The article describes how the author explores the use of out-of-school "reading packets" as a new learning option for adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students. Since their spring 2008 debut, take-home packets have evolved into folders of pleasurable reading materials that high-beginner and intermediate ESOL students explore and react to outside of class. The packets are quite popular with students, and the "packet culture" that the author and students have fostered in class has led to a dramatic increase in the amount of time students spend reading English on their own. As one program improvement among many in the ESOL classes over the last few years, packet use has led to a noticeable increase in student self-efficacy. It has also contributed to better student persistence, as shown in hours of class attendance, student completion rates, and goal attainment rates. The author discusses how to use "reading packets" for ESL students and how to design, implement and model packets and ensure that students are on board with the goals behind the packets and get the most out of the readings. (Contains 1 figure.)