Bring Your Own Book (2015) Board Game

Bring Your Own Book is a card game created by Matthew Moore and was self-published in in 2015. It is a humorous party game that requires players to find phrases or sentences in books that match given prompts. The game was designed to be played with 3-8 players and is suitable for ages 12 and up.

Game Components of Bring Your Own Book

Prompt Cards: These cards contain various categories and challenges that players must satisfy.

Books: Players bring their own books to search for phrases.

Timer: A one-minute timer to add an element of urgency.

Scorekeeping: A method to keep track of points.

How To Setup Bring Your Own Book

To set up the game, each player brings a book of their choice. The prompt cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. The timer is set, and a judge or designated player is chosen to oversee the rounds. Players draw prompt cards, which specify the type of phrase they need to find in their book, such as “a name for a candy bar” or “advice for graduating seniors.”

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Drawing Prompts: Players draw category cards that specify the type of phrase to find.

Searching Books: Players search their books for phrases that match the prompt.

Presenting Phrases: Players present their found phrases to the judge.

Judging: The judge selects the most fitting or entertaining phrase.

Scoring: Points are awarded to the player whose phrase is chosen.

Game Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most points by finding the best phrases that satisfy the prompts.

Player Experience

Playing Bring Your Own Book is a delightful mix of literary scavenging and social interaction. It encourages close reading and creative thinking as players dig through their books to find the perfect phrases. The game is highly adaptable, as players can use any book they have, making it accessible to a wide range of audiences. The real-time element and the humor in out-of-context phrases add to the game’s excitement and entertainment value.

Pros

Encourages Reading: Fosters close reading and engagement with books.

Adaptable: Can be played with any type of book.

Social Interaction: Promotes laughter and discussion among players.

Creative Thinking: Challenges players to think creatively about phrases.

Cons

Time-Consuming: Depending on the book and prompt, searching can take time.

Subjective Judging: The judge’s decisions can be subjective.

Out of Print: The original edition is no longer available, although print-and-play versions are accessible.

Personal Thoughts on Bring Your Own Book

Bring Your Own Book is perfect for book lovers, educators, and anyone looking to add a fun and intellectual twist to game nights. It’s an excellent choice for classrooms to encourage reading and critical thinking skills. The game’s universality, thanks to the use of any book, makes it a versatile addition to any game collection. However, due to its subjective nature and the need for a judge, it may not suit players who prefer more structured or competitive games.

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