Bring Your Own Book
Bring Your Own Book at your next game night?
Add Bring Your Own Book to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Matthew Moore
- Publisher frechverlag , Gamewright , MINDOK , Noris Spiele , Scholastic Inc.
- Illustration Luke Nalker , Lena Sofie Schmitt , TANSAN Inc.
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
In Bring Your Own Book, 3 to 8 players sit in a circle and draw prompt cards. Each player searches their own brought book for a text passage that matches the prompt, whether a word, sentence, or paragraph. One player reads the prompt aloud, others search simultaneously and then read their found passages. The reader then judges which submission fits best and awards the card. Books are passed around after certain rounds, keeping the game fresh.
Who Is This Game For?
This game is suited for players aged 12 and up who enjoy creative and communicative party games. With a short playtime of around 20 minutes and simple rules, it is accessible for casual groups of 3 to 8 players without needing prior experience.
How It Works
Bring Your Own Book uses mechanics like Hand Management, Player Judge, and Simultaneous Action Selection. One player draws a prompt card and reads it aloud. All other players simultaneously search their own books for matching text passages and announce when they find one. Each then reads their passage aloud, and the prompt reader chooses the best match. After a player collects a certain number of cards, all players pass their books to the left making the game dynamic.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Matthew Moore, Bring Your Own Book was recommended by Mensa in 2016 and won the Parents' Choice Silver Honor. It uniquely combines party gameplay with players’ own books as a resource, setting it apart from typical card games by integrating simultaneous action and player judging mechanics.
Awards
2016
- 2016 Parents' Choice Silver Honor — Winner
Pro
- Short playtime of about 20 minutes for quick sessions
- Creative use of players’ own books as game resources
- Player Judge mechanic enhances interaction and decision making
- Flexible player count from 3 to 8
Contra
- Not playable solo, requires at least 3 players
- Recommended for ages 12 and up, younger children might struggle
- Low complexity, more a party game than an expert-level game
Setting & atmosphere
The game revolves around using real books owned by the players, leveraging their text content as the thematic and gameplay foundation. It combines the theme of books and libraries with an interactive party game format.
Tips for beginners
Take your time to find suitable text passages and clearly read them aloud to increase your chances of winning the prompt card.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
No, Bring Your Own Book requires a minimum of 3 players and does not support solo play.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 20 minutes, allowing for quick and engaging rounds.
What prior experience do I need?
The rules are simple and easy to learn, suitable for casual players without prior experience.
How does this compare to similar games?
Bring Your Own Book stands out by using real player-owned books as resources and combining hand management with player judging in a party game setting.
Is this suitable for families?
Recommended for ages 12 and up, it works well for families with older children and teens.
What mechanic makes it special?
The mix of Hand Management, Player Judge, and Simultaneous Action Selection creates a fast-paced, interactive experience.
Fazit
Bring Your Own Book is ideal for groups seeking a quick, social party game that creatively involves personal books. Best played with 3 to 8 players and minimal setup or learning curve.
Bring Your Own Book at your next game night?
Add Bring Your Own Book to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Bring Your Own Book to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
