Play Book Tag discussion
2025 Activities and Challenges
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PBT Game Time!!!
1) Book Character Speed DatingHow to play:
Each person picks a book character and introduces themselves as that character (without saying their name). The others ask questions or guess who it is. Bonus if you try to stay in character!
2) Emoji Book Guessing Game
How to play:
Each person picks a book and describes it using only emojis. The rest of the group has to guess what book it is.
Example:
🧙♂️⚡🏰🧹 — Harry Potter
3) Two Truths and a Lie – Book Edition
How to play:
Each person shares three book-related statements—two true, one false—and the group guesses the lie.
Example:
I've read War and Peace twice.
I once cried at the ending of a cookbook.
I've never read anything by Jane Austen.
4) Bookish “Would You Rather?”
How to play:
Pose fun, weird, or tough hypothetical choices related to books and reading.
Examples:
Would you rather only read one genre forever or never re-read a book again?
Be stuck in a dystopia or a high fantasy world?
Have lunch with your favorite author or live inside your favorite book?
5) Guess the Plot (From a Made-Up Title)
How to play:
Someone invents a fake book title, and the group makes up what they think the plot could be.
Example Title: The Library of Forgotten Shadows
What’s it about? Who’s in it? Thriller? Fantasy? Romance?
6) Writing a story together
Somebody posts a phrase. The next poster writes the next phrase, taking the story in any direction he/she wants; continue until the interest in the topic dies
7) Adopt a Forgotten Book (this might work well as a challenge, but we will try it as a game if anyone dares)
Inspired by the magic library in the Barcelona novels of Carlos Ruiz Zafon, we each pick an obscure title to save from oblivion, say one with less than 100 ratings, and then we compare notes or write a review for it.
8) Pick a Character or Author and use AI to answer questions. It can be just a question and answer, or it can be a "Who Am I"
9) Title Mash-up. Put together titles to make a sentence or question and answer.
Okay!! I will start with a "Would You Rather"Would you rather have your most beloved book become obsolete and no one can ever read it again or be forced to read the same book over and over for the rest of your life.
The next person to take a turn will be chosen on 4/17.
I can answer that would you rather question. I would rather my most beloved book become obsolete. I would hate to have to reread the same book over and over and over. I would still have the memories of my favorite book. And while I would be heartbroken that others would not be able to read the book, I would be able to continue to experience new books and maybe find a new favorite book.
I agree with Lyn. I'd far rather my favorite book become obsolete than have it be the only book I can ever read. My reasons are much the same as Lyn's as I will remember the book and hold it close to my heart. If I had only it to read, at a certain point, I would stop reading altogether because I know the book too well.
I would rather have my favorite book obsolete. To have the read the same book over and over, no matter how much I love it, would be pure hell! I think this is why I read a variety of books all the time. I treat them like TV shows: "I have had enough of that one, let's move on".
I agree with the others. (Though I'm not sure what that one book would be! I have never really been able to pick one favourite!) But in any case, I don't think I could just reread the same book over and over!
Great ideas, Jason! Your contributions with the weekly questions and game suggestions are really appreciated!As for this question, I don't think any serious reader would disagree. A variation is the example you gave above
Would you rather only read one genre forever or never re-read a book again?
I don't do a lot of re-reading because there are SO MANY BOOKS I haven't read and at my age, time seems shorter than it used to. I could easily give up re-reading, as I could review some of my favorite books in my head.
So although I read a lot of mysteries and a lot of historical fiction, I wouldn't want only one genre any more than only one book.
We need some dissenting opinion in the game. I think I would emulate Ray Bradbury here, in Fahrenheit 451, and if books were in danger of being completely erased from our common cultural landscape, I would adopt one and learn it by heart, becoming a walking book, like in the novel.Of course, I might go crazy, not being able to read anything else, but who would be so cruel as to restrict my in this way?
I have a couple of game ideas, one of them that I had fun playing with another group I'm active in:
➤ Writing a story together
Somebody posts a phrase. The next poster writes the next phrase, taking the story in any direction he/she wants; continue until the interest in the topic dies
➤ Adopt a Forgotten Book
Inspired by the magic library in the Barcelona novels of Carlos Ruiz Zafon, we each pick an obscure title to save from oblivion, say one with less than 100 ratings, and then we compare notes or write a review for it.
I'm sorry but I would definitely have my favorite book go obsolete... no new books for the rest of my life?! No thank you!
Fabulous game ideas!Let my favorite book go obsolete: definitely. There are so many others out there and another one might just become my new favorite.
There is no way I can answer to this because neither answer would be true.There are either/or questions I can answer--plenty of them--but there are a significant number I can't.
Algernon (Darth Anyan) wrote: "We need some dissenting opinion in the game. I think I would emulate Ray Bradbury here, in Fahrenheit 451, and if books were in danger of being completely erased from our common cul..."I love these game options. I will add them to the list.
I wonder if the difference is male vs female. I would only read one book. As much as I love reading, I love sharing things I enjoy with others. I love when friends or family read a book I loved or watch a show I liked. Even become fans of what I am a fan of. So, I would read the same book over and over so others could enjoy a book I loved. If I got to choose, I would pick an epic tale such as The Count of Monte Cristo or Les Miserables or the like.
Lyn wrote: "I can answer that would you rather question. I would rather my most beloved book become obsolete. I would hate to have to reread the same book over and over and over. I would still have the memorie..."Lyn, since you were the first to comment, the next game is yours. Have fun!!!
Okay, here we go! Because I enjoyed the Sunday question about PBT writing a book together let's try writing a story together. Somebody posts a phrase. The next poster writes the next phrase, taking the story in any direction he/she wants; continue until the interest in the topic dies.
It was a dark and stormy night, and I was huddled in my blanket fort on the couch, reading my book, Fido my cat snuggled in my lap, and Fluffy my dog lying on my feet, a cup of spiked hot cocoa in my favorite banned books mug close at hand, when ....
... a sudden gust of wind slams the door against the wall and extinguishes all lights, sending my pets flying out in fear and me following in their footsteps and through the shimmering portal that provides the only dim illumination of my familiar surroundings.
....I am disoriented. I find myself in a large room with a cement floor. It is dark, and I am having a hard time making out what surrounds me. It looks like 3 large steel poles come down from the ceiling. I hear a noise and look around...
and see a dragon in the corner. "Ennaoj, is that you?" I ask...
The dragon's scales shimmer with an iridescent glow as it unfurls its wings and steps forward. "I haven't been called that name in centuries," it replies in a voice like distant thunder, eyes narrowing as they study my face with ancient recognition. A flicker of blue flame escapes its nostrils as the creature tilts its massive head, seemingly trying to place me in the vast expanse of its immortal memory. "Who asks for Ennaoj and how do you know that name?"
"I am Theresa, and my mother would tell me stories about Ennaoj, and what a wonderful creature she was; it was the first name that popped into my mind on seeing you."
"Have you seen a cat and a dog going down this way?"
Algernon (Darth Anyan) wrote: "We need some dissenting opinion in the game. I think I would emulate Ray Bradbury here, in Fahrenheit 451, and if books were in danger of being completely erased from our common cul..."I love the idea of adopting a forgotten book!! That shouldn't be a game so much as an official challenge. I'm going obscure book hunting this week :-)
Algernon (Darth Anyan) wrote: ""Have you seen a cat and a dog going down this way?"""Yes, I did, and they were terribly frightened at the sight of me. The cat immediately ran, but the dog yapped and yapped. I'm afraid I don't speak dog as well I speak human. I reached out my wing to corral him and off he ran as well. It's treacherous out there in the land of the lost and I fear for them. Hop on and we will find them together."
With Ennaoj's help, I climbed up and off we fly into the darkness, her wings narrowly avoiding those steel pillars. I'm breathless with wonder and excitement, not only to have met the great Dragon Queen Ennaoj, but finally to be riding a dragon!
The cat and dog were in a valley surrounded by a group of Basilisks.Ennoaj knew the only way to kill them was with powerful magic. she asked Theresa to get off his back, and she slid down his wing.
She also whipped out her special saber, recently honed to a hair-splitting edge, and stood ready to protect Ennaoj's back from any sneak attacks.
And it was a good thing Theresa was prepared to take on the role of strong warrior and "wing man," but just then ...
Shouts, moos, baas, snarls, and trumpeting alerted all to the arrival of the Steeplechase Rescue Party led by Buck, Bessie, Elsa, and Purrito. But wait! Ther is something glittery descending from above, not yet spied by the Basilisks...
is Sparkle with her magic at the ready. Those Basilisks don't stand a chance...
One by one, the basilisks collapse to the ground and start snoring. The very ground trembles from their rumbling, so I run and take the frightened pets in my arms. Still, they refuse to get near Ennaoj, so I guess we will have to continue our quest on foot from here.
Our story was very fun. Thank everyone who contributed!!!! It doesn't have to end necessarily, but it's time to move on.Lyn, nominate someone else for Game Time!!
@Lyn - of course you did!OK, I'm going with this one - I'll post my truths/lie later as work is calling:
Two Truths and a Lie – Book Edition
How to play:
Each person shares three book-related statements—two true, one false—and the group guesses the lie.
Example:
I've read War and Peace twice.
I once cried at the ending of a cookbook.
I've never read anything by Jane Austen.
1. My favorite genre is crime fiction.2. Lord Peter Wimsey is one of my book boyfriends.
3. I dislike audiobooks.
Which is the lie?
I think it's #2, TheresaMy three:
1. My favorite book in high school was Tess of the D'Urbervilles.
2. I've read War and Peace twice.
3. I've read Don Quixote in Spanish.
I knew #2 was a lie for TheresaFor Joy, I'm guessing 1 is the lie.
No, it's actually #2. I was an unusual high schooler. Haha.I've only read War and Peace once,
What are your three, Robin?
1. I have read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame twice.2. I like M/M romances more than F/F romances.
3. I have never read The Diary of Anne Frank.
I think # 1 is the lie for Robin.
You're right, I barely got through Fourth Wing the first time and stopped there. It's fine for what it is, but I'm not the target audience.BC, what are your statements?
1. I admit to dog-earing books2. The book I would write would be non-fiction
3. I have never DNF'd a book. Even if I skim the rest to make sure I haven't missed anything, I am compelled to finish.
Amy wrote: "1. I admit to dog-earing books2. The book I would write would be non-fiction
3. I have never DNF'd a book. Even if I skim the rest to make sure I haven't missed anything, I am compelled to finish."
I'm gonna take a guess and say....3 is the lie.
1. I prefer to remove all the book covers off my books.
2. I give away physical copies and delete electronic copies of books after I've read them.
3. My growing TBR creates anxiety that I am not reading enough
My guess is # 1, Jason.1. I desperately want a first edition of To Kill a Mockingbird
2. I was a drill sergeant in the Army.
3. I love oatmeal.
I think I know the answer for BC but I've already done one, so I'll see if somebody else gets it.
Book Concierge wrote: "My guess is # 1, Jason.1. I desperately want a first edition of To Kill a Mockingbird
2. I was a drill sergeant in the Army.
3. I love oatmeal."
You don't like oatmeal.
Eveyone is doing such a great job! Fun to see. And yes, mine was #2. BnB - you are up! What's your book 2 truths and a lie?
I would have guessed #2 for Amy...Here are mine:
1. I have not read The Grapes of Wrath
2. I love a little magic in my books
3. I have read all of Jane Austen's books
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
Snow Falling on the Cedars (other topics)Anxious People (other topics)
Callahan's Crosstime Saloon (other topics)
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Song of the Lion (other topics)
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Below are game options. Games can be added so if you have any suggestions, please submit. I will go first. Please comment if you would like a turn and I will create a list.