Look, we get it. You downloaded Stridekick to move more, not to join another thing that makes you feel guilty about not keeping up. But hear us out—what if we told you there's a way to get your steps in and finally finish that book you've been "reading" for three months?

Enter: The Stridekick Monthly Book Club Challenge.

It's exactly what it sounds like—except way less intimidating than your friend's IRL book club where everyone has thoughtful annotations and you're just trying to remember the main character's name.

Wait, Why Is a Fitness App Doing a Book Club?

Great question. Here's the thing: we're not just about steps. We're about making movement feel less like a chore and more like… well, something you'd actually want to do.

And sometimes, the best way to trick yourself into a 30-minute walk is to pair it with a juicy audiobook. Or a feel-good story that makes you forget you're on mile two. Or a thriller so good you accidentally walk an extra loop around the block because you need to know what happens next.

Basically, we're combining two things that are good for you—moving and reading—and making them way more fun together.

Plus, doing it as a community challenge means you've got people to chat with about the book. You know, people who also gasped out loud during chapter 12 while power-walking through their neighborhood and scaring the neighbors.

How It Works (It's Really Easy, We Promise)

Every month, we pick one great read (usually 6-10 hours in audiobook form—perfect for your daily walks) and launch it as a challenge in the app. You join, you move, you read (or listen), and you chat about it with fellow book clubbers as you go.

No pop quizzes. No required discussion questions. No pressure to finish by a certain date. Just vibes, steps, and stories.

Here's how to find it:

1. Open the Stridekick app
2. Tap Challenges in the bottom navigation bar
3. Scroll to Featured Community Challenges
4. Look for the one that says Book Club (see screenshot below)
5. Tap Join and start your literary fitness era

Once you're in, you'll see your goals for the month—usually a mix of daily step streaks (like 5,000 steps a day) and a monthly active minutes targe that matches the length of the audiobook (like 420 minutes). Totally doable. Totally flexible.

Listen on your favorite audiobook app,or  read the physical book while stepping on the treadmill. We'll drop weekly prompts and updates in the challenge announcements to keep things fun, and the chat is always open for your hot takes.

The Chat Is Where the Magic Happens

This isn't a silent book club where everyone nods politely and eats cheese. This is where you can:

• Share your "WAIT, WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!" reactions
• Drop your favorite quotes that hit a little too close to home
• Post theories about what's going to happen next (spoiler warnings appreciated, but we're all adults here)
• Talk about how the book connects to your own life, goals, or that one ex you're definitely over
• Or just say hi and meet people who are also walking around their living room at 10 PM because they can't put the book down

Think of it as your cozy corner of the internet where book nerds and step nerds unite. No judgment. Just good vibes and even better stories.

What We've Read So Far (And Loved)

We kicked off the Book Club in September, and here's what we've walked through together:

September: The Wedding People by Alison Espach
A witty, heartfelt story about a woman who accidentally crashes a fancy wedding and maybe finds herself in the process. Winner of the 2024 Goodreads Readers' Favorite Fiction award, and honestly? We see why. Perfect for those "I need a good cry and a good laugh during my walk" days.

October: Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson
A thriller where the main character has to solve her own murder before it's too late. Yeah, you read that right. This one had our community both stumped and shocked till the very end. Spooky season done right.

November: Twice by Mitch Albom
A story about gratitude, second chances, and appreciating the little things (you know, like finally finishing a book you started). It's just under 7 hours on audiobook, which means you can knock it out with your daily walks and still have time to overthink that text you sent three days ago.

Each pick is intentionally around 6-10 hours so you can actually finish it in a month without sacrificing sleep, sanity, or your social life. We're here for progress, not punishment—even when it comes to reading.

Where to Get the Audiobook (Or Physical Book, We're Not Picky)

Wherever you like! We know not everyone has the same audiobook setup, so here are some solid options for snagging this month's read:

Free options (yes, actually free):

• Libby – Connect your library card and borrow audiobooks for free. Seriously, if you're not using this already, you're missing out. Download the app, link your library card, and boom—free audiobooks.
• Your local library's app – Many libraries have their own apps or use services like Hoopla or OverDrive. Same deal: free audiobooks, just need a library card.

Paid options (for the "I need it now" crowd):

• Audible – Amazon's audiobook subscription service. Monthly credits, big selection, you know the drill.
• Spotify – Newsflash it’s not just for music. They have thousands of audio books as well.
• Libro.fm – Like Audible, but supports local bookstores. Same audiobook selection, better karma.
• Apple Books – If you're an iPhone person, you probably already have this. Buy audiobooks one-off or subscribe.
• Google Play Books – Android's version of the above.

Physical book people (respect):

• Amazon, Barnes & Noble, your local bookstore – You know where books live. Go get one.

Pick whatever works for you and your budget.

Ready to Join the Next Chapter?

Seriously, this is the easiest book club you'll ever join. No potluck pressure. No assigned seats. No pretending you read the whole thing when you definitely skimmed the last two chapters.

Just open the app, find the Book Club Challenge, and start moving. Bring your sneakers, your headphones, and your hot takes—because this book club isn't just about reading.

It's about moving, connecting, and growing together, one chapter (and one step) at a time.

👉 Open Stridekick → Tap "Challenges" → Look for  “Book Club" in Featured Challenges → Join!

See you in the chat. And hey, if you finish early and want to spoil the ending, just… don't. We're all trying to savor this, okay?

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