Master Reading Challenges: A Complete Guide

Setting reading goals is one of the most powerful ways to transform your reading habits. Whether you want to read more books, explore new genres, or simply make reading a consistent part of your life, BookNest’s reading challenges are here to help.

Why Set Reading Challenges?

Reading challenges aren’t just about hitting numbers—they’re about building sustainable reading habits and expanding your literary horizons.

Benefits of Reading Challenges

  • Motivation - Having a clear goal keeps you reaching for your next book
  • Discovery - Themed challenges push you to explore genres you might never try
  • Community - Join others working toward similar goals for accountability
  • Reflection - Track your progress and see how far you’ve come
  • Achievement - There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of completing a challenge

Types of Challenges on BookNest

Annual Reading Goals

The classic “read X books this year” challenge. Start with a realistic number based on your current habits, then gradually increase it each year.

Tips for success:

  • If you read 12 books last year, try 15-20 this year
  • Don’t compare yourself to others—everyone reads at their own pace
  • Remember: audiobooks and graphic novels count!

Genre Challenges

Perfect for readers who want to branch out:

  • Genre Sampler - Read one book from 12 different genres
  • Deep Dive - Read 10 books from a genre you’ve never explored
  • Classics Challenge - Tackle the books you’ve always meant to read

Page Count Goals

Great for readers who enjoy both short and long books:

  • Set a target number of pages instead of books
  • Long epics and quick reads both contribute equally
  • Track your daily or weekly page progress

Themed Challenges

Get creative with specific themes:

  • Books by authors from different countries
  • Award winners (Booker, Pulitzer, Hugo, etc.)
  • Books published in the current year
  • Re-reads of childhood favorites

Setting Up Your First Challenge

Step 1: Assess Your Current Habits

Before setting a goal, understand where you’re starting:

  • How many books did you finish last year?
  • When do you typically read? (Commute, bedtime, weekends?)
  • What’s preventing you from reading more?

Step 2: Choose a Realistic Goal

Your first challenge should be achievable. It’s better to exceed a modest goal than to fall short of an ambitious one.

Beginner goals:

  • Read 12 books (one per month)
  • Read 2,000 pages
  • Try 3 new genres

Intermediate goals:

  • Read 24-36 books
  • Complete a genre sampler
  • Read 6,000 pages

Advanced goals:

  • Read 52+ books (one per week)
  • Complete multiple themed challenges
  • Read 15,000+ pages

Step 3: Create Your Challenge

  1. Navigate to Goals in your dashboard
  2. Click Create Challenge
  3. Choose your challenge type
  4. Set your target and timeframe
  5. Add a motivating description
  6. Start reading!

Tracking Your Progress

The Dashboard View

Your challenge progress is always visible from your dashboard:

  • Progress bar - Visual representation of completion
  • Books completed - Running count toward your goal
  • Pace indicator - Are you on track, ahead, or behind?
  • Projected completion - Based on your current pace

Logging Books

When you finish a book:

  1. Mark it as “Read” in your library
  2. The system checks if it qualifies for any active challenges
  3. Confirm which challenges to count it toward
  4. Watch your progress update instantly!

Staying Motivated

Build Reading Time Into Your Day

  • Morning routine - 15 minutes with coffee
  • Commute - Audiobooks or e-books on the train
  • Lunch break - Escape into a book instead of scrolling
  • Before bed - Replace screen time with page time

Join Community Challenges

Reading with others keeps you accountable:

  • See what others are reading
  • Share recommendations
  • Celebrate milestones together
  • Get inspired by fellow readers

Don’t Be Afraid to DNF

Did Not Finish is okay! If a book isn’t working for you:

  • It’s fine to move on
  • DNFs don’t count against your challenge
  • Your time is better spent on books you love

Mix It Up

Prevent burnout by varying your reading:

  • Alternate between heavy and light reads
  • Switch between genres
  • Try different formats (physical, e-book, audio)

What If You Fall Behind?

It happens to everyone. Here’s how to handle it:

Reassess, Don’t Abandon

  • Can you adjust your goal?
  • Is the challenge still serving you?
  • What’s getting in the way?

Quick Wins

Need to catch up? Try:

  • Shorter books or novellas
  • Graphic novels
  • Books you’ve been meaning to re-read
  • Page-turners that are hard to put down

Remember Why You Started

Challenges are meant to enhance your reading life, not stress you out. If a challenge stops being fun, it’s okay to modify or abandon it.

Celebrating Success

When you complete a challenge:

  • Share your achievement - Post to your profile
  • Earn badges - Collect recognition for your accomplishments
  • Reflect - Look back at all the books you read
  • Set a new goal - Keep the momentum going!

Ready to Start?

Head to your BookNest dashboard and create your first reading challenge. Remember: the best reading goal is one that makes you excited to pick up your next book.

Happy reading!

— The BookNest Team