Another year is here. And while it spells an abundance of resolutions (some of which are never meant to be kept beyond 2 days), a reading challenge is different. You challenge yourself, to read more/ hard/diverse books. You may take one up to discipline your reading, or to increase the speed, add diverse genres to your credit, or to read the book before its movie adaptation comes out.
Reading challenges are always fun, because, oh, well we don't need to elaborate on the pleasures of reading.
Here's a list of my favourite reading challenges.
DISCLAIMER: I am certainly not gonna take all the challenges, but cherry-pick the ones I want to do, from the core of my heart. Because although I like to take up every challenge thrown my way, I have learnt to let go.
Tell me in comments what challenges you would like to take. Maybe you, with all your reading superpowers, decide to take them up all, in which case, I would love to meet you personally. :)
1. The Goodreads Reading Challenge
For most of us, Goodreads is the facebook of books, and by that follows our theory of the Goodreads reading challenge being the God of all challenges.It functions pretty simply: you add the number of books you wish to read in a year, and everytime you read a book and add it to your "read" shelf, it automatically tracks your progress. No complex promises to read a particular genres, author etc.
Best part: You challenge yourself. And you can update the number if you feel you can push a little more, or cannot read much.
2. The Book Riot 2015 Read Harder Challenge
Averaging at two books per month, they have categories like
A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25, A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65, A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people), A book published by an indie press, A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ, A book by a person whose gender is different from your own and many more.
Best part: They even have a goodreads group for it!
3. Epic Reads 365 YA challenge
True to their name, they have come out with this EPIC list of 365 YA titles to read: book recommendations for every season, month, week and day of 2015
I have not much to say, I am still reading the infographic below (They also have a very cool gif). More info on their
site.
Best Part: We never get tired of YA, do we? So this is our goldmine!
4. Bethany house 2015 Reading Challenge
They have curated a great Bingo-challenge. Hop on!
Best Part: It is so much fun!
This is a niche reading challenge, so to say. And the most noble one, so to say.
Rules are simple: Read and Review as many Indie (Self Published) Books as possible during this year, post a review anywhere, share the link:you know the drill.
Best part: The books can overlap with other reading challenges.
I have signed up at the Lover level (26-50 new authors)
http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2014/12/FR15.html
6. PopSugar's Ultimate Reading Challenge
This
Ultimate reading challenge is THE ultimate challenge. It has already sent the social media on an uproar. We couldn't have asked for more. Get on it only if you dare.
Best Part: It has already created a furore over social media, maybe if you complete it, fame will knock on your door?
7. Kindred’s 2015 Reading Challenge
Kindred Digital Books has created a challenge. If the previous challenge intimidated you, this one will probably restore your faith in your reading prowess!
Best part: Diversity!
8. 2015 TBR Pile Reading Challenge!
Their
challenge is perfectly described in their own words:
"We all have those books. We buy them, win them, they're gifted to us. Then we put them up on a bookshelf and there they stay, collecting dust, waiting for the time when we'll finally decide to pick them up.
Join us on a quest to dust off your TBR Pile and read all the books you've been telling yourself you'll read next time you'll get a chance. This is your chance!"
Best part: You get to unburden your TBR, what more can a biblophile ask for?
You sign up, and then post the reviews here. I think it is a very simple challenge, with levels, of course, but it will bring the much-needed attention to the genre of Non-fiction titles.
Best Part: Crossovers with other challenges are acceptable, and feel free to read your books in any format you like.
Read about feminism. Period.
Best part: Sign up anytime. Read any number, no tags. Read any format! Too flexible!
As the name suggests, you read books by women authors.
Best Part: You Probably don't even know, but you read a LOT of women authors. No kidding, Everybody does. So this one will be easy-peasy.
12. A no-book buying challenge
This reading challenge comes in the form of a remedy to the disease of us book hoarders. This is a real challenge. You won't buy anymore until you are done with the ones lying unread on your shelf. I have thought about doing this more times than I can count. But i would probably suck at this challenge if I take one!
Best part: A great way to do what is right: save money and caress the hitherto neglected books!
13. 2015 Debut Author Challenge
The
challenge is to read 12 or more (or less! It’s up to you!) middle grade, young adult, and new adult debuts this year.
If you are into audiobooks, this is the place to be!
Best part: Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed. And you can join in anytime.
15. Back to the Classics Challenge 2015
Classic Novella, classic by a woman author and whatnot. Go explore.
Best Part: one lucky winner will receive a $30 gift from Amazon.com or The Book Depository!
16. Banned Books Challenge 2015
For those of you who are as infuriated by the concept of banned books as me, this is the place for revenge. Hop on and get to read banned books, and get another
challenge completed to your credit.
Best part: Hey, reading banned books, duh!
17. BrunchBookChallenge
This one is for you all Indians. Tweet your reading progress. with the hashtag #brunchbookchallenge. Aim is to read 24 atleast. Anything and everything.
I did it last year and won too!
They are awesome, they send you bookish stuff of your fantasies. Go dive right in.
There are so many more! Tell me if you are hosting one too!
And I am still deciding which ones to hop on to.
Here's hoping.
