2026 Bauder Adult Battle of the Books
Howard County's first ever Bauder Adult Battle of the Books was an enormous success thanks to our incredible community! Now get ready for 2026!
What Is It?
Bauder Adult Battle of the Books is a Friends & Foundation of HCLS fundraiser event that launched in 2025 as part of the library's 85th birthday celebration.
It’s an adults-only reading competition where teams of 3–5 people read six preselected books and competedin a trivia challenge held at local restaurant venues.
Proceeds support some of your favorite Friends' sponsored initiatives, such as author events, Summer Reading, Project Literacy graduation, and the youth Battle of the Books.
What Is It?
Bauder Adult Battle of the Books is a Friends & Foundation of HCLS fundraiser event that launched in 2025 as part of the library's 85th birthday celebration.
It’s an adults-only reading competition where teams of 3–5 people read six preselected books and competedin a trivia challenge held at local restaurant venues.
Proceeds support some of your favorite Friends' sponsored initiatives, such as author events, Summer Reading, Project Literacy graduation, and the youth Battle of the Books.
REGISTRATION IS FULL!
Heartfelt thanks to our community for the incredible and enthusiastic support for the 2026 Bauder Adult Battle of the Books!
2026 Bauder Adult Battle of the Books Team Registration
Team Registration will open on June 15th, 2026 at 7pm EDT via this link: Team Registration
(Please note: the page will not be active to accept registrations until 7pm EDT on June 15th, 2026.)
Registration cost: $100 per Team
Please note: Spaces are limited and are first come, first serve. Last year's registration was completely filled within the first day.
Venues for the Team 'Battles' are:
Heartfelt thanks to our community for the incredible and enthusiastic support for the 2026 Bauder Adult Battle of the Books!
2026 Bauder Adult Battle of the Books Team Registration
Team Registration will open on June 15th, 2026 at 7pm EDT via this link: Team Registration
(Please note: the page will not be active to accept registrations until 7pm EDT on June 15th, 2026.)
Registration cost: $100 per Team
Please note: Spaces are limited and are first come, first serve. Last year's registration was completely filled within the first day.
Venues for the Team 'Battles' are:
- Tuesday, October 20: Reckless Shepherd Brewery, Columbia, MD
- Food & drinks available from their regular menu, individual tabs
- Spectators welcome
- Monday, October 26: East Columbia 50+ Center, Columbia, MD
- Pizza, soda and water for purchase (TBD) for Team members and spectators
- Spectators limited to two (2) per Team
- Tuesday, October 27: Oscar's Ale House, Woodstock, MD
- Food & drinks will be available from a set menu, $28 per person, one tab per Team
- Alcoholic beverages available for an additional charge
- No spectators
2026 Booklist
- Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
- Culpability by Bruce Holsinger
- The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
- Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutanto
- Starling House by Alix Harrow
- The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy
FAQs
Click here for the answers to some Freqently Asked Questions!
Click here for the answers to some Freqently Asked Questions!
Team Creativity Prizes will be given for:
Costumes
Team Costumes are welcome! This year we will be offering a prize at each Battle for Best Team Costume - we can't wait to see your creativity in action!
Fan Favorite Team Name
The community will be asked to vote online for a favorite team name at each venue. The winner will be announced on the battle night.
Costumes
Team Costumes are welcome! This year we will be offering a prize at each Battle for Best Team Costume - we can't wait to see your creativity in action!
Fan Favorite Team Name
The community will be asked to vote online for a favorite team name at each venue. The winner will be announced on the battle night.
Questions?
If you have any questions so far, please reach out via email here (friends at hclibrary dot org).
If you have any questions so far, please reach out via email here (friends at hclibrary dot org).
THANK YOU to our 2026 SPONSORS
PLATINUM
PLATINUM
- Dr. Lillian Bauder
- Ellen Flynn Giles
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Is your company, business, or organization interested in becoming a sponsor of the 2026 Bauder Adult Battle of the Books?
Please click here for sponsor information.
Please click here for sponsor information.
Thank you to our 2026 Partner Bookstores!
We're so grateful for our partner bookstores! Please visit their websites or locations to support them, thanks!
Backwater Books in Ellicott City
Queen Takes Book in Columbia
Backwater Books in Ellicott City
Queen Takes Book in Columbia
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