Ah, the Goodreads Reading Challenge for 2025.

Should I participate in it once again, or should I forgo the reading challenge this time around?

Reading challenge or not, I will still be reading tons of books anyway considering that it’s one of my job requirements.

Since I’ll be reading a lot of books anyway, I may as well take part in the challenge, right?

But on the one hand, taking part in the challenge also puts pressure on me now that I must meet the goal before the year ends.

Sure, the number of books I plan to read isn’t that many compared to those who read voraciously.

But with all the things I plan to do for this year, there’s a big chance this small number of books can still feel a little too much for me.

Does it mean I will forgo the reading challenge for 2025 then?

Funnily enough, I don’t have any intention to forgo the challenge despite having a hard time meeting my reading goal.

Does it mean taking part in this year’s reading challenge is a yay for me? You bet I am.

I sure have never learned my lesson hard enough, haven’t I?

What in the world is the Goodreads Reading Challenge?

For those who are new here, it’s a reading challenge on Goodreads where you state the number of books you plan to read in that year.

Add the books you read throughout the challenge on your Goodreads profile and you’re on your way to complete the challenge.

Just be sure to add the finish date since that’s how the book will count towards your challenge completion.

Sad to say, there’s no prize waiting for you once you complete the challenge.

The only thing you get is the bragging right that you read tons of books that year and the reading challenge badge which will be on full display on your Goodreads profile.

Anyone can join the challenge as long as you have a Goodreads account which is free to sign up.

Once you sign up, just state whichever number of books you want to read this year and you’re in.

The good news about this challenge is that re-reading the book also counts towards your challenge completion as long as you finish reading the book while the challenge is on.

If you’re thinking about building a reading habit, then taking part in the Goodreads Reading Challenge for 2025 is the way to go.

And while you’re at it, feel free to follow me on Goodreads.

Not only that you get to see my progress for the reading challenge. But you get to see which books I’m reading on my Goodreads profile as well.

Result for last year’s reading challenge

In case you’re wondering, I did take part in last year’s Goodreads Reading Challenge.

So, how did I fare in last year’s reading challenge?

Did I manage to reach my goal of reading 25 books in 2024?

Guess what, I did manage to read 25 books last year.

But unlike the last time, I barely surpass my 25-book mark, though.

That means I only read an extra book or so compared to the year before when I exceeded my 25-book mark by 5 books.

What is it that causes me to barely exceed my 25-book threshold?

Does it have something to do with blogging taking up most of my time?

Well, I will say that’s partly the reason.

But I will say it has more to do with me falling off with my reading habit over the last couple of months.

Thus, you see me barely breaking my 25-book mark in my last year’s reading challenge.

My Goodreads Reading Challenge for 2025

Now that 2025 is here, how many books do I plan to read during this year’s reading challenge?

Will it be more than 25 books considering that I managed to read more than 25 books last year?

Sad to say, I decided to stick to 25 books for this year’s challenge rather than increasing it to 30 books or more.

Why does it have to be 25 books, you ask?

Does it have anything to do with 25 being my lucky number or something?

Well, I can’t say for sure about 25 being my lucky number.

But I do know that reading 25 books for this year’s challenge seems doable for me.

As much as I’d like to challenge myself to read more books than I normally would, I prefer not to add any unnecessary pressure on myself.

Yes, nothing bad would happen to me if I didn’t meet my goal of reading the said number of books during the challenge.

But it sure doesn’t feel good when I don’t achieve the goal I set out to do.

And it’s even more so when it’s a goal that matters a lot to me.

Sticking to what works best

While reading 25 books may not be that many if you’re a voracious reader, it can still be a lot for those who barely have the time to read.

So, what is it that allows me to complete the reading challenge despite all the crazy things I have to go through throughout the year?

Well, I have to credit these simple habits for making reading 25 books in a year a plausible feat.

Read one chapter a day

Yes, I admit it’s not sexy to read for only one chapter a day.

But if you do it every day, you can finish reading the book within three weeks or so if the book has twenty chapters and below.

And it should take you even less to do that if you’re so hooked on the story.

I remember that I ended up finishing reading Hello, I’m a Witch, Root Double, and Dawn of the Future novels sooner than I thought only because I can’t seem to put them down.

If reading a book, especially the long ones seems daunting to you, then you can start by reading one chapter a day.

Find the time to do it and do it consistently

If it’s that important to you, you will make time for it no matter how busy you are.

The same goes for reading, especially if you’re like me who are so adamant about wanting to complete the challenge.

Since our goal here is to read one chapter a day, then it shouldn’t be that hard for you to carve out a bit of your time to read one chapter a day.

Depending on the book, it shouldn’t take that long for you to finish reading one chapter.

Of course, some books tend to have a long chapter.

If that’s the kind of book you read, then you need to plan so then you can finish reading the chapter in a day.

Or you can break the chapter into multiple sessions to complete your one-chapter-a-day goal.

I’m looking at you, Sorcerous Stabber Orphen light novel.

Will I be able to complete my reading challenge for this year?

To be honest, it’s hard for me to say considering that I have so many things that I want to do this year.

But even with that, I still have the notion that I can complete the challenge like I normally would just fine.

What if I don’t get to complete the challenge then?

In that case, I shouldn’t be so hard on myself.

Rather than beating myself for not completing the challenge, I should reflect on all the amazing books that I get to read instead.

Who knows, maybe I will read that same book again in my upcoming reading challenge.

P.S. If you’re taking part in the challenge and you’re looking for a new book to read, consider having a look at my books on my Payhip store.

Interested in buying any of them? Don’t forget to use the coupon code SEKINAMAYUBLOG to get 25% off on your purchase:

Books by Sekina Mayu on Payhip