Extreme Book Nerd

Extreme Book Nerd –

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:

Extreme Book Nerd for Kids


Learn more about our challenge for kids up to age 12; Photo from Unsplash

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What is Extreme Book Nerd for Kids?

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.

  1. A Wild Card. Pick up at the Children’s desk
  2. From a library display
  3. Nonfiction
  4. Building on the cover
  5. Recommended by IFPL librarian
  6. Published this year (2023)
  7. A mom, dad or grandparent in it
  8. Book with a subtitle
  9. Community helper in it
  10. Last book in a series
  11. “To”, “too”, or “two” in the title
  12. Newbery Award winner or honor
  13. Holiday in it
  14. Set in the future
  15. Musical instrument in it
  16. Ordinal number in its title (first, second, etc.)
  17. About survival
  18. Bird in it
  19. Book of poetry
  20. Red cover (at least 50%)
  21. Book about books
  22. Title contains an element (earth, air, fire, water)
  23. Set on a farm
  24. Retelling of a fairy tale or myth
  25. Has a three word title
  26. Book of your choice

Details and Restrictions

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  • Extreme Book Nerd for Kids runs January 3 through December 16, 2023.
  • In this challenge, you will read 25 books in 25 categories (one book per category) before the end of the program. **There are 26 categories – you choose which category to skip.   See all categories.
  • You must be an independent reader in grades 1-6 and not participating in the teen program. No Exceptions.
  • The title and author of every book read for Extreme Book Nerd for Kids must be recorded in your Extreme Book Nerd for Kids reading log on Beanstack.
  • Library staff must sign off on your completed challenge in your Extreme Book Nerd for Kids reading log no later than 5:00pm on Saturday, December 16, 2023.
  • Books read for other reading programs and book clubs can be counted toward this challenge as long as they fit into one of the categories (i.e. summer reading program, winter reading program, book clubs, school assignments, etc.) and are completed by December 16, 2023.
  • Books must be at least 100 pages. The only books that do not count, regardless of length, are intermediate, easy readers, picture books, and board books. Magazines are not allowed.
  • Books beyond the needed 25 will not be counted toward another challenge, nor will another prize be awarded.
  • Participants who finish the challenge by December 16, 2023 will receive an Extreme Book Nerd for Kids backpack.
  • You must have a current library card during the program and when you pick up your prize in order to be eligible for prizes.

Details and Restrictions

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  • Extreme Book Nerd for Kids Your Way runs January 3 through December 16, 2023.
  • In this challenge, you will read 50 books (with some exceptions-see below) in 50 weeks.
  • You must be an independent reader in grades 1-6 and not participating in the teen program. No Exceptions.
  • All books that are at least 30 pages in length, excluding board books, are able to be counted toward this challenge. Magazines are not allowed.
  • You must read 15 books published before you were born, 5 award winning books, 5 nonfiction books, 15 books published after you were born, and 10 books of your choice to complete this challenge.
  • The title and author of every book read for Extreme Book Nerd for Kids Your Way must be recorded in your Extreme Book Nerd for Kids Your Way reading log on Beanstack at ifpl.beanstack.com
    • Library staff must sign off on your completed challenge in your Extreme Book Nerd for Kids Your Way reading log no later than 5:00pm on Saturday, December 16, 2023.
    • Reading logs can be a journal, spreadsheet, list, or simply on Beanstack but the final list must be recorded in Beanstack at ifpl.beanstack.com
    • Books read for other reading programs and book clubs can be counted toward this challenge (i.e. summer reading program, winter reading program, book clubs, school assignments, etc.) and are completed by December 16, 2023.
  • Books beyond the needed 50 will not be counted toward another challenge, nor will another prize be awarded.
  • Participants who finish the challenge by December 16, 2023 will receive an Extreme Book Nerd for Kids backpack.
  • You can only count each book one time. No duplicate titles allowed.
  • You must have a current library card during the program and when you pick up your prize in order to be eligible for prizes.

Extreme Book Nerd for Teens


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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.

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.

  Printable reading log (8.5 x 11″)

Extreme Book Nerd for Teens Reading Categories

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:

  1. A book set somewhere you’s like to travel
  2. A book by an author whose last name ends with a vowel
  3. A book with Star or War(s) in the title
  4. A wild card (pick up from 3rd-floor desk)
  5. A book with a D, E, F, or G in the title
  6. A book you can read in one sitting
  7. A book suggested by an IFPL staff member
  8. A book by an author of color
  9. A book that is a BookTok recommendation
  10. A book with a recipe in it
  11. A book with a magical creature
  12. A book that makes you feel good
  13. A banned or challenged book
  14. A book with a character with a disability
  15. A book of historical fiction
  16. A Goodreads Awards nominated book
  17. A book published in 2013
  18. A physical book
  19. A book from the 100 most popular YA books from the last five years
  20. A nonfiction book
  21. A book about a fresh start
  22. A book you love, read it again
  23. A book with three generations in it
  24. A book you’ve seen on someone else’s bookshelf
  25. A book you chose because of the cover
  26. A book published this year

Extreme Book Nerd for Teens Prize

Picture of the prize bag and blanket Participants who finish the TEEN challenge on/before December 16, 2023 will receive an exclusive Extreme Book Nerd Rope Sling Bag.

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 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.

Extreme Book Nerd for Adults

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Also in its 9th 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 3 and ends December 16, 2023.

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 travel blanket.

  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 travel blanket.

  Learn more …

* Some format and reading-level restrictions apply

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 5160)

Extreme Book Nerd Reading Categories

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:

  1. A book set somewhere you’s like to travel
  2. A book by an author whose last name ends with a vowel
  3. A book of essays
  4. A book with Star or War(s) in the title
  5. A book with an anti-hero
  6. A book with a title containing an element of matter
  7. A wild card (pick up from 3rd-floor desk)
  8. A book with a D, E, F, or G in the title
  9. A book with a long title (5+ words)
  10. A book read in one sitting
  11. A book set on a plane, train, or cruise ship
  12. A book suggested by an IFPL staff member
  13. A book by an author of color
  14. A book that is a BookTok recommendation
  15. A book with a recipe in it
  16. A book with a murder or a building in it
  17. A book set in North America
  18. A book set in South America
  19. A book set in Europe
  20. A book set in Asia
  21. A book set in Africa
  22. A book set in Oceania
  23. A book set in Antarctica
  24. A book from the 2022 NPR Books We Love list
  25. A book with a magical creature
  26. A book that makes you feel good
  27. A book you own but haven’t read
  28. A banned or challenged book
  29. A book with a character with a disability
  30. A book of historical fiction
  31. A Goodreads Awards nominated book
  32. A book published in 2013
  33. A cozy mystery
  34. A book that makes you think
  35. A physical book
  36. A book from a Library display
  37. A book with a city in the title
  38. A book with a person facing away on the cover
  39. A book from the 100 most popular YA books from the last five years
  40. A book by an Idaho author
  41. A nonfiction book
  42. A book with a senior citizen protagonist
  43. A book about a fresh start
  44. A book you love, read it again
  45. A book with three generations in it
  46. A book you’ve seen on someone else’s bookshelf
  47. A book set in the 1980s
  48. A book with a dwelling in the title
  49. A book you chose because of the cover
  50. A book published this year

  Print these categories (8.5 x 11″)

Extreme Book Nerd Prize

Picture of the prize bag and blanket Participants who finish the ADULT 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.

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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 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.

Book Nerd Your Way

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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.

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

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.

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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 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.

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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