For the most part, I’ve always been a fan of reading. Summer reading challenges, especially the kind where you just have to write down which titles you read, were a cakewalk for me as a kid.

When my gramma and I went to the library, I’d have to get multiple books because chances were good that I’d finish one before the end of the day. One day camp that I went to included weekly visits to the library. And I’m pretty sure I ran out of room on the list the summer I was given almost the entirety of the “Babysitters Club” series.

High school and college more or less killed my desire to read. When I pick up a book, I want to enjoy it on my own terms, so I don’t care whether the author made the curtains blue to demonstrate the melancholy of a given character or why Jay Gatsby keeps his hair short.

I tried to force myself to read one fun book a month in college, but I just couldn’t do it. By the time I was done with my reading assignments, I didn’t have the time or energy to pick up another book and read it before it was due.

Last summer was a total wash, too. I checked out nine things, and only two were books I read cover to cover. Once I switched to my current job, I was determined to change that. Fortunately enough, the Public Library of New London is within walking distance of the office.

The New London library’s 2016 Reading Challenge was like the summer reading challenge of my youth, but with a twist. It ran for six months starting in January, you had to read at least 12 books, and you could pick your own titles, but they had to fall into one of 50 categories specified by the library. Some of them were pretty standard, like a memoir (“I’m Not a Terrorist, But I’ve Played One on TV” by Maz Jobrani) or a funny book (“Yes Please” by Amy Poehler). Others took a little more hunting, like “an author’s first book” (“Faitheist” by Chris Stedman) or “a book by an author with your initials” (“Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley).

I’ll admit, I was a little nervous about reading 12 books in 6 months. Summer reading challenges took advantage of kids not having school, but I still had to work. I also have after-hours meetings, derby practice twice a week, and whatever family outings might come up. Would I even have time for this?

As it turns out, I checked out book number 12 mid-April, and it wasn’t that hard to finish that many. If anything, it felt really good to be able to read for fun again. The categories made it a little trickier, but it forced me to find interesting books outside what I normally read. The challenge also gave me a reason to leave the office on my lunch break, whether to go to the library or just sit out front and read on nice days. And the best part: I didn’t have to analyze any of the books.

As local libraries start their kids’ summer reading programs, pay them a visit to see if they have one for adults too.

Amanda Hutchinson is a 2015 graduate of Ithaca College, a resident of Ledyard, and the assistant community editor for The Times. Read more of her work at amandalhutchinson.wordpress.com.