Join the 2013 Reading Challenge

Posted by Jessica on January 1, 2013

Ring in the new year: The century is officially a teenager! What will you do with your 2013? January is that magical time of goal-making. Will you learn a new language or commit to the gym twice a week? More importantly, how many books will you read? Make a reading resolution with the 2013 Reading Challenge, and Goodreads will help you hit your target.

Simply set a goal, any goal—it can be as low or high as you want—and Goodreads will track your progress. We'll let you know when you're falling behind and when you're out ahead! Be as aggressive or conservative as you like. The average goal set in 2012 was 58 books for the year (approximately a book per week), but we see a wide range of targets.

And if you need to pad your to-read list, there are a plethora of ways to find books on Goodreads! You can try out your personalized recommendations, which only need 20 rated books before you can recieve reading suggestions based on your personal taste. Or, browse the winners and nominees of the 2012 Goodreads Choice Awards. And don't forget to peruse the thousands of lists on Listopia and enter giveaways to win brand-new books! We also recommend that you browse for groups reading your to-read books or groups near you to find a great place for discussion.

Now in its third year, our reading challenge is such an inspiring indicator of reading enthusiasm. In 2011, 154,169 participants pledged to read more than 10 million books. In 2012, 303,232 participants pledged to read 17.8 million books. And we expect 2013 to blow past these numbers!

There's something about the sound of "2013" that truly feels like the future. And since the apocalypse didn't come on 12/21/2012, let's embrace the new year and all it has to offer. How many books will you pledge?


Comments Showing 351-400 of 626 (626 new)


Jacki (Julia Flyte) Is there any way you can see what other people's challenges are?


message 352: by Rey (new)

Rey i wont eat, work and play :)


message 353: by Priscilla (new)

Priscilla VdL I Set myself up for 50 :) hopefully I can read more than 50


message 354: by Nehal (new)

Nehal Ahmed I hate exams! , but my goal is to read 30 books this yaer


message 355: by Sangita (new)

Sangita Mazumder I am so joining the challenge...


message 356: by Sangita (new)

Sangita My goal for 2013 is 100+ books definitely.


message 357: by Christina (new)

Christina I very narrowly missed my 2012 goal, although I got closer than I did in 2011. This means I will make it in 2013!


message 358: by ✿Claire✿ (new)

✿Claire✿ Gloria wrote: "I don't need a challenge. Why would I need some resolution/challenge/target/goal to read? I read a book between yesterday and today. I will read another in the next few days. I don't understand thi..."

I know a few others have said this but don't take part if you don't need a challenge. It's not about reading 50 books in a year, it's a personal challenge to see if you can read a number of books that you set. If there's someone who enjoys reading but struggles to sit down and read, it's a good incentive to find the time. I'm not sure what part of the concept you find hard to understand.

And saying you've 'read a book between yesterday and today' just sounds like boasting. It's also not that uncommon, if I find a book I really like, I can easily read it withing 24 hours, if I have enough time to sit and read and I suspect many people do too. Equally, it can take me weeks to finish a really interesting and easy to read book if I haven't got the time to read.


message 359: by Dhanaraj (new)

Dhanaraj Rajan Ready for it.


message 360: by Aruna Kumar (new)

Aruna Kumar Gadepalli My target this year is 300


message 361: by Dhriti (new)

Dhriti ive got my icse this year so my goal went down from 100 to 40...


message 362: by Renee Alexis (new)

Renee Alexis I'm gonna finish this challenge no matter what! Last year's challenge, I was short by only 2 books! >.<


message 363: by Lynn (new)

Lynn 3 books into my 116 target... Will I make it?


message 364: by Kristin (new)

Kristin I didn't set a goal for 2012. I only found this site in June of 2012 and thats about the time I started reading almost non-stop to the end of the year cause school never worked out for the fall semester so I had so much time on my hands. This year tho, I hope to make 100 books. I made 85 in 2012 so I think with a full year and this site to help me find new books, I can easily make that goal! Well, unless college goes well next year! :D SO excited for this year!


message 365: by Patricia (new)

Patricia Garcia Books here in my country are a little pricey, but I would like to read as many books as I can for the whole year. My target's to read half of the books on my 'I want to read' list. :))


message 366: by Maushumy (new)

Maushumy count me in :D


message 367: by Maushumy (new)

Maushumy count me in :D


message 368: by Pat (new)

Pat My target was 52 in 2012 - I read 54. I'll try for a modest one more. I really don't see me managing more than that that - I have some pretty long books planned.


message 369: by Rose (new)

Rose This is my fist time and I aim to read 30 books this year ;)


message 370: by Rachel (new)

Rachel Bennett 52 for me!


message 371: by Samantha (new)

Samantha Stanton Set my goal yay


message 372: by Kelly (new)

Kelly And here we go again! :)


message 373: by Ahmed (new)

Ahmed بإذن الله سأنفذها


message 374: by Julie (new)

Julie Just checked my own records and seems I read 75 books last year! I honestly wouldn't have guessed that many. I am going to set my 2013 goal @ 50. That's one a week with 2 extra weeks to take on the big book challenges. :)

Thank you, Good Reads!


message 375: by Kathy (new)

Kathy Just took the 2013 challenge and I'm going for 50 books this year. Currently reading the Distant Hours by Kate Morton


message 376: by Vikrant (new)

Vikrant am new.. i didn't attend the reading challenge earlier though am an avid reader.
Looking you all so fired up, revved me up too.
Going for 50 books. Best of luck all. Have fun reading.


message 377: by Giulia (new)

Giulia Yay, this is going to be so much fun! I set myself a meager 11 cause I'm so busy but I hope I'll go over that (I did 14 last year).
Good luck everyone! Have an awesome time reading!


message 378: by Dorothy (new)

Dorothy I'm going to read 100 books this year! I should have two books read by the end of the day. :)


message 379: by Dorothy (new)

Dorothy Riya wrote: "60 for me!! i love checking the number of pages ive read..hoping to read atleast 15000 this year!!"

15,000 books or 15,000 pages? lol :)


message 380: by Stephanie (new)

Stephanie I would like to join this but Goodreads has my stats wring and I can't figure out why. Because of that I don't know if the info will be recorded correctly. They say I read 35 books when I have 290 listed for this past year. I have a note into them and if it is resolved I will ante up then.


message 381: by Vicky (new)

Vicky Dreiling I'm an author, so my goals will be modest due to my deadlines. So I'll set a goal of 12 books this year. If I finish that many books before the year end, I'll modify my goal to add more books. I guess that's allowed. ;-) Good luck to all of you. Cheers!


message 382: by Vicky (new)

Vicky Dreiling Vicky wrote: "I'm an author, so my goals will be modest due to my deadlines. So I'll set a goal of 12 books this year. If I finish that many books before the year end, I'll modify my goal to add more books. I gu..."

P.S. Thanks to all of the readers on Facebook who told me about the reading challenge. ;-)


message 383: by Caroline (new)

Caroline Brand Mines set.....400 :-)


message 384: by Nourhan (new)

Nourhan this is my first year challenge , hope finishing 25 books


message 385: by Klint (new)

Klint I'm going for 150 :)


message 386: by Bliss (new)

Bliss Silverleaf yeeep. i'm ready!


message 387: by Kristal (new)

Kristal Jordan 100 is my goal


message 388: by Elissa (new)

Elissa Barbosa One down as of today...87 more to go!
Just finished 'Taking Chances' by Molly McAdams


message 389: by Unicorn (new)

Unicorn about 60 for me!


message 390: by Rebecca (new)

Rebecca Barrow *Shocked face* You spelt 'receive' wrong in your copy. Oops.


message 391: by [deleted user] (new)

I SET MINE, BUT MY FIRST REVIEW STAYED IN 2012!


message 392: by Missy (new)

Missy Gonna put my goal at 20 so that I can read more than I did last year. Now time to fill up my kindle!


Kiki Rizky Agustina 103 books... I think I set an almost impossible target to complete... haha ("- -)


message 394: by Lashya (new)

Lashya Wilson I'm a slow reader, so, I'll start with 15.



Anyway, I don't visit the local library as much as I used to !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, my Last Two books from Last Year, have rolled on, into This Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


message 395: by Karin (last edited Jan 03, 2013 10:52AM) (new)

Karin 75 books is my goal, first I thought 100 was a bit optimistic, so I took 90, but that also felt optimistic, so 75 is enough :D


message 396: by [deleted user] (new)

GOING FOR 300 AS HAD 295 IN 2012!


message 397: by Amanpreet (new)

Amanpreet Oberoi Wow 30 books.. I have never done this before! Hope I achieve this READING CHALLENGE :)


message 398: by Karin (new)

Karin I maybe seem stupid now, but how do you update your challenge D: *mindblow*


message 399: by Jessi Cooke (new)

Jessi Cooke My Goal is 150, hopefully college wont knock me out of getting this done :)


message 400: by Keisha (last edited Jan 03, 2013 11:10AM) (new)

Keisha I love this challenge. It helped me reach and exceed my reading goal last year. I'm going for an additional six more this year.


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