Reading Challenges Aren’t Homework: They’re Video games

Reading challenges provide the probability to increase your studying style and choose up belongings you wouldn’t have in any other case—you would possibly simply uncover a brand new favorite writer or subgenre. They’re studying play. They additionally provide you with a way of accomplishment whenever you end a process or the entire problem, and readers can alter issues to match their studying velocity/type. For instance, you need to use the 2026 Read Harder Challenge bingo board and intention to simply get a line as an alternative of a blackout of all of the duties.

Number objectives appear to draw essentially the most criticism. But after I set my aim for the 12 months, it’s not a contest, homework, or performative. Personally, I learn much less after I’m wired—and since studying is stress-free, that solely makes it worse. I wish to know after I’m not on monitor to fulfill my aim, as a result of that normally means I’ve fallen out of the behavior of studying repeatedly and want to regulate accordingly. Plus, it’s enjoyable to set manageable objectives and meet them.

So, contemplate this your invitation to set a studying aim. It’s not too late to undertake a studying decision for the 12 months. Maybe you wish to learn via all the Lord of the Rings trilogy along with your e book membership this 12 months. Maybe you wish to learn yet one more e book than you probably did final 12 months. Maybe you wish to learn for not less than 5 minutes earlier than mattress each evening. Or possibly you could have a complete studying journal of 5 concurrent studying challenges you’re trying. It could be no matter you need it to be.

I’m preaching to the choir right here, however let folks take pleasure in issues, even when they take pleasure in them in another way than you do. If studying challenges or objectives stress you out, don’t do them. If they convey you pleasure or assist you really feel such as you’re rising as a reader, although, they’re an amazing addition to your studying life.

And if you end up getting aggressive about studying, keep in mind this immutable reality of being on the bookish web: there’s at all times somebody studying greater than you.