Reading Challenges

Hi friends – Debb Hackett here, standing in for Dani. I was wondering if many of you do reading challenges. We are all readers here, right? Whether you’re also a writer or not. 

So, let’s explore the world of the challenge. On the one hand, I can get pretty tired of endless targets and don’t need more in my leisure time. But on the other hand, reading challenges have enriched my reading life quite significantly. 

Three types of challenges – numbers, authors, or book type.

Numbers. The simplest thing is to set yourself a numerical target. I have friends who aim for one book a month and others who hit triple figures by December. This might seem a little basic as challenges go, but you know what – last year I was in the reading doldrums but determined to hit my target of 60. I thought laterally and began listening to audiobooks while driving or walking. Bingo. Target restored and a whole new world discovered. 

Authors. A fun thing to do can be to mix up who you read. Perhaps you stick to the same half-a-dozen go-to writers – I certainly have those in my annual reading plan (I use that word very loosely). But I am now challenging myself to branch out, using word of mouth, award-winning or cover/back cover appeal as my guide. So far, I’ve added Gabrielle Meyer, Charles Martin, and Sara Brunsvold to my ‘oh brilliant’ list. 

Book type. Die-hard suspense reader? Hopeless romantic? Do you only see value in nonfiction? We love all of you in your literary diversity. But take a chance. Cross genre lines. Delve into something you wouldn’t usually read. Take a recommendation then leap between different pages. You just never know what blessing you’ll find waiting. 

And if all of that sounds like too much work, fine. Stagnate! Just kidding. There are ready-made challenges all around. Blue Ridge Reader Connections posts one each month, with prizes, and a number of authors also post them. Because the only thing more fun than a challenge is a little camaraderie as you go.

*at the time of writing I was three books ahead of my numeric target for 2025. Woohoo.  

Your turn – do you set yourself a reading challenge or participate in an organized one? Let us know in the comments and maybe we’ll join you.

Writer, broadcaster and speaker Debb Hackett has been a radio journalist for more than twenty years. Married to a test pilot, Debb lives just outside London, England, with her husband and their two daughters. Her first work of fiction won the Foundation Award at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and was an ACFW Genesis Award finalist. When she’s not writing, Debb can be found leading worship, cheering for Green Bay or skiing. If you can swing by her house while she’s making scones, that would be a win. She blogs at: https://debbhackett.com