Reading a book for a week challenge in 2024

Author

Fendi Tsim

Published

January 30, 2025

For the past two years, I have been experimenting with a personal reading challenge — reading a book a week.

This has been a very intriguing personal experiment as it has helped me improve my reading speed, time management, and planning skills.

In 2023, my reading goal was 52 books, but I managed to read 68 books by the end of the year. Encouraged by this achievement, I set an ambitious goal at the start of 2024: to read 100 books (around two books per week). However, by the end of last year, I had finished 84 books. This outcome highlights the effects of Optimism Bias.

Achieving a yearly goal like this one requires some planning and assistance

  1. Dividing the pages of a book into 7 chunks and reading one chunk per day
    Each chunk typically consists of around 30 to 40 pages. Normally, I read 10-20 pages (with a cup of coffee) in the morning and complete the rest during my commute.

  2. Joining Goodreads’ yearly reading challenge
    The progress bar has been a significant motivator - early on, it’s satisfying to see steady progress. Later in the challenge (e.g., after reaching about 60 books), I found energy in knowing I had 40 books left to go, rather than focusing on the number of books I had already completed.

  3. Public announcement via social media
    Posting pictures of books I’ve read on social media (e.g., an online bookclub my friend Ivelina organized) fosters a sense of accountability and encourages further discussions about the books. Being a member of an online bookclub has added a communal and interactive dimension to my reading experience.

My reflections from this challenge

  1. Being aware of optimism bias
    Setting a realistic goal of 52 to 60 books a year will make the challenge more manageable and satisfying.
  2. Conducting monthly reviews of the number and genres of books I’ve read
    These reviews provide insights into whether I’m meeting my goals and help me decide if I need to focus more or less on certain genres in the upcoming months.
  3. Engaging in deep conversations about the books I’ve read with friends
    These discussions foster greater engagement and often inspire me to explore related topics or themes in future readings.

Have you ever tried a similar challenge? What strategies worked for you in staying consistent with your goals?