Reading Challenges: Why They're Fun And How To Start One

Reading challenges can be a fun way to boost your motivation and focus towards reading all the books you’ve told yourself you will get to some day. The challenges can even feel nostalgic if you have ever taken part in a summer reading program growing up.

Let’s look at different ways to build a reading challenge for yourself. We also have tips to keep it low pressure and enjoyable, and even share it with your friends!

Go For The Goal

Setting a goal for how many books or genres to read can help you feel more focused. You will feel a sense of achievement as you finish each book.

At the end of your challenge, you can look back and see what you have achieved and have a better understanding of your reading habits and genre preferences. 

Broaden Your View

Your challenge is what you make it! Consider books you have read over the last year. Is there a genre you haven’t given a chance? Do you think there are opportunities to diversify the voices and experiences you’re reading?

Many people use reading challenges to broaden their understanding of other people, cultures, concepts, and history. Add another level to your challenge by keeping notes of things you have learned and concepts that were challenged.

Keep It Low Pressure

A reading challenge isn’t beneficial or fun if you’re beating yourself up about not meeting your goal quick enough or at all. Keep it fun and explorative! If a book is hard to get through for whatever reason, there’s no shame in putting it down and picking up the next one.

Since your challenge is specific to you, make sure to choose attainable goals that fit within your daily schedule and won’t leave you burnt out. If you’re skimming books just to add them to your “done” list then the challenge isn’t really benefiting you.

Types of Reading Challenges

There are so many ways to create a fun challenge!

Number Goal:  “Read X Amount of Books in a Year” in which you choose the amount you want to reach from January to December.

Themed challenges: These can fit a specific month or season like Mystery May or Fantasy February. 

Beta-reading challenge: Log on to StoryForge and read finished and on-going stories by writers while leaving helpful feedback for them to develop their story!

Author-based: This might look like “Read more works by Pacific Islanders” or “Read books by first time authors”.

Location-based: This challenge could be “Read a book set in each continent” or “Read a book from 10 different countries”.

Time-specific: Create a reading sprint like reading a book within 24 hours or month long goal like or Seasons Readings, happening now on the StoryForge Platform!

Challenge Formats

Have a friend or family member create a surprise bingo sheet with prompts like “read a book with flowers on the cover” or “read a banned book”.

A checklist format could also include categories like “nostalgic books I read in middle school” or “Books with Bridgerton Vibes”. If you’re going for a more general number challenge you can write them on a long list or print out little versions of the book covers to hang on your fridge or bulletin board. If you do this, share on Instagram and tag us so we can see!)

Starting Your Own Reading Challenge

Step One: Define your goal. Choose your theme, quantity, and explorative purpose.

Step Two: Keep it realistic. Set an achievable goal that’s equal parts challenging and fun!

Step Three: Track your progress. Choose a list, spreadsheet, or track your progress through the StoryForge Platform via a personalized shelf or our Season’s Readings challenge!

Step Four: Share with others! Discuss your challenge with others in your Circle or Nook on StoryForge and share on social media. Be sure to tag us and use #SeasonsReadings if you’re participating.

Step Five: Celebrate accomplishments! At each quarter of the challenge give yourself a little treat or fun activity to celebrate. Participants in the Seasons Readings challenge will win Quills and a special avatar!

Extra Benefits

A reading challenge, while being fun and motivating, also has lots of benefits. Making an intentional effort to create more time for reading can lead you to read more and more! Reading a diverse range of books can increase understanding and empathy for different perspectives and experiences while learning about new topics can increase your knowledge. Reading, taking notes, and leaving feedback on beta stories can boost your vocabulary, memory, critical thinking and creativity!

There are so many fun ways to build a reading challenge! Whether you’re joining the challenge on StoryForge or creating something specific for yourself, tell us about your experiences in the Discord Community. We can’t wait to hear from you!