Ultimate Book Nerd
Are you a self-proclaimed book nerd? Ready to put your nerdiness to the test? Read 50 books in 2025 to claim the title of Ultimate Book Nerd! This title comes with bragging rights and swag to let the world know you are the best of the book nerds!
UBN 2025 Challenge Categories
From January 1 - December 31, read 50 books from the 50 categories listed below.
Guidelines:
- Read 50 books
- 1 book per category
- Graphic novels, audiobooks, and digital all count
- UBN is for ages 13 and up
- For book nerds ages 12 and under, read at least 30 books from this list
- Must have an active Boise Public Library card in good standing to earn swag
How to Participate
Download the Beanstack app to your mobile device or participate online at BoisePublicLibrary.Beanstack.org.
If virtual participation isn't an option for you, download the Ultimate Book Nerd 2025 Packet, or stop by any Boise Public Library service desk, and the staff will be happy to help.
Other Questions?
Email ultimatebooknerd@cityofboise.org or call (208) 972-8255 for more information.
Subscribe to our email list and receive monthly recommendations.
Use our Personalized Picks service to get personalized recommendations from our librarians by filling out a brief form to let us know more about your taste.
Join our Ultimate Book Nerd Facebook group to share what you're reading, ask for recommendations, and stay connected with fellow Book Nerds. We hope you'll join the group and the conversation. Review the terms for participating in the group.
Please fill out this form once you've completed the challenge and become an Ultimate Book Nerd to claim your UBN t-shirt. We will order the shirts in January after the challenge is complete and email you when they are ready to pick up.
If you do not receive a Certificate of Completion in your email within the next week, please email us at ultimatebooknerd@cityofboise.org to confirm your completion form submitted properly.
You worked hard on this challenge! Feel free to share your accomplishment and send a scan of your completed book tracker to ultimatebooknerd@cityofboise.org or share it on the UBN Facebook page! We are so proud of you and your accomplishment!
Check out all of our past challenges here!
Need to check off the past Book Faire Category? Options below.
Book Faire 2023
Book Faire 2024
UBN 2025 Challenge Categories
Download the UBN 2025 Challenge list (PDF)
- Read a book that celebrates your freedom to read
- Read a book based on the spine
- Read a book from NPR : Books We Love
- Read a book that has won or has been a finalist in The WILLA Literary Award – Women Writing the West
- Reread a favorite book
- Read a fanfiction
- Read a teen graphic novel
- Read a book by an author with a podcast
- Read a book about drag, burlesque, or other performance artistry
- Read a book about books
- Read a non-fiction book about the human body
- Read a Caldecott winner
- Read a book about pirates
- Read a book where the cover has characters walking away
- Read a book set in medieval times
- Read a book from a challenge category from a previous UBN challenge (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- Read a book without reading the blurb
- Read a romantasy
- Read a book from/about North America
- Read a book from/about South America
- Read a book from/about Asia
- Read a book from/about Europe
- Read a book from/about Australia
- Read a book from/about Africa
- Read a book from/about Antarctica
- Read a book with Earth in the title
- Read a behind the scenes memoir/biography
- Read a historical mystery
- Read a book in the 910-919s of the Dewey Decimal System
- Read a science fiction set in the future
- Read a book your favorite author has talked about
- Read a book about the history of news
- Read a book published 10 years before you were born
- Read a novella
- Read a legal or courtroom thriller
- Read a book you wish was taught in school
- Read a book about gardening
- Read a book by an author featured in the Book Faire flyers (2023 flyer, 2024 flyer)
- Read a book written by/about someone in a political party that is not your own
- Listen to a book with a BIPOC narrator
- Read a book told in flashbacks
- Read a book set in a school setting
- Read a book written by a ghost writer
- Read a book about your heritage
- Read a book recommended through Personalized Picks
- Read a book retold from a different character's point of view
- Read a cookbook featuring food from a country you want to visit
- Read a book rated 3 stars or less
- Read a children’s book you missed the first time around
- Read a book recommended by a library staff member