You are right about the competitiveness reading seems to be acquiring for many people (somebody here today is asking if reread books should "COUNT", count for what).

But I do not recognize a lot of things. I use goodreads a lot, just do not join nor ever click like on any "challenge" (just do not compare yourself to others), and I find it incredibly useful to research books I want to read, or get recommendations from friends. My time is finite, I do not mind taking risks, but if my reading was totally random I might lose out on things for sure I would like.