In our busy lives, it can be difficult to find time to read for fun—or to read at all! Yet one of the most enjoyable parts of our work as historians is reading scholarship about the past and discussing that work with others.

For the second annual AHA Summer Reading Challenge, we’re making it a bingo challenge. Participants will complete a row on the bingo card (three reading tasks) in the months of June, July, and August. These tasks encourage you to read widely—outside your field, your areas of expertise, and your personal experiences—and define “history” as nonfiction at any length (a book, an article, a chapter).

You can fulfill these tasks however you’d like. You define for yourself the parameters of a book you’ve had too long, a place you know little about, or your background.

Participant feedback has also pushed us to expand the reading challenge: we’ve added a challenge with tasks specifically designed for school-aged readers. Share the kids' version with your children or your students.

We’re hoping you’ll talk about how you’re fulfilling the challenge. We encourage participants to post about what they’re reading for this challenge on the AHA Member Forum or on social media using the hashtag #AHAReads. And for those that complete the challenge by Labor Day, there will be a small reward at the end.

Want a paper copy of the bingo card? Tear off the back cover of the May issue of Perspectives on History or download a PDF of the regular challenge and kids’ edition.