January 3 to December 16, 2023 —
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:
A variation of the Extreme Book Nerd challenge for adults and teens, Extreme Book Nerd for Kids is a year-long reading challenge for independent readers, grades 1-6. Kids read 25 books aligned with specific reading categories to earn an exclusive Extreme Book Nerd for Kids prize.
In its 9th 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 3 and ends December 16, 2023.
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.
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.
Printable reading log (8.5 x 11″)
Here are the 2023 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:
Participants who finish the challenge on/before December 16, 2023 will receive an exclusive Extreme Book Nerd travel blanket.
Note that to receive this prize you must show your completed reading log to a library staff member before the end of the 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), 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 16, 2023.
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.
Adults may choose between 2 reading challenges:
This is the original program.
Read 50 books in 50 weeks.
Read from predefined categories.
The prize is a an exclusive Extreme Book Nerd travel blanket.
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 travel blanket.
* Some format and reading-level restrictions apply
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 5160)
Following are the 2023 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:
Print these categories (8.5 x 11″)
Participants who finish the challenge on/before December 16, 2023 will receive an exclusive Extreme Book Nerd travel blanket.
Note that to receive this prize you must show your completed reading log to a library staff member before the end of the 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 as long as they fit into one of the reading categories and are completed by December 16, 2023.
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.
Now in its 4th 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 3 and ends December 16, 2023.
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″)
Participants who finish the challenge on/before December 16, 2023 will receive an exclusive Book Nerd travel blanket.
Note that to receive this prize you must show your completed reading log to a library staff member before the end of the challenge.
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 16, 2023.
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.
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.
