14 fun reading challenges to set yourself this year

You’ve probably been tracking how many books you’ve read for some time, perhaps even using social media to share the number of books you've devoured in 365 days. But aside from challenging yourself to get through as many books as you can, there are plenty of other ways to mix up your reading habits this year.

Here are some fun, creative book challenge ideas to help you set your reading goals for the year and feel a sense of pride when you've completed them. Ready, set, read!

1. Set a reading goal

One of the most popular reading challenges is to devour a set amount of books each year, keeping track on apps such as Goodreads or Storygraph. Whether it's one book a month or one a week, having a number in mind to reach before New Year's Eve certainly gives you some incentive to keep picking up a book instead of the TV remote. 

To help you along the way, try some of our recommended short stories or audiobooks for when you are out and about. 

2. Complete a series

If you love to binge-watch TV shows then why not binge-read the greatest book series of all time? You'll never be wondering what to read next, and you’ll feel a huge sense of accomplishment once you’ve finished. Here are the first books in some of our favourite series to get you started…

3. Read everything by one author

Think of your favourite book and read everything else the author has written, from their short stories to their latest novel. We have some handy guides to help you through the backlogs of some of the world's greatest authors, from Jane Austen to Harlan Coben.

4. Ask your local librarian for a reading list

You could channel literary's most famous bookworm, Matilda, and make use of your local library. Make friends with the librarian and ask them for their book recommendations – a tailored book service, and all for free!

5. Explore a country you'd like to visit

Read books set in your favourite country or one you’ve always wanted to explore. You could read novels, biographies of famous figures, history books or even poetry. By the time you’ve finished, you’ll either feel even more inspired to visit, or ready to explore a new destination.

6. Read through a decade

Discover the literature that defined a decade and read your way through the stand-out bestsellers of the time, including some forgotten gems along the way. To get you started, we have some handy reading guides below to take you on an adventure through the 20th Century. Let the time-travelling commence. 

7. Make your way through the classics

If you love classic literature and are looking to read more, work your way through our reading list of 100 must-read classic books (as chosen by Penguin readers). From the likes of Pride and Prejudice to Crime and Punishment, there’s bound to be a few you haven’t discovered yet. 

8. Explore classic retellings

Alternatively, if you are an avid classic bibliophile and can already quote most of the stories by heart, then why not explore your favourites through modern retellings? Here are some suggestions to get you started….

9. Read your unread books

We all have a pile of unread books gathering dust in the corner or on the bookshelf. But this challenge will solve that issue. It’s simple, space saving and free to begin: just start reading from left to right. Once you’ve completed the challenge, you have our permission to treat yourself to a trip to the bookshop to restock…

10. Create a reading bingo card

Want to mix things up? Make a fun visual tracker with individual challenges that vary across different themes. Think reading a horror for Halloween, a wellness book for January, or a new memoir whenever you feel like it. Alternatively, you could challenge yourself to solely reading books with a number in the title, working your way up to 12 by the end of the year. Whichever challenge you choose, see how quickly you can shout Bingo!

11. Involve your friends and family

Ask your friends and family to share their favourite book with you and read through their suggestions. Not only will you get an insight into the books your nearest and dearest love most, but you can have a great bookworm chat the next time you see them.  

12. Join a celebrity bookclub

If your friends and family aren't seasoned bookworms then perhaps you can turn to your heroes. Barack Obama shares his recommended reading list each year and plenty of celebrities recommend their favourite books online. Some celebs even have book clubs you can join, such as Reese Witherspoon, Dua Lipa and Oprah.

13. Create a seasonal reading challenge

Add a bit of sparkle to this year’s seasonal events with a mini reading challenge for each calendar moment. Whether it’s an escapist novel for summer, a romantasy pick for Valentine’s Day, or a Christmassy read for December, tying your reading to the season is a great way to add extra fun. 

14. Follow the book awards

Embrace the glitz and glam of award season and delve into the long-lists of this year’s prestigious book awards. From the Women’s Prize for Fiction to The Wainwright Prize for UK Nature Writing and the Booker Prize, there are plenty of interesting works by both nominees and winners to explore. Here are some of our previous award-winning books to get you started…