Reading Goals: Hype or Harmful Habit?

The digital age has seen reading transform into a quantifiable activity, with many setting ambitious yearly book goals. This trend, amplified by social media platforms like TikTok, aims to foster discipline amidst increasing distractions and declining literacy rates. However, this emphasis on metrics raises concerns about devaluing the rich experience of reading.

Experts like philosopher C Thi Nguyen argue that gamified reading goals can lead to 'value capture,' where complex personal growth is reduced to easily shareable numbers. This social currency overshadows genuine meaning, turning leisure into a competition. While some, like author Ella Risbridger, actively avoid tracking their reading, others find metrics useful as temporary tools.

Platforms like StoryGraph offer alternatives to competitive reading cultures. They allow users to set page or time goals, or engage in habit-based challenges, moving away from solely counting completed books. This approach aims to make reading more flexible and less burnout-inducing, acknowledging that effort, curiosity, and varied reading experiences hold value beyond a simple tally.

Individual readers and creators share diverse perspectives. Book influencer Jack Edwards uses gamification for personal accountability, while librarian Olivia Young-Thompson emphasizes that personal reading enjoyment shouldn't be judged by quantity. Author Jan Carson reads extensively for her profession but prioritizes specific goals like exploring an author's entire canon chronologically, highlighting that varied approaches exist for engaging with literature.