The Unread Shelf Project 2021

Hosted by theunreadshelf

360 participants, 3821 books added

Starts: Friday, 01 January 2021

Ends: Friday, 31 December 2021

The heart of the Unread Shelf Project is reading and enjoying the books we already own. It's not just about numbers (although knowing your unread number helps) or a lifelong buying ban (unless you really want to).

Many readers, including me, love the high of a new book purchase. But after the high wears off, how often do we actually read the books we were once so excited about?

That's exactly what I struggled with as a reader. In 2017, I started my own personal Unread Shelf Project and started reading what I owned.

I didn't stop buying books, but I loved becoming the reader I wanted to be by tackling my unread shelves. And in 2018, I invited others to join me in the project on my Instagram account @theunreadshelf.

Thousands of readers responded, excited about a community of book lovers who want to stop just acquiring and start reading the books filling up their shelves.

The community has grown every year since, and this year the Project is better than ever. And I'm so glad you're joining us!

To get your FREE guide to the Unread Shelf Project and stay up-to-date on the monthly challenges, click HERE.

If you're looking for a community of book lovers who can help you transform your shelves this year, we'd love to have you in our Unread Shelf Community - click HERE for the details.

FIRST YEAR? Start Here:
  • Count your unread books & put them all in one place.
  • Say goodbye to the books you no longer want to read.
  • Make a list of your top books to read this year. Put them on a special shelf, and use a checklist to keep yourself on track.
  • Commit to a one month ban on buying and borrowing new books, in order to focus on reading the books you already own.

The 2021 Challenges

The twelve monthly challenges are the hart of the Unread Shelf Project. Each month, we commit to reading at least one book from our unread shelves, based on that month's challenge. If we don't finish the book by the end of the month, we get rid of it. By giving ourselves a deadline, we find the motivation to read the books we've been meaning to (sometimes, for years).

This year, we're adding an extra set of BONUS challenges. Consider these your extra treats, to help you keep up the momentum of reading, or use them to sub in for challenges that you don't have a book for.

The free guide also includes 12 bonus challenges, a year-long unread book bingo card, a monthly tracking sheet, and more. Sign up for your free guide HERE.

Challenge Prompts