I didn't set a reading challenge last year... for the first time in a decade

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0:00 intro + reflections on reading slowly
4:19 impact on the number of books I read
5:27 the length of books and "staying on track"
7:05 motivation to read & reading slumps
8:45 reflecting on what it means to read
14:30 finishing bad books
14:55 will I set a goal this year?
15:20 keeping track of reading
16:18 avoiding pressure
18:06 final reflections

[marieke]

It's the same like studying just for a good grade instead of studying for knowledge. Like walking for tracking steps instead for our health. Like visiting instragrammable places and taking selfies instead of sitting on a bench, watching people. I think these are general problems we have nowadays: We always think about our life and ourself as something "to show others" (especially online), something that has to be created and curated. It's this misbelief that things aren't real if we haven't posted them, that things don't count if we haven't tracked them: magazines we've read, the walks without a smartwatch. I think tracking and counting is helpful to start a good habit, to push yourself, but not to really enjoy life.

[marievanloon]

I didn't set one this year either, for the first time in years. I already feel more enjoyment in reading, valuing quality over quantity.

[WanderingGhost]

For me is about enjoying what I read and get something meaningful out of it than how many books I read and the speed that I will read them.

[TMC]

It’s wonderful that you’re giving reading more intentionality. Your explanation of extrinsic versus intrinsic motivation was enlightening! Reading challenges didn’t work for me, especially trying to keep up with my Goodreads friends, so I stopped. What helps me is to intentionally set aside time for reading each day. Making it a habit — without making it a competition — surprisingly improved my reading.

[Cyn-ft]

As someone who has never set a reading goal, I quite agree with you, Ruby! I can see how setting a goal could help with motivation (and heavens, have I needed that sometimes), but I can also see how it might stop you from reading deeply and slowly.
And I agree that reading different kinds of literature is just as valuable as reading novels. I'm happy to read anything and everything that gives me new thoughts to think and new ways of seeing the world.

[RW]

I could never put a number on the books I read.
I have my commonplace, which I constantly write words I've looked up, quotes, location identifiers for other information that I want to look up.
Such things are cafés, bars, and hotels mentioned. This means it can take two weeks to read a reasonable book.
This began after being introduced to JP Donleavy. One of his novels takes place largely in Dublin. In 1983, I flew to Dublin and asked the taxi driver to take me to 'The Shelbourne Hotel', not knowing if it actually existed. It did. Now I love to visit places in novels.

[zekymmer]

My son suggested we get on Goodreads last spring so 2024 was the first goal I had ever set. I set it at 10 books because I had no clue what my goal should be! I read double that at 20, so this year I put it at 20 and I’ll see if I go higher then adjust it for the next year if I continue challenges. For me reading is truly for pleasure and an escape and I’m an information hound, so lots of nonfiction! So I guess we’ll see how this year goes. My son stopped using Goodreads about 5 months into it. We’ll see if I keep it up! Thank you for this wonderful thought provoking video, Ruby!

[A.H._]

in 2023, i read 80 books. in 2024, i read 11. MASSIVE drop. life got in the way, health issues got in the way and my brain couldn’t cooperate. now, i’m recuperating slowly, but it’s really hard.

i also like feeling like i’m achieving things, so i did set a goal this year: to read 365 hours. not one everyday, but in total 365 hours. so when life is harder, i just won’t read. and i know some days i will marathon 10+ hours of reading, on good days when i’m too immersed in a book (i AM a long book girlie, like reeaaaally long books), so it all works out in the end. i won’t feel pressured if i’m reading one book that takes me a whole month, or if i’m reading unpublished books by friends i’m beta reading for. i won’t feel demoralized if i end up having to reread one page a thousand times because my brain is foggy that day, at the end of the day it all counts toward the goal! i can also take my time reading slowly, tasting the words, enjoying the ride without caring about how much i’m reading. this year, i’m taking my time to smell the roses.

i’ll keep track on goodreads and storygraph like i’ve been doing so far, but i won’t care about numbers other than the hours i spend reading. also, i’ll keep track of everything (including non-books!) in my reading journal. let’s hope it works and this year is heaps better than last.

[eltrym]

Hi Ruby, I am new to reading regularly, even though I am relatively old in age. I definitely have more time on my hands these days to read. But this year I discovered I am autistic. I learnt that I needed a hobby that I could become totally engrossed in in order to stop myself ruminating and self escalating my emotions to a 10 on a 1-10 scale. I'm pleased to report that it works a treat!
I have never set a reading goal but I do like to start another book after I have finished one, to always have a book on the go to escape into.
Just yesterday I took with me in my handbag the beautiful Macmillan collector's edition of Alice in Wonderland to a meeting which I feared might be trying for me. To be able to just read the first few pages put me straight at ease because the story is so far from reality. When, at times, I find reality hard and painful, being able to escape it into the world an author has made for me as the reader is an absolute godsend.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I really appreciate it. X

[penultimateh]

Very insightful Ruby, thank you. I don't consider myself a "reader" per se, I consider myself to be "curious". I want to hear what all these writers have to say, and I also subscribe to magazines on topics like science and news and theology, and I never really set a goal. You're so sweet!

[kevinwright]

I really look forward to listening to your posts - for me an ideal reading challenge is reading is anthologies or a long book which you can pick up and put down over the course of a year...
Happy new year MMXXV

[sophiependragon]

I had the same thing happen to me when I was tracking my studying, it started being about that dopamine high and external validation rather than because I actually enjoyed it. And when I didn’t track other aspects of learning (I only tracked formal studying), I felt as if they had less value. I stopped tracking a year ago and it’s so much better now because my motivation is no longer a dopamine high but the actual enjoyment of the thing. Very inspiring.

[lenamorrison]

Thanks for this video Ruby! I set my reading goal quite low so as not to feel pressured but still feel accomplished. It has been working for me for the past few years.

[emmalydia]

I always set my goal at 100 books. For me that’s an easy goal, I tend to read between 150-200 books a year. I just love goals, lists, etc. It motivates me to read the books that feels intimidating😊

[aanne]

One book I recommend everyone to read in 2025 is Your Life Your Game by Keezano...It beautifully shows how connecting with God and building meaningful relationships can lead to spiritual growth and success in both your personal and professional life. This book truly changed my life-a must-read. Thank you

[wills]

Nice one Ruby. I once stumbled across an internet site (circa 2003) where the number of book pages read and the number of words read appeared to be the sole focus of the content creator. Assuming that he (and it was a bloke) read, say, 100 books annually the site was a blizzard of numerical data. Most peculiar.

[haribobjornernam]

i agree with you a lot on this, ruby! i stopped setting numerical goals a couple years back too, and felt my reading became so much more intentional from it 🥰

[lostaj]

What i really like about storygraph is the 'not a book' option, which lets me track all my fanfiction, article and manuscript reading

[Mimiisreading]

What a wonderful video Ruby! Very thought provoking…I find myself stressed out about not reading hundreds of books every year but then I remember that yes my current read of Jane Eyre may have taken me 6 weeks, but what a wonderful 6 weeks it has been! I does not matter how long it takes you just have to enjoy it! :)

[LuiCSings]

Agreed. Having a numerical number feels like I’m grinding just to reach an arbitrary number. Same thing when I play games to increase the hours I played for a character, so I agree with this attitude for reading and other hobbies in general