Ultimate Book Nerd
Ultimate Book Nerd 2022
Are you a self-proclaimed book nerd? Ready to put your nerdiness to the test? Read 50 books in 2022 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.
From January 3 – December 31, read 50 books from the 50 categories listed below.
Guidelines:
- Read 50 books
- 1 book per category
- Audiobooks, e-books, and graphic novels all count
- UBN for Kids is for ages 12 and under
- Must have an active Boise Public Library card in good standing to earn swag
How to Participate
If virtual participation isn’t an option for you, please see staff at any Boise Public Library service desk and they will help.
Looking for recommendations?
Subscribe to our email list and receive monthly recommendations!
Check out our new Personalized Picks service! Get personalized recommendations from our librarians by filling out a brief form to let us know what you’re looking for.
Find us on Facebook
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! Terms for participating in the group linked here.
Book Swaps
Join your fellow book nerds for a book swap! Bring up to two books from your personal bookshelf to trade for two new books. Connect with other book nerds and get suggestions from friends, strangers, and Library staff for your next read. We have five book swaps for you to choose from:
- Wednesday, June 22, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Library! at Bown Crossing
- Saturday, July 23, 10 a.m.-noon at the Main Library
- Wednesday, August 24, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Library! at Hillcrest
- Wednesday, September 28, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Library! at Collister
- Wednesday, October 26, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Library! at Cole & Ustick
Visit our online calendar for full details.
Please note: we cannot accept book donations at this event—only bring up to two books you intend to swap.
Finished the Challenge?
Congratulations on being an Ultimate Book Nerd! We know you worked hard on this challenge, so feel free to share your accomplishment and send a scan of your completed book tracker to askalibrarian@cityofboise.org.
In order to get your t-shirt, please fill out this form before January 5 to let us know you finished the challenge and to select your size.
We will be ordering the t-shirts after the form closes on January 5. Once they have arrived, we will contact you via the email you provide to let you know it is available for pick up at your preferred location.
Questions?
E-mail askalibrarian@cityofboise.org or call 208-972-8255 for more information.
UBN for Adults and Teens 2022 Challenge Categories
- Read a book from a celebrity book club
- Read a book about a revolution
- Read a book that takes place under water
- Read/listen a book in a different format than you usually use
- Read a book involving a heist
- Read a book recommended by a friend, family member, or stranger
- Read a book with a red cover
- Read a book with illustrations
- Read a book by or about an incarcerated person
- Read a book with fire in the title
- Read a book with a flavor in the title
- Read a graphic novel by an LGBTQIA+ author
- Read a children’s book published since 2000
- Read a book featuring a terminal illness
- Read an alternative history
- Read a book translated from Spanish
- Read a feminist book
- Read a nonfiction about a current event
- Read a book about self-improvement
- Read an origin story
- Read a book in which the main character has a disability
- Read a book with a nameless narrator
- Read a book about a life transition from a POC's point of view
- Read a book about or involving a sport
- Read a book in the True Crime genre
- Read a book about a different belief system or way of life than your own
- Read a mystery set in Asia
- Read a book written by an author using a pseudonym
- Read a book from Project Gutenberg
- Read a book by or about a non-western leader
- Read a book set in a big city
- Read a book set in the future
- Read a book that involves a bookstore or library
- Read a book that shares a title with a song
- Read a book that takes place in one day
- Read a book that is a retelling of a myth
- Read a book with five or more words in the title
- Read a book with two or more authors
- Read a book with alliteration in the title
- Read a book with an animal on the cover
- Read a cyberpunk or steampunk book
- Read a scary book
- Read a short story collection
- Read a book with a STEM topic
- Read a book by an author with only one published book
- Read a book that takes place in more than one time period
- Read a book about a family saga
- Read a Nordic Noir
- Read a book that fits none of the other categories
- Read a book recommended by a library staff member
UBN for Kids 2022 Challenge Categories*
- Read a book with a STEM topic
- Read a book about a character that overcomes a challenge at school
- Read a book about a family that looks different than yours
- Read a book about a real person
- Read a book about an artist
- Read a book about a life transition from a POC’s point of view
- Read a book about best friends
- Read a book about how something works
- Read a book about or involving a sport
- Read a book about siblings
- Read a historical book based in the 1800s
- Read a book by an author with only one published book
- Read a book in which something is lost
- Read a book in which the main character has a disability
- Read a book involving a heist
- Read a book recommended by a friend, family member, or teacher
- Read a book required for school
- Read a book set in a big city
- Read a book set in India
- Read a book set in the future
- Read a book set in the jungle
- Read a book with a flavor in the title
- Read a book with two or more authors
- Read a book that shares a title with a song
- Read a book that takes place in more than one time period
- Read a book that takes place in one day
- Read a book that takes place under water
- Read a book with a baby in it
- Read a book with a color in the title
- Read a book with a non-human narrator
- Read a book with a rainbow on the cover
- Read a book with a red cover
- Read a book with a shark in it
- Read a book with a strong female character
- Read a book with a title that has five or more words
- Read a book with alliteration in the title
- Read a book with an animal on the cover
- Read a book with fire in the title
- Read a book with illustrations
- Read a book that involves a bookstore or library
- Read a book written before you were born
- Read a fantasy
- Read a graphic novel by an LGBTQIA+ author
- Read a modern retelling of a fairy tale
- Read a book about someone from a different country
- Read a scary book
- Read the first book in a series
- Read/listen to a book in a different format than you usually use
- Read a book that doesn’t fit any other category
- Read a book recommended by a library staff member
*Parents and caregivers are welcome to customize this challenge for their children with new or repeated categories based on age and interests.