7 Tips to Manage Your 2022 Reading Challenge

Welcome aboard, train wreck.

A good challenge excites readers. We want to be smart about how we approach our ever-growing TBR lists. But then BookTok starts talking about this book. And then Bookstagram shows us this new series. And before you know it, your TBR for 2022 will take you into 3022.

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Listen, I get it. Everywhere you look anymore some book nerd is talking about a book they’re reading, just read, or excited to read.

You want to read all the books. But you have a life. An actual social life. Not like just work, eat, sleep, go to Wal-Mart, wait for an Amazon delivery. Like you’re weird and enjoy going out in the sunshine and being around people but whatever. So, what can you do to still hang out with the cool kids?

Consider new ideas.

The majority of readers establish a yearly target for the quantity of books they want to read. My crazy self is going for 150 books. In a year. Which honestly probably won’t be that hard to do. I’m at 123 right now. And we have a road trip to Florida in May.

Your goals may vary. Consider establishing a non-numerical challenge, such as writing a review for every book you read. As a writer, this is a big one. We live off of caffeine and validation. Feed an author. Leave a review.

Consider opening a social media channel (such as a Bookstagram account, Booktube channel, blog, or BookTok) to share your recommendations, or joining a book club. You may then choose whatever reading challenge (or numerous challenges, for the brave) you want to take part in.

I have a Bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/thebookishlifeofjenbaldwin/ and BookTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thebookishlifeofjen?lang=en. I don’t post on there as much as I would like but I’m actively working on being more regular on those.

Take a look at your actual and virtual shelves.

See if you can match books on your TBR list to the prompts for challenges that follow prompts. If you’re having trouble making matches, you’ll know right away that you need to try a new reading challenge.

Make a selection of books you’d want to read in 2022 if you want to read a specific amount of books. Return to this list throughout the year when you’re unsure what to read next.

I’m doing a series challenge. I’ve picked Murder, She Wrote. This also helps with my ABC challenge in April and the travel around the world challenge I’m doing.

Find a way of tracking that works for you.

Finding your next book promptly is crucial to completing your reading challenge. Locate a technique to keep track of the books on your to-read list, whether you store all of your unread books in one location or utilize virtual ways, so that when the time comes, you can quickly sift through and find the one you’re searching for.

Goodreads is great for readers who set a numerical target to measure their progress throughout the year, but a customized spreadsheet may be a better match for readers who wish to concentrate on aspects like genre. Instead, creative readers may like to keep a bullet journal.

I use Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/friend/i?feature=friend-invite-url&invite_token=ZTc5ODBhZGEtOTFiZi00MjVkLThhMDktZmViNzAzZDQ2ZThi I could always use another friend.

Make reading a priority.

Setting a goal is simple, but achieving it may be difficult. Consider your daily routine and arrange particular reading periods on your calendar, or create tiny daily objectives to read a certain amount of pages. Audiobooks are a multitasker’s greatest friend, and they may be simply listened to while cooking, cleaning, or exercising.

Make literary acquaintances.

Having literary BFFs is a fantastic strategy to keep you reading throughout the year. You may join a book club (even a virtual one! ), buddy read books, have virtual or in-person silent reading parties, or just trade book suggestions if you work together. Connect with your friends to share your reading goals for 2022 and to find out what theirs are so you can keep each other on track throughout the year!

Participate in a readathon.

Readathons are held by book bloggers, Booktubers, and Bookstagrammers at various times throughout the year. Joining in the fun might be a terrific way to get some reading done while meeting new people.

Throughout the year, check in and analyze.

If you find your initial idea isn’t a good match, don’t be afraid to scale up or down appropriately. Novellas and graphic novels are usually good choices for quick, engaging readings that may help you catch up if you’ve fallen behind. Set reminders for yourself to check in and reassess your challenge as frequently as you need them. Remember, the most important purpose of the challenge is to have a good time!

I hope this helps you get through any social anxiety you may feel with being left out of the literary loop. What are your 2022 reading goals? How are you going to tackle it? Let me know what works for you.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Again, if you like what I post, please like, comment, share, and subscribe. Please consider donating to help keep this going. $1 and I’ll ask you what your favorite book is so we can talk about it. $5 and I’ll write a review of a book you suggest. $10 and I’ll write a blog suggested by you. That’s all I’ve got for today, train wrecks. All aboard.