Read 50 books in 2026 to claim the title of Ultimate Book Nerd!

From January 1 - December 31, read 50 books from the 50 categories listed below. Ultimate Book Nerds get bragging rights and swag to let the world know you are a card-carrying book nerd! There will be optional quarterly “Meeting of the Nerds” to share book recommendations and discuss your favorites.

Guidelines

• Read 50 books
• 1 book per category
• Graphic novels, audiobooks, and digital all count
• UBN is for ages 12 and up

Meeting of the Nerds

• March 12, 2026
• June 11, 2026
• September 10, 2026
• December 10, 2026

UBN 2026 Challenge Categories

UBN 2026 Reading Log (PDF)

Need book suggestions? Follow the link associated with a category below to find book lists.

1. The cover contains something from the ocean


2. A childhood favorite
   
   
3. A book written before 1950
   
   
4. A book written from an animal's point of view
   
   
5. A book set in Africa
   
   
6. A nonfiction book about food
   
   
7. A winner or honor book from the Montana Book Awards
   
   
8. An audiobook
   
   
9. A book from the library's "NEW" shelves
   
   
10. A western
    
    
11. A dystopian novel
    
    
12. A book set in a country you've never visited
    
    
13. A cozy mystery
    
    
14. A book in your to-be-read pile
    
    
15. An autobiography or memoir
    
    
16. A historical fiction novel
    
    
17. A book written in epistolary format (letters, journal or diary entries)
    
    
18. A book written from multiple points of view
    
    
19. A book written by an indigenous author
    
    
20. A book of poetry
    
    
21. A fiction graphic novel
    
    
22. A nonfiction graphic novel
    
    
23. A romance
    
    
24. A book by a Montana author
    
    
25. A book written in the decade you were born
    
    
26. A classic science fiction novel
    
    
27. A book with a female villain
    
    
28. A juvenile book
    
    
29. The first book in a series
    
    
30. A time-travel book
    
    
31. A book about the environment
    
    
32. A book that is over 400 pages long
    
    
33. A book with a cover you like
    
    
34. A book about the American Revolution
    
    
35. A classic or adaptation of a fairy tale
    
    
36. An adventure story
    
    
37. A book that was turned into a TV show or movie
    
    
38. A book that was required reading in school
    
    
39. A play
    
    
40. A DIY or self-help book
    
    
41. A microhistory
    
    
42. A book published in 2006 (the year the current library building opened!)
    
    
43. A book about religion
    
    
44. A translated book
    
    
45. A book you have read before
    
    
46. A banned or challenged book
    
    
47. A book recommended by library staff
    
    
48. A book that was selected for a celebrity book club
    
    
49. A book based on a real person or historical event
    
    
50. A true-crime book

Contact Becky Kasten with questions.

Ultimate Book Nerd began at Boise Public Library. We thank them for sharing their concept for this reading challenge.