingual speakers.
Week Six: Spelling and Mixology
Click Here to Register for the Virtual Buzzed Spelling Bee
Watch Estee of Hooligans Pub Make Her Favorite Summer Drink which is a twist on a Classic
Do you want to learn to mix drinks like a professional? Check out these great resources!
Week Five: Travel Texas
Travel Texas and Beyond
The weather is heating up and summer is going strong. If you’ve got the wandering spirit, Arlington Public Library is here to help you stay cool this season and travel the wide expanse of Texas, virtually.
Check out these awesome destinations from across our great state, minus the travel time and just a click away. And as a bonus, explore a few natural wonders from around the world.
Texas State Aquarium’s Aquavision

The Texas State Aquarium posts information-packed videos all about the underwater creatures living at the aquarium.
San Antonio River Walk Virtual Tour
Indulge in a little sightseeing with a virtual trip thru San Antonio’s famous River Walk.
Step back in time and learn about the state’s rich history with a virtual tour of The Alamo.
The Alamo - View the Digital Battlefield
Space Center Houston Exhibits and Experiences
Space Center Houston has awe-inspiring images and video about the history of space travel and what could be in store for the future. Or try the Space Center Houston free app for an interactive, mobile experience.
Virtual Big Bend National Park
Take in the breathtaking vistas of Big Bend National Park courtesy of photographer David Locke.
South Padre Island Drone Footage
Have a beach day with aerial footage of South Padre Island.
Want more Texas? Try this directory of Texas Museums and Zoos offering Virtual Tours.
Bonus! Texas has enough travel destinations for a lifetime. But why stop here? Broaden your horizons even further and explore a few natural wonders from around the world.
Take a Virtual Hike Thru the Grand Canyon in Arizona
Dive In and Virtually Experience the Great Barrier Reef Off the Coast of Queensland, Australia
Virtually Explore the Largest Cave in the World: Son Doong in Vietnam
Week Four: Mango Languages
Mango offers access to 60 foreign language courses and 17 English courses taught completely in the user's native language. In addition to traditional language courses, access to a variety of specialty mini-courses, like learning how to talk like a Pirate. Click the photo to learn more.
Week Three: Fantasy
Come enjoy our Virtual Fantasy Trivia Night! Click here to register
Explore the Fantastical, From Cover to Cover
Whether you want to jump into the rich world-building of High Fantasy, the fun of magic in the real world from Low Fantasy, or just a hint of the mystical from Magical Realism, Arlington Public Library has got book recs for you!
(Don’t know where to start? Just click on the headings for each subgenre to learn more about this type of fantasy literature.) Click here to download this list.
High Fantasy: A Beginner’s Guide to the Genre
- Shadow and Bone series by Leigh Bardugo
- Broken Earth series by N. K. Jemison
- Dragon Riders of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey
High Fantasy Classics
- Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien
- Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson
- A Song of Fire and Ice by George R. R. Martin
Low Fantasy: Your Guide to the Subgenre
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
- The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger
- The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher
Low Fantasy Classics
- Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
- Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
- Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Magical Realism: Heavy on the Real, Easy on the Magic
- Bone Gap by Laura Ruby
- The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Magical Realism Classics
- Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel
- 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
Week Two: ArlingCon
Join us all week for exciting virtual workshops leading up to our first ever Virtual ArlingCon. Click here for the ArlingCon Webpage
Click the Picture for a PDF of Suggested Books!
Week One: Genealogy