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Creating Reading Challenges

Reading challenges are an excellent way to motivate readers, drive engagement, and boost book sales. As a Premium subscriber, you can create custom challenges for your bookstore community.

Requirements​

To create reading challenges, you need:

  • Premium Subscription: Challenge creation is a Premium feature
  • Store Setup: Your bookstore must be set up and active
Premium Feature

Reading challenges are available to Premium subscribers. They're a powerful tool for increasing engagement and driving book discovery.

Creating a New Challenge​

From the Read Tab​

  1. Navigate to the Read tab in the BookWish app
  2. Tap the Create button (+ icon)
  3. Select Create Reading Challenge
  4. If you don't have Premium, you'll see an upgrade prompt

Challenge Creation Form​

When creating a challenge, you'll configure:

Required Fields:

  • Challenge Name: A clear, motivating name (minimum 3 characters)

    • Examples: "Summer Reading Challenge 2025", "Read Around the World", "Mystery March"

  • Start Date: When the challenge begins

    • Can be immediate or scheduled for the future
    • Must be today or later

  • End Date: When the challenge ends

    • Must be after the start date
    • Recommended: 30-90 days for most challenges

Optional Fields:

  • Description: Details about the challenge, goals, and prizes
    • Example: "Read 5 mystery novels by June 30th to unlock exclusive store discounts!"

Challenge Duration​

Common challenge lengths:

  • One Month: Quick, focused challenges (e.g., "Read 3 Books in March")
  • Season (3 months): Seasonal themes (e.g., "Summer Reading Challenge")
  • Year-Long: Annual reading goals (e.g., "2025 Reading Challenge - 52 Books")
Optimal Duration

30-90 day challenges tend to have the highest completion rates. Year-long challenges work better for returning participants.

Challenge Types​

BookWish supports different challenge formats based on how you structure the book list:

Open Challenges​

Participants can read ANY books to meet the goal.

Best for:

  • General reading promotion
  • Reading quantity goals
  • Broad participation
  • New readers

Example: "Read 5 books this summer - any books count!"

Setup:

  • Create challenge with dates
  • Don't add specific books (or add suggestions only)
  • Focus on number of books read

Curated Challenges​

Participants must read from a specific list of books.

Best for:

  • Genre exploration
  • Author spotlights
  • Thematic reading
  • Store inventory promotion

Example: "Read 3 books from our Local Authors collection"

Setup:

  • Create challenge with dates
  • Add specific books to the challenge (Books tab)
  • Participants choose from your list
  • Mark certain books as "Spotlight" for emphasis

Hybrid Challenges​

Participants choose some books from your list, others freely.

Best for:

  • Flexible engagement
  • Introducing new books while allowing choice
  • Balanced discovery

Example: "Read 4 books: at least 2 from our recommendations, plus 2 of your choice"

Setup:

  • Add recommended books to the challenge
  • In description, explain the hybrid format
  • Honor system for free choices

Adding Books to Challenges​

Curated Book Lists​

  1. Go to your challenge page
  2. Select the Books tab
  3. Tap Add Book
  4. Search for books by title, author, or ISBN
  5. Add books one at a time

Spotlight Books​

Mark specific books as "Spotlight" to give them extra visibility:

  • Featured at the top of the book list
  • Displayed with a special badge
  • Great for promoting new releases or staff picks

Book Details​

For each book in your challenge, you can optionally add:

  • Why it's included
  • Reading notes or themes
  • Related discussion prompts

Running Your Challenge​

Before Launch​

Promote the challenge:

  • Announce in your store
  • Post on social media
  • Email your customer list
  • Display signage in-store

Prepare resources:

  • Stock challenge books prominently
  • Create reading guides or bookmarks
  • Set up a dedicated display area
  • Consider offering completion rewards

During the Challenge​

Keep momentum:

  • Post weekly progress updates
  • Share participant milestones
  • Highlight different books from the list
  • Create discussion prompts
  • Celebrate completions

Engage participants:

  • Comment on their progress
  • Ask for reviews and reactions
  • Share reading tips
  • Build community around the challenge

After Completion​

Celebrate success:

  • Announce completers
  • Award prizes or recognition
  • Share statistics (total books read, most popular titles)
  • Thank participants

Gather feedback:

  • Ask what worked well
  • Get book suggestions for next time
  • Learn what participants enjoyed

Challenge Ideas for Bookstores​

Seasonal Challenges​

Spring Reading Challenge

  • Read 4 books about growth, renewal, or gardening
  • Duration: March 1 - May 31
  • Mix fiction and non-fiction

Summer Reading Adventure

  • Read 6 books from different genres
  • Duration: June 1 - August 31
  • Include beach reads and lighter fare

Fall Reading Challenge

  • Read 5 books with autumn themes
  • Duration: September 1 - November 30
  • Feature cozy mysteries and literary fiction

Winter Reading Marathon

  • Read 7 books to stay warm this winter
  • Duration: December 1 - February 28
  • Emphasize longer novels and series

Genre Challenges​

Mystery Month

  • Read 3 mystery or thriller novels
  • Duration: 30 days
  • Curated list of classic and new mysteries

Romance Reading Challenge

  • Read 5 romance novels in different sub-genres
  • Duration: February (or any month)
  • Historical, contemporary, paranormal, etc.

SciFi & Fantasy Quest

  • Read 4 speculative fiction books
  • Duration: 90 days
  • Include both sci-fi and fantasy options

Themed Challenges​

Read Around the World

  • Read books from 6 different countries
  • Duration: 3 months
  • Promotes diversity and global perspectives

Book to Movie Challenge

  • Read 5 books before seeing their film adaptations
  • Duration: Seasonal (summer blockbuster season)
  • Time with upcoming movie releases

Local Authors Spotlight

  • Read 3 books by local or regional authors
  • Duration: 60 days
  • Supports local literary community

Diverse Voices Challenge

  • Read books by authors from underrepresented backgrounds
  • Duration: Any
  • Focus on inclusivity and representation

Debut Authors Challenge

  • Read 4 debut novels this year
  • Duration: Year-long
  • Support emerging writers

Quantity Challenges​

12 Books in 12 Weeks

  • Read one book per week for 12 weeks
  • Duration: 3 months
  • Open (any books)

30-Day Reading Sprint

  • Read as many books as possible in 30 days
  • Duration: 1 month
  • Leaderboard style

52 Books in 52 Weeks

  • Read one book per week for a year
  • Duration: Year-long
  • Annual commitment

Best Practices​

Set Realistic Goals​

  • Consider your audience: New readers need easier goals
  • Match challenge length: Longer challenges need more books
  • Account for book length: 5 novels ≠ 5 graphic novels in time commitment
  • Build in flexibility: Life happens, make goals achievable

Create Engaging Descriptions​

Good challenge descriptions include:

  • Clear goal (e.g., "Read 5 books from this list")
  • Timeline (start and end dates)
  • Why participate (community, prizes, discovery)
  • How to join (just tap "Join Challenge")
  • Any rules or guidelines

Offer Incentives​

Boost participation with rewards:

  • Discounts: 10% off next purchase for completers
  • Store Credit: $5 store credit for finishing
  • Exclusive Events: Private author Q&A for participants
  • Recognition: Feature completers on social media or in-store
  • Prizes: Raffle for free books or gift cards
  • Swag: Custom bookmarks, tote bags, or stickers

Promote Consistently​

Pre-launch:

  • Announce 2 weeks before start
  • Build anticipation
  • Pre-register interested readers

During:

  • Weekly check-ins
  • Milestone celebrations
  • Progress updates
  • Book spotlights

Post-challenge:

  • Thank participants
  • Share results
  • Preview next challenge

Use Your Store's Strengths​

  • Curated selections: Showcase your expertise
  • Staff picks: Add personal recommendations
  • Exclusive access: Early releases or signed copies
  • In-person events: Kick-off or completion parties
  • Author connections: Guest authors for challenge books

Combining Challenges and Clubs​

Challenges and book clubs work great together:

  • Club Challenge: Create a challenge specifically for club members
  • Challenge Discussion: Use club space for challenge participants to discuss
  • Hybrid Programs: Monthly club read + quarterly challenges
  • Progression: Start with challenges, invite engaged participants to clubs

Troubleshooting​

Low Sign-Ups?​

  • Make the goal more achievable
  • Offer better incentives
  • Improve promotion
  • Ensure books are available in your store
  • Start with open challenges before curated ones

High Dropout Rates?​

  • Goal may be too ambitious
  • Books may be too difficult or not engaging
  • Duration might be too long
  • Add mid-challenge incentives
  • Send encouragement and reminders

Limited Book Access?​

If participants can't find challenge books:

  • Stock recommended books prominently
  • Offer ordering assistance
  • Include easily accessible books
  • Mix popular with niche titles
  • Consider digital/audiobook options

Next Steps​

Maximum Engagement

Challenges that combine achievable goals, curated selections, and meaningful rewards see the highest completion rates and community engagement.