Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
For the sixth year in a row Central City Youth Library named after M.A. Svetlov is holding a book challenge—a literary marathon that brings together book lovers from across Russia. In 2025, participants were challenged to read 30 books on specially selected topics and write a review of each. More than 80 people became winners, reaching the finals. Who are these modern readers of the capital? What motivates them to discover new books in the digital age? And how are Moscow libraries changing to meet the needs of a new generation?
Ekaterina Ermakova, 36, teacher and blogger: From protest to passion
Favorite neighborhood: Presnensky
Favorite genre: historical non-fiction
Favorite book: Exhale by Ted Chiang
Ekaterina's story is a classic example of how pressure turns pleasure into obligation. While she was in school and university, reading was a punishment. The turning point came after moving from her hometown. "I realized that this hatred was my form of protest against public opinion."
"After leaving, I first read the entire university curriculum, and then book after book—everything I was required to read in school. And I haven't been able to stop since," she says.
Ekaterina now works as a history teacher, and books are a versatile tool for explaining many of her students' questions. The challenge also helps Ekaterina answer personal existential questions: "I really wanted to find myself. And so here I am, searching for myself in books about dinosaurs, Romans, and aliens. And the Svetlovka Challenge expands my horizons year after year."
Yulia Modyanova, 31, HR specialist: The challenge as a self-challenge
Favorite neighborhood: Meshchansky
Favorite genre: urban fantasy
Favorite book: "Waffle Heart" by Maria Parr
Yulia has a similar story: the school curriculum killed any desire to open a book. But working in a bookstore chain as an adult sparked a love of literature and a desire to explore her own genres. She chooses books based on her mood: "Sometimes something catches my eye, sometimes friends recommend it, or I see someone's review."
The Muscovite participated in the Svetlovka Challenge back in 2022. Back then, she was drawn to the creative environment and the opportunity to challenge herself. Yulia loves setting goals and achieving them, and even now, during her busiest days while on maternity leave, she doesn't forget about reading, especially audiobooks.
Daria Khokhlova, 36, lawyer: curiosity and willpower
Favorite area: Basmanny
Favorite genre/method: magical realism
Favorite book: "Sometimes the Greatest Wish" by Ken Kesey
Unlike previous winners, Daria fell in love with literature back in school, when she devoured Nikolai Kun's "Legends and Myths of Ancient Greece." She was drawn to the Svetlovka Challenge for the opportunity to broaden her horizons: "I wouldn't have read some of the books in the challenge on my own. I was motivated by curiosity—to see what would happen next—and excitement."
Lately, she's been enjoying magical realism. But Daria's main advice to budding book lovers who complain about a lack of time is straightforward: become more inquisitive. "If you're really interested and really want to, you'll find the time," she concludes.
Maria Semenova, 31, information systems consultant: The metro as a library
Favorite neighborhood: Khamovniki
Favorite genre: detective stories
Favorite book: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
Maria's love of reading began at the age of eight, in her mother's library. Since then, books have become an important part of her life. Maria was drawn to the challenge's ambitious goals and the opportunity to select publications based on specific criteria. "It motivates you to keep going, and you can already anticipate the next step and the next book," she shares.
Her life hack for busy Muscovites who want to read more is simple: listen to audiobooks on the metro without wasting a minute of free time.
Regina Chaika, 35, primary school teacher: Timeless traditions
Favorite neighborhood: Arbat
Favorite genre: family sagas
Favorite book: "The Road Goes into the Distance…" by Alexandra Brushtein
Regina was a regular at both children's and adult libraries, largely thanks to the influence of her namesake, her grandmother, Regina Ilyinichna. But her motivation for participating in the challenge was unexpected—it wasn't about reading, but about reviews. "I really enjoy formulating my thoughts," Regina explains.
This year, she decided to explore the work of female writers and won the challenge. Now, Regina actively tries out audiobooks: "In traffic, on a walk, while doing routine tasks. Anyone can develop listening skills," she believes.
Irina Fedoryuk, 41, logistician: “Gone with the Wind” in second grade
Favorite neighborhood: Presnensky
Favorite genre: detective stories
Favorite book: "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov
From an early age, Irina's parents instilled in her a love of reading, and by the second grade, she was reading Gone with the Wind on her own—a serious testament to her future passion for literature. Irina's success in the challenge was aided by recommendations from the library itself.
"I wanted to find something new, something I hadn't read before, and recommendations were easier than searching for it myself." An important criterion for Irina is the availability of the book on the shelves of nearby libraries, something Svetlovka always does flawlessly.
Victoria Shishkina, 30, marketer: Reading as a state of mind
Favorite neighborhood: Ramenki
Favorite genre: fantasy
Favorite book: "Dandelion Wine" by Ray Bradbury
Victoria's love of reading began in early childhood with The Chronicles of Narnia. She began regularly going to the library, devouring fantasy and romance novels. These genres remain among her favorites. She discovered the challenge by chance and decided that structure and determination would help her reach the end: "I kept several Google documents, noting the books I read each month and writing reviews."
"You need to read what your heart desires. And set aside time for it. Everyone has 20 minutes before bed. And don't beat yourself up if a book takes a long time. Everything has its time," Victoria says.
Alina Sevastyanova, 35, philologist: Books are best friends
Favorite neighborhood: Arbat
Favorite genre: classic and contemporary novels
Favorite book: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Alina has been reading since she was four. After reading all the books at home, she went to the school library and then the local library, and continues her hobby to this day. "Books have always been my best friends," she says. Every year, she celebrates a different Russian writer. 2025 was the year of Anton Chekhov.
Alina is participating in the Svetlovka Challenge for the second year in a row, but it was in 2025 that she reached the finals. She was particularly interested in trying a new format—writing reviews: "It's great practice. It makes it harder to forget your impressions."
Daria Monastyreva, 27 years old, obstetrician-gynecologist: a miracle in 33 letters
Favorite neighborhood: historic center
Favorite genre: fairy tales
Favorite book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Daria's story shows that the Svetlovka challenge has long since expanded beyond Moscow and unites readers from all over Russia. Daria, from St. Petersburg, loves not only strolling around the capital but also reading a lot. Her father set this example for her. "Literature has always been my happiness, my hobby, and my reward," Daria recalls.
The challenge introduced her to books she wouldn't have dared to read on her own, and now they've become her favorites. Daria is certain: "Reading doesn't make you better or smarter. It's a pastime. It suits some people, and not others. But books have amazing depth. No other storytelling method allows you to live someone else's life in your head. In my humble opinion, it's a true miracle hidden in the 33 letters of the alphabet. Read it if it's valuable to you. And don't torture yourself if it's not."
How technology is changing reading: smart shelves, barcodes, and convenience everywhere
The digitalization of Moscow's libraries has ushered in a new era of reading: books are now issued in seconds and accessible from anywhere in the city. Since 2018, a unified system using barcodes and RFID tags has simplified service, replacing paper tickets with electronic ones and inaccessible rare editions with their digitized versions.
While previously, multiple paper documents had to be issued for different libraries, with the introduction of a single library card, Muscovites can now obtain books from virtually all 440 libraries in the city. The electronic library card is also available on smartphones.
Libraries are installing mobile bookshelves that can be moved around, freeing up space for new acquisitions, and access to publications is organized through self-service stations—a true technological advancement that saves visitors time and makes librarians' work easier.
A modern self-service station has also been installed at the M.A. Svetlov Library. It features audio and is height-adjustable, making the cultural space comfortable for all types of readers. On the screen, users can adjust the font size and select the user interface language.
Every book in Svetlovka is equipped with a special radio-frequency tag. To borrow books using RFID technology, visitors simply need to present their library card and place the books at the station. The system automatically reads the data and links it to their library profile.
Another innovation—a smart shelf—allows you to return books yourself, even without a library card. RFID-tagged publications are automatically registered in the system as soon as they are returned to the shelf. And for those who can't find time to visit a library, the capital offers book vending machines—automated mini-libraries—in city parks.
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A look into the future
The Svetlov Library's annual challenge has concluded: over 80 winners, nearly 2,500 reviews, and 12 months of active reading. But the key to this project isn't the numbers, but the moment when interest overcomes doubt and the desire to find something new in familiar things. Who are these modern Moscow readers? The portraits are individual. They include marketers, obstetricians, detective story connoisseurs, and fantasy fans. Some have been unable to imagine life without books since childhood, while others discovered reading as adults.
And they all share one thing: genuine interest, which over time turns into a desire to learn more. And as long as this interest persists—on the subway, in lines, during breaks, and before bed—the city will continue to read. And libraries will continue to transform into spaces of the future, where everyone can find their book and experience 30 different stories a year. And perhaps more!
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Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.