Book Club
Book Club Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Components
- 40 Description Cards
- 2 Has / Doesn't Have Cards
Note: The game requires a device with a timer.
Setup
- Place the "Book Has / Doesn't Have" cards in the middle.
- Shuffle the description cards and deal 5 in a facedown pile. Return the rest to the box.
- Set a timer for 5 minutes.
How to Play
Step A. Start the timer when ready. Immediately flip the first description card and place it in the "Book has..." column. As a group, name a book that fits the description.
Step B. When you've named a book, flip the next description card. Decide whether it fits the book you just named, and place it in the opposite column (i.e. if it accurately describes the book, place it under "Book doesn't have..."). Now name a book that fits both descriptions.
Example: "Let's read something about a pet." "Clifford the Big Red Dog?" "I'd rather go with something more... mature." "Marley & Me?"
Step C. Each time you successfully name a book, flip the next description and place it like you did in step B. Then name a new book that meets every description so far. Keep going until the pile runs out, or time is up.
Example: "Ok, so we need a book less than 30 years old that has a pet and a betrayal — but isn't read by kids and doesn't have a long title. Any ideas?"
Winning
If you manage to flip all 5 descriptions and name a book that fits every one — congratulations! You've found your perfect book! Now go read it. Right now.
Losing
If the timer goes off before you find your perfect book, too bad! Either try again with 5 new description cards, or play some other game (if you can decide on one).
Hard Mode
When you're ready for a new challenge, try getting through 7 descriptions in 7 minutes. If you can handle that, try shuffling all the descriptions and seeing how many you can get through in 10 minutes. Be sure to brag about your best results online!
FAQ
What is a "book"? For this game, a book is any written piece of fiction or non-fiction that's at least 50 pages and has been published physically or as an e-book. Graphic novels and self-published works are allowed; individual short stories, magazines, and periodicals are not.
Which edition(s) of a book count? All of them! For example, Frankenstein was originally published as Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, so it can be counted as having 'the' in the title. Likewise, Northern Lights was published as The Golden Compass in the US, so it can also be counted as having 'the'.
Do I really have to read the book? No. We all know you're just here for the snacks.
Aren't some of the descriptions a little... subjective? Yes! It's up to your group to decide what terms like "main character" mean. Just try to be consistent — if you decide that the Tin Man is not a main character, then neither is the White Rabbit.
What if we don't know where to place a new description? If you draw a new description and don't know whether it fits the book you just named, assume it does not fit and place it in the "Book has..." column.