Best Game Gifts for Book Lovers (2026): Word and Story Games

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Best game gifts for book lovers (2026): readers tend to love words, stories and quiet competition. These four games turn spelling, clues and storytelling into play, and every one of them works for a cozy evening with two people or a small book club. Prices run from about $24 to $39.

1. Paperback (10th Anniversary) — readers who also like strategy

Players: 2–5 · Price band: $30+ (about $39) · Pick for: Readers who also like strategy · See Paperback (10th Anniversary) on Amazon

Each hand, you spell the best word you can from your letter cards, and the value of that word buys new cards. Better letters make better words, and points come from completed “novels.” The anniversary edition adds 25 bonus cards, each drawn by a different artist.

It rewards a big vocabulary, but smart buying matters just as much.

Skip it if: your reader wants a quick party game.

2. Letter Jam — readers who would rather work together

Players: 2–6 · Price band: $20–$30 (about $25) · Pick for: Readers who would rather work together · See Letter Jam on Amazon

Everyone holds a secret letter they cannot see but can see everyone else’s. Players take turns spelling clue words from the visible letters, and each clue helps someone work out their own letter. At the end, you try to unscramble your letters into a word.

It is a clever puzzle and a nice change from cutthroat word games.

Skip it if: your reader wants to win alone.

3. Bananagrams — a quick game anywhere

Players: 1–8 · Price band: $20–$30 (about $24) · Pick for: A quick game anywhere · See Bananagrams on Amazon

Everyone races to build a personal crossword from letter tiles, grabbing new tiles whenever someone runs out. No board, no turns and no score pad: the first person to use every tile when the pile is empty wins.

See how to play Bananagrams and Bananagrams vs Scrabble for more.

Skip it if: your reader hates being rushed.

4. Codenames (2nd Edition) — book clubs and groups of friends

Players: 4 or more · Price band: $20–$30 (about $25) · Pick for: Book clubs and groups of friends · See Codenames (2nd Edition) on Amazon

Two teams try to find their words on a 5x5 grid using one-word clues from their spymaster. Readers make great spymasters because they love finding the one word that links three others. It is a natural follow-up when book club discussion winds down.

Skip it if: your reader only plays with one other person.

Choosing a game for a book lover

• Solo readers: Bananagrams works as a solo puzzle, racing your own clock.
• Couples: Paperback and Letter Jam both play well with two.
• Book clubs: Codenames and Letter Jam handle six or more.
• Travel: Bananagrams comes in a small zip pouch.

Matching each game to the reader

A mystery or thriller fan who loves puzzling things out will enjoy Letter Jam. A competitive crossword solver should get Bananagrams. Someone who reads every genre and also plays strategy games is the right fit for Paperback, and a social reader who runs a book club will get the most out of Codenames.

Gift pairings for readers

Pair Bananagrams with a paperback novel and a mug for a stocking that costs under $40. Wrap Paperback with a bookmark for the reader who also plays strategy games. For a book club host, Codenames and a bottle of wine make an easy thank-you gift.

See more in our game gifts for word nerds, best word party games and best book club party games.

Book lover game gift questions

What is the best board game for someone who loves to read?

Paperback, because its theme is writing novels and its scoring rewards strong words.

Is there a cooperative word game?

Yes. Letter Jam is fully cooperative. Players help each other work out hidden letters.

What word game is best for travel?

Bananagrams. The tiles come in a small pouch and you do not need a board.