We are just a few weeks away from the year 2022. It is a time to take account of the year that has been. A time to start planning for the new year, setting up new goals.
If you are a bibliophile like me, it is also a time to check out how your reading has been over the year. And of course, scouting for the new reading challenges.
It is often argued that reading challenges kill the joy of reading. That it becomes all one big race or competition with little to do with the joy of reading. I completely disagree with that school of thought. Done right, reading challenges are an excellent way to push your boundaries. To grow as a reader.
How do I balance the reading challenges with the joy of reading? I share my tips and experiences that can help you make them more enjoyable.
Reading is not a race
First things first. A book is not a number. You are doing a great disservice to both the author and you as a reader for treating it as one.
Reading a book should bring you joy, it should be an enriching experience. If all it boils down to is adding a number to the list, is it really worth it? The need to read x number of books even if it means skimming through most of them? Is that reading for pleasure?
Reading is not a chore
I read every day. Belonging to a family of voracious readers, it is a habit inculcated in me as a child. Even if my day ends beyond midnight, I need to read at least a few pages to wind down. But it is not a chore for me.
We all read for different reasons. If you are picking up a book just because you need to and not because you want to, it is best to take a step back.
Setting a reasonable target
As much as I would like to curl up with a book all day, I am well aware that I have other responsibilities too. Setting up a target to read 100 books in a year is all too tempting. But is it worth the stress that comes with it?
Trust me, I am all up for challenges. But one needs to pick one’s battles. Setting up a huge target and spending stressful hours mulling over it is not my cup of tea. I rather choose a challenge that pushes me out of my comfort zone, and one that helps me to pick up diverse reads.
Another advantage is that I don’t feel the need to pick up shorter books all the time to amp up the score. I have nothing against short reads and in fact, enjoy them. Lately, I have shared quite a few recommendations too.
Setting up a reasonable target just makes the reading experience more enjoyable. And who says I only need to limit myself to it.
Choosing the right book
There are books and there are books. We all have our favorite genres. And there is always a right time to pick a book. The Holiday season is in full swing these days and my reading time is pretty limited. A saturated brain cannot process non-fiction and I often pick up light books during these months.
We all want to read that latest bestseller everyone is talking about. Pick it up by all means. But don’t do so because you feel pressured to. Always pick the books you actually want to read.
Choosing the right reading challenge
There are different types of reading challenges, each to suit the type of reader. I particularly enjoy the Reading Women Challenge. Blogchatter’s #TBRChallenge is a given.
Pick a challenge that works for you. By all means, create your own reading challenge. Decide on the type of books you want to read. That is something I do each year, cherry-picking from challenges on offer.
If you are new to reading challenges, start small. Every month has a reading challenge going on. Black History Month in February, women authors in March, and so on.
Focusing on diverse reads instead
Instead of reading x number of books, I focus on making my reading more diverse. Trying out new genres. This year, I picked up middle-grade books that I often avoid and truly enjoyed them.
Another one I enjoyed was the #IndianFictionReadathon hosted by @shalzmojo this year. A great way to explore diverse Indian reads that I would not have come across otherwise.
DNF books that are not working
A golden rule I follow is to put a book on the backburner if it is not working for me. As much as it is tempting to strike off another book on the list, it is not worth reading a book I am struggling with. Not to mention the reader’s block that often results due to it. Been there, done that.
Taking a break
Life happens. Sometimes it is not possible to pick a book with all that is going on around you. Stop feeling guilty for taking a break.
And have you ever felt guilty for catching up on the Netflix series, when you should have been reading instead? If you have, it is time to stop and decide… has reading become a chore?
It is okay to not reach your goal
Hear me out on this. As much as we all hate failing, it is perfectly okay to fall back on or not reach the reading challenge goal. It is okay to let other things take priority. Just treat it as a lesson to set up wiser goals next time.
A few years back, I went all out signing up for reading challenges. Some I completed successfully, and some I failed spectacularly. Not to mention the stress that came with it before I decided to chuck it all. Lesson learned.
Did you sign up for reading challenge(s) this year? How do you balance them with the joy of reading? Do share in the comments below.
I’m participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with VoxBox.

Image by Canva
November 18, 2021 @ 11:50 pm
I just read because I love it! The challenge was only to faithfully upload what I’m done reading. Hehehe!
January 31, 2022 @ 7:52 pm
That is how I approach it too, Cindy.😊
November 19, 2021 @ 10:54 am
Agree with you , reading should be fun and enjoyable 🙂
January 31, 2022 @ 7:53 pm
Exactly Ghazala
November 19, 2021 @ 10:10 pm
Spot on! Every point! I set a reading challenge every year: on Goodreads and now on Blogchatter. Just to keep track of my reading, also I like to talk about books I’ve read {and liked. I avoid saying anything if I don’t like the book}. I keep the goal realistic, I read at my own pace, don’t mind if I couldn’t complete the challenge. And yes, I leave them unfinished if the book doesn’t grip me by 60-70 pages.
January 31, 2022 @ 7:55 pm
We are kindred spirits, Tarang. It took a while, but now I DNF the book if it is not working for me. Thank you for stopping by. 😊
November 20, 2021 @ 12:18 pm
Bang on, every point. I set reading challenge only in Good Reads till date and leave the books if it doesnt interest me. Thats another reason, why I dont write to many book reviews also, unless untl the book satisfies me at some level. I read for pure joy and wont get sleep, if I didnt read atleast couple of pages in a day, apart from blogs and newspaper…
January 31, 2022 @ 7:56 pm
Ditto Suhasini. I too avoid reviewing books that don’t work for me.
November 20, 2021 @ 5:54 pm
So being an avid reader I understand joy of read is much better than reading challenges. Though I love to challenge myself to push more towards books but sometimes I love to read as per my choice to enjoy the content more than anything.
January 31, 2022 @ 7:57 pm
Exactly Pamela. Challenges are great but they should not take away the fun part of reading.
November 20, 2021 @ 8:13 pm
After reading your blog i have this urge to pick up a book today!! I used to read a lot, but have resorted to netflix n the kind recently…thanks for the inspiration !!
January 31, 2022 @ 7:58 pm
That is great to hear, Jigna. Although Netflix is perfectly fine too
November 20, 2021 @ 8:29 pm
Wonderfully penned in defence of the reading challenge. I don’t take up reading challenges but would love to find a way to add more variety to my reading.
January 31, 2022 @ 7:59 pm
Thank you, Sonia 😊. Perhaps you can try the diverse reading ones.
November 20, 2021 @ 8:34 pm
I love reading but currently I am so overworked that I dont get time but yes I do read in weekends. Yes your points are truly good.
January 31, 2022 @ 8:00 pm
Thank you Monidipa 😊. I can relate to that.
November 21, 2021 @ 10:07 am
I loved your article because it speaks truth in every sense. Reading books for the sake of competing in numbers is not worth it. Pick up the book you really want to read and not because it’s topping the charts.
January 31, 2022 @ 8:01 pm
Exactly Aditi. And more of than not, the popular ones end up being disappointing.
November 21, 2021 @ 1:06 pm
Do you keep a note of all the books you have read until now, Ritu? I remember uploading the books I have read till date on a site but now its not working anymore.
January 31, 2022 @ 8:03 pm
I use Kal’s reading spreadsheet to keep a track. There are quite a few simpler ones available too.
November 21, 2021 @ 1:20 pm
I’ve tried to participate in reading challenges and book bingos but have not enjoyed them. I find I cannot read by set rules and prefer to pick up whatever I feel like. Sometimes it takes me months to finish a book, sometimes I read several books a month. So, I like to be left alone.
Blogchatter’s TBR challenge, however, is a breeze because there are no rules.
January 31, 2022 @ 8:05 pm
I can so relate to it, Satabdi. Although I do cross check how diverse my reading has been at the end if the year.
November 21, 2021 @ 5:27 pm
A reading challenge is a good idea if you want to read a variety of books. But like you said, it is not a race. I just read whatever I find interesting.
January 31, 2022 @ 8:06 pm
It’s in the genes. 😊The apple does not fall far from the tree.
November 21, 2021 @ 6:13 pm
Agree with all the pointers here. I want to participate in a reading challenge this year. Let’s see how it goes.
January 31, 2022 @ 8:06 pm
Do sign up Abha.
November 21, 2021 @ 8:51 pm
I have always been a visual person. Reading was always a boring task (I blogged about it too). But these tips look really practical. I’ve found interest in some books and should take this habit forward by using what you mentioned. Thanks.
January 31, 2022 @ 8:06 pm
I am glad to know that, Raghav.
November 22, 2021 @ 12:44 am
i have always wondered how you read so much & have envied you too. Now iam getting a perspective too of how you read. And i completely agree – if we are reading to either upload a review or meet a deadline or target number you are not doing justice to neither book nor the author or yourself.
January 31, 2022 @ 8:08 pm
So true, Vasumathi. That is the reason I have cut down on review requests. Reading on a deadline is no fun.
November 22, 2021 @ 9:14 pm
I love reading and finish up if it is of my interest. Otherwise I prefer to leave. Usually it happens just few pages before 😃
January 31, 2022 @ 8:09 pm
Same here, Meenu. Just lose track of time often
January 17, 2022 @ 11:21 pm
Very helpful tips Ritu. I always sign up for the Goodreads Reading Challenge and keep an achievable goal. Proud to say I’ve stuck to them every year I’ve signed up! Reading should definitely never seem like a chore.
January 31, 2022 @ 8:10 pm
Thank you Noor 😊. Add the additional pressure takes out the joy from reading.