Book Club Icebreaker Games That Go Beyond “Introduce Yourself”

Key Takeaways

• These icebreakers go beyond basic name-and-job intros.
• Great for both new and returning book club members.
• Many games are easy, no-cost, and introvert-friendly.
• Most activities use items you already have.
• Includes helpful links from Bookish Wardrobe and external sources.

---

Why Standard Introductions Get Old Fast

Most clubs start with "name, favorite book, and job." This works once—but it feels flat after that. People end up repeating themselves. Real connection needs more than surface-level sharing.

Why skip basic intros:

• They don't reveal much personality.
• Members often feel put on the spot.
• They rarely lead to lasting conversations.

Tip from experience: In a club I ran for 2 years, we saw better engagement when we used games instead of talking in circles.

Read more ideas in 10 Icebreaker Questions for Your Next Book Club Meeting.

---

The "Bookish Match" Game – Pairing Members with Genres

Create simple cards with two sides:

• Side A: a book genre (fantasy, memoir, horror)
• Side B: a quirky trait ("loves rainy days," "hates spoilers")

Pass out cards randomly. Everyone walks around guessing who matches their card.

Why it works:

• Gets people talking right away
• Easy for new members
• Brings some laughs and surprises

Connect this to Beyond the Book – Fun Activities for Book Clubs.

---

Speed Book Chat – Like Speed Dating, But for Readers

Set a timer for 3 minutes per pair. Ask a bookish question like:

• "What book changed your mind about something?"
• "Which author would you want to meet?"

After the timer, switch partners.

When to use this:

• Bigger clubs (6+ people)
• First-time meetings
• Energy boost mid-session

Pull inspiration from The Top 5 Book Series to Dive Into Right Now.

---

"Bookish Bingo" – Icebreaker Edition

Create a Bingo board. Each square is a fun fact:

• "Has read a banned book"
• "Owns more than 100 books"
• "Prefers used books over new"

Goal: find someone in the room who fits each square.

Why it’s a hit:

• Gets everyone moving
• Encourages short convos
• Fun challenge with zero pressure

See how it pairs with How to Start a Banned Books Reading Challenge.

Use BingoBaker to create a free custom board.

---

Two Truths and a Bookish Lie

Each member shares:

• Two truths about their reading life
• One lie

Example:

• "I read 100 books last year"
• "I've never cried over a book"
• "I own every book by Agatha Christie"

The group guesses the lie.

What makes it great:

• No prep
• Always fun
• You learn unexpected facts about each other

---

"Cover Me" – Book Cover Charades

Grab images of book covers. Blur out the title/author. One person describes the cover, and others guess.

How to keep it smooth:

• Use printed covers or show them on a tablet
• Pick well-known books for easier guessing

Perfect for visual thinkers. Fun way to spark discussion on covers that work or flop.

See Books That Read Like Movies for visually rich picks.

---

Alphabetical Icebreaker – Literary Edition

Each person names a book starting with the next letter of the alphabet. Example:

• A: Anne of Green Gables
• B: Brave New World
• C: Circe

Themes you can try:

• Banned books
• Classic authors
• Book-to-movie titles

Make it easier: keep a printed cheat sheet nearby.

Pairs well with Classic Books You Should Definitely Own.

---

Mystery Reader Reveal

Before the meeting, ask members to submit a favorite book anonymously. At the event, read the titles out loud. Everyone guesses whose book it is.

After guesses, the reader reveals it was their pick and why.

Why it matters:

• Builds empathy
• Leads to deep discussions
• Everyone gets a chance to share something personal

Match with Guide to Starting a Book Club with Friends.