By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Reading and goal setting are two topics that nibble on my 2023 New Year’s plans. I weave both to include fiction and nonfiction books. Goodreads encourages its members to expand their minds by issuing a challenge. I’ve accepted their reading challenge for years.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of accepting a reading challenge?
Advantages of a Reading Challenge
- Build concentration.
- Create creativity and imagination skills
- Develop a means of entertainment.
- Educate the reader on a variety of books and topics.
- Encourage healthy competition, either singularly or with others.
- Encourage involvement in a book club.
- Explore new genres.
- Explore a new hobby.
- Improve job performance.
- Improve relaxation and lessen stress.
- Increase productivity in work and play.
- Increase the reader’s vocabulary and interest.
- Inspire the reader to improve communication skills.
- Inspire creativity.
- Introduce ourselves to new writers.
- Learn a new task.
- Learn how others live and thrive in different cultures.
- Learn to value solo projects.
- Make friends with other readers.
- Pleases writers!
- Read new books by favorite writers.
- Set and maintain goals.
Disadvantages of a Reading Challenge
I couldn’t find any reason not to read, but some people might say:
- Could damage eyesight. (So will watching TV or using electronic devices.)
- Discourages social interaction. (I disagree. Readers have more to contribute to conversations.)
- Requires money. (Libraries don’t cost a thing.)
- Takes time. (Even doing nothing requires time.)
What about you? How do you feel about a reading challenge? What is your reading goal for 2023?
Comments 50
Every Monday I request new books from the library. My mother is an avid reader. She can read 3 books in a day. I think I’m going to get her a book reading journal & a “I WANT to read these books”. My guess is 500+ books within a year.
Betty, all I can say is, “Oh my.” Your mother is an amazing speed reader. Congratulations to you and her!
I’ve never set a reading goal and have no idea how many books I’ve read in any given year. I read a book, write the review, and pick up the next book. As an editor, I read many not-yet-published mss of book length, so I suppose they could be added into the total. Whatever–I love reading. My parents reared their eight children with books in our hands so they could have some peace and quiet! Here’s wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2023!
Thanks, Peggy. I imagine if I had 8 children, I’d be putting books in their hands too! I do believe writing needs to be developed, but once the “taste” is there, we want more and more.
I like reading challenges. I participate in the Goodreads one and several others throughout the year.
Patricia, like you, I enjoy the challenge of reading something new and challenging myself.
Our pastor has given us a reading plan now for 4 years. I like to read different translations of the Bible each year. I always choose 52 books – one a week. I usually surpass that goal.
Linda, that is amazing. Congratulations.
I have been participating in GoodReads reading challenge for a number of years. My challenge for 2022 was 200 books and I read 218. My challenge for 2023 is 220 books.
My father was an avid reader and I inherited my love for reading from him.
Edwina, what a reader! You are challenging me to do so much more.
I keep my challenges to only one, and that is the Goodreads challenge. I have set a goal to read 100 books. I did this same amount in 2022 and read over 100. I figure 100 is an easy challenge to reach. Good luck on your challenge.
Michelle, my goal of 50 is so small compared to yours. I just might have to rethink my Goodreads challenge!
Having a long commute each day, I tend to do my reading via audio books as often as possible. It takes less than a week per book most of the time, but I don’t really keep track of how many get read in a year.
Biographies, history, fiction, non-fiction – all are interesting. However, I’m super picky about what is consumed – scripture says repeatedly to keep a watch over what we see & hear as well as what we do (Psalm 101:3; Psalm 119:37; Proverbs 20:12 to name only a few verses), so no books with any language or activities which don’t uphold those standards reach my reading list.
As a teacher & tutor, my students are always getting extra rewards for personal reading, not simply assigned materials.Thanks, DiAnn, for the challenge to keep track. I’ll pass it along to friend and students alike.
And happy reading!
Thanks for your kind words, Bev. Like you, I don’t want to read anything that God doesn’t approve. That standard is for viewing too. Happy reading to you!
I participate in my local library’s reading challenges. They usually are based on the number of books read in a time period. They are wonderful because you are entered into raffles for gift cards (and I have won 3 times 😉).
Last year I completed 61 books. So far, I have finished 3 in 2023. I’m a teacher, so I love to read during my time off.
This year, my challenge to myself is to keep a reading log in my new notebook. I have logged titles read for awhile now, but I want to record titles read, new books to look for, authors to search out, books to avoid (usually due to excessive language/graphic romance), movie comparisons, etc. Can’t wait to begin!
Thanks, Nancy. You are detailed, but the process would be so worth it. Recommendations and new authors could be your expertise.
I enjoy them. I participated in 3 last year (only one for the entire year, the other 2 were off and on). It was an extra push & deadline I needed to work on my TBR, and it got me to parts of it that I wouldn’t have finished any time soon otherwise.
I read some enjoyable reads (and one that had foul language, so I freed up a bit of space for other books 😉 ). I like how one challenge presents a chance to discuss the books a bit too, almost like an online book club. I’m going to do that one this year too:) .
Thanks, Madie. Listening to other readers comment on books helps me strengthen my writing skills.
I could see nothing wrong with a reading challenge. I’ve never done a challenge. But I read nonstop…. Reading good books can only improve a person!
Carolyn, you are so right! History, culture, education, and knowledge in so many areas are a part of the reading process.
My goal is to complete the Around the World in 386 books. I started it about September 2022 and I want to finish it by the end of 2023.
Rebekah, that is an amazing goal. Congratulations. You are a reading rockstar.
Thank you for this, dear DiAnn.
I intend to read more this year also.
I ask other readers for suggestions and look on my bookshelves for books I purchased, some even long ago, but never read. I choose ones to read or determine to give them away. (That’s hard!) Happy New Year! Blessings in 2023!
Maureen, Happy New Year’s Blessings to you. I think reading is a type of discipline. We struggle to find time to fit it into our hectic lives, but oh, we want to!
My goal is 50 this year. I’m doing a few different reading challenges.
Thanks, Becky, mine is 50 also, and I’m using the Goodreads Challenge.
My 2022 goal was 100 and I read 159 (including the Bible this year). My 2023 goal is 125. I hope to read more on my to-be-read pile!
Jeanne, you are a reading rockstar! Thank you for the inspiration.
At least 2 books a month. I love a challenge!
Hi Gloria, I love a challenge too! And there are so many wonderful fiction and nonfiction books to read.
I have been doing the Goodreads challenge for several years. This past year my goal was 70 and I read 121. This year my goal is 75. I want to read more of my books and try to refrain from requesting books from NetGalley because I have so many on my Kindle. And I am on a few review teams for authors.
Gloria, you are another reading rockstar. I envy your ability to read so many books. Keep up the great job!
My goal for ’23 is 120 books. There was a time I could read 200+ in a year. My concentration these days is not so good. I also have seven of my ten grandkids to keep track of. The other three are either married or doing a year in Israel.
Nora-Adrienne, all I can say is wow! Thank you for encouraging all of us to read more.
I read all day long because I edit books, so my eyes are pretty tired at the end of the day. So I listen to books: biographies, fiction (for my book club), books that friends recommend, research books for books I write. Right now I’m listening to Greg Laurie’s “Lennon, Dylan, Alice, and Jesus.” I’m all for book challenges. Read and listen on!
Thanks, Sherri, and I appreciate the book recommendation. Books keep history and the world alive. Read on!
This is my 8th year to participate. Set a goal of 100 books.
Thanks, Betty, now I’m thinking I need to increase my goal of books to read.
I tend to read about 100 books – some years more and some less. I do not put pressure on myself. reading is for enjoying. And honestly, the number can be very misleading if that’s your only goal. some books could be read in a day or two while athers can be more difficult reads or more thought provoking and just in sheer volume.
Jeanne, you are so right. Our reading should be quality not quantity. I want to remember what I’ve read and apply the good stuff to life.
I enjoy Goodreads’ Reading Challenge and have participated the last few years. This year as last year, my goal is 200 even though I surpassed it last year; I completed 345 books last year.
Michelle, I don’t know how you do it but congratulations! My pitiful 50 books looks really small.
One thing I DON’TVneed is more pressure, A reading challenge negates my reason for reading.
K. A., that makes perfect sense! Reading should always be for pleasure or learning.
My goal is the same as last year. 175 books. I made it to 177.
I picked out several challenges by some favorite authors and bloggers. I also made my own challenge of a book a month from Prime Reading and off of my kindle, to whittle it down. It worked last year. It is fun to try to meet the criteria for each month.
I like your advantages list.
Thanks, Paula, and thank you for the encouragement for all of us to read more.
I have done reading challenges for many years. I think I have 5 different ones going – Goodreads (200 books is my goal, exceeded that last year), Alphabet challenge (author last name and title – so 2 different challenges), cozy challenge, and a new one this year, 52 Book challenge.
I think it helps broaden my horizons because I might pick books I wouldn’t have read before.
Of course, I have to add my book review books and book club books in there too!
Leslie, you are a writer’s dream reader. I enjoy picking up a book that I haven’t read the author before. Always a new adventure.
Love them. My goal is 90 books. Participating in 3 different challenges.
Wow, Lisa, so many books – and so many adventures. Thanks!