Reading Challenge for Adults – Perfect For Holidays

I see a lot of reading challenges online specifically for kids, and while I think that’s great, it’s also important that us grown-ups don’t miss out on the magic of reading and so I wanted to create this reading challenge for adults – one that can be started at any point in the year. If you would like to join me, then read on.

What’s The Reading Challenge?

The challenge I have set myself is to read 52 books in a year – yes, one book per week. For me, that might be quite challenging, as I have a lot going on. However, I always feel better when I read consistently and so I want to make it non-negotiable. Let’s be honest, much of the reading we will be doing will be during our holidays as well as any other time carved out during the year.

The books will be a mix of fiction and non-fiction and will be read mostly on Kindle, but there will be some paperback and hardbacks in the mix and some listened to on Audible.

Free Trials

To get you started, I have some great free trials for you. You can access the Kindle Unlimited 30 Day Free Trial here, and the Audible Free Trial here.

Tracking What I Read

I wanted to make this reading challenge an event, and so I have created a free printable pack so I can record everything as I go along. I don’t know about you, but if I don’t have reminders at my fingertips, I can easily go off track and watch one more Netflix episode instead of going to bed earlier and reading a chapter or two of a book. I know what serves me better in the long run, and that’s why I’m making reading a priority.

If you want to join me these printables are a great way to track your progress, you can find the details here. They are an instant download, and come in both A4 size and US letter size. You’ll also receive some secret extra freebies when you sign up.

Inside you will find:

📚 Reading Challenge Cover Page
📚 Accepting the Challenge Page
📚To Be Read List (page 1 through 5)
📚 Individual Book Review and rating (2 pages)
📚 Colouring Page
📚 Top 5 Books of the year

Monthly Updates

You can join the reading challenge at any point. It could run January to December for you, or September to August – any point is fine, as long as it covers 12 months.

Every month, I’m going to share the books I have loved and maybe it will be a little inspiration for you too. If you want to hear when I have shared a blog post about books or reading, then sign up to my newsletter here.

I also always love to hear what you are reading. We all need new recommendations. Feel free to leave a comment on any of the book related posts.

Challenge Facebook Group

I’m also going to be running a Free Facebook Group where we can network, share books we love and keep each other on track.

If you would like to join us, head here and click join.

Why Reading is Important

As we book lovers know, reading is an essential tool for gaining knowledge and expanding personal development. As an adult, it offers numerous benefits, from learning something new to enhancing communication skills and sparking creative thought processes. It even has the power to protect us against natural age-related memory losses like dementia.

Reading regularly can reduce stress levels, improve mental alertness, increase vocabulary and sharpen our analytical skills. In addition, reading helps us expand our vocabulary, discover connections between different ideas, and generate a greater sense of connection with those around us through shared knowledge experiences. For both pleasure and practical purposes, there’s no denying the importance of reading for adults.

How to Find Time to Read When You’re Busy

For many of us, there never seems to be enough time in the day for everything we need to do. Between working, taking care of family, socializing and just general time-consuming tasks, carving out time for reading can seem like a daunting challenge.

To make things easier on yourself, try breaking apart your reading sessions into smaller pieces. Find moments during the day when you have 15 or 20 minutes of down-time and use those brief moments to read a few pages; it adds up! For example, if you read on Kindle, you can download the Kindle app on Apple or Android and read when you are waiting for your kids, queuing, or you just have a few minutes while the potatoes come to the boil.

Even better, Kindle will keep track of where you are up to in your book, so you can read on multiple devices: your Kindle, iPad or smart phone, for example. Additionally, if you set yourself small goals throughout the week, such as aiming to finish five chapters by Monday night or scheduling a specific amount of reading time two nights of the week, this can help give your reading endeavours an extra boost.

For many of us, a great deal of reading will be done on holiday, whether that’s lying on a beach, curled up on a sofa in our holiday home, or just in little pockets of time on days out. Catch up with my suggestions each month and you can add to your holiday to be read pile.

With some creativity and dedication, finding that all important “me-time” with your favorite book is entirely possible.

What Kind of Books to Read for the Challenge?

Choosing books for the challenge can be an exciting and fun experience. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer indie novels, gripping yarns, or timeless classics – the challenge gives you an opportunity to read more in the genre you love or step outside of your comfort zone.

There are so many genres to explore, from mystery and science fiction to self-improvement and romance. Try picking up something new in a genre you never considered before; while it may not become your favourite book ever, it will provide some interesting reading. Plus, branching out into unknown territory can give your brain a break from all the normalcy we get caught up in during day-to-day living.

Also, don’t discount non-fiction. Is there a topic you have always wanted to learn more about? Then head to your local library and see what’s on offer. It’s a no risk, no-spend way to experiment. Great for fiction too!

How to Make Reading a Habit

Developing a reading habit can be an extremely rewarding experience that allows you to explore new worlds and gain knowledge. Maintaining an organized book list with prioritized titles can be a great way to keep you accountable and make sure you’re making progress.

Leave time for reading each day, even if it’s only 15 minutes. It’s important to note that staying committed will be difficult at times. Regardless, don’t let your struggles discourage or frustrate you – try changing up the type of material or even reading something in a genre you love in order to keep the enthusiasm alive.

Also, don’t hesitate to read only in the genre you love for the whole of the challenge if you prefer. I’ll be honest, a lot of detective fiction will be making its way onto my to-be-read pile. Lastly, celebrate the small wins by buying yourself a treat once in a while as a reward for getting through your reading list. Regular practice is integral to cultivating a lasting habit, so don’t give up.

What Happens If I Fall Off The Wagon?

Yes, this is a challenge to read 52 books in a year. But sometimes life gets in the way. Some months I may read more, some less. I may not even reach my goal (although I am going to give it the best chance possible), but even if I don’t, I will have read a lot more along the way, and encountered some amazing books.

Ready To Join Me?

If you want to join the challenge to read 52 books in a year – and remember you can join at any point – here are some resources to help you.

Join my Free Challenge Group on Facebook Here.

Sign up to my newsletter so you hear when you new book related blog posts go live.

If you want a handy resource, download the challenge printables, so you can keep all your book related updates in one place.

I can’t wait to get started and I really hope you join me in this reading challenge for adults. Leave a comment below if you are in! Plus, if there is anything that would help you with the challenge, let me know.