Aug 12, 2024

Reading Challenges: 10 Tips and Tricks To Stick To Your Goal

by Teri Coan

A smiling woman sitting cross-legged against a pink background with a stack of books in front of her, resting her chin on her hands.

Reading challenges are a fabulous way to push your reading limits, discover new genres and authors, and create a lifelong habit of reading. As you know, we love reading challenges and are thrilled that our current 2024 40 Books Reading challenge is so popular! We are having so much fun, like finding a book with a purple cover! Speaking of purple covers, have you checked out our miniboxes, like the limited edition Cozy Mystery mini box?

We all start challenges filled with enthusiasm (just like those pre-summer diets!), but sticking to them can sometimes prove to be a challenge in itself. Here are our top ten tips to help you reach your reading goals, track your progress, and stay motivated throughout the year!

Use a Reading Tracking App

One of the easiest ways to track your reading goals is to use a reading-tracking app like StoryGraph or Bookly. We love how fun and easy they are—you can log your books, monitor your progress, and even get personalized recommendations and insights based on your reading habits.

StoryGraph is known for its fantastic analytics and personalized recommendations. It even categorizes books by mood and pace, helping you find the perfect book. StoryGraph also offers challenges that you can join, such as reading books from specific genres or by authors from different countries. Bookly tracks your reading speed, estimates the time it will take you to finish a book, and allows you to set daily reading goals. Its timer feature is super motivating, as it helps you focus during reading sessions. Bookly also helps you organize your bookshelf, take notes, save quotes, and take part in their Bookly Readathon reading challenges.

The visual progress trackers in both apps are super motivating. Watching your goal percentage increase with each book you finish gives you that much-needed sense of accomplishment, encouraging you to keep going.

Two women smiling and reading books together, one with blonde hair and the other with curly dark hair, sitting at a table.

Book Buddy Reads

We love our book buddies! There is something about sharing your thoughts about your latest read. Even if it’s just a “Can you believe it?” Having a book buddy is the ultimate friendship and the perfect way to keep you on track.

All you need to do is choose a book, set a reading schedule, and check in with each other regularly. This way, you keep each other accountable and have the added bonus of discussing the book together, making your reading experience so much more interactive and fun. You can even make it a weekly coffee and cake date!

Buddy Reads are also a great way to gain new insights and perspectives you wouldn’t have discovered alone.

We love that StoryGraph lets you read with friends—just because you aren’t together doesn’t mean you can’t add live reactions! (Don’t worry your comments are locked until they reach that point.)

Set Aside Daily Reading Time

Consistency is key to meeting any goal. Set aside a specific time each day dedicated solely to reading. It could be over breakfast, during your lunch break, or before bed. Determine a set amount of time, whether it’s 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or an hour. Sticking to a routine will help you build a reading habit and ensure steady progress toward your reading goals. Think of it as your brain’s exercise session!

If you have a busy schedule, try incorporating reading into your daily routine in small ways. For example, you can read a few pages while waiting for your coffee to brew, sitting on the bus, or even when in the bath! These small pockets of reading time quickly add up, and you will reach your reading goal in no time at all!

A group of five women sitting around a table, smiling and holding books, engaged in a book club meeting in a cozy café setting.

Join a Book Club

We don’t need to tell you how much we love book clubs! Joining a book club is the perfect way to ensure you read at least one book a month! Book clubs are fabulous for not only keeping on track but are ideal for gaining new perspectives, and discovering books you might not have chosen on your own. Committing to reading a book for each meeting helps maintain a steady reading pace.

We all look forward to our book club meetings; they also provide a sense of community. Speaking about community, make sure to join our Facebook group! Connecting with others who share your love for reading can be incredibly motivating. You can share recommendations and discuss plot twists, all while having a whole lot of fun.

If you can't find a local book club, consider joining an online one. Many online book clubs have vibrant communities and regular discussions, making it easy to connect with fellow readers worldwide. Make sure to check out our blog, Connecting Through Stories: Virtual Book Clubs and Discussions for National Read a Book Day!

Get a Library Card

Libraries are treasure troves for book lovers. With a library card, you can access a huge collection of physical books. Many libraries also offer digital services like Libby, where you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free. This way, you can always find something new to read without breaking the bank.

Library cards also provide access to various resources beyond books. Many libraries offer reading programs, book clubs, author events, and workshops. It’s like having a card to the ultimate bookish bonanza!

A woman with short brown hair wearing a yellow shirt and white headphones, winking and enjoying listening to an audiobook.

Listen to Audiobooks

Audiobooks are a fantastic way to maximize your reading time, and with options like Libby and Audible you can start your first book today. You can listen while commuting, doing household chores, or even during your workouts or evening walks. Multitasking is the way to go, and it definitely makes those household chores go a lot quicker.

Listening to audiobooks is fabulous—we love listening to professional narrators bring stories to life with their performances! Some of us have been known to fall asleep to a great audiobook (we’re having our second childhood). Audiobooks are also a great way to tackle longer or more challenging books that you might find difficult to read in print, and they are the best road trip companions!

Create a Reading Journal

A reading journal can be a creative and fulfilling way to track your progress. Use it to jot down your thoughts on each book, note memorable quotes, and record your feelings about different characters and plots. You can also create pages with your reading goals, books you want to read, and completed books. Writing about your reading journey can make the experience far more meaningful and enjoyable.

In addition to tracking your reading, a journal can be a space for reflection. You can write about how a book impacted you, what you learned from it, and how it made you feel. This reflective practice can deepen your connection to the books you read and help you to remember them more vividly.

Diversify Your Reading List

One of the most exciting aspects of a reading challenge is the opportunity to explore new genres and authors. Diversify your reading list by including books from different genres, cultures, and perspectives. This will go a long way to making your reading journey more interesting and help you to discover new favorites.

If you tend to stick to a particular genre, challenge yourself to read outside your comfort zone. For example, if you can usually be found snuggled up with a romance, why not add some murder mystery or fantasy to your list? Our monthly book boxes are the perfect way to make sure you read something new and exciting each month and they are packed with so many extras like our famous surprise gifts that bring books to life the Once Upon a Book Club way!

A woman sitting at a desk writing "My Goals" in a notebook, with a laptop, gift boxes, and stationery around her in a bright, cozy room.

Set Realistic Goals

When setting your reading goals, it's important to be realistic. You should take the time to think about your reading speed, available time, and other commitments. When we set those wild goals that we probably won’t reach, it can be very frustrating and often lead to you giving up altogether.

Start by setting a goal that feels challenging yet attainable. For example, if you currently read one book a month, try aiming for two. As you progress, you can always adjust your goals based on your reading habits and how much time you have available.

Reward Yourself

We are firm believers in rewarding ourselves for our achievements. Celebrate your progress by treating yourself to something special when you reach a milestone. It could be a new book, a special bookmark, or a cozy reading nook setup. Having something to look forward to makes the journey special and is guaranteed to give you an extra push to reach your goals.

Rewards don't have to be extravagant. Even small treats, like a favorite snack or a relaxing bubble bath, are perfect. The key is to find rewards that are meaningful to you and that encourage you to keep going.

Conclusion

We hope that by incorporating these tips into your reading routine, you'll find it easier to set and achieve your reading goals. Remember, the most important part of any reading challenge is to have fun and enjoy the journey through the pages of each book. Happy reading!

So grab a book, set your goals, and embark on a year of literary adventures! We would love to hear about your progress, so make sure to keep us in touch! Happy reading!