I’ve always been an avid reader, so to be honest, I don’t really need a book challenge to motivate me to read. But over the past 3 years, I’ve had fun joining reading forces with family and friends to participate in an annual book challenge.
The 2019 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge ~ Better Late than Never
The first year, 2019, was actually kind of an accident. During a visit to my sister in Utah we stopped by the local bookstore and discovered that they were hosting a reading challenge to read 44 books that year—many of them, of course, to be purchased from Pioneer Book.
We were a little late to the game (the second quarter of the year had already started) and since my mom and I lived in the Pacific Northwest we couldn’t easily patronize a Provo bookstore, so we had to tweak things a little. Nonetheless, despite some of the categories being transposed to the Eugene Public Library instead of Pioneer Book, I did manage to read all 44 books—and I loved the challenge! Having set categories definitely broadened my reading horizons, and just the act of researching and finding books to fit in a particular category was an intriguing activity. Plus, having a couple of other people participating in the same challenge gave us an excuse to swap recommendations and talk about books more.
The 2020 31 Books, 31 Flavors Reading Challenge ~ A Literary Treat
So, in 2020, we came up with our own reading challenge. We brainstormed categories, printed them all out in a list, and then passed the list around so each participant could mark their preferences. The 31 winners then formed our book challenge.
This method had its advantages in that everyone got to be involved in the process of creating and choosing categories. We all had several we were excited about, and a few we weren’t (near-death experiences was one for me. But we knew those other categories were important to someone else and that the rest of the group was tackling it too, which made the read a little bit easier.
2020 was the year our book challenge club grew the most, to include my sister-in-law, her mom, and my dad—the lone male member of the crew, and a bit of a shock to all of us! It’s possible that he was motivated by ice cream. With 31 books, my brother-in-law suggested an ice cream reward from Baskin Robbins for each book we completed. You know, 31 flavors? So yes, we do take full credit for keeping Baskin Robbins in business during the pandemic. You’re welcome.
The 2021 Five-Ten-Fifteen Book Challenge ~ Built for Flexibility
In 2021, we decided to revamp. We had all enjoyed the challenge, but some of us felt a little constrained by the categories. It’s all very well to expand your literary horizons, but what about reading just for the pleasure of it? We needed something that would provide a challenge, but offer greater flexibility. I don’t think I was the only one who missed the pleasures of browsing the shelves and picking up whatever happened to catch my eye. So we divvied the challenge up.
Five books came from set categories. Each participant chose one. (Our were: made into a movie or TV show, about a person from church history, from a top-100 list, from or about a period of history you’re interested in, and, about mental health). Everyone in the challenge had to read a book for each of these categories.
Ten books came from the remaining categories we’d brainstormed. With about twice as many categories as books for this section, we had a little more choice in what we read. If you just couldn’t stand poetry, there was the option to read mystery instead. Actually though, I stumbled across a collection of poems by Mary Oliver that I really enjoyed!
The remaining fifteen books didn’t have a category at all—they were reader’s choice. I think we all liked this aspect of the reading challenge, but it came with its cons as well. I know I was guilty of leaving a lot of set categories to the last minute because, after all, I had plenty of time. Half the reading was free choice!
The 2022 Bingo Book Challenge ~ Something for Everyone
Although the 2021 format had offered a lot more flexibility, we knew we were going to need even more for 2022. So many changes happening! All our participants are in very different life stages now, so their time for reading varies widely. My parents are headed out to serve a mission for our church, my sister-in-law is an extremely busy professional taking on the work of two speech-language pathologists due to worker shortage, my sister is taking care of a newborn, and I’ve recently gone full-time with my writing business. (Not that that makes any difference. Books one through three are already checked off, book four should be wrapped up in a couple of days, and books five through seven are underway. I know. I know. I can’t help myself.)
So, how to create a challenge that everyone can participate in even though some of us have time for fifty books and some of us will be lucky if we get in five? Our answer was to lay out our book challenge in bingo format, and let everyone customize it for their own goals. One row? Awesome! Blackout? Fantastic! Want to get creative with a checkerboard pattern? I love it! We’re hoping this will allow everyone to participate, set their own goals, and feel good about their reading in 2022.
As our book challenge has evolved over the years, we’re coming to realize that it’s really not about how much you read. Everyone has their sweet spot when it comes to quantity. And as valuable as what you read is, that’s not even the primary motivation behind the challenge either. As I’ve looked over my completed reading lists for the last three years, there are many books I wouldn’t read again, a couple I barely even remember, and just a few that are real stand-outs, that I can see added quality and richness to my life. But that’s life really, isn’t it? And that’s what a big part of the reading challenge is about. Experimenting. Stretching. Trying something new.
Mostly though, our evolving book challenge has become about connection. We chat about books with each other, ask for recommendations—from both inside and outside our little circle of members, and grow closer together through books. That’s been especially important as we’ve all moved further away from each other for work, church service, or school. And it’s been especially important through the pandemic. It’s been a long ride, and I’m sure just about everyone can attest to some feelings of loneliness and isolation during this time. Having a mental challenge, something to keep us occupied, and a form of connection with others has been—and continues to be—a blessing.
What about you? Do you participate in a book challenge? How does reading help you? And hey, if you’re reading something you really love, don’t forget to tell us in the comments! We’re always in the market for great book recommendations.
Happy reading, everyone!
