Extreme Book Nerd

Extreme Book Nerd –

January 6 to December 19, 2026 —

Extreme Book Nerd is a popular, year-long reading challenge hosted by the Idaho Falls Public Library. Participants read 50 books in 50 weeks (25 books for kids and teens) to earn prizes and the title of Extreme Book Nerd.

There are separate challenges for kids, teens, and adults:

Extreme Book Nerd for Teens


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In its 11th year, Extreme Book Nerd for Teens is a variation of the classic challenge adapted specifically for busy teens (grades 7-12). Read books from 25 of the 26 categories on the reading log. Extreme Book Nerd for Teens starts on January 6 and ends December 19, 2026.

Extreme Book Nerd for Teens Reading Categories

Here are the 2026 categories for the teen challenge. Participants must complete 25 of the 26 categories to earn the prize. Titles that are linked have a downloadable bookmark to help you find books on the topic:

  1. A book published in 2026
  2. A book set in a state or province that borders Idaho
  3. A book that was published at least 20 years before you were born
  4. A book from a library display
  5. A cover that has flora or fauna
  6. A book suggested by an IFPL staff member
  7. A cover that intrigues you
  8. A book from Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far)
  9. A book that is humorous or makes you laugh
  10. A book whose author has 10 or more letters in their whole name
  11. A book you haven’t read by an author you love
  12. A book you’ve been meaning to read for at least a year
  13. A book set in a place you’ve never been
  14. An author who is new to you
  15. A cover that doesn’t have humans on it
  16. A book from the nonfiction section
  17. A book you own but have never read
  18. A title with a possessive
  19. A book you love, read it again!
  20. A cover that is red, white, or blue (at least 50%)
  21. A book suggested by a fellow Book Nerd
  22. A book about survival
  23. A title that starts with a vowel
  24. Wild Card
  25. A book that is young adult or middle grade
  26. Your choice!

Extreme Book Nerd for Teens Reading Log

Teens, as you read books for the challenge, record the titles/authors under the appropriate categories in your Beanstack reading log.

Prefer to use paper? During the challenge you are welcome to track your reading with our printable reading log. You may also use a journal, a spreadsheet, or a list. Just remember that your books must be entered into Beanstack before reporting completion at the end.

  Extreme Book Nerd Printable reading log (8.5 x 11″)

Note that teens can also participate in the Book Nerd Your Way challenge. This option would require teens to read 50 books in order to earn the prize.

  Book Nerd Your Way Printable reading log (8 1/2 x 11″)

Extreme Book Nerd for Teens Prize

Picture of the prize hoodie front

Participants who finish the TEEN challenge on/before December 19, 2026 will receive an exclusive Extreme Book Bluetooth Speaker.

Note that to receive this prize you must show your completed reading log to a library staff member before the end of the challenge.

Details and Restrictions

Only 1 category per book. You cannot use the same book for multiple categories. Books you read for other challenges (e.g., summer and winter reading), book clubs, assignments, etc. can be counted for Extreme Book Nerd as long as they fit into one of the reading categories and are completed by December 19, 2026.

Books at the junior fiction level or higher are acceptable for teen participants. Books that will not be accepted include junior nonfiction, intermediate fiction, easy readers, and picture/board books. Magazines are also not accepted.

Official participation in Extreme Book Nerd is open to Idaho Falls Public Library patrons only. Prizes must be picked up in person by the participant or a designee.

You must have a current library card during the program and when you pick up your prize in order to be eligible for prizes.

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Extreme Book Nerd for Adults

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Also in its 11th year, Extreme Book Nerd is the IFPL’s original year-long reading challenge. To earn the prize, read 50 books in 50 weeks, selecting your titles from predefined reading categories. This challenge starts January 6 and ends December 19, 2026.

Adults may choose between 2 reading challenges:

#1 Extreme Book Nerd

This is the original program.
Read 50 books in 50 weeks.
Read from predefined categories.
The prize is a an exclusive Extreme Book Nerd Bluetooth Speaker.

  Learn more …

#2 Book Nerd Your Way

This is the alternative program.
Read 50 books in 50 weeks.
Read on any topic you want*.
The prize is a an exclusive Extreme Book Nerd Bluetooth Speaker.

  Learn more …

* Some format and reading-level restrictions apply

Extreme Book Nerd Reading Categories

Following are the 2026 categories for the adult Extreme Book Nerd challenge. Participants must complete all 50 categories to earn the prize. Titles that are linked have a downloadable bookmark to help you find books on the topic:

  1. A book published in 2026
  2. A book about an amateur sleuth
  3. A book that fits the America250 theme
  4. A book that was nominated for the Asian/Pacific American Award
  5. A book that has been banned or challenged
  6. A book set in a state or province that borders Idaho
  7. A book that was published at least 20 years before you were born
  8. A title that has a day of the week
  9. A book from a library display
  10. A book that is EGOT source material
  11. A title that contains Extreme, Book, or Nerd
  12. A book about a fire or has fire on the cover
  13. A title that has First, Second, Third, or Home
  14. A cover that has flora or fauna
  15. A book by an author whose name matches one of your friends
  16. A title that has Hope, Empire, or Return
  17. A book suggested by an IFPL staff member
  18. A cover that intrigues you
  19. A book that brings you joy
  20. A book from Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far)
  21. A book that is humorous or makes you laugh
  22. A book about something you want to learn about
  23. A book whose author has 10 or more letters in their whole name
  24. A book you haven’t read by an author you love
  25. A book you’ve been meaning to read for at least a year
  26. A title that has a person’s name
  27. A book that is narrative nonfiction
  28. A book set in a place you’ve never been
  29. An author who is new to you
  30. A cover that doesn’t have humans on it
  31. A book from the nonfiction section
  32. A book from NPR Books We Love 2025
  33. A book with a one-star review
  34. A book you own but have never read
  35. A book with a pirate
  36. A title with a possessive
  37. A title that is a question
  38. A book you love, read it again!
  39. A cover that is red, white, or blue (at least 50%)
  40. A book about second chances
  41. A cover that has a skull or bones on it
  42. A cover with stars or stripes on it
  43. A book suggested by a fellow Book Nerd
  44. A book about survival
  45. A title that has twelve, 12, or dozen
  46. A title that starts with a vowel
  47. A book from What Dan Read
  48. Wild Card
  49. A book that is young adult or middle grade
  50. Your choice!

Extreme Book Nerd Reading Log

As you read books for the challenge, record the titles/authors under the appropriate categories in your Beanstack reading log.

Prefer to use paper? During the challenge you are welcome to track your reading with our printable reading log. You may also use a journal, a spreadsheet, or a list. Just remember that your books must be entered into Beanstack before reporting completion at the end.

  Printable reading log (8 1/2 x 11″)

  Printable category checklist (8 1/2 x 11″)

  Journal tabs (Avery 5163)

Extreme Book Nerd Prize

Picture of the prize bluetooth speaker

Participants who finish the ADULT challenge on/before December 19, 2026 will receive an exclusive Extreme Book Nerd Bluetooth Speaker.

Note that to receive this prize you must show your completed reading log to a library staff member before the end of the challenge.

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Details and Restrictions

Only 1 category per book. You cannot use the same book for multiple categories. Books you read for other challenges (e.g., summer and winter reading) or for book clubs can be counted for Extreme Book Nerd as long as they fit into one of the reading categories and are completed by December 19, 2026.

Books at the junior fiction level or higher are acceptable for adult participants. Books that will not be accepted include junior nonfiction, intermediate fiction, easy readers, and picture/board books. Magazines are also not accepted.

Official participation in Extreme Book Nerd is open to Idaho Falls Public Library patrons only. Prizes must be picked up in person by the participant or a designee.

You must have a current library card during the program and when you pick up your prize in order to be eligible for prizes.

Book Nerd Your Way

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Now in its 7th year, Book Nerd Your Way is an alternative to the traditional Extreme Book Nerd challenge. It is well suited to those who love to read, but may not have the flexibility or desire to read from the library’s categories. To earn the prize, read 50 books in 50 weeks, selecting almost any title you wish (see details below). This challenge starts January 6 and ends December 19, 2026.

Book Nerd Your Way Reading Log

As you read books for this challenge, record the titles/authors in your Beanstack reading log.

Prefer to use paper? During the challenge you are welcome to track your reading with our printable reading log. You may also use a journal, a spreadsheet, or a list. Just remember that your books must be entered into Beanstack before reporting completion at the end.

  Printable reading log (8 1/2 x 11″)

Book Nerd Your Way Prize

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Picture of the prize Bluetooth Speaker

Participants who finish the challenge on/before December 19, 2026 will receive an exclusive Extreme Book Nerd Bluetooth Speaker.

Note that to receive this prize you must show your completed reading log to a library staff member before the end of the challenge.

Details and Restrictions

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In Book Nerd Your Way, you may read almost anything you want. While books at the junior fiction reading level are acceptable, no other books from our children’s department will be accepted. This includes junior nonfiction, intermediate fiction, easy readers, and picture/board books. Magazines of any kind are also not accepted for this challenge.

Only 1 category per book. You cannot use the same book for multiple categories. Books you read for other challenges (e.g., summer and winter reading) or for book clubs can be counted for Extreme Book Nerd Your Way as long as they meet the requirements above and are completed by December 19, 2026.

Official participation in Extreme Book Nerd Your Way is open to Idaho Falls Public Library patrons only. Prizes must be picked up in person by the participant or a designee.

You must have a current library card during the program and when you pick up your prize in order to be eligible for prizes.

Facebook Group


facebook.com/groups/extreme-book-nerd

If you enjoy sharing what you’re reading and want to ask other book nerds for recommendations, join our Extreme Book Nerd Facebook Group.

While official participation in the Extreme Book Nerd challenge is restricted to Idaho Falls Public Library patrons only, everyone is welcome to follow along with the challenge in their home communities and discuss the books they are reading in this Facebook group.

To maintain the focus of the group, we encourage members to focus their discussions on the reading challenge and not use the group for marketing or other spammy purposes.

For more information about any of these programs, call the library at 208-612-8460 or send us an online message.

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