Are Reading Challenges Actually Worth It?

Since it’s the beginning of 2024, everyone is talking about their reading goals for the year and what challenges they are planning on doing.

But if you’re a slow reader or just not super competitive, reading challenges can seem a bit daunting.

Typically, challenges are meant to drive you to read more, but do they go too far?

Pros Of Participating In a Reading Challenge

Accountability- Having accountability to read is great if you constantly find yourself doing anything else instead of reading. Seeing other readers hitting the books is often a great motivator to do the same.

Community- Knowing that others are also working toward a reading goal, makes the solitary act of reading feel a little more social.

Exposure To New Books and Genres- Most reading challenges are based on prompts. Usually, these prompts are designed to push you out of your reading comfort zone. This great if you often find yourself only sticking to certain authors or genres.

Pop Culture-Based Challenges- Doing a challenge based on you favorite TV show or movie star is kind of fun. It helps you feel like you’re apart of their world.

A Sense Of Accomplishment- It’s exciting to accomplish a reading goal and it can make you want to read even more.

Cons Of Participating In a Reading Challenge

Feeling Like You Have Read- Somedays, reading is more of a chore than a way to relax. But if you’re participating in a challenge, it can feel like you need to read, even when you don’t want to.

Competition- Some people are competitive and everything turns in contest. But if you’re not someone who enjoys competition, it can be a turn-off.

Less Solitude- Reading Challenges often come with regular check-ins, which can be overwhelming if you’re not a fan of group conversations.

Reading Books That Aren’t Your Style- While getting pushed out of your comfort can be a good thing, pushing too far will only cause misery.

Feeling Like A Failure- I’ve failed a reading challenge before. It’s not fun. When you fail a reading challenge, it can sometimes feel like you’re not as good of a reader. (Which isn’t true.)

Should You Join A Reading Challenge?

Ultimately, you have to decide how to approach challenges. Do they actually provide you with the benefits that you want? Will doing a reading challenge help you accomplish you goals?

Whether or not you enjoy reading challenges, remember to prioritize your own reading goals regardless of the goal others set.

Open a book, reading a page, finishing a book are all commendable. You are in charge of your reading journey and no one else.