Take the challenge if you Dewey Dare!
This is Part 2 of our blog about the Dewey Dare challenge. To complete this reading challenge, you’ll need to finish three books in total. Each book must come from a separate Dewey range. Not sure what this means? Hop back to Part 1, opens a new window for more information about the challenge and the Dewey Decimal system.
The Dewey Dare Challenge is an invitation — nay, an opportunity! — to expand your reading horizons. We encourage you to explore sections of the nonfiction collection that may not initially interest you. You’d be surprised how diverse the collection is, and you might find yourself ending January with a new niche interest, crafty hobby, or at least a fun fact.
If you need a place to start, we have curated lists of staff picks for this challenge. There is a list for each Dewey range, and each list has a variety of reads with different topics, tones, and themes. Each Information Services staff member contributed a handful of picks for every Dewey range, so you can get a better idea of how our team might complete this challenge!
Feeling extra daring? Keep scrolling past these lists for information about Double Dare book bundles, opens a new window.
Staff Recommended Book Lists
The Dewey 000s include books on computer science, information, and "general works" such as encyclopedias and bibliographies. Books about books, libraries, and journalism are also included in this section of the Dewey Decimal system.
The Dewey 100s include books on ways of thinking about and understanding the experiences of life, including ethics and philosophy from ancient to modern times and across cultures, and the supernatural and occult. Self-help is also included in the Dewey 100s.
The Dewey 200s are the place to find books on the beliefs and faith practices of people across time and around the world, including works on the history, theology, and texts of religious traditions.
The Dewey 300s are the place to find books on the social sciences — the study of human behavior and interactions within societies. The social sciences include economics, political science, anthropology, psychology, and sociology. Here you'll find works on a wide array of topics, from immigration and international relations to education to race and gender to folklore and customs.
Check the Dewey 400s if you are interested in learning a language or taking a deep dive into grammar or etymology. If you love words, this is your Dewey domain!
The Dewey 500s are the place to find books on math and the natural sciences, which include astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, earth sciences, and paleontology. Here there be field guides to flora and fauna, biographies of scientists and naturalists, and deep dives into our evolving understanding of the natural world.
The topics in the Dewey 600s — including health, farming and gardening, cookbooks, construction, textiles, and furniture — aren't what we usually think of when "technology" is mentioned, but they actually are expressions of human invention and discovery.
The Dewey 700s are the home of books about all manner of creativity: painting, photography, sculpture, architecture, music, fiber arts, and more. This Dewey range includes art history and artist biographies as books that explore the processes behind various artistic mediums. The 700s also include books on entertainment and sports.
The Dewey 800s contain works of literature and works about literature. This is the place to find plays, poetry, essays, humor and satire, and letters and speeches from around the world and across time periods. You can also find biographies of writers and comparative studies of literature here. Pro tip: while some libraries include fiction in the 800s, at Lawrence Public Library, fiction is arranged by genre and author.
The Dewey 900s contain books that explore the histories of places, time periods, and events, and include military history, U.S. history, and presidential biographies. This is also the place to find travel guides and stories of exploration — including books about extraterrestrial worlds! — as well as books about genealogy and memoirs about family history. Pro tip: at some libraries, biographies are all located in the 900s, but at Lawrence Public Library biographies are filed throughout the nonfiction collection. For instance, biographies about artists and musicians are shelved in the 700s with books about art and music.
Double Dare Book Bundles
Feeling extra daring? Put your fate in our hands and sign up for an exclusive nonfiction book bundle! Our Double Dare Book Bundles will include everything you need to complete the Dewey Dare challenge — three books from three different call number categories. Each Double Dare comes wrapped and decorated for extra fun!
While readers come in all different shades, we’ve identified ten reader personas for our Double Dares. Read on for information about the reader personas and some examples of what a Double Dare might include. If you’re ready to take the plunge, sign up for a Double Dare book bundle by filling out this form, opens a new window by December 18, 2025. These bundles are available in limited quantities and will be available for pickup at the Ask Desk starting on January 2!
Citizen Scientist
Spark curiosity about the world around you and load up on fun facts to impress your friends. Expect books about how things work, field guides to flora + fauna, experiments to do at home, histories of scientific discoveries, and more.
Example bundle:
Newton's Apple and Other Myths About Science
Wordsmith
Literary readers rejoice! There’s plenty for you in our nonfiction collection. Expect books about books, profiles of our favorite authors, memoirs, poetry, and other bibliophilic tomes.
Example bundle:
Dark and Stormy Sleuthers
Liars, true crimers, and scares — oh my! We’ve got a selection of tales most dreadful and tomes more wicked. Expect books about masterminds and murderers, the occult and gothic, criminal cover-ups, unsolved mysteries, and other topics for dark and stormy nights.
Example bundle:
Cozy Connoisseur
Whether you’re a card-carrying member of the stay-at-home club or you’re just comfy-curious, expect books that are quaint, crafty, nostalgic, homey, hygge, warm, fuzzy, etc.
Example bundle:
Armchair Traveler
Travel the world and the seven seas from the comfort of your library! Expect books about notable journeys, faraway places, and cultures, cuisines, and customs from around the world.
Example bundle:
The Naked Don't Fear the Water
Visual Learner
Want to take a break from words? We get you. Expect picture books for grown-ups, data visualizations, photographs, diagrams, and lots of large, glossy pages.
Example bundle:
Space Explorer
For far-out readers who want to brave the outer reaches of outer AND inner space! Expect books about the mysteries of the universe, the cosmos, the afterlife, psychedelics, nirvana, physics, and other mind-bending topics.
Example bundle:
In Light-years There's No Hurry
People Person
Peek into the lives of other people — no socializing required! Expect books written about and by people who have lived interesting lives — the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Example bundle:
Activist
Good reads for great causes. Expect books about civil rights movements, revolutionary histories, social justice topics, community organizing, and the folks who fight for a better future.
Example bundle:
Read This When Things Fall Apart
Art Appreciator
Explore the minds of maestros, muse over masterpieces, and pick up tips on making from the world's greatest creative geniuses! Expect books about art and artists from all disciplines, guides for practices and techniques, critical and scholarly writing, and other reads to inspire creativity.
Example bundle:
—Gabby Boyle is the Community Resource Specialist at Lawrence Public Library.
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