How To Conquer Your Reading Challenge
The Ominous Progress Bar
On the cusp of January, avid readers, booktokers, and bookstagrammers flock to the Reading Challenge Goal like healthy hopefuls gather at the gym.
Only, instead of weight loss or strength goals, readings look to lose a few off their TBR list rather than off their bodies. But I have no fear! I've figured out tactics for sticking my nose in a book and reaching the end of that progress bar.
Check out these tips and tricks to learn how to level up your reading game:
Treat Yourself
I had a busy start to the year, leaving me in a tough reading slump that I struggled to overcome. All of the unread books on my shelf went untouched. What book could pull me out?
A new one of course!
I know, I know, getting a new book isn't the solution to all of our problems (but definitely a few). But hear me out. Reading is all about the excitement for the next page, chapter, or book. The spark may be gone from your TBR pile for now, but you can easily bring it back to life by giving yourself the gift of something entirely new!
For me, The Love Hypothesis reignited my motivation for reading. And better yet - I borrowed it from a friend (a.k.a. @lan.driskwrites)!
Tip: Scroll your virtual TBR and pick out a book that you forget was on the list, head to your local bookstore or library, and get reading!
Tracking Pages Isn't Everything
Frankly, I never look at other readers' page updates because those numbers aren't important to me. I'd much rather be seeing what books my friends are just cracking open or reading the reviews when they've finished them.
Nobody else is paying attention to your progress bar on individual books, so unless serves as a motivation rather than a drag, drop the page updates!
Put in Your Headphones
You heard that right: audiobooks are the way to go! This is nothing new to the book world, but have you taken full advantage of it?
Reading a book is much different than listening to one. I find that reading feels like its own activity, requiring all my attention. Listening to a book, on the other hand, is a bonus to my other everyday activities. In those moments when I would usually turn on a show or podcast episode, I chose to fill in with an audiobook instead.
Several audiobooks later, I was ahead of my challenge timeline.
Explore Old Favorites in a New Way
If you're lucky, your favorite authors will expand on their series with a companion novella or novels. The novellas serve as a quick read and a wonderful way to revisit the worlds and characters you've loved before. Shorter than novels but longer than short stories, novellas will give you that sense of accomplishment that comes with adding it to the "Read" shelf.
The novels will be longer, but they are the perfect answer to a reading slump. Don't be afraid to dive back in and expand on the universes you've loved before!
