20 Top Book Club Games for the Office

You found our list of the best book club games.

Book club games are fun literature-based activities you can play during meetings. For example, character charades, plot twist predictions, or literary trivia. The purpose of these games is to discuss books in unique and interesting ways. These games are also known as “book club team building games” and “book club game ideas.”

These book club games are similar to running an office book club and word games, and could be team building activities for college students.

This list includes:

• book club team building games
• fun book club activities
• book club game ideas
• book club icebreakers
• book club meeting games
• book club games for work

So, here is the list!

List of book club games

From Character Charades to Bookish Puzzles, here is a great selection of games for book club.

1. Character Charades

Character Charades is one of the most fun book club meeting games.

Here is how to play the game:

1. One player is an actor, and the rest are guessers.
2. The actor chooses a character from the club book.
3. Without speaking, the actor gestures to portray the character.
4. The group guesses which character the actor is thinking about.
5. A different player becomes the actor, and gameplay continues.

This game encourages creativity and imagination as the actor thinks on their feet. Since the group works together to find the right answer, this game also promotes teamwork. Best of all, Character Charades can start interesting conversations about books you read.

Here is a charades generator.

2. Literary Bingo

Literary Bingo is a fun game that adds excitement to book club meetings. Players get a Bingo card with literary elements from the book they are reading. Examples include character names, settings, or quotes.

During the discussion, participants mark off matching squares. The first to complete a row or pattern wins! This game boosts active participation and deepens engagement with the book. Plus, Literary Bingo encourages attention to details and themes, leading to insightful conversations.

Check out this article for a blank Bingo template.

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3. Book Jacket Designing

Book Jacket Designing is one of the most fun book club activities to spice up your book club meetings. Teams can design a new book cover using paper, markers, paint, and other art supplies. Participants can work individually or on teams to design unique covers. Designs could feature elements from the book’s plot, characters, or themes.

This activity promotes active reading, as artists will need to analyze the story for ideas. Further, this exercise sparks creativity, allowing members to share their interpretations. Combining reading comprehension with art makes book club meetings more engaging.

4. Author Guessing Game

When you are looking for book club games for work, check out the Author Guessing Game! Players try to identify the authors of famous books based on clues and hints.

Here is how to play the game:

1. One player chooses a book.
2. This player writes clues about the author’s writing style, life, and works.
3. Other players take turns guessing the author’s name based on the clues.
4. Whoever guesses correctly earns a point.
5. The next player shares their clues, and gameplay continues.

This game encourages critical thinking and knowledge of literature. Plus, this exercise starts discussions about different authors’ contributions to the literary world. Author Guessing Game is a fun and interactive way for book club members to test their knowledge.

5. Quote Matching

Quote Matching is an engaging game that can excite your book club attendees. The game’s goal is to match quotes with their respective books correctly.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Make a list of quotes from various books. On a separate list, write the names of the quoted books.
2. Give a copy of the lists to each player.
3. Set a timer for five to ten minutes.
4. Players must match the quotes to the books they came from.
5. Whoever matches the most quotes wins!

This game encourages players to revisit books or explore new ones. Further, this exercise starts conversations about favorite quotes and moments from different works. By playing Quote Matching, you deepen readers’ connection with literature.

Check out this list of creativity quotes for inspiration.

6. Plot Twist Predictions

Plot Twist Predictions can make your book club discussions more exciting. By guessing unexpected story turns, you enhance critical thinking.

Here is how to play this game:

1. Pay attention to foreshadowing, character motives, and plot points as you read.
2. Assign chapters or sections for members to make predictions about.
3. Take turns sharing predictions for plot twists.
4. During the next meeting, discuss if any predictions were correct.
5. Optionally, give a small prize to members who guessed accurately.

This activity enhances active reading skills. Participants will need to search for clues and have lively debates. This process fosters critical thinking and expands perspectives on storytelling techniques. Plus, this game encourages readers to review the book’s next section!

7. Book-Themed Pictionary

Book-Themed Pictionary is one of the top book club game ideas. This activity fosters teamwork, creativity, and literary knowledge.

Here is how to play this game:

1. Divide players into teams.
2. Give each group a whiteboard or paper and markers.
3. Players take turns drawing clues for their team to guess a book title.
4. The first team to guess correctly wins!

To make this activity more challenging, draw both popular and obscure titles. This game is a great way to deepen players’ knowledge of books and authors. Further, this activity adds excitement to reading by introducing folks to new titles.

If your club is remote, then check out this list of the top online drawing games.

8. Name That Book

Name That Book is an engaging game book club game. Participants guess which book their friends are describing.

Here is how to play a game:

1. One member chooses a book to describe.
2. This player shares details about the book without revealing its title or author.
3. Players who correctly guess the author’s name or book title earn points.
4. The gameplay rotates, and whoever earns the most points wins!

To make this game more challenging, folks could share details that fit several books. If no one guesses the right answer, then the clues can get more specific. This game is a fun way to explore new book recommendations. Plus, guessers might learn about lesser-known books or writers.

9. Book Club Scavenger Hunt

A Book Club Scavenger Hunt is a fun and engaging game. This activity is one of the top book club icebreakers for remote groups.

Here is how to play this game:

1. Create a list of vague clues. For example, “Your favorite book.”
2. Set a timer.
3. Players must gather a book from their shelves that fits each description.
4. After participants grab their books, take turns sharing your answers.

In this version of a scavenger hunt, there is no winning team. However, this activity can build bonds and start fun discussions about literature.

Here are more scavenger hunt ideas for your team.

10. Book Plot Reenactment

Book Plot Reenactment is a fun game for book club members to connect with the stories they read. In pairs or small groups, choose a book you have all read. Groups will reenact a key scene with dialogue and actions.

Another version of this exercise is to rewrite the scene in some way. Folks can rework dialogue they did not like or change scenes they disagreed with.

Either way, this activity helps explore characters, settings, and themes. Participants will improve their analysis skills and learn more about the characters. Additionally, this game fosters creativity and teamwork. These reenactments can also start lively conversations about the books.

11. Literary Trivia

If you are looking for book club team building games, then check out Literary Trivia! Book club members can test their knowledge of authors, literature, and characters.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Write a list of literary questions ranging from easy to difficult.
2. Divide the group into teams.
3. Teams take turns answering questions and earn one point for each correct response.
4. The team who earns the most points wins!

Literary Trivia promotes friendly competition and helps members learn more about books.

Here are more ideas for a fun trivia night.

13. Book Title Rewriting

Book Title Rewriting is a fun and creative activity for book club meetings. Participants take existing book titles and give them a new twist.

Here is how to play this game:

1. Each member brings a list of popular book titles.
2. Either individually or in teams, members write new titles for the books.
3. A judge can choose which title is their favorite.
4. Whoever the judge chooses earns a point.
5. The player with the most points wins!

New book titles do not have to be serious. The goal could also be to make the judge laugh. For instance, Lord of the Rings could become Lord of the Bling.

This activity uses players’ creativity and critical-thinking skills. Adding Book Title Rewriting to your meeting adds a playful twist to the gathering!

14. Book Cover Balderdash

Book Club Balderdash puts a fun literary spin on this classic game.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Write a list of book titles. The more obscure the title, the better.
2. Read the titles one at a time.
3. Set a timer for two minutes.
4. Players take turns sharing the summary of the book. The twist is if they do not know the plot, then they have to make one up!
5. Either give out a point for your favorite answer or the one closest to the truth.
6. The player with the most points wins!

Playing this game might encourage readers to pick up a book they have not heard of before. In addition, Book Club Balderdash is a great way to put players’ writing skills to the test!

15. Book Club Mad Libs

Book Club Mad Libs is a fun game to liven up your book club gatherings. If you want a creative way to discuss literature, then Mad Libs is perfect.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Choose a book your club has read.
2. Create a Mad Libs-style story using plot, characters, and settings.
3. Have members share responses for the missing words.
4. Read the Mad Lib aloud for the group.

Best of all, you can do this activity repeatedly with different books! Book Club Mad Libs add humor to meetings and foster camaraderie. In addition, players can discuss what would happen to the story if the Mad Lib were true.

17. Literary Alphabet Race

The Literary Alphabet Race is a fun way to spice up your book club meetings. Participants race against the clock to think of book titles for each letter of the alphabet.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Start with the letter A.
2. Set a timer for one minute.
3. Players can shout out book titles starting with A. For example, Alice in Wonderland.
4. Players earn a point for each title they get correct.
5. Whoever has the most points by the end of the alphabet wins!

This activity tests literary knowledge and encourages quick thinking. Playing this game might also uncover great titles that other members did not know about.

Check out some more minute to win it games.

18. Literary Taboo

Literary Taboo is a fun and thought-provoking game. Players take turns describing a book title or character without using specific words.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Make a list of book titles or characters. Include taboo words for each list item.
2. Write titles and taboo words on cards.
3. One player will choose a card and describe the answer without using a taboo word.
4. The first player to guess the right answer earns a point.
5. The next player chooses a card, and gameplay continues.
6. The player with the most points wins.

The game starts conversations and improves communication skills. Literary Taboo encourages players to explore book themes, characters, and plots. This process fosters a deeper understanding of literature.

Here are more great communication games you could play.

19. Literary Would You Rather

Literary Would You Rather is a fun twist on the classic game. Participants must choose between two book-related options.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Make a list of Literary Would You Rather questions. For instance, “Would you rather change a book ending you did not like or bring your favorite character back to life?”
2. Players can also make up their own questions.
3. Take turns answering the questions.

This game does not have a winner, but it is a great way to get to know one another. You can also make this game even more book-club related by asking questions based on the book you are reading. This activity is a great way to have interesting conversations about novels!

Here are more would you rather questions for inspiration.

20. Bookish Puzzles

Bookish Puzzles are a fantastic addition to any book club gathering. These brain-teasers entertain and engage participants in literary discussions. You can tailor puzzles like word searches, crosswords, and riddles to specific books. Participants can work individually or in teams to solve the puzzles.

This exercise fosters collaboration and friendly competition among members. Moreover, these puzzles are a fun way to explore the themes, characters, and plots of the club’s books.

Final Thoughts

Adding book-themed games to your next meeting can foster camaraderie among members. In addition, these games offer a fresh perspective on the books you are reading. These games might even suggest new books for folks to read next. After playing, you can also have interesting discussions about the readings. Best of all, book club games are fun! Be sure to add games to your agenda to foster bonds, creativity, and critical thinking.

Next, check out our posts on running a virtual book club and icebreaker books.