With so many ways to read, there's no excuse for not taking the City Wide Literacy Challenge Feb. 1 to 21, says Chilliwack Learning Community Society literacy coordinator Debbie Denault.

"People can read want they want," she said. "People can read to someone else or have someone else read to them. They can read paper, they can read e-readers, they can read comic books, novels, newspapers, anything at all."

The challenge-to read for 20 minutes a day for 21 days-is aimed at readers and non-readers alike.

"We want people who love reading to keep reading and people who don't love reading or struggling with reading to give it a try," Denault said.

Now in its fourth year, the event is gaining in popularity, with participation more than tripling last year.

Organizers designed the challenge around the notion that it takes 20 minutes a day for 21 days to establish a habit-and a reading habit is well worth having, according to Denault.

"It's really good for our brains," she said. "We learn so much, and what we read can inspire us or help us go in new directions."

Along with all the other benefits, participants who complete the challenge also get a chance to win prizes of books and gift certificates by keeping track of their reading on a ballot clipped from the Times and handing it in by 3 p.m. on Feb. 24 or by submitting a ballot online.

? For drop off locations, visit www.chilliwacklearning. com.

Q: What are you currently reading?

A: Catching Readers Before They Fall by Pat Johnson and Katie Keier, You Can't Say You Can't Play by Vivian Gussin Paley and The Passage by Justin Cronin. Who can read just one book at a time?

Q: What is important about the City Wide Literacy Challenge?

A: I believe literacy touches every part of our lives and cannot begin at too early a stage. The Literacy Challenge reminds us not to take our own literacy for granted and to strive for improvement for ourselves and other lives we touch.

Q: What is your favourite book and why?

A: My favourite book is Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. It is a moving story with strong imagery. Contained within is the horror of war, personal tragedy, and yet kindness and hope.