Extreme Book Nerd

50 books. 50 categories. 50 weeks.

2025 Challenge – Official Rules

  • The Extreme Book Nerd challenge runs from January 10, 2025, through December 29, 2025.
  • Record one category per book for a total of 50 books in 50 weeks. You cannot use the same book for multiple categories. 
    • Books for other reading programs, book clubs, and school assignments can be counted toward this challenge as long as they fit into one of the categories and are finished by Dec. 29, 2025. 
    • Books in any format (eBooks, eAudiobooks, audiobooks, etc.) may be counted toward the challenge. 
  • Meridian Library District cardholders who finish the challenge by Dec. 29, 2025, will receive an exclusive prize (which will be announced on Jan. 10). Finishers have the option of switching their current library card to the exclusive “black card.”
    • Only Meridian Library District cardholders and those from library districts without their own Extreme/Ultimate Book Nerd Challenge are eligible to win the completion prize. 

Beanstack

Registration will open on January 10, 2025. This year, we're using Beanstack as our online platform for Extreme Book Nerd! Learn more about how to get started.

You can also download the Beanstack app for Apple or Android devices. 

Have You Completed the 2025 EBN Challenge?

Congratulations! Please fill out the form below to record your completion, regardless of whether you tracked your reading in a booklet or on Beanstack.

2025 Completion Form

Get Social

Connect with other Extreme Book Nerds on Facebook and in person at our monthly Extreme Book Nerd Club! Get book recommendations, share your favorite reads, and ask questions.

Have an EBN question?

If your question isn't addressed in the FAQs on this page, please reach out at EBN@mld.org. 

Upcoming Events

Extreme Book Nerd Book Club

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Teens (grades 7-12), Adults, Seniors
Cherry Lane
Library Branch: Cherry Lane
Room: Cherry Lane Small Conference Room
Age Group: Teens (grades 7-12), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Attend an Event, Do an Activity, Join a Club or Group
Event Details:

Join other Book Nerds as we discuss what we've been reading for the Extreme Book Nerd challenge and give and get suggestions for those trickier categories.

Disclaimer(s)

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Extreme Book Nerd Book Club

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Teens (grades 7-12), Adults, Seniors
Cherry Lane
Library Branch: Cherry Lane
Room: Cherry Lane Small Conference Room
Age Group: Teens (grades 7-12), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Attend an Event, Do an Activity, Join a Club or Group
Event Details:

Join other Book Nerds as we discuss what we've been reading for the Extreme Book Nerd challenge and give and get suggestions for those trickier categories.

Disclaimer(s)

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Extreme Book Nerd Book Club

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Teens (grades 7-12), Adults, Seniors
Cherry Lane
Library Branch: Cherry Lane
Room: Cherry Lane Small Conference Room
Age Group: Teens (grades 7-12), Adults, Seniors
Program Type: Attend an Event, Do an Activity, Join a Club or Group
Event Details:

Join other Book Nerds as we discuss what we've been reading for the Extreme Book Nerd challenge and give and get suggestions for those trickier categories.

Disclaimer(s)

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Extreme Book Nerd FAQs

Adults and teens (ages 13+). Only Meridian Library District cardholders may receive an exclusive “Black Card” library card.

You have the option to either register on Beanstack for our online tracking system OR request a print booklet and sign up via the 2025 Extreme Book Nerd Registration Form. 

As quickly as you complete the challenge, as long as the books were started in 2025 and completed before the end of the Extreme Book Nerd Challenge.

Participants may register from January 10 - December 29, 2025.

You may register if you will turn 13 by the end of the challenge.

Yes, as long as they were started on or after January 1, 2025.

If you feel that a book fits a category, then record it in your reading log. If you’re not sure which category to use, ask a library staff member.

Nope! Those are only there to give you some ideas. Feel free to read whatever you like that fits the category.

Yes! You are welcome to read books from the children's section, but please do not include picture books, board books, and easy readers in your final count.

You may complete the categories in any order, as long as all 50 categories are completed by Dec. 29, 2025.

You've completed the 2025 Extreme Book Nerd Challenge! Congratulations! Please fill out this form to record your completion, regardless of whether you tracked your reading in a booklet or on Beanstack.

Once the challenge ends on Dec. 29, 2025, library staff will tally completion records and prepare the prize order. Because prizes will be custom ordered and printed, they will not be available for pick-up until at least Feb. 2026.