Experience what I can manage in an average year vs. what would be a challenge vs. what’s almost impossible. Then I decide for one of the three, depending on what I can expect of the coming year (new job? new city? or everything super relaxed and a lot of reading time?)
I take my number read the year before and add a couple to it to give me something to reach for. It is also based off the expected year – such as the year I gave birth and had a new born, I lowered my expected goal quite a bit.
I read a lot (I’m retired) so last year I did 52, one a week. This year I did 26 and just now met my goal. Wonder if I’ll actually get 52 this year as well.
This is my first challenge and I’m a pretty busy person so I started with 12. I’m at 16 now so will probably set it at 24 next year. I think it depends on what you have time for and how big is a typical book for you. And don’t be disappointed no matter the number or if you make it because at least you’re still reading! ☺️
I chose 35. About a week and a half per book. Sometimes it takes that long, sometimes not. I use it more so to track what I’ve read and want to read. The number of books isn’t important to me.
I create a bookshelf and select the books I want to read. This year I chose titles to read. This year I chose 16 because a three of them were large and complicated. I have to left, Dune and Captains and Kings. I like it better. I’ve read 29 so far this year. I just need to finish the last two.
I pick a number like this year it was 50 when I get two books away from that I up it by 5, when I get close again I add another 5. I would never add too many it overwhelms me andi don’t enjoy reading.
In 2017 my goal was 24 and I read a lot more (59) but because I started university in late 2017 I wanted a 2018-goal that’s higher than the one last year but not as many books as I read last year because I had more time then than now. So it’s a mix of “How much have I read before” and “How much time will I have”.
I’m doing a reading challenge, and if I read all the books on the regular list, that’s 40. So I went with 40. And then when I finished that, I increased it to 52. I count audiobooks, and I’ve been driving a lot for work this year.
The first year I picked a low, random number based on past memory. When I surpassed that goal, I set a higher one by 25 books. Not sure I’ll reach 100 this year, but I’m getting closer!
I chose 52 this year because I average 1 book every 10 days or so. So 52 makes me stretch a little. I’m ahead of schedule, so I may bump it up next year.
Last year I did my age, 55. This year I thought I would try less. It doesn’t really matter what number I put down, I will read regardless of a goal on http://goodreads.com/ Just enjoyed reading all those books. lol
Mine is 24 b/c 2 books per month seems reasonable given, well, life. Sometimes I cruise through 3 in a week or so (vacation!), sometimes it takes me a month to finish one but it tends to average out to about that.
I average about a book a week, except for in December when life can get busy, so I went for 45. Honestly, even though I might read more than that, I don’t want to aim any higher for fear I’ll rush through material that I should be absorbing, not skimming, just to make a goal.
I usually set it at 24 – one each of fiction and non-fiction per month. This year a group of us runners set a goal of 42 in keeping with the marathon distance of 42 kms.
I do the same as @Renata above. Typically 24…two per month, and that usually consists of one fiction and one non. This year I have way overshot the goal, but TBH it’s not something I really think about until someone mentions it, so it’s all good 🙂
My goal was 52 books this year, I am on book 53. However, some of the books were poetry books and were only 80-100 pages (which to me, is a quick read).
I base mine off of the number of pages that the average book I read contains. If I read a 350 page fiction that has fewer words per page my numbers would be higher compared to a non fiction book with double the pages and twice the number of words per page. I try to read 70 books a year that contain around 30,000 pages. That works out to an average of about 425 pages per book with around 500 or more words per page. Goodreads statistics keep up with the pages read and the number of books read. If you are new start out with a low number and adjust it throughout the year either upward hopefully or downward according to how much you read. I always adjust my books to my reading goal so that I obtain my goal. I do that because it makes me feel better to have obtained the goal I set. A bit complicated but that is just the way I am. I love goodreads for being able to quickly track what books I have read.
The first year I did the challenge I estimated that I could finish a book a week and then by the middle I’d the year when I saw I was going to do more I adjusted the number. Now I just put in more or less the same number I did last year.
I used to always choose too high a number and then get frustrated or stop caring. This year I picked 52 because I was starting to be able to read more and wanted to challenge myself without setting unrealistic goals.
I randomly chose 25 last year and then hit 30. So I chose 30 this year and I’m already at 42. So I’m aiming for 50, which should be doable. Then I might choose 50 or 60 next year to push myself. I definitely want to push myself each year.
Reading for pleasure had been spoilt for me after years and years of studying, to the point where I didn’t read anything unless it was work related. In trying to get back to enjoying it, the first year I challenged myself to read one book a month so there was no pressure just a motivator. When I surpassed this, the next year I set a target of 15, the following 18. Then this year I went for one a fortnight. It worked! I’m back in love with books ? and reading more than ever.
I put 100 books one year and that was a joke. I tend to savor the language and I enjoy every word so my reading isn’t as fast as some. I set my goal for 52 books this year, a book a week and I’m a bit ahead of schedule.
I have to be realistic. I teach two college level classes on top of my 40 hour a week job, so I went with 18 this year, but I am 2 books ahead right now, so I am guessing I will reach 20.
Experience what I can manage in an average year vs. what would be a challenge vs. what’s almost impossible. Then I decide for one of the three, depending on what I can expect of the coming year (new job? new city? or everything super relaxed and a lot of reading time?)
I take my number read the year before and add a couple to it to give me something to reach for. It is also based off the expected year – such as the year I gave birth and had a new born, I lowered my expected goal quite a bit.
I do this too.
@Denise gave birth? (HA)!
@Robbie ?No, definitely not! ? I add a couple to my total from the year before.
@Denise ?
I started at 52 for every week of the year. Took me four years to reach it, and once I did I raised it to 60, which is my goal this year!
I read a lot (I’m retired) so last year I did 52, one a week. This year I did 26 and just now met my goal. Wonder if I’ll actually get 52 this year as well.
Who knows! You have three full months and then some left to reach your goal! That’s only 2 books a week.
Only!? ??
Will let you know how it goes. Now I have a new target.
I usually put 50 because an average of around a book per week sounds reasonable.
42, because if it’s the answer to everything, it must be the answer to my question on how many books to read as well☺️
This is my first challenge and I’m a pretty busy person so I started with 12. I’m at 16 now so will probably set it at 24 next year. I think it depends on what you have time for and how big is a typical book for you. And don’t be disappointed no matter the number or if you make it because at least you’re still reading! ☺️
My goal is 30 this year. I’m a teacher so my goal during the school year is to read two books a months and then 4-5 over the summer months.
I chose 35. About a week and a half per book. Sometimes it takes that long, sometimes not. I use it more so to track what I’ve read and want to read. The number of books isn’t important to me.
I create a bookshelf and select the books I want to read. This year I chose titles to read. This year I chose 16 because a three of them were large and complicated. I have to left, Dune and Captains and Kings. I like it better. I’ve read 29 so far this year. I just need to finish the last two.
I pick a number like this year it was 50 when I get two books away from that I up it by 5, when I get close again I add another 5. I would never add too many it overwhelms me andi don’t enjoy reading.
In 2017 my goal was 24 and I read a lot more (59) but because I started university in late 2017 I wanted a 2018-goal that’s higher than the one last year but not as many books as I read last year because I had more time then than now. So it’s a mix of “How much have I read before” and “How much time will I have”.
I pick a number that I think is within reach for me, like 50. If I go over, then great. Under, oh well. Life got in the way.
I’m doing a reading challenge, and if I read all the books on the regular list, that’s 40. So I went with 40. And then when I finished that, I increased it to 52. I count audiobooks, and I’ve been driving a lot for work this year.
I take the amount a read last year then add on 5 or 6 more.
I picked 25 and I’m on 45 lol! No rules just enjoy yourself.
The first year I picked a low, random number based on past memory. When I surpassed that goal, I set a higher one by 25 books. Not sure I’ll reach 100 this year, but I’m getting closer!
I originally had 25 but met that early on so its now 40
I’ve never tracked my books or how many, so kind of a guess. I figured about one every other week, then rounded up to 50.
I throw a dart at a wall of numbers. ? (actually, I picked a random number the first year… then try to increase it year by year)
I base it off how many I read the previous year. I’ll usually up it 5-10 books from previous. So last year I did 25, this year I set it to 35.
I pick 52 every year because a book a week seems reasonable.
Exactly what I do. I have ended up reading at least 60 each year but I think 52 is a good goal.
I chose 52 this year because I average 1 book every 10 days or so. So 52 makes me stretch a little. I’m ahead of schedule, so I may bump it up next year.
Random number
Last year I did my age, 55. This year I thought I would try less. It doesn’t really matter what number I put down, I will read regardless of a goal on http://goodreads.com/ Just enjoyed reading all those books. lol
Mine is 24 b/c 2 books per month seems reasonable given, well, life. Sometimes I cruise through 3 in a week or so (vacation!), sometimes it takes me a month to finish one but it tends to average out to about that.
Random, but I aimed too high. I might need to read a bunch of lttle kids’ books in December!I’ll have a better idea next time.
i aimed 50 in a year , so far i am on track
I knew I was averaging about 1 book a month. My life can get crazy with 3 young children. 12 was a good and challenging goal to keep me on track.
I average about a book a week, except for in December when life can get busy, so I went for 45. Honestly, even though I might read more than that, I don’t want to aim any higher for fear I’ll rush through material that I should be absorbing, not skimming, just to make a goal.
I usually set it at 24 – one each of fiction and non-fiction per month. This year a group of us runners set a goal of 42 in keeping with the marathon distance of 42 kms.
I do the same as @Renata above. Typically 24…two per month, and that usually consists of one fiction and one non. This year I have way overshot the goal, but TBH it’s not something I really think about until someone mentions it, so it’s all good 🙂
I just picked a number
Everyone has a different work and family demands. I pick what is obtainable that year and won’t cause stress.
My goal was 52 books this year, I am on book 53. However, some of the books were poetry books and were only 80-100 pages (which to me, is a quick read).
First year doing the challenge. I chose 100, on 98 right now, but I WILL NOT do that next year! Lol
I initially set it for 25 books but when i passed that in June i made it to 50
I base mine off of the number of pages that the average book I read contains. If I read a 350 page fiction that has fewer words per page my numbers would be higher compared to a non fiction book with double the pages and twice the number of words per page. I try to read 70 books a year that contain around 30,000 pages. That works out to an average of about 425 pages per book with around 500 or more words per page. Goodreads statistics keep up with the pages read and the number of books read. If you are new start out with a low number and adjust it throughout the year either upward hopefully or downward according to how much you read. I always adjust my books to my reading goal so that I obtain my goal. I do that because it makes me feel better to have obtained the goal I set. A bit complicated but that is just the way I am. I love goodreads for being able to quickly track what books I have read.
I do what I want.
The first year I did the challenge I estimated that I could finish a book a week and then by the middle I’d the year when I saw I was going to do more I adjusted the number. Now I just put in more or less the same number I did last year.
I put in one and then there’s no pressure?
I started out with 25 then kept pushing it up as i hit my next reading goal.
I used to always choose too high a number and then get frustrated or stop caring. This year I picked 52 because I was starting to be able to read more and wanted to challenge myself without setting unrealistic goals.
I randomly chose 25 last year and then hit 30. So I chose 30 this year and I’m already at 42. So I’m aiming for 50, which should be doable. Then I might choose 50 or 60 next year to push myself. I definitely want to push myself each year.
I counted up what I read the year before, figured in lifestyle changes and came up with a number.
Reading for pleasure had been spoilt for me after years and years of studying, to the point where I didn’t read anything unless it was work related. In trying to get back to enjoying it, the first year I challenged myself to read one book a month so there was no pressure just a motivator. When I surpassed this, the next year I set a target of 15, the following 18. Then this year I went for one a fortnight. It worked! I’m back in love with books ? and reading more than ever.
Never more than 50 or I’ll just be racing than reading.
I put 100 books one year and that was a joke. I tend to savor the language and I enjoy every word so my reading isn’t as fast as some. I set my goal for 52 books this year, a book a week and I’m a bit ahead of schedule.
Depends on what I plan on reading. This year I put 100 but that is because if it is an easy read book I can read a couple in a weekend
There is a controversy about whether audio books count as books read. I have not “read” any of them. My goal is 200 books. On 138
50 one book a week
51 a week? Wow 🙂
Hilarious. How I wish I can read as much as that ?
I started off with 20. Then upped it. It’s 40 how. I’m at 38. You can even start with 1.
I always love it when they calculate how many pages you read.
I have to be realistic. I teach two college level classes on top of my 40 hour a week job, so I went with 18 this year, but I am 2 books ahead right now, so I am guessing I will reach 20.