Explaining an addiction

Are you new to the book blogging scene? Are you wondering what's up with all the reading challenge talk? Not quite sure what all the fuss is about? Wondering why all these bloggers make such a big deal about joining and finishing challenges? I'll try to answer two big questions in today's post:

What is a reading challenge?

and

What are the benefits of joining a reading challenge?

A reading challenge is typically hosted by one person or one blog. (Though this isn't always the case.) That person sets the rules and guidelines for the challenge. He/she helps facilitate participants by setting up special posts, pages, sites, or groups related to the challenge. For example, Carl, of Stainless Steel Droppings, hosts the R.I.P challenge. He posts the sign up challenge on his own blog. And he has a separate blog for posting links to the reviews.
Most reading challenges give participants rules as to how many books are required and the deadline for reading those books. 6 books for 6 months, for example. 12 books for 12 months, etc. An average book challenge might ask readers to read anywhere from six books to twelve books. (Though some are larger like the 999 challenge, the A to Z challenge, the 100+ challenge, etc.) Some are seasonal (fall, winter, spring, summer). Some are topical (science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, mysteries, romance, historical fiction, chick lit, classics, etc.) Some require reviews, some don't.

Reading challenges come in all different shapes and sizes. They all have different goals. Though typically the goal is to have fun reading books. Sometimes there is more of a challenge involved than others. Some ask you to go where you haven't gone before. To get out of your comfort zone.

The benefits. Are there benefits? Most addicts would probably say yes. I'm guessing. First, you're challenging yourself. You are setting goals and making a commitment. Can you read six classics in six months? Can you read three Shakespeare plays over the summer? Can you read five nonfiction books in five months? Can you read 100 books in a year? Second, you're meeting new people, making new friends. By joining challenges, you are bringing new readers to your own blog, and most likely, adding new blogs to your feed reader. It's a great opportunity to become part of the community. Visit other participants. See what they're reading. See if you want to read it too! Comment on their blogs! Encourage them! They'll most likely be dropping by your blog too throughout the course of the challenge. You may just make a few friends. Third, you're more likely to read books that you wouldn't have otherwise. Yes, that's a bit of an awkward sentence. But I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. Would you have read that book, that author, that genre without a little bit of motivation? a little bit of encouragement? Was this your first time to read a mystery? a romance? a thriller? Did you try an author that you thought you'd never, ever try? Did you like him/her? Will you be back for more? Reading challenges are all about growing. Growing you as a reader. So not only will your blog roll grow (most likely) and your TBR pile grow (that's a given), you may just grow as a person.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews