Last year I skipped creating my comprehensive list of all the book blogging and reading challenges, and I got lots of people messaging me to say that they missed it. So I decided to get back to it this year!
This is a list of everything I’ve found so far, but I’ll be adding to it daily. Entries added within the last week will be marked with ***. Feel free to let me know in the comments if you know of another challenge and I’ll add it to the list.
And if you’re considering hosting a challenge yourself, you might want to check out my guest post over at 125 Pages with advice on Running a Successful Meme or Challenge.
The Challenges
Blogging Challenges
Book Blogger Discussion Challenge @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction & It Starts at Midnight – Encourages bloggers to post discussion posts! Has a monthly giveaway.
Challenges About Challenges
Reading Challenge Addicts @ Reading Challenge Addict – Enter and complete reading challenges! (The link brings you to the About page, the sign-up for 2021 is HERE).
Cover/Title-Based Challenges
Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge @ Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book – Read books with titles from every letter of the alphabet.
AtoZ Reading Challenge @ Bookstacks & Golden Moms – Read books with titles from every letter of the alphabet. There will be mini challenges and a giveaway.
Color Coded Challenge @ My Reader’s Block – Read books that feature a specific color in the title or where the color is dominant on the cover.
Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge @ GirlXOXO – For this challenge, there are six key words associated with each month in 2019. Your task is to read one book each month whose title includes one or more of the key words for that month.
Read the Alphabet Challenge @ Do You Dog Ear? and Shooting Stars Mag – Read books with titles from every letter of the alphabet with two or three assigned letters per month. Link up as many books per month with those letters as you want. There will be quarterly giveaways!
What’s in a Name? @ Carolina Notebook – Read a book in any format (hard copy, ebook, audio) with a title that fits into each category.
Location-Based/Translated Books Challenges
14th Annual Canadian Book Challenge @ Canadian Bookworm – This one actually started in July (it starts and ends on Canada Day), but I still thought I’d mention it. Aim to read and review 13 or more Canadian books in a one year.
Aussie Author Challenge @ Booklover Book Reviews – The objective of this challenge is to showcase the quality and diversity of the books being produced by Australian authors.
Books in Translation @ Introverted Reader – Read books that have been translated.
Book Voyage: Read Around the World @ The Book Girl’s Guide – One region of the world per month. For each region, they’ll provide a list of books ranging from novels to memoirs covering a variety of cities and topics.
European Reading Challenge @ Rose City Reader – Read books by European authors or set in European countries. There will be a giveaway.
Japanese Literature Challenge @ Dolce Bellezza – Read Japanese books in translation (or in Japanese, if you’re able).
Literary Escapes Challenge @ Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Try to read 1 book set in each of the 50 states + the District of Columbia.
Oh the Places You’ll Go! 20 Books in 2021 @ Hidden Bookshelves – A way to travel, despite being stuck at home. 20 location-based prompts.
Reading India Challenge @ Books In the Time of Chaos on Twitter – An India-specific reading challenge
Read Around the World Challenge @ A Book Lover’s Adventures – 13 countries covered
Southern Literature Reading Challenge @ Introverted Reader – Read books by Southern authors set largely in the South.
The Sweet Southern Reading Challenge @ Readeropolis – Read written works of fiction primarily set in the southern United States (aka the American South or the South).
***Reading Challenge for Travel Lovers @ The Awkward Traveler – 30 prompts.
The Translation Challenge @ The StoryGraph – Includes 10 prompts.
Travel Reading Challenge @ Traveling with MJ – Between 24-30 prompts.
World Reading Challenge @ Tale_Away – This list includes 45 titles from around the globe.
Diversity or Marginalized Groups Challenges
Author Identity Challenge @zembla on The StoryGraph – Read authors from a variety of different racial, ethnic, cultural, and gender identities. Gives 18 categories.
Aussies Rule Challenge @ Doddy About Books – A specific focus on First Nations Aussies authors and Aussie authors of Colour. 24 prompts.
#BelonggReadingChallenge2021 @ Belongg on Twitter – Opportunities to read more books on diverse themes, thereby understanding the world around us a little better. One prompt per month.
Black Card Book Challenge on Facebook – Focuses on books written by black authors.
***Black Prose Club Reading Challenge @ BlackProseClub on Twitter – A Bingo-style challenge.
Diverse Poetry Challenge @StefLeavitt on The StoryGraph – Gives 20 specific authors.
Diversity Reading Challenge @ Celebrity Readers – Read as many diverse books as you can. They’ll have an optional monthly theme mini-challenge.
Diversity Reading Challenge @ Luketn av trykksverte – Read books with all types of diversity.
The FOLD Challenge @ thefoldcanada.org – Encourages booklovers to diversify their reading and their listening by asking one important question: Who’s missing?
Intersectional Feminist Reading Challenge @ Disorient – 6 prompts.
No White Writers Challenge @moonlitchild on Twitter – 15 prompts.
#QueerBookFun2021 @ Enthralled Bookworm – Bingo style.
Read Native @ American Indian Library Association – An adult version and a kids’ version.
Reading Trans Writers @dytiscusfriend on The StoryGraph – 13 prompts.
#ReadWithSumaiyya 2021 Reading Challenge @sumaiyyabooks on Twitter – Read books by Muslim, Arab, Middle Eastern or South Asian authors. A bingo-style board and/or a list of categories to read.
Reading Writers of Color 2021 @agavemonster on The StoryGraph – 15 prompts.
Sapphic Reading Challenge @ Jae – A fun, year-long event for readers of books about women who love women.
Women Writers/Books Challenges
Australian Women Writers Challenge @ Australian Women Writers – Read and review books by Australian women throughout the year.
Reading Women Challenge @ Reading Women – A list-type challenge where you read books by women authors.
Strong Women Challenge @ Books & Tea – Celebrates women in literature, both characters and authors and different ways women can be strong. 25 prompts.
Bingo or List Style
19 in 2021 Reading Challenge @ The Literary Life – A list of 19 categories.
The 52 Book Club’s Reading Challenge @ The 52 Book Club – 52 categories.
52 Books Bingo @ Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks
2021 Book Bingo Challenge @ Modern Gypsy – There are two main parts to this reading challenge: choose your bingo journey + commit to a monthly check-in.
2021 Book Challenge @ In the Thick of It – Options for one book per month or one book per week
2021 Book Club @ Blogger’s Bookshelf – 24 prompts.
2021 Reading Challenge @ Beyond the Bookends – A prompt for each month.
2021 Reading Challenge @ Better World Books – A prompt for each month.
2021 Reading Challenge @ Creating & Co. – A list of 24 categories.
2021 Reading Challenge @ The Glorious Outsiders – 30 categories.
2021 Reading Challenge @jessicacwrites on Twitter – A bingo-style challenge.
2021 Reading Challenge @ Linz the Bookworm – A checklist type challenge with several levels.
2021 Reading Challenge @ Books Are Our Superpower on Medium – A list of 52 books. To keep it exciting, each month has a theme, and the list covers fiction and non-fiction books so there is something for everyone.
2021 Reading Challenge @ Nat With Her Books on Instagram – 24 prompts.
2021 Reading Challenge @ The Penny University on Twitter – 13 prompts.
2021 Reading Challenge @ Pink & Dizzy – 12 prompts with suggestions for each.
2021 Reading Challenge @ Rachel.ie – 100 prompts.
2021 Reading Challenge @ Read with Wine – 24 prompts.
2021 Reading Challenge @ Tyger Gal Reads. – A list of 15 categories.
2021 Reading Challenge @ What We’ve Been Reading/HabitRPG – Options for 12, 25, or 52 prompts.
A Book A Week @ Booklist Queen – 52 topics.
Around the Year in 52 Books @ Goodreads – A list of 52 topics (you can find the 2021 list HERE)
Backpacking Bookworm’s 2021 Reading Challenge @ Backpacking Bookworm – A category for each month, many of which cover diversity.
Bob on Books 2021 Reading Challenge @ Bob on Books – A list of 12 categories.
Book Bingo Blackout @ Unruly Reader – Bingo-style challenge.
Bookish Jay & the Reading Mermaid Reading Challenge @ The Redolent Mermaid – 31 prompts.
Book It: You Can Read 12 Books in 12 Months @ American Lifestyle – A list of 12 categories.
Books & Tea Reading Challenge @ Books & Tea – 12 prompts.
Books in the Freezer Reading Challenge @Books in the Freezer Podcast on Twitter – 16 categories.
Book Rant’s Reading Challenge @bookrantpodcast on Twitter – 21 prompts.
Book Theme Challenge @ Matilda Iglesias – 36 prompts.
Brenda Novak’s 2021 Reader Challenge @ Brenda Novak – One book club book per month. There is a monthly $100 Brenda Novak Store gift card giveaway.
Build Your Library Reading Challenge @ Build Your Library – Over 40 categories.
Buzzword Challenge & Readathon @ Books and Lala – Each month has a designated word/word theme and you have a week to read as many books as you like with that word in the title. Alternatively, you can complete this as a year-long reading challenge, and read just ONE book each month featuring the monthly buzzword until you complete the whole challenge! You can participate on Goodreads or The StoryGraph.
Currently Reading 2021 @ Currently Reading Podcast – 12 prompts with an option to complete the challenge with only #ownvoices authors.
***Drinks With the Bees Reading Challenge @ Bookcase & Coffee – A category per month.
Ebbw Rawr 2021 Reading Challenge @ Ebbw Rawr English on Twitter – 12 prompts.
The “Emotion” Based Challenge @blebor6 on The StoryGraph – 14 prompts, each based on an emotion you’d attach to the book.
***Every Day I Write The Book Blog Challenge @ Every Day I Write The Book – 12 prompts.
FFL Reading Challenge @ Future Female Leaders – Ten prompts. (This group is billed as a “social movement for young conservative women” so that might influence their book suggestions.)
Folklore – Taylor Swift Challenge @ The StoryGraph – A year-long reading challenge with prompts themed around Taylor Swift’s latest album, Folklore!
For the Love of Books Reading Challenge @ Books, Interrupted – 30 prompts.
***For Reading Addicts Challenge @ For Reading Addicts – Has Easy, Hard, and Super Reader options.
Genreland Reading Challenge on Goodreads – Categories for each month. You can find the 2021 list HERE.
Jen’s Reading Challenge 2021 on Facebook – A category for each month.
The Modern Mrs. Darcy Reading Challenge @ Modern Mrs. Darcy – A choose-your-own-adventure reading challenge with a kit to get you started so you can create your personalized list of twelve Reading Challenge prompts, tailor-made to your needs.
Monthly Motif Reading Challenge @ Girlxoxo – Each month has a different theme (click on the link to see them).
The Nerd Daily’s 2021 Reading Challenge @ The Nerd Daily – 52 prompts.
NJM Book Challenge @ Nicki J. Markus’s blog – 25 topics (with a fun graphic).
#notaproperbookclub 2021 Reading Challenge @Ladbroa01 on Twitter – Bingo style
NoveList Book Challenge @ NoveList – Choose between the Beginner list or the Book Challenge Afficionados list.
Popsugar Reading Challenge – A checklist of 40 different categories of books to read!
Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge @ Take a Walk Down Gregory Road – Tons of categories and different ways you can complete the challenge.
Pretty Mess Reading Challenge @ Pretty Mess Reading – 26 categories.
Professional Book Nerds Reading Challenge @ Professional Book Nerds – 12 categories. There will be a giveaway for a reading device. (You can listen to the podcast announcing the challenge HERE).
A RAD Reading Challenge @ Rachel A. Dawson – 9 prompts.
Rai’s Reading Challenge @ Aspects of Me – 20 categories.
Read Harder Challenge @ Book Riot – 24 categories of books to read. If you finish, you get a 30% off coupon for Out of Print.
Reading Challenge 2021 @anindianreader on Instagram – New categories each month with quarterly giveaways.
Reading Challenge 2021 @ Elif the Reader – 20 topics.
Reading Challenge 2021 @ Fully Booked – 20 topics.
Reading Challenge 2021 @ Once Upon a Read – Bingo style.
Reading with Muffy Challenge @ Kohl Eyed Me – 21 prompts with giveaways every month.
Reshelving Alexandria 2021 Reading Challenges @ Reshelving Alexandria – A few different options: 2021 Reading Challenge, Bonus Reading Challenge (1-page version) and 2-page version
Something Bookish Reading Challenge @ The Something Bookish Podcast – I don’t actually know what this one is because I didn’t listen to the podcast, but I assume it’s prompt-based. If you listen, let me know what this one’s all about!
Stacked Reviews 2021 Reading Challenge @ Stacked Reviews – 20 prompts. There will be a giveaway!
Stellar Reading Challenges @ Starry Night Elf – There are 7 total challenges, and they encourage Gnomies to do 1 or more to earn digital badges.
TBNT Book Challenge @ Two Book Nerds Talking Podcast – Two prompt options for each month.
Thoughtful Reading Challenge @ Book Thoughts from Bed – One prompt per month.
Unabridged Reading Challenge @Unabridged Podcast on Twitter – 10 prompts.
Uncorked Reading Challenge @ The Uncorked Librarian – A theme for each month.
Unread Shelf Project @ The Unread Shelf – A theme for each month
The Very Comforting, No Pressure, It’s All Going to Be Okay 2021 Reading Challenge @Home/School/Life – 40 topics that focus on comfort and joy.
***Wat’cha Reading? 24 Book Challenge @ Desert View MS & Library on Twitter – 24 prompts.
While I Was Reading Reading Challenge @ While I Was Reading – A category-based challenge with 12 categories.
Wise Wolf Books Reading Challenge @ Wise Wolf Books on Twitter – 7 prompts.
Xepherus Reads 2021 Reading Challenge @ Xepherus Reads – 50 prompts.
Challenges for Specific Genres/Age Groups
Romance
I Read Romance Challenge @ Word Crumbs – Lots of prompts. Site is in Italian, but most of the list is not (you can use Google Translate if you’d like).
Romance Book Reading Challenge @ She Reads Romance Books – A theme for each month.
Classics
1000 Books Project: French Classics 2021 @ Gather Together and Read – Read The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Les Misèrables by Victor Hugo.
Austen Lovers TBR Challenge @ Goodreads – This one’s a Goodreads Group based challenge to read books by Austen, about Austen, or other Austenesque books.
Back to the Classics Challenge @ Books and Chocolate – A different theme each month. This challenge has a giveaway.
Georgian Reading Challenge @ Becky’s Book Reviews – Read books from the Georgian era (either 1714-1830 OR 1744-1837).
Nick’s Aubrey & Maturin Chapter-a-Week 4 Year Readalong Odyssey @ One Catholic Life – This is a 4-year long challenge starting in 2021 to read the full Patrick O’Brian series, one chapter per week.
Nick’s Chapter-a-Day Readalong @ One Catholic Life – Read one chapter a day all year long. This year they’ll be reading and discussing: The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero by Henryk Sienkiewicz, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo, David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, and The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.
Read Classics in 2021 #Classics Community on Youtube
Reading Classic Books Challenge @ The Broken Spine – There are 12 challenge prompts but don’t feel like you have to do them all. Do as many as you want, and you can double up on the prompts. The goal is simple – read more classic books.
Victorian Reading Challenge @ Becky’s Book Reviews – Read Victorian books with a theme for each month. Or just read one Victorian book per quarter.
Victorian Reading Challenge @ Belle’s Library – Read Victorian books (published between 1837-1901) or books set in the Victorian era.
When Are You Reading Challenge @ Taking on a World of Words – Read one book from each of twelve time periods (pre-1300s to present)
Mysteries
Beachcomber Mystery Reading Challenge @ Rick Mills Project – Bingo-style games with categories for Crime Scenes, Detectives, Victims, and Weapons. There will be multiple giveaways at the end of the year.
British Crime Classics Challenge @ The Book Decoder – Read British crime novels that were written before 1965. There are categories you can choose to use if you wish.
Calendar of Crime Challenge @ My Reader’s Block – A list of crime and mystery options for every month.
Cloak and Dagger Challenge @ Carol’s Notebook – Read books from the mystery/suspense/thriller/crime genres.
Craving for Cozies @ Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book – Just what it sounds like. This challenge also has a FB group if you want more interaction.
Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge @ Socrates’ Book Reviews – This year there are two options: read from specific sub-genres or read cozy mysteries of your choice.
Medical Examiner Mystery Reading Challenge @ Rick Mills Project – In this fun challenge, you are the Medical Examiner, and your goal is to examine as many homicide victims as you can during 2019 by reading murder mysteries. There will be multiple giveaways at the end of the year.
The Purrfect Reading Challenge @ Socrates’ Book Reviews – Read mysteries that have cats as the main characters.
Six Shooter Mystery Reading Challenge @ Rick Mills Project – Shoot (read) six mysteries by the same target (author) during 2021.
Vintage Scattergories (Vintage Mystery Challenge) @ My Reader’s Block – Read mysteries from the Golden or Silver Mystery Eras. There will be periodic giveaways.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Paranormal
Dungeons & Randomness Book Challenge @ Dungeons & Randomness – A category for each month. Hosted by a booktuber, and you can also follow along on Twitter, Discord and Facebook (check out the description on YouTube for links).
Dystopia Reading Challenge @ Game, Read, Teach – Has an optional bingo card and a bi-annual link-up. The challenge has two giveaways.
Fantasy Reading Challenge @ Books in Wonderland – Prompts for each month with a suggestion with each.
Marvel Themed Reading Challenge @asweetdevouring on Twitter – 21 Marvel-related categories.
***Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge @ Kreative Books – A theme for each month
SFF Badge Collection @ Spells & Spaceships – Earn a badge for each different category of SFF you read. 21 (really cute) badges!
Sirens Reading Challenge @ Sirens – Read 25 specific fantasy books written by women and non-binary authors. (You can substitute books if you need to.)
SpaceTime Reading Challenge @ Jemima Pett’s blog – Read books that are space-based or involve time travel count.
Religious
Annual Reading Challenge for Kids & Teens @ Redeemed Reader – Christian categories (such as a book about missions) alongside categories like realistic fiction or mystery
Christian Reading Challenge @ Challies – A checklist-type challenge that offers lots of fun options for reading!
Family Reading Challenge @ Soli Deo Gloria – A prompts per month.
Growing4Life Bible Reading Challenge @ Growing4Life – Each month will have an assigned 4 to 5 chapters, with an assigned “focus” chapter each week. (Focuses heavily on Matthew.)
Intentional By Grace Reading Challenge @ Intentional by Grace – Have to sign up and then you’ll get all the prompts and info via email.
Themed Reading: World Religions @ Roof Beam Reader – Read six different specific religious texts throughout the year.
Kids/MG/YA Challenges
Children’s Books Reading Challenge… For Adults! @ Belle’s Library – Read youth or young adult fiction.
Children’s Classic Read @ Book Hippie – A list of 12 books to read.
Children’s Historical Fiction Reading Challenge @ Bloggin’ ‘Bout Books – 25 categories.
Explore New Horizons Reading Challenge @ Good Books for Catholic Kids – Printable lists of 21 book categories for kids. There is a middle/high school version, and elementary version and a picture book version. (Only one category had anything to do with religion and referred to reading a book about a saint.)
YA Addicted Book Club Challenges on Goodreads – The YA Addicted Book Club runs several challenges. This year, they have an A-Z challenge by location, a 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge, Find that Trope Bingo, Genre Bingo, and a challenge called Find your Flight that allows the reader to choose from multiple paths or “flights.”
Newbery Reading Challenge @ Smiling Shelves – Read Newbery and Caldecott books!
NLF Reading Challenge @ NLF Online – Junior Readers. There are 2 Tracks for the Challenge: the Competitive and the Non-Competitive Track. Click HERE for details.
Reshelving Alexandria 2021 Kids Reading Challenge @ Reshelving Alexandria – 12 categories
Historical
Decades Reading Challenge @ The Book Girls’ Guide – Each month, you’ll read a book SET in a different decade, in chronological order. The book doesn’t have to be written during the decade, just take place during it. There are 20+ recommendations for each decade.
Historical Fiction Reading Challenge @ The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader
Historical Fiction through the Ages @inkyspines on The StoryGraph – This challenge is to record books read about different eras and time periods, rather than written or published in that time period. 21 prompts for different eras (all the way up to the 1980s).
Historical Romance Book Bingo @ Ally’s Appraisals
***The World of HistFic Reading Challenge @ #HFChitChat on Twitter – Spend 2021 on a literary journey through the past and around the globe! There are columns for historical period, country, and genre, and you can mix and match.
***Unlocking the Past Reading Challenge @ Dangerously Good Historical Romance – Read a different time period each month. Includes monthly giveaways!
Non-fiction
Academic Reading Challenge @ Reading & Listening – 15 categories and 4 extra credit categories.
***Fiction-NonFiction Challenge @ A Bookworm’s Musing – 20 categories. Read 10 fiction and 10 non-fiction books.
Language on the Move Challenge @ Language on the Move – One recommended book per month. Goal is to encourage broad reading in the linguistics discipline and beyond, and to make linguistics reading fun. Anyone with an interest in the intersection of linguistic diversity and social life can join.
Nonfiction Reader Challenge @ Book’d Out
Presidential Biographies @elsayles on The StoryGraph – Read a biography of each of the presidents.
Other Genres
***Fanfic Reading Challenge @ Juulna on Tumblr – Read fan fiction!
Humor Reading Challenge @ Whatever I Think Of – Any book (fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, graphic novels, poetry collections, plays, picture books) labeled as humor counts.
***I Read Horror Year Round Challenge @ Castle Macabre – 12 prompts.
Manga Reading Challenge @ Anime-Planet – Choose from any manga, manhwa, light novel, or more. On a related note, they also have an Anime Watching Challenge.
Memoir Reading Challenge @ Whatever I Think Of – To participate, you must read a minimum of five memoirs from any of the categories listed.
Poetry Reading Challenge @ Savvy Verse & Wit – Multiple options: Sign up for Poem-a-Day and read a poem a day for a week once a month and write about them. Or read poetry books.
Thrills ‘N Chills Reading Challenge on Twitter – 25 prompts for horror/thrillers/etc.
Multiple Genres
Diversify Your Reading Challenge @ Mongan Moments – Encourages you to read from new genres! Each month, pick a book from the specified genre.
Out of the Comfort Zone @NovelistAnne on The StoryGraph – Read 12 books this year from a genre that is not your preferred genre.
Out of Your Comfort Zone @ Bookcheschirecate – The aim of this challenge is to read books that you consider to be outside of your comfort zone.
TBR/Backlist Challenges
#21in2021TBRChallenge @theoverbookedreader on Instagram – Pick 21 books from your TBR list t0 read in 2021.
The Backlist Reader Challenge @ The Bookwyrm’s Hoard – Read the older titles on your want-to-read list. There will be at least one giveaway.
Beat the Backlist Challenge @ Novel Knight – This fun challenge encourages you to read books that were published prior to 2021.
***Clear the TBR Pile @ BTS Book Club on Twitter – A category per month.
Clear Those Shelves @Bookswhitme on The StoryGraph – 52 prompts to help you read books you own.
I Will Read All of The Books on My Bookshelf @ HarpistWithABookshelf on The StoryGraph – Read the books you own. Includes seven prompts.
Mount TBR Reading Challenge @ My Reader’s Block – Applies to books you already own.
Reading Through My Shelves @inkyspines on The Storygraph – 12 prompts to read books on your shelves.
Read Your Bookshelf Challenge @ An Intentional Life – A prompt for every month.
Read Your (Book) Shelf Challenge @ Gather Together and Read – For this one, you literally read 12 books across (or up or down, if you stack) on your bookshelf.
#ShelfLove 2021 Challenge @ Fortified by Books – Abstain from buying books or set a book buying limit and focus on clearing your physical and virtual TBR bookshelves for the entire year. Click HERE for the current sign-up.
Tackle My TBR Challenge @ Kimberlyfaye Reads – Read at least one book from your TBR each month. Includes tracking templates and optional monthly themes.
***The TBR 21 in ’21 Challenge @ Rose City Reader – Read 21 books from your TBR.
***The TBR Backlog Challenge @ Roni Loren – Read books based on the year purchased or the year published to find the books you’ve forgotten about.
TBR Challenge @ The Misadventures of Super Librarian – Once a month, pull a dormant book out of your TBR pile and read it! The challenge has optional theme ideas.
VIRTUAL Mount TBR Reading Challenge @ My Reader’s Block – For people with a mile-long “wish-list” of a TBR. The strategy and general set-up is the same as Mt. TBR–except you don’t have to own the books.
Review Book Challenges
NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge @ Socrates’ Book Reviews… – Clear out those review books!
Raider of the Lost ARCs @ Geeky Zoo Girl – A Monopoly style gameboard to help you read those ARCs!
Series Challenges
Finishing the Series Challenge @ Celebrity Readers – This challenge is focused on finally finishing those series that you’ve started but not yet completed.
Series Enders Reading Challenge @ Somewhere Only We Know & Words Fueled by Love – This challenge is for all of you series readers who are scared to death of that last book in the series. This challenge has a monthly giveaway.
Author Challenges
Alphabet Soup–Author Edition Reading Challenge @ Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book – Read one book that has an author whose first name or last name starts with every letter of the alphabet.
Debut Author Challenge @ Books of Amber – Read debut authors.
Specific Series/Author Challenges
Around the Discworld in 365 Days @ The StoryGraph – Read all 41 of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books.
Turtle Recall Challenge @ A Dance With Books – Read books set in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld.
Read Christie Challenge @ Agatha Christie Website
New Release Challenges
New Release Challenge @ (un)Conventional Bookworms – Read and review books released in 2021.
Re-Reading Challenges
Read It Again, Sam @ My Reader’s Block
Re-Read Challenge @ Novel Heartbeat
Format Challenges
Audiobook Challenge @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer & That’s What I’m Talking About – Listen to audiobooks! There will be two giveaways during the year.
COYER Seasons @ Because Reading Is Better Than Real Life – Read free (or nearly free) e-books and write reviews for them. This year there are some seasonal twists.
Epistolary Reading Challenge @ Whatever I Think Of – Read books written in the form of letters, diaries, blogs, e-mails and such, either completely or partially written this way.
***Libro.fm Audiobook Challenge @ Libro.fm – 24 prompts.
New (To You) Narrator Challenge @ Introverted Reader – Listen to audiobooks read by narrators who are new to you.
Read It All @ Books & Tea – There are 24 prompts, enough for two a month, but these aren’t limited to books – this is open to everything, from short stories and novellas to audio dramas, graphic novels and fan fiction.
Short Story Reading Challenge @ Short Story Book Club – One prompt per month.
Long Books Challenges
Chunkster Challenge @ Becky’s Book Reviews – Read books that are 450+ pages long.
Book to Movie/TV Challenges
Book to Movie Reading Challenge @ Gather Together and Read – Read books that have been/are being made into movies and TV series!
Fandom Challenges
Gilmore Girls Reading Challenge @ From the Library of Jules Bruono – Monthly themes, with 5 personalized recommendations for each month.
Hamilton Reading Challenge @ Aida loves Daisy Jones & the Six on Twitter – 24 Hamilton prompts.
PJ Harvey Reading Challenge @ The Next Best Book Blog – The goal is to cross off as many of PJ Harvey’s songs as you can throughout the course of 2021. You cross off the songs by reading a book that meets the criteria listed after each song title.
Psych Reading Challenge @voidshelves on The StoryGraph – A collection of reading prompts based on the acclaimed comedy television show Psych!
Sister Reads Challenge @ Callaloo Soup – Prompts inspired by Hamilton.
The (Unofficial) TMA Reading Challenge @ bookblr but make Chaotic Neutral – A reading challenge using elements from The Magnus Archives podcast as prompt inspiration!
Number of Books/Pages
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks @ Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks – Read 52 bingobooks. There are lots of mini challenges to help you along the way.
Topical Challenges
Creativity Reading Challenge @ Whatever I Think Of! – This challenge is about reading books on creativity, art, crafts, writing, filmmaking, photography, cosmetology, DIY, cooking, music and any other topic that helps you live a more creative life.
Foodies Read @ Based on a True Story – Read books that center on food in some way! This challenge has a monthly giveaway.
Gaia/Nature Reading Challenge @ Gum Trees & Galaxies – 6 topics that focus on nature.
Mental Health Reading Challenge @ Whatever I Think Of! – Read books related to mental health, fiction or non-fiction.
What an Animal Reading Challenge @ Socrates’ Book Reviews – Read fiction or nonfiction in which an animal plays a major role.
Witchy Year Reading Challenge @ Julie Cornwell – This reading challenge is unique because it includes fiction and nonfiction books about witchcraft.
World War II Challenge @ Becky’s Book Reviews – Read, Watch, Listen, Share WWII related stuff
Book Award Challenges
Book Award Challenge @ GirlXOXO – Read at least 1 book each month that has WON a book award in that month (any year).
Reading A Shortlist Challenge @ Bookish Luna – Read the International Booker Prize 2020 Shortlist.
Challenges in Non-English Languages
Hebban Reading Challenge @ Hebban – A reading challenge in Dutch.
Misc. Challenges
2020 & 2021 Reading Challenge on Goodreads – Join this Goodreads group to participate in a bunch of different challenges that they organize
The Challenge Factory on Goodreads – Another Goodreads group dedicated to reading challenges.
COYER Community @ Because Reading Is Better Than Real Life – An incredibly supportive community, complete with lots of mini-challenges. You can earn points toward a giveaway each season by participating in different activities like buddy reads, linking up reviews, commenting on reviews, being a pen pal and more!
Library Love Challenge @ Angel’s Guilty Pleasures and Books of My Heart – Show your library some love! There will be four giveaways with this challenge!
Literary Loners Reading Challenge @ Readeropolis – Read books featuring a character identified as a loner, outcast, recluse, wallflower, or introvert. OR read works written by writers known to have been loners or recluses (or about real people who are).
Mood Reading Challenge @ Silver Button Books – The book can be from your TBR, from another challenge, etc. You only have to read it because the mood moves you and not because a review is due, a publication date is looming, you said you would or the plethora of other ways we make up to turn reading from a joy into a chore.
The Read Better Challenge on Twitter – Includes A monthly book club on Discord, One (anti)prompt a month, Giveaways, A cool notion page, A podcast and A reading tracker.
Reading Glasses Challenge @ Reading Glasses Podcast – I didn’t listen to the podcast, so I’m not sure what this one’s all about. If you listen, let me know the details!
The StoryGraph Challenges Page – I started listing all of these separately, but then I realized that there are hundreds of challenges that people have created on The StoryGraph. I’m not going to delete the ones I’ve already added, and I may still add a few if they seem to fill a void, but I’m not going to add each challenge individually anymore. Check out the list for LOTS of challenges (and you can also search for challenges by keywords)!
Worlds Without End Roll Your Own Challenge @ Worlds Without End – The RYO is actually a whole group of unique reading challenges created by WWEnd members that you can pick from. As the name suggests, if you don’t like what’s on the list you can create your own challenge.
I’ll be adding to this list as I see more sign-ups. Feel free to let me know in the comments of my announcement post for this list if you know of others!!
Some of these are tempting! I’ve signed up for tons of challenges in past years and finished exactly 0 of them. I’ll probably end up sticking to the Goodreads Challenge and your Discussion Challenge. I’m not even great at those!
That’s what I did last year (and I’ve failed my own challenge!). That’s actually one of the reasons I didn’t put up my list last year—but so many people asked me about it that I decided I needed to do it again this year!
Awesome list. Thank you for featuring the Library Love Challenge ^_^.
Thanks for hosting it!
This is wildly impressive! I cannot believe there are SO many bookish challenges out there, my goodness! There are so many unique and creative ones, there is no doubt something for everyone here!
This list is AMAZING and SO VERY HELPFUL. Lauren from Shooting Stars Mag and I are doing a Read the Alphabet Challenge next year! It was something I tried to start this year, but only she ended up participating. ? We’re going to try and promote it better this year, and I think having a partner will definitely help. Seriously, this list is fantastic. Thank you! Bookmarking it now.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ?
Make sure to let me know when you have a sign-up posted so I can add it to the list!
Will do!
I saw the post today and went ahead and added it. 🙂
Thank you!!
WOW!!! What a list!!!
impressive!!
Wow, what a thorough list! Thank you very much for compiling and sharing it.
This is such a great list! Thank you for adding my #ShelfLove challenge! 🙂
You’re very welcome! Thanks for hosting it!
This is so wonderfully helpful, thank you!
I also came across Adam’s Themed Reading in World Religions, at Roof Beam Reader, and I think I”ll be joining that one: https://roofbeamreader.com/2020/12/17/2021-themed-reading-world-religions/
Thank you so much for pointing that one out to me—I added it to the list!
This is brilliant! Thank you so much for featuring Backpacking Bookworm ?
You’re very welcome!
Happy Holidays! I have two challenges:
(1) Reading Classic Books https://thebrokenspinedotnet.wordpress.com/2020/12/23/2021-reading-classic-books-challenge/
(2)Slow Read of The Count of Monte Cristo https://thebrokenspinedotnet.wordpress.com/slow-read-the-count-of-monte-cristo-schedule/
WOW! I had no idea there were so many challenges out there! It’ll be my fourth year to participate in the Popsugar Challenge. I do like adding a few week-long ones in the spring or summer to knock out some of those backlist books, as well. I’ll be bookmarking this to come back to. Thank you so much for organizing and sharing! <3
The sheer number of challenges always astounds me too!
Thank you so much for putting together this amazing, comprehensive list! & Thanks for also including my reading challenge ?
Happy to help spread the word!
Yay! So glad you did this again! I bookmarked it and am just now getting around to going through and trying to decide what to do this year. I know I need to totally concentrate on back log books, but I also need to do some writing next year!
Thank you so much for taking the time to compile this list every year. I haven’t decided which ones I’m going to do in 2021 yet so I really appreciate having this as a handy reference. 🙂
[…] challenges, but not this time. I’m taking it easy! If your looking for challenges check out Feed Your Fiction Addiction 2021 Reading/Book Challenge List or GirlXOXO 2021 Master […]
Hi Nicole,
I’ve just shared the World Reading Challenge for 2021 if you’re interested in taking a look! You can find it here:
https://taleaway.com/world-reading-challenge-books-around-the-globe-2021
Hope you have a wonderful year of reading ahead!
– Ash
[…] Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction has an amazing list of ALL challenges, both reading and blogging, for 2021! […]
Thanks for including my poetry challenge
[…] out our Master List of 2021 Reading Challenges – and another very comprehensive list is at Feed Your Fiction Addiction List of 2021 Reading/Book Blogging Challenges. And don’t forget the 3 reading challenges that we’re […]
[…] challenges, but not this time. I’m taking it easy! If your looking for challenges check out Feed Your Fiction Addiction 2021 Reading/Book Challenge List or GirlXOXO 2021 Master […]