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Crush Your 2025 Reading Challenge Goals with These Tips
Congrats on taking the first (and arguably most important) step of the 2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge: signing up! By joining, you're making a personal commitment to spend time reading throughout the year. And to help you get started, we're sharing these tried-and-tested tips for staying motivated.
(Haven’t signed up yet? There’s no time like the present—join below.)
Mix up your formats
There’s no need to limit yourself to just physical books. Incorporate audiobooks into your commute, workout sessions, or while doing household chores. E-books are perfect for reading on the go or in low-light conditions. This variety can help you fit more reading into your busy schedule and keep things interesting.
Always have a book with you
Keep a book (or your e-reader) in your bag at all times. You’d be surprised how much reading you can accomplish during unexpected downtime—waiting rooms, long lines, lunch breaks… Those small pockets of time add up quickly over the course of a year.
Set a daily reading target
Break down your goal into manageable daily chunks. Even 20 pages or 30 minutes a day can add up to a significant amount of reading over the year. Consistency is key—make it a habit like brushing your teeth!
Keep a book (or your e-reader) in your bag at all times. You’d be surprised how much reading you can accomplish during unexpected downtime—waiting rooms, long lines, lunch breaks… Those small pockets of time add up quickly over the course of a year.
Set a daily reading target
Break down your goal into manageable daily chunks. Even 20 pages or 30 minutes a day can add up to a significant amount of reading over the year. Consistency is key—make it a habit like brushing your teeth!
Include a mix of genres, lengths, and difficulty levels. Shorter books or graphic novels can give you quick wins, while more challenging reads can be balanced throughout the year. Browse the books that your fellow Goodreads members have been picking up for their own Reading Challenges, our big guide to Summer Reading, or articles from our editorial team, like these recommendations for books to bust a reading slump. And don’t forget to use your Want to Read shelf to help keep track of what you’d like to read next.
Create a cozy reading nook
Designate a comfortable space in your home specifically for reading. Make it inviting with good lighting, comfortable seating, and minimal distractions. Having a dedicated reading spot can help you associate that space with your reading habit.
Use the “rule of 50”
If you’re not enjoying a book after reading about 50 pages, give yourself permission to put it down and move on. Life’s too short to struggle through books you don’t enjoy, and forcing yourself through a difficult read can slow your progress and dampen your enthusiasm.
Schedule reading time
Just as you would schedule any other important activity, block out specific times on your calendar for reading. This could be 30 minutes before bed, during your lunch break, or first thing in the morning with your coffee. Treating reading as a priority ensures it doesn’t get pushed aside by other activities.
Don’t be discouraged if you fall behind—life happens!
You can always change your annual goal on Goodreads. The important thing is to keep reading and enjoying books at your own pace. With these strategies in your tool kit, you’re well-equipped to make significant progress on your Reading Challenge and perhaps even surpass your goals.
Remember, the ultimate goal is to enjoy the journey and reconnect with your love of reading. Each book you finish is an accomplishment, regardless of how many you read in total. Reading should be a pleasure, not a chore, so find ways to make your Challenge personally exciting and rewarding.
Happy reading. And may your year be filled with wonderful books!
Comments Showing 101-150 of 223 (223 new)
Giving a respectful clap to Kilburn's scathing comment *clap clap clap clap clap*
Kilburn wrote: "tappkalina wrote: "I don't even care about the new challenges necessary, but it is frustratig that I can't see other's books in their challange and that inside the challange there are only one book..."The way you phrase all this is amusing, but you're not wrong.
If they were spending all this time to enhance the reading challenge, you'd think they'd take the opportunity to improve the way the books display and not go backwards, and I do note many like to see friend's reading challenges. It's not something I've paid attention to, but bad on likes and comments over the year on my own, I know others do.
Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Kilburn wrote: "tappkalina wrote: "I don't even care about the new challenges necessary, but it is frustratig that I can't see other's books in their challange and that inside the challange there a..."The classic Goodreads maneuver: dedicating time and effort to enhancements no one asked for, while simultaneously ignoring—no, actively regressing—the basic features that users actually value. It’s truly impressive how Goodreads manages to alienate its community under the guise of progress, while steadfastly refusing to fix what’s broken or listen to its users.
Last year I read 268 so this year I'm challenging myself to 350 🫡
Last year, finished 8 books out of 12 but this year the number is 24!
Kilburn wrote: "The classic Goodreads maneuver: dedicating time and effort to enhancements no one asked for, while simultaneously ignoring—no, actively regressing—the basic features that users actually value. It’s truly impressive how Goodreads manages to alienate its community under the guise of progress, while steadfastly refusing to fix what’s broken or listen to its users.."Yep :/
My goal for 2025 is to read 50 books if possible. 2024 I managed to read 30 books.
I've set out 50 books as my goal for this year's challenge. I think I can make it.
I'm definitely implementing the "rule of 50" this year. I wasted time last year slogging through books I didn't like & fell short of my reading goal. It's not like I'm readimg for a class (& even then, I've given up on assigned reading - hey, I still got a good grade!) Besides, I consider DNF as "read" - I read it...just not all the way to the end.
I just started getting back into reading so I'm setting it to 15 books for now!
Yep, I already live by most of these comfy suggestions -ESPECIALLY the "Rule of 50". My TBR is large enough to avoid wasting time over something that doesn't catch me.Given that I also read a lot of comic books collected in volumes, my goal of 150 books this year is quite viable^^
Sarah wrote: "This year I may follow the "Rule of 50" more. I have a hard time giving up books even though I do not enjoy them."I still can't do it. Sometimes I find if I keep with it, I will find it was worth it. Some years ago, I read a book for a book discussion group and realized during the discussion I liked the book much better than I thought.
Some good tips here. Although I will never agree that listening to audiobooks is equivalent to reading. That's not to say audiobooks don't have value, they do, but the two are completely different activities.
52. Two years ago my goal was 52 and I didn’t quite make it. My goal was 45 this year and I actually read 51. So I’m going back to 52!
I always set my goal according to my age so, this year I’m going for 69 books. Looking forward to prioritizing some bigger tomes (I Am Pilgrim, Babel, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Covenant of Water, The Eye of the World) and not worrying so much about the quantity of books. I’m excited!
I don't know about the rule of 50. I have run across too many books that didn't really catch me until the last 50% of the book and then I couldn"t put them down
The challenge progress is different now. You can’t see how many ahead or behind you are. Why did this tool change. It was so helpful.
Damien wrote: "Definitely a healthy and balanced way to take on this year's reading.Sign me up!"
Same. I've pushed and then resorted to skimming solely to say I finished it. Sometimes it's just not worth it.
My 2024 challenge was to read 15 and I read 23, so this year 2025 I challenge myself to read 25 but hope to read 30. Happy reading everyone.
I need to follow the rule of 50. I've started so many books and try so hard to get through them.Question for you all, do you count audiobooks along with your reading books? I did this last year and read/listened to 230 something book. Or is there a challenge list for audiobooks only?
I don't agree with the "Rule of 50". It is too specific. There are books i have stopped sooner and books I have stopped later. I think you should read others people reviews before giving up as some times they will tell you to carry on
Llevo varios años cumpliendo mi meta de lectura y parte del éxito es llevar el conteo por Goodreads!
Well it definitely helped when I could see my friends' challenges!!
Sarah wrote: "This year I may follow the "Rule of 50" more. I have a hard time giving up books even though I do not enjoy them."I feel quilty when I dont like a book and have to DNF it. Like the book is judging me.
Sarah wrote: "This year I may follow the "Rule of 50" more. I have a hard time giving up books even though I do not enjoy them."I do recommend that tip but if the book is on the longer side, I stretch it out to a 100.
The more I read, the faster I read. It snowballs.
Good idea. I used to tell my students to always have an emergency book with them. But audio books just don’t work for me. :(
My current lifestyle allows for about two books a month. So the last digits of the current year make for a good goal — one that grows at tiny bit every year. So, I exceeded my 2024 goal by reading 27. This year, I'm on my way to 25. When I retire in a few years, I expect to be in the 30-something range or beyond!
I went down to 30. Last year was filled with a lot of changes and I didn't have as much time to read like I was, and this year seems to be starting off the same. I think I'll try the 50 page rule this year, usually I try to get through 100 but I'm stubborn and try to get through them most of the time.
I have read 1 book so far but it is not showing up, still says 0 books completed. I rated it and clicked finished so I don't know why Before I Let You GoAuthor: Kelly Rimmer isn't listed under 2025 Challenge
I didn’t read as many books as usual last year and I was disappointed in myself. So, this year, I’m making reading one of my priorities. I’m going to spend less watching YouTube and more time reading/listening to a good book.
Bryan wrote: "If you are looking for easy wins, consider also reading plays. They are often around a hundred pages, and they can often be finished off in a few hours."Great idea Bryan! Thank you for mentioning it! 🙂
Annabelle Pip wrote: "My goal is to read when I feel like reading and what I feel like reading."So sensible! The idea that you should read as much as you can stuff in your eyes is so messed up. So is reading what you don't feel like reading.
Of course, if you only ever feel like reading rubbish - and please note, I'm not saying you do, how would I know? - then it becomes a bit like saying "my goal is to eat when I feel like eating and what I feel like eating": could easily go wrong. (I should know - pass me those nachos...)
Adrienne wrote: "I have read 1 book so far but it is not showing up, still says 0 books completed. I rated it and clicked finished so I don't know why Before I Let You GoAuthor: Kelly Rimmer isn't listed under 202..."
I've had this happen, and for me it turned out that I accidentally clicked "date added" instead of "date read". Maybe check that.
Any ideas how to proceed in GoodReads with the rule of 50 pages? I‘m stuck in 2 books I don‘t want to finish, but I don‘t find a button called: „I want to give up“ or „I‘m not enjoying this book enough to give more of my life time to it“ 😂
I set my goal at 20 and I'm already on book 18 and only 14 Days into 2025. I enjoy walking while reading and listening to music and with tiled floors, it's safe to do that inside my home.
I joined a book club in my neighborhood and it has increased my reading and my goal of reading.
Analia wrote: "Excelente! Me apunté 50 libros, pero NO para competir sino para llevar mi conteo personal, nada más. En todo caso, una motivación, peeeero leer ya es parte de mi esencia."También apunté 50 libros, aunque no me gusta la presión.
Rule of 50! Brilliant. I have a hard time walking away from a book that doesn’t hold my interest.
I do not like the new challenge page format -Please bring back the feature that indicates how far ahead/behind you are on the journey to you goal! It keeps me motivated if I fall behind.
A lot of these tips would cause me too much stress, from the daily reading target to setting aside a time each day to read. Even setting the Reading Challenge goal feels like stress. I think a lot of people feel the same way, because of these tips is not to worry if you fall behind.
My goal is to read 61 books.Jessica
The tragedy of modern UX design—a "reading challenge" that challenges nothing but your patience. It’s almost poetic how Goodreads managed to downgrade from functionality to frustration. A single book per row? Truly revolutionary, if the goal was to make browsing feel like scrolling through a slideshow from 2003. And removing the ability to see others’ challenges? A masterstroke in dismantling the social aspect of the platform. Goodreads: where innovation goes to die.