18 April 2025
5 Reading Challenges To Help You Read More Books
Written by: Melissa Ng
Struggling to get through your TBR pile?
Reading challenges are a simple way to help you read more, try new books, and stay motivated throughout the year.
Whether you're trying to read a certain number of books or just want to mix up your genres, a good reading challenge can make reading more fun and less overwhelming.
In this post, I’ll explain how reading challenges work, how to pick one that suits you, and give you five free printable reading challenges you can start using today.
What Are Reading Challenges?
Reading challenges are a set of book prompts or goals designed to help you read more often or more widely. They’re often set up for the year, but you can also do monthly or seasonal ones.
Some challenges ask you to read books in different genres, some focus on certain types of authors or formats, and others are just for fun.
The best part? You can go at your own pace.
There are no rules. You don’t have to finish every prompt.
The goal is just to enjoy reading and make it easier to decide what to read next.
Why Reading Challenges Work
It’s easy to get stuck in a reading slump or feel unsure about what to pick up next.
Reading challenges give you structure and a reason to keep going. They can:
- Help you read more regularly
- Push you to try different types of books
- Make reading more exciting
- Give you small wins by ticking off prompts
- Help you make progress on your unread books
If you like ticking boxes, setting goals, or just want to change up your reading habits, a reading challenge might be exactly what you need.
How To Pick The Right Challenge
Not all reading challenges work for everyone. Here’s how to choose one that suits you:
- Start with your goals. Do you want to read more books? Explore new genres? Reread old favourites?
- Think about your reading pace. If you don’t read often, choose a challenge with fewer prompts or more flexible options.
- Consider your reading style. Do you like structure or prefer something casual? Some challenges are strict, others are open-ended.
- Make it fun. Don’t pick something that feels like a chore. Reading should be enjoyable.
You can always change or combine challenges as you go.
It’s your reading life — make it work for you.
Free Printable Reading Challenges You Can Try
To make it easier, I’ve created five printable reading challenges you can download and use.
Each one includes different prompts, and you can colour in the boxes as you go.
They’re designed to be fun, simple, and flexible.
Each challenge has 20 prompts. That’s 100 prompts in total!
You can print them out, stick them in your reading journal, or pop them on the fridge.
Just tick them off as you go. No pressure — read what you like, when you like.
Tips To Stay On Track
Once you’ve picked a challenge, here are a few ways to keep going without burning out:
- Set realistic goals. Don’t try to complete everything in a month. Space it out.
- Track your progress. Colour in boxes, use a reading app like Fable, or write it down in a notebook.
- Join a reading group. You can share progress, swap recommendations, or do a buddy read.
- Mix it up. Don’t force yourself to finish a book you’re not enjoying. Swap it for another prompt.
- Reward yourself. Finished five prompts? Treat yourself to a new book or a cosy reading night.
Remember, the goal is to read more and enjoy it — not to feel stressed.
Ways To Use Reading Challenges
There’s no one way to use reading challenges. Here are some creative ways to fit them into your routine:
- TBR jar. Write down the prompts and draw one out when you don’t know what to read. Bonus tip: Check out my blog post for 300 free TBR prompts.
- Random number generator. Assign each prompt a number and let chance decide.
- Reading tracker apps. Use apps like Fable or Goodreads to log your reads and tick off prompts.
- Combine challenges. Try ticking off multiple prompts with a single book.
- Use it with friends. Get your bookish mates involved and see who can tick off the most by the end of the year.
You don’t need to follow every prompt. Just pick and choose what works for you.
FAQs About Reading Challenges
Do I have to follow the prompts in order?
Not at all. You can jump around or even skip prompts that don’t interest you.
Can I count audiobooks or re-reads?
Absolutely. Any format counts, and re-reading a favourite is a great way to stay motivated.
What if I don’t finish the challenge?
That’s totally fine. The point is to read more and enjoy it. Even completing a few prompts is a win.
Can I do more than one challenge?
Yes! Some people combine challenges or switch between them depending on their mood.
How do I get the printable reading challenges?
Sign up to my newsletter and I’ll send them straight to your inbox. It’s free, and I promise not to spam you.
Final Thoughts
Reading challenges are an easy, low-pressure way to read more books, try new things, and enjoy your reading time.
Whether you finish one challenge or just do a few prompts, it’s a great way to build better reading habits.
Happy reading!
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